The Give My Head Peace Live chat

Here's a transcript of the live chat with Uncle Andy (Marty Reid) and Da (Tim McGarry) that took place on Friday 22 June, 2001.

Question from Louise Savage: Uncle Andy, would you still support Elvis if he was a catholic?
Uncle Andy: Yes. Elvis is the King no matter what religion he is.

Question from Austin Allen: Why does Da never take his cap off. He even wore it to Cal's wedding?
Da: Because I am bald under it! It is stitched into my head and the whole top of my head would come off. I am starting a fashion trend as well.

Question from Louise McAleavey: Has Uncle Andy ever been married? If not can he ever see himself getting hitched?
Uncle Andy: No, I've never been married. There are too many women in the world and so little time to get round them all. Is this a offer?

Question from Karen Donnelly: Do you think Emer would ever come back from Spain for a guest appearance on the show?
Da: If we could afford her!

Question from Dave Ansaravic: How close to the bone do you think the series is?
Uncle Andy: As close as we can get it without getting arrested!

Question from Derick Trotter: As an MLA are you going to leave the flats behind?
Da: Oh I will never forget my roots. The mere fact that I earn forty thousand pounds a year will never leave me. But don't tell Ma or she'll kill me...

Question from Alex Gleave: Does Andy ever get a job and keep it?
Uncle Andy: How dare you! I work all the time. At scams! And defending Ulster. This is a full time job if not two!

Question from Jacqui Kirkpatrick: Do you ever get discriminated against, because of the show?
Da: No we've had nothing but good reaction. The only positive reaction I've had was passing my MOT when I shouldn't have. Thanks to Mr X who was a fan!
Uncle Andy: I got a pound off a steak once! Thanks lads!

Question from M.R: Is Red Hand Luke a nutter in real life?
Da: Yes. Dan Gordon is his name and he is an absolute Nutter.
Uncle Andy: This is probably the only time I'll ever agree with Da. In fact he's such a good actor we're thinking of killing him off in the next series.

Question from Michelle Hillis: I have seen you people around Belfast filming and it looks like a good laugh. Is it good fun?
Da: It's better than working but there is a lot of sitting around and waiting which is why we always try and organise foreign trips so we can sit around somewhere nice!

Question from Thomas: Have you ever met Gerry Adams for real and how did he take to your character?
Da: Gerry is a fan. But so is everybody. Big Ian never misses it. And Bob McCartney too.

Question from Dominic Toland: Would Uncle Andy like to see Billy and Dympna move out so he can have his house to himself?
Uncle Andy: Yes. Never mind the fact that it's Billy house! Me and Mervyn can put it to far better use as an alternative entertainment centre!

Question from Alan Barnes: Will the 'Hole in the wall Gang' ever release a film?
Uncle Andy: If you are a film director yes. We'd love to if somebody would pay for it.

Question from Glenn Simpson: Do you ever get complaints from people?
Da: The only complaint we got was from a guy who ran a fish and chip shop in Belfast which we identified as being a bit "mingy"!

Question from Chucky: What's the most memorable episode you've written?
Da: My favourite is the Bonfire of the Insanities where Red Hand Luke built a huge bonfire outside Uncle Andy's house in order to attract aliens.

Question from Ryan: Da and Uncle Andy, do you both feel that "Give my Head Peace" has run its course in that the stereotypes that you have created in the characters of the show no longer exist in N. Ireland?
Da: Did you watch the Election results? I think there are a lot of Uncle Andys and Das out there as long as people keep watching.

Question from Jacqui McCusker: Do you think Ma will ever divorce Da, she seems very annoyed with him, or have they a strong marriage?
Da: Don't be silly. That woman couldn't get another man like me. Thankfully she is a good Catholic and doesn't believe in divorce but I'm not sure about the way Uncle Andy looks at her!
Uncle Andy: Yes well she is a woman after all so she must be attracted to me. Bless her!

Question from Austin Flanagan: How do you think the show has affected people of N.I?
Da: Hopefully it has made them laugh.

Question from Uncle: Uncle Andy, I have a dog callled sash what would u call your dog?
Uncle Andy: If I had a dog I would call it Harold Gracey because he is very loyal!

Question from Norn Iron: Andy is it true that under the Good Friday Agreement the knee breakers is being renamed the gentle persuasion of the leg joint?
Uncle Andy: Very good. That line may appear in the next series!

Question from Dave Ansaravic: If I were to look in your record collection Uncle Andy, would I find Daniel O'Donnell?
Uncle Andy: If I found Daniel O'Donnell lurking in my record collection I would be very disappointed.

Question from Danny Elliott: Is Red Hand Luke going to Drumcree for his holidays?
Uncle Andy: No because he's so extreme he wouldn't want to mix with the wimps of Drumcree.

Question from Paul Smyth: If the GMHP characters were in Big Brother who would you evict?
Uncle Andy: I would get rid of Dympna cos her singing gets on my wick! And I'd definitely win cos everybody loves me! I'm a love machine.
Da: That's enough of that talk.

Question from Laura Patton: Uncle Andy, my dad wants to know what kind of hair oil you use?
Uncle Andy: It's Castrol GTX

Question from Dominic Angelone: Will Cal ever join the police force?
Da: Not until Gerry Adams says he can which won't be for weeks yet. Mind you, I've been looking forward to the salary for ages. I'm already giving him a course in sarcasm.

Question from Matthew Graham: Do all the cast get on well on set?
Da: Yes. Absolutely. It's good fun. It's like working with your mates and getting paid.
Uncle Andy: Do we get paid?!

