Comedian Stephen K Amos talks about lying to his parents when he was younger telling them he was a mini cab driver rather than comedian, being compared to Lenny Henry when he was first on the scene, Trevor Nelson having a high regard in his household growing up and why he will always change into his traditional clothes when travelling to Nigeria.
Amos is the first guest on Jimi Famurewa’s new podcast ‘Where’s Home Really?’ which launched today.
Where’s Home Really? is available to listen to every Thursday on all podcast platforms.
Read an excerpt from the interview below.
Stephen K Amos: when I first started doing comedy, I didn't tell my parents, good heavens no, I used to tell them I was a mini cab driver, because I was out all hours of the day. When I started getting sort of regular paid work, my dad would still, when I used to visit them, would still have job applications from the council – “Have you thought of this?”
Jimi Famurewa I can imagine it getting to the point where you have to sort of like, you know, quickly turn the TV off as you appear on it, kind of thing, to keep up the ruse that you're just like a very successful mini cab driver.
Stephen K Amos: When I did my own show at the Apollo, Hammersmith Apollo, my parents were flying in from Nigeria that day. And I got them seats, got them picked up at the airport, sat in the stalls, and I put on like a big after show party thing with Nigerian catering. And I was so overwhelmed. I didn't change my routine. I did all the stuff I do, talking about them, and at the end I went, “Can I just tell you ladies and gentlemen, my parents have arrived just in time, and this is the first time they've ever seen me live.” The crowd went mental. My mum stood up and took a bow.
Stephen K Amos talks about watching Trevor McDonald on TV growing up:
Stephen K Amos: Trevor McDonald, in our household, was held in such high regard as a beacon of what is possible. So when he was on TV, literally, my mum would shout out to the whole house, “Trevor McDonald's on TV. Come and watch Trevor!” The fact that he wasn't Nigerian, didn't matter then. The fact that he didn't have a Nigerian name didn't matter in that moment. He was one of us. But he was the face of respectability. I think my mum had a secret crush on him, that must have been what it was.
Stephen K Amos talks about being compared to Lenny Henry:
Stephen K Amos: I also did maybe the Royal Variety. And then maybe Have I Got News For You or something... it all came out within a month and people were like, who is this guy? And the weirdest thing about that was people started trying to compare me to Lenny Henry. I was like, is that the barometer now? Are we now going to be pitted against each other. And maybe it was naive of me. But I didn't appreciate the weight of what that would represent. Because when I did that show, the first time I did the Apollo walking down the street, weeks and days afterward, I'd be stopped in the street by predominantly black youth, saying thank you for representing
Stephen K Amos talks about wearing his traditional clothes when travelling to Nigeria:
Stephen K Amos: You asked about me embracing my culture, do you know when I go to Nigeria, when I get on that plane at Heathrow, I change into my traditional clothes, and nine times out of 10, I'm the only person on the plane wearing my traditional clothes. And I love it. And that also means when I get to the other side, I'm not hassled at the airport.
