Steven Toast (Matt Berry), actor, voice-over artist, and legend of the London theatrical scene, has reached PEAK ANGER. After a final, very violent, confrontation with his old nemesis Ray Purchase, he decides to head off for a new life in the US of A, where he has been promised a ‘leading role’ in a major Hollywood franchise movie.
With nowhere to stay, and no contacts in Hollywood - apart from his new agent, Brooke Hooberman - Toast is grateful for an offer of accommodation from a mysterious fellow passenger, called Russ Nightlife (Fred Armisen), who he meets on the Trans-Atlantic flight over. Russ has no friends it seems, apart from Billie (Rashida Jones), an aide who comes daily to the apartment.
On the road to making it big in America he meets an extremely angry director, becomes a success in a soap opera playing a doctor, bites off the ear of a Hollywood A-lister, and gets lost in the desert... he may be out of London, but he’s never out of bad luck.
Toast of Tinseltown, Tuesday 4th January 2022 at 10pm on BBC Two.
The whole series will be available on BBC iPlayer afterwards.
All three series of Toast of London are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
INTERVIEWS WITH CREATIVES AND CAST
MATT BERRY – Creator, Writer and Steven Toast
Steven Toast is back and on the BBC. Matt what can you tell us about the new series?
The new series sees Toast sent to LA due to another actor not being available. That ‘wrong guy’ vibe pretty much sums up his whole experience.
Can we expect to see series regulars like Clem Fandango and Ray Purchase?
You can expect to see all the regular cast members.
Toast of London had a number of celebrity cameos over the three series, what cameos can we look forward to in the new series?
I shouldn’t really give them away due to plot and effect but, we always try to not just bolt a celebrity into the show for the sake of it, so hopefully all the choices will make sense, as well as satisfy.
What was the inspiration behind the series?
The main inspiration was to take Toast out of his/our comfort zone and plonk him somewhere unfamiliar, with a new set of characters and situations with all the difficulties they create.
How did it feel to be back writing for Toast again?
I always feel honoured to write with Arthur as he’s not only been someone whom I’ve always greatly admired, but has, over the years, become someone who’s technique and problem-solving skills I’ve adopted, and are now very much part of my approach for all writing. It’s important to borrow from the best.
Have you ever worked with anyone like Steven Toast?
I’ve always worked with Steven Toast’s in one form or other.
ARTHUR MATHEWS – Writer
What was it like working with Matt Berry on Toast again?
Fabulous! Matt can just say things in a certain way which can make them funny. He’s a great performer. Even his reactions - when he barely does anything, but just takes in the mayhem around him - are very effective. I’ve noticed how important these are in the show.
Did you have any hesitation in bringing Steven Toast back?
No. I like Steven Toast! It’s been six years since we made the last series, so that’s a whole primary or secondary education. It’s quite a while. I thought I’d probably seen the last of Toast, but Ben Farrell at Objective wouldn’t let him lie. Ben’s hard work behind the scenes has resurrected him.
Why did you want to send him to America?
I don’t know whose idea that was (not mine). But it’s opened up a whole new world. It was fun writing some over-the-top Hollywood-types: angry directors and obsequious producers. I’d never done anything like that. And having ‘real Americans’ actually in it was quite thrilling.
Can you tell us a bit about the writing process for the new series?
Matt would have an idea like ‘I’d love Toast to be brought to a film location in the desert, and be thrown about while he’s travelling there in his trailer.’ So I’d say, yes, that’s a good idea, and then I’d think - it might be good to have him stumble into an old-style Wild West town with a saloon and various sheriffs, old timers etc.
And Matt was keen on the idea of Toast being constantly captured by two kidnappers, so I thought that would fit well into the final episode where he’s desperately trying to get to the set on time for his role in the latest Star Wars movie.
One idea sets off other ideas, basically.
Did you think that the phrase “Yes I can hear you Clem Fandango” would become such a cult catchphrase?
Yes, of course I did. (Actually - no, not really). But people seem to love that name.
How would you best describe the show to those who might not have seen it before?
Lots of things happen to Steven Toast. He’s actually quite ambitious as an actor, and quite pompous about it. But by the end of the show, after some hair raising adventures, he’s completely humiliated.
Also, I feel quite dizzy watching a lot of modern comedies with all the zooming in and out and shaky camera work. So there’s none of that.
FRED ARMISEN – Russ Nightlife
Are you a fan of UK comedy?
UK comedy has been a huge part of my life since I was a teenager. My love of British comedy continued on through the rest of my years and including now.
Have you seen any previous episodes of Toast before?
I am a huge fan of Toast of London. I love it.
How did you become involved with Toast of Tinseltown?
I became friendly with Matt Berry, and would openly tell him that I want to work with him. Then, months later, he asked me to be on the show.
Why did you want to work on the series?
Because of how great the show is, and to get a chance to work with Matt again. I had previously worked with him on a show called Portlandia. Also, I love the idea that I could be on British TV.
What was it like working with Matt Berry on this show?
A lot of fun. Seeing his character right there in front of me was insanely funny. It was the real him! We talked about music in between takes.
RASHIDA JONES – Billie
Have you seen any previous episodes of Toast before?
I cried when my agent called me with the offer. I’ve seen every of Toast episode multiple times and, counter to my last answer, I think Matt Berry is one of the funniest people alive.
How did you become involved with Toast of Tinseltown?
Not sure how or why but they asked me to do it and I said yes!
Why did you want to work on the series?
Toast is the perfect example of absurdism that only works with commitment. The silly always feels earned. I’ve been a fan of Matt’s for a long time (First time I worked in London, Garth Marenghi was airing on Channel 4 and it got me through a very tough few months) and he is just a brilliant, committed actor.
What was it like working with Matt Berry on this show?
Even better than I could have imagined. I was extremely nervous, Matt was very generous and encouraging and welcoming, so was the whole crew. And working with Fred Armisen is always a dream.
Rashida Jones/Fred Armisen/Matt Berry pictures: BBC/Objective Fiction/Ben Meadows
Interviews supplied by BBC
