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

David Baddiel gives his music, film, comedy and books picks (David Sandison)

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)