Released into a comedy series over two years ago, Paddy Ruff has risen to the top and has become one of Northern Ireland’s most popular comedies, selling numerous shows in the arena and often going viral with his great graphics.
In recent months, he has also emerged as a “champion of the block”, with his excellent comments on life in quarantine attracting international and domestic audiences.
As a reward for his favorite humor, the 36-year-old gets his own TV pilot, The Paddy Raff Show, which will air on BBC One on July 10.
Ahead of its release date, the NI guy informed us of the moment everything is going well.
When he picks up the phone to speak, he tells us he’s in Donegal (deservedly) stopping.
“I am with my family,” he says. “We found some time, so we got up. The kids were a little crazy at the idea of meeting at home, so it’s good for a change of scene.”
Fortunately for us, Paddy’s comedic mind doesn’t stop even when he’s on vacation. A recent faking of a photo of her Kanye West and Kim Kardashian – which appears to have been taken outside of all current Irish trailer parks – was her latest creation that went viral.
Buddy laughs: “As soon as I saw it, I said, ‘I’m going to recreate it, whatever happens.’ So I convinced my reluctant wife to get involved. So we were able to get rid of it.”
This is also ridiculous because my husband is actually called Kim, so he might see the reaction in this photo of Kim and wonder who they’re talking about. Then my son Ronan took the photo, who deserves to be photographed! “
This isn’t the first time the Rivers family has joined the comedian’s videos – his style revolves largely around the day-to-day comedy found in the family and public life. And while most of us in Northern Ireland have spent the past few months trying to survive the siege, Paddy is practically thriving…
His Internet videos have captured the wonderful absurdity of the times we live in, as he criticizes everything from social distancing issues with young children to muddled government advice with the dreaded Zoom family quiz (see video above).
“In terms of mass, once it started, it was the moment where everyone was like, ‘How does it come out? For me personally, I didn’t think people would have an appetite for comedy when they got locked up.
“But it was the other way around. People were looking for a light break in their time. And it worked because I was always making these videos with live performances, but canceling concerts just meant I had more time for that kind of video and that meant the audience was there. They are scheduled to be seen.
“And I think it all boils down to being a rider because they are really all over the place. Obviously doing that is bittersweet at this particular time — a tough time for everyone, it’s hard for the kids to work together and not that left.”
For those unfamiliar with the story of how Paddy got his way, Belfast Comics started out as an entirely different kind of artist: working in a wedding band.
“I only started acting at the age of 34, and now I’m 36. Initially I was a musician in a wedding ring and I was also taking care of my disabled sister part time, so I didn’t have one. It’s time to do many other things.
“But I always watch BBC comedies like The Fast Show, and I’ve always loved it.
“So, I guess it was a little weird. I had a chance because I was shooting some silly videos on Snapchat and sending them to my friends and family. Be, don’t you think about it.
Then, at the end of 2017, my family started actively telling me, ‘You gotta get into comedy.’ I did this. I just decided to give it a try., which had two directions: The staff was online and there were live shows here and they both were eating. Lots of each other. It flew like a missile.
Paddy spent several dishes in the early months of his career, trying to keep his regular job and also working towards a career in comedy.
“I don’t jump on my feet because I have a family to take care of so I didn’t quit all the jobs. The wedding group – it was a complete job for me. But I was lucky because the group and work was flexible and I could take time out if needed.
“Only then did I realize how hungry I was for my comic style. That’s when I thought it could be a career. But it all developed so fast that it wasn’t until August when I sold 9. Literally a 9. I thought, ‘Maybe it’s time to take it seriously.'” “
The prizes were huge. Buddy Seth has become the first Northern Irish comedian to perform for Five Nights at the SSE Arena, the first four of which are already sold out.
“I couldn’t really imagine all this,” he admits. “I couldn’t believe I was doing this at Ulster Hall because it is a place of worship. But then let’s see what happens next. I never imagined I could spend five nights at SSE. I can’t wait. Back to the live material.”
Until then, The Paddy Raffi show is likely to delight comic fans for the time being. He reveals that the pilot has been working for some time.
“The show’s producer is a guy named Chris and he has been in touch with me since April 2019. He has appeared on several cabaret shows called ‘Paddy and Nigel on their Zip Code’. He told me about his teenage daughters. I showed him one of Nigel’s videos after seeing him. At school – I was very surprised that he was a fan of teenage Nigel!
But it worked and I kept in touch with him. The BBC was recently looking for programs that would be available during lockdown, so Chris and I got up and went to The Paddy Ravi Show. BBC love it. The idea and we did it. The speed at which he spun was a bit surreal. “I’ve always tried to make a schematic presentation and during blocking it turned out to be the perfect time to do it.”
Follow our new lifestyle page
Are you a fan of fashion, beauty and interiors? Want the latest tips on how to stay fit, eat well, organize your home and feel comfortable, not to mention the latest news from the entertainment world of the city and its surroundings? If that sounds like your street, follow the New Life Belfast page to be.
find us on facebook,Twitter And Instagram.
What can viewers expect from the show?
“There’s going to be a lot of familiar characters and some new ones. Of course you’re going to have someone like Nigel and then there’s Daddy Betty, who’s been successful online and has worked while standing. I’m solving a problem and then Grandma Ravi – that’s kind of a rebirth for her as she’s just launched Via Snapchat so recreating it was a bit of a challenge. Also, there are some random characters, which can become normal, so there’s a lot to do.”
The show is likely to be entertaining for those who love Paddy’s unique brand of humor. It could also be a chance to see a comedian who is still in the early stages of his career and who is constantly building a large international fan base.
“It’s interesting because you look at your social media platforms and see who’s sharing your posts – by the time of closing I saw a lot of the posts were going around in England. Let me know, but the humor was catchy, so I was worried about the humor going around.
“I think it just falls into sketches that affect a lot of people. It’s just sketches of me and my family and how we try to understand. People buy it. I’ll be with you when you make the characters. But yeah, I think about success.” It depends on how connected and earthy they are. I couldn’t do anything because my family never gave me the right to have a big head! “
The Paddy Raff Show airs on BBC One NI at 9:30pm and will be available on BBC iPlayer.
Source: Belfastlive
Tim-32Brown is a distinguished writer for TodayTimesLive, known for his exceptional talent in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Tim crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for insightful journalism and a commitment to delivering high-quality articles.
