For Geoff Norcott, the idea of the ‘basic bloke’ is neither insult nor punchline. It is, he says, “simply most men”.
“The bloke is a subspecies of male,” he said, “but it’s probably the biggest group. Just average guys getting on with it. Loving people who try to do the right thing by their families, even if they’re not great at remembering birthdays or anniversaries.”
The comedian is back in Bedford for Basic Bloke 2 – There’s No Bloke Without Fire, his first tour under a Labour government, so he’s got plenty to get off his chest.
Not least, he says, because “there’s nothing quite so British as being promised a brave new dawn then realising it’s as crap as the last one”.
While the show touches on politics, its core focus is modern masculinity, male friendships and mental health, approached with humour rather than instruction.
“There’s been a media narrative for quite a long time where the actions of a small number of toxic men were extrapolated to all men,” Norcott said.
“And oddly, people who were usually against stereotyping suddenly didn’t apply that same caution when it came to men. So, I’m kind of fighting back a bit on behalf of the average bloke.”
Laughter leads to talking
But what of the modern basic bloke and the things men rarely talk about, the struggles they may be facing?
As an ambassador for the Association for Male Health and Wellbeing, rather than rejecting conversations about mental health, Norcott’s approach is pragmatic.
“When you say things like male wellness and depression, it sounds like it’s going to be the least funny thing ever,” he said. “But my rule is always: can I make it funny? If not, it’s just a lecture.”
He believes comedy works precisely because it meets men where they are. “Blokes like to laugh,” he said. “That laughter opens the door to talking, but it has to feel natural.”
Norcott is wary of unrealistic expectations placed on men to suddenly become emotionally fluent; friendships aren’t therapy sessions, and there has to be a balance.
“It’s not like men hear ‘it’s good to talk’ and suddenly decide to excavate every feeling they’ve ever had and burst into tears,” he said. “That’s not realistic. I’m about evolution, not revolution.”
In the show, he explores the limits of how men communicate with each other. “If all you ever do is escape into the fun stuff and never talk about serious things, you might just be storing up problems for later,” he said.
Despite frequent claims that younger generations are more open, Norcott remains unconvinced. “I talk to younger lads who are meant to be very progressive,” he said. “But if you ask how much they really talk to their friends about their lives, I’m not sure it’s changed that much.”
That realism runs throughout Basic Bloke 2, which also tackles fatherhood, judgment, social habits and the everyday irritations of modern life.
Norcott reflects on being a dad, questions whether fathers will ever get the cultural credit given to mothers, and admits to judging everything from bad parenting to anyone who wears a dressing gown after 9am.
He also uses the show to look back on working during what he calls the high watermark of ‘woke’ culture. “There was a point where comedy forgot what it was,” he said.
“You still get the odd person in the room that will just hear one word in a routine, and they’ll mistake the subject matter with the intent.”
“So there are still those people out there, but I think what they’ve realised is that they’re in the minority now.”
Comedy is best live
Like his other work, the show is designed to function best in a live setting. “Music and comedy used to be their own universes,” he said, “Now they compete with everything. Live shows remind people why shared experiences still matter.”
And he would know. Having become a firm favourite across television, radio and live comedy.
He’s appeared on programmes including Live at the Apollo, Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You, The Last Leg, Would I Lie To You?, Celebrity Mastermind and Question Time, and even fronted BBC Two documentaries such as ‘How The Middle Classes Ruined Britain’ and ‘Is University Really Worth It?’.
Plus, his Working Men’s Club show has been recommissioned and will return to Radio 4 in April.
That is one reason Norcott continues to tour regional venues like Bedford. “Places like this let you connect properly,” he said. “They’re not small in spirit, even if they’re smaller in size.”
Geoff Norcott performs Basic Bloke 2 – There’s No Bloke Without Fire in Bedford on 22 February at The Quarry Theatre. Tickets available at quarrytheatre.org.uk.
