The Sunday before last, I was invited to celebrate 40 glorious years of the Comedy Store Players. I walked in and was immediately anchored back to my very earliest days in comedy. It was like time travel, only with slightly more grey hair and marginally fewer ripped jeans.
Being accepted into the CSP fold back then was, for me, like being invited to join the Manchester United treble-winning team. You instantly knew you were surrounded by greatness. You upped your game. Not because anyone told you to, but because excellence is infectious.
Now, don’t go thinking Boross fancied himself as Beckham – absolutely not. I was more of a Gary Neville: solid, reliable, did a job, and occasionally popped up with a few decent comedy lines.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “40 years ago, Paul? Surely you weren’t on stage at The Comedy Store when you were seven years old?”
Well… yes and no.
Technically, my comedy career did start at around seven, performing for my parents’ highly sceptical dinner guests and a captive audience of bored teachers. But it was in the heady days of the mid-80s when I had the honour of stepping onto