Question from Keith Graham: What were both of your original careers before taking up acting/comedy, and do you now work in comedy full time or have you still kept your old jobs?
Da: Yes, I used to be a lawyer -honestly but I couldn't cope with the money and I've been a full time writer and performer since 1986. If anyone wants to give me work as a writer/comedian contact the BBC.
Uncle Andy: I am still a computer programmer. But thankfully the day job gives me time to do the night job.

Question from V Fee: Hey what are you two doing on a Friday night sitting in playing on your computers??? Haven't you anything more interesting to be doing at your age?
Da: OK Mum I'll be home on the half ten bus!

Question from Chucky: Uncle Andy, are you a member of the Orange lodge?
Uncle Andy: I'll think you'll find I am a member of the Kneebreakers Free Reformed Independent Temperance Orange Lodge.

Question from Mick Black: Is big Mervyn ever going to get a girl?
Uncle Andy: Mervyn has had many girlfriends. It's just that Mervyn's personal hygiene leaves much to be desired. You're lucky just to be watching him on television and not in the studio with him!

Question from Timothy Canning: When you were filming in Spain, did anyone recognize you? Were there any N.Irish tourists perhaps?
Da: Yes.Though the coolest ever was being recognised in New York!....by the fella that lives round the corner from Uncle Andy...

Question from Uncle: Uncle Andy how long do you spend in make up?
Uncle Andy: How dare you. I never wear make up.
Da: Well it takes me hours to get my hair grey.

Question from Pauline Damama: What did you think of New York, and what was it like to film there?
Da: Brilliant but freezing though. It was great fun putting an Orange march down Fifth Avenue.

Question from Alex Gleave: Apart from Billy, does Uncle Andy have any other family?
Uncle Andy: I may have. You'll find out in the next series in the Autumn.

Question from Iron Maiden: Has anyone in the political or religious arena ever taken offense at the show?
Da: Not that we know of. Though I suspect most politicians pretend to like it cos it would be unpopular not to!

Question from Jacqui McCusker: Will Uncle Andy ever decorate his house?
Uncle Andy: I would love to get changing rooms in and get that lovely Llewyln in to do some red white and blue swags and tails.

Question from M.R: Moving from radio to TV, how did you cope with the success?
Da: Is that what you call it.
Uncle Andy: We have been a 15 year overnight success!

Question from Andrew Doogan: How many more series will you do?
Da: As long as people keep watching it. We'll keep doing it.

Question from Heero Yuy: Da what happened to your other son that was released from jail in the very first episode, you know the one that was innocent?
Da: Paul married one of the Kennedys... Shirley Kennedy from Whiterock. We haven't seen him in a while.

Question from Rob Gardiner: Will GMHP ever be shown throughout the UK?
Da: We think it should be! Please write to the BBC in London and demand it.

Question from Jacqui Kirkpatrick: What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened during filming?
Uncle Andy: I had to do the shower scene from Psycho just wearing a pair of pants for 5 hours in a cold shower with 5 men.....watching and filming...there should only have been two... it's not how I imagined it!
Da: I was in my vest and underpants during filming but I can't think of an embarrassing moment.

Question from Nichola: Will the "Hole in the Wall Gang" ever be doing stand up comedy on TV again even though what you are doing now is brilliant?
Tim: I would love to. I am available for after dinner speeches and children's parties.

Question from Glenn Simpson: How long have the Hole in the Wall Gang been together & how did you guys get together & think of the idea for the show?
Da: We've been together too long. Full time we've been together 5 years. We got together at university. In fact why not buy the book and read all about us!

Question from Scott Morrison: Who are your favourite actors?
Tim: Walter Matthau and Marty Reid.
Marty: Tim McGarry and Jack Lemon

Question from Mark Halus: Have you tried asking any real life politicians to appear on the show?
Uncle Andy: They've got their own comedy show and we've got ours.

Question from Heather Bissett: How do you keep your self from crackin up?
Marty: Is that my girlfriend Geraldine?!

Question from Richard Doherty: Did John McBlain do the voice of Ronny Flanagan
Da: Yes
Question from Richard Doherty :What other programmes have you done besides 'Give my head peace?
Da: 1798 The Comedy, Live at the Opera House and on Thursday June 28 you can see Comic Asides with The Hole in the Wall Gang on BBC-1.

Question from Heero Yuy: Would you ever expand your show to the UK mainland?
Uncle Andy: Yes of course but they'd need subtitles. I don't understand a word they say anyway!

Question from Stone: Uncle Andy and Da I would like to know what you watch on TV please.
Da: Give My Head Peace, Spotlight, Hearts and Minds, Panorama and other comedy programmes of that ilk!
Uncle Andy: The Twelfth Live - every day!

Question from Ashley Millar: Uncle Andy will you be going to see the parades this year?
Uncle Andy: See them? That is the highlight of my year. With my new drumming capabilities I'm a faster, stronger more rhythmic Uncle Andy.
Da: And he's not a bad drummer either !

Last question from Anne McAdam: Do you have a free rein with your scripts, or are you told to tone them down a bit?
Da: We are subjected to British state censorship and we're not allowed to tell the truth about the occupied six counties............
Uncle Andy: Don't listen to a word he says. It's all lies!

BBC-Host: Here are Uncle Andy/Da with a final word...

Uncle Andy: Thank you everyone for taking part. Keep watching. Live long and Protestant.
Da: Your day has come thanks very much. PS Don't miss next week's episode. It's a cracker!

Have a look at what Ma (Olivia Nash) and Dympna (Alexandra Ford) had to say in another live chat.

Or take a peek at what Cal (Damon Quinn) and Billy (Michael McDowell) had to say in an recent live chat.