May 19, 2025

Joe Thomas: Sincerity, Stand-Up and the Art of Looking Awkward

Season 4 of the Television Times Podcast launches with a stellar guest as host Steve Otis Gunn welcomes the brilliantly funny and disarmingly honest Joe Thomas—best known for The Inbetweeners, Fresh Meat, White Gold, and a standout run on Taskmaster. In this warm, reflective chat, Joe unpacks his relationship with fame, comedy, and why he always looks like he’s just seen a ghost.

More Than Just Jokes

Joe doesn’t see comedy as a series of punchlines—it’s about connection. “Being funny isn’t the destination—it’s the sights you see on the way.” He reflects on stand-up as a tool for revealing shared human experiences, not just delivering clever lines. Sincerity, he argues, is the true foundation of great comedy.

Performer, Writer... or Just a Slightly Stressed Bloke?

Despite his years in television, Joe still doesn’t quite identify as an “actor”. He considers himself more of a comic performer—a person whose humour arises from a certain way of being, not just a script. And yes, he knows he has a funny face. And yes, strangers have asked him if he’s okay based on it alone.

Stand-Up: Better Late Than Never, And Just as Honest

Having come to stand-up after years of sketch and sitcom work, Joe describes the vulnerability of performing solo—and the strange internal battle between crippling self-doubt and delusions of grandeur. At its best, stand-up is less about being the cleverest in the room, and more about creating a moment of shared truth.

Taskmaster and the Joy of Looking Lost

Joe loved his stint on Taskmaster and credits the show with highlighting everyone's quirks in the most generous way possible. “It felt like a form of therapy,” he says. Even when you don’t have a clue what you're doing, the show somehow makes you look like you did.

Fame and the Glory Days of BHS

Joe reflects on his early jobs—like trying to flog useless credit cards and insurance at BHS—and how surreal it was becoming recognisable after The Inbetweeners. At first, he didn’t believe people were really watching the show. “If I could trace them back to my mum’s office, it didn’t count,” he laughs.

Final Thoughts

This is a beautifully meandering episode full of understated humour and moments of deep relatability. Joe Thomas reminds us that comedy isn't about being perfect—it's about being true. Whether he's talking Taskmaster, awkward adolescence, or why school prepares you for a world that doesn’t exist, Joe’s reflections are as comforting as they are funny.

🎧 Listen now to the full episode of Television Times with Steve Otis Gunn on your favourite podcast platform. Follow for more conversations with actors, comedians, and the backstage wizards of TV & Film.