The Give My Head Peace Live chat

Here's a transcript of the live chat with Da (Tim McGarry) Ma (Olivia Nash) and Mervyn (B.J. Hogg)) that took place on Friday 13th December, 2002.

Tom, Shankill: Did you have to audition to get a part on the show or was the part written for you?

Da: Most parts are written and we have a pool of actors who we normally use. We're always looking out for new talent.

Chris: So what has been your favourite episode?

Mervyn: Uncle Andy's funeral and resurrection from the dead, because you can't keep a good man down.

Da: I love the Bonfire of the Insanities,

Ma: Farewell to Arms

Mervyn: Andy's ashes.

Leanne, Andersonstown: Ma's character has changed over the years - she used to be more downtrodden but she seems to have gotten stronger and fights with Da more - why is that?

Ma: I wised up first of all and the influence of my lovely daughter Dymphna, who has returned from London, and Da has gone soft!

Simon, Belfast: Can you settle an argument for me? My Da says you didn't really film the programme in New York. He thinks it was done in Northern Ireland and made to look like New York. I think he's talking rubbish.

Da: First of all we did definitely definitely film in New York. Martin & BJ left their signatures in a bar called 'Between the Bridges' so next time you're in New York you can check it out!

Keithj: What the most embarrasing thing thats ever happened you on stage?

Mervyn: I think it's were the director thought I had dried up but it was because the water was so cold in the rain machine I c o u l d n 't s p e a k!

Gerrie: Do you all make big money from give my head peace?

Da: Gerrie do you think if we were loaded we'd still be living in Divis Tower?

Linda: Is give me head peace going to be out on video/dvd?

Da: There is an old video but perhaps if you speak to BBC Worldwide they might release another couple.

Steve, Londonderry: How big an effect has the lack of political activity recently had on the series?

Da: Yes it's always better when the politicans are quiet, but there are still plenty of jokers about!

Linda: So whats the story then between you and uncle andy then, Ma?

Ma: As I am sitting beside Da, I will never divulge. After all, we girls need a bit of spice in our lives - Old Spice!

Da: Ladies, tune in next week to see Uncle Andy naked!!!

Cass: Has Da ever spoken to Gerry Adams

Da: I'm an intimate and very close friend - it's just that he doesn't know it.

June, Belfast: Big Mervyn knows who Billy's dad is - can he tell us who it is?

Mervyn: The world and his wife knows, but I must keep it quiet forever!

Paul, Lisburn: If you were going to be stranded on a desert island with one person from the show who would you take with you and why?

Ma: I would take red Hand Luke, because my fear of what he would do would counteract the fear of being standed on an island.

Da: I would take Ma because I would still need someone to cook and clean!

Mervyn: I'd have to take my mucker Uncle Andy because life would not be worth living if he didn't have somebody to moan at. Know matter were he is he always knows were to find free drink!

Irish Angel: Is it true that the bogside artists painted something for an upcoming episode?

Da: Yes there is a cross community mural showing an 18ft da - I don't know who posed for it!

Gavin: How does it feel reaching your 50th episode?

Mervyn: The first half a ton's always the heaviest! We looked younger in the earlier ones.

Ma: May we have as much fun in the next fifty.

Nigel, Antrim: Does Mervyn still live with his Mum? Is he the loyalist equivalent of Cal?

Mervyn: How dare you! My father Big Mervyn senior, my mother Big Mervina take very good care of me when I can find them! As for being like Cal - I at least have a full head of hair and a dainty hairdo!

Mervyn2: What would you usually order down at the Kneebreakers?

Mervyn: Anything I don't have for to pay for!

Amanda, Craigavon: How long does it take to make one show?

Da: It's about three weeks to write, one week to rehearse and a couple of hours in studio to muck it up!

Jenny: Where do they get Ma's clothes from - does Olivia get to pick them herself?

Ma: Yes I do get to choose them, thanks to Clare McErlean our wonderful costume designer. But actually I'm a tall slim blonde.

