‘Stay at Home Son’ dives into the world of messed-up-millennials, having to move back home to his dad’s after his divorce as he can’t afford London rents and the annoyance of having a housemate even if it’s his own family!
Jonathan also talks about his job working on ITV’s This Morning and what it has taught him in terms of dating, consent forms and NDAs. He also reveals his love of bakery Gail's and dating tips that covers sex at his dad’s.
He started stand-up in August 2023. While waiting for a takeaway, he spotted a poster stuck in the window of a pub opposite that caught his eye about an 'open mic night’. He got a spot and never looked back. For the first two years he would only go by his first name - for fear of work finding out and an internal fear of not being good enough. In 2024, less than a year in, he performed a short Fringe run with a show called 'Jonathan: by order of the Peaky Grindrs'.
He is a proud gay Londoner, and he was married to a food influencer, so he got to eat in some of the best restaurants which he loves as he is a total foodie. They were together for 15 years and married for three.
WORK IN PROGRESS SHOW: Thurs 16th July, London’s Queer Fringe Festival – The Queer Comedy Club @ Elephant & Castle www.queercomedyclub.co.uk
Jonathan Rudge’s Fringe stand up show ‘Stay At Home Son’ will be at Just The Tonic – Mash House Snifter Room at 8.35pm, 6th – 30th August (except 18th), tickets here.
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)
Repeat my affirmations slowly, calmly and quietly to myself; they will hate you, you are not funny. Followed by a big swig of Mr Black (cold brew coffee and vodka). Works every time.
What irritates you?
SO MUCH! I'll bottle it up though and just get on with it - remember 'bottling it up'? We should bring that back. Kid's in Gail's are a big irritation at the moment, parents who give their kids Babychinos are asking for it.. I actually have a fondness for children, it's these types of parents who irritate me. I heard a Dad the other day ask to leave his card behind the till and open up a tab for his kids (100% true).
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Did a skydive when I was 16 - landed and broke my ankle.. Picking up my parachute and hobbling back to the base was an awful moment.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
A skydive at 16.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
How competitive straight blokes can be. I worked in TV production most of my life, which I'd say is a 'softer' industry.. Being in green rooms before a gig is fascinating - something out of a David Attenborough doc.
What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?
My parents have no idea I do stand-up. I started after my Mum had died, and my Dad still thinks I'm at my old job I left six months ago.
What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
Meeting new people and them saying 'tell us a joke then'.
I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
Kind natured, very generous, good hair line, ambitious, belly-led.
How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
Too much is too much right? And too little you're buggered. I want a simple London life where I can jump in a black cab, maybe a mooch in Selfridges for a nose and spot of lunch at The Ledbury.
How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
I was asked to perform at Top Secret Comedy Club on the 5x5 night, it's billed as 'the best young comics..about to smash the comedy club circuit'. I went from doing open mic nights playing to an audience of stand-ups, to being asked to perform at one of the hottest comedy clubs in London - that felt like a big career break. Off the back of that I was then booked for a paid gig in Brighton for 100+ audience alongside some great comics - people believing in you is a very enriching and encouraging thing.
Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into third category?
I'd give either a go. I miss Jonathan Creek.
Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
I live my life thinking WWVBD... (What would Vicky Beckham do). She is my spirit animal.
Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).
I happily have OCD. Out of sight, out of mind does not work for me.
Jimmy Carr asks other comedians 'which one of your parents was sick' as he believes stand-ups typically grew up acting as the emotional thermostat to make people laugh to defuse tension, does this ring true for you?
I've long found it fascinating how someone can be naturally funny and react to something instantly, without any effort. For many years, I actually believed that everyone was thinking of the same punchlines and jokes as I was because that felt normal to me. It's true that you can teach someone how to deliver a punchline or rework a joke to make it funnier, but deep down, I think you're either funny or you're not. I really believe a lot of it does come from childhood, I agree with Jimmy's theory but not specifically 'which was sick', more on a broader level.
Delivering humour can be something you learn from a young age by deflecting or diffusing situations and over time, that thought process gets reinforced because it feels rewarding, and eventually it becomes second nature. Other people's default response might be defensiveness, anger, aggression, or simply becoming introverted in the face of others. I'll take funny, over aggression any day! I think that over time and often without us realising it, those responses become part of who we believe we are. The mind is a fascinatingly flexible thing. Philippa Perry's books taught me that.
Jonathan Rudge’s Fringe show ‘Stay At Home Son’ will be at Just The Tonic – Mash House Snifter Room at 8.35pm, 6th – 30th August (except 18th), tickets here.
PHOTO CREDIT – MATT STRONGE
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