David Baddiel: 'Blue Jasmine isn't Woody Allen's greatest work, but I liked it'

Cultural Life: The comedian on his favourite music, film, comedy and books

COMEDY

In Edinburgh, Josh Widdicombe was on at the same venue as me. He was great: there’s something naturally funny about him, particularly his delivery (think Eddie Izzard crossed with Frankie Howerd). Also good in Edinburgh were Brett Goldstein, who’s a great storyteller – I like stories – and Luke McQueen, whose show was amazing.

FILMS

Blue Jasmine. I liked it. It’s not up there with Woody Allen’s greatest work. It is really grown-up compared to a lot of other movies out there, and the rest of Woody’s late work. Oh, and Sunshine on Leith. I’m a big Proclaimers fan.

BOOKS

The Circle by Dave Eggers. I’ve not been a massive fan of his in the past – the best thing about A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius was, in my opinion, the title – but I’m really enjoying this, a comedy about internet corporate culture that seems to be shaping up as a Brave New World for our times.

MUSIC

Sadly, the music that I always listen to was made between 1971 and 1975. Although I think the Arctic Monkeys’ latest album sounds good.

David Baddiel – Fame: Not the Musical, Southbank Centre, London SE1 (southbankcentre.co.uk) 4 to 6 Feb, then touring (davidbaddiel.com)