Andrew 1989: Does Big Mervyn still love curly wurlies?

Mervyn: I'm afraid you've got the wrong end of the Curly Wurly, I have not and will not and never will touch another curly wurly, it get's me into trouble, as they are Andy's favourite. For myself, I'm a sherbet dab man!

Marcus: Da, do you think you'll ever stop your sectarian hatred,since your daughters married a peeler and will find a non-violent solution?

Da: Yes I've two daughters married to the same peeler, let's hope I don't have a third somewhere in the closet!

Linda, Dundonald: Has Big Mervyn ever had a girlfriend or is he gay?

Mervyn: How dare you! p.s. what's your phone number?

Francine, Bangor: Do you still enjoy doing the show or do you ever get fed up and think I don't want to go to work today?

Da: No

Ma: No

Mervyn: No what we do beats working! PS The bird that says she likes me, I'm gutted it's not live.

Jiege: Do Harp pay mervyn and uncle andy till drink their beer, or do they simply like it??

Da: We don't do product placement but if there are any breweries listening in we are available and have rather large tummies!

Mervyn says 'Result on the number!'

Spagghetti: In the street do people call you by your cast names?

Da: On our cast names.

Steve: Are you lot aware that you are involved in the greatest show in the history of television?

Da: Please copy this letter to BBC NI.

Mervyn: Can you feel the warmth tonight coming through your screen!

John, Lurgan: I was really glad to see Paul back in the show - will he be joining the regular cast? It would be great crack having him and Cal at each other's throats all the time!

Da: Are you the guy who played Paul, if so you were good but don't push it!

Tommy: Have you ever though about doing a big screen version of the show?

Da: Yes, never say never............ in fact there's the title.

Alison, Belfast: What ever happened to Sammy the barman in the Kneebreakers?

Da: Sammy is still knocking about and will return, I think he's making a matchstick Windsor Park.

P.J.: What GAA team does Da support? Antrim?

Da: Antrim because I can see them free from Divis Towers.

Jon, Belfast: How did u manage to let the peelers lend u a landrover?

Da: Yes, Nutt's Corner Market and TanksRus!

Steve: Will the kneebreakers ever convert to the Euro?

Da: Will the Kneebreakers ever convert?!

Pat, Islandmagee: How many years are Ma and Da married?

Ma: Too many!

Rs2000wrc: Have any of you appeared in any other tv programs or films?

Mervyn: Yes but the shopping list is too long, I prefer to be known for what I'm working on at the moment. Mind you if that's Mr Spielberg out there I'm available for weddings and Bar Mitzpahs.

Jiege: Wheres the divis flat scenes shot at?

Da: Uncle Andy's house and Divis Towers are in BBC Blackstaff studios Belfast.

Laura Patton: Has Red Hand Luke ever sat the 11 plus?

Ma: Yes and he failed it...... last year!

Coolrj: Da, my ma saw u in the hospital when your wife had a baby and it wasn't ma - what's the craic?

Da: Yes, it's only television.

Mary: if you were ever to go on a second honeymoon, where would you go?

Ma: Well da would go to Cuba to see Fidel Castro and I would go to Kincassagh to see Daniel.

Linda: Mervyn are you ever going to get a job? Your always round at Andy's!

Mervyn: How dare you, looking after my mucker Andy is a full time job.

Laura: Are there going to be any more shows shot abroad? If so, where?

Da: Hopefully there will be a new series in the New Year. We fancy Australia, will you write to the BBC and tell them to give us the money?

Dan: Is there going to be a christmas special this year?

Da: On the 27th December we will have the very first episode Two ceasefires and a Wedding, and the fiftieth episode set in Dublin. Big Mervyn and Andy pull! No, I don't believe it either!

Lauren: You must all get recognised a lot - does it ever annoy you?

Mervyn: Never, and if it did you shouldn't be in the business.

ALL: we love you too and a Merry Christmas to you all. Keep watching.

Have a look at what Da (Tim McGarry) and Uncle Andy (Marty Reid) had to say in an earlier live chat.

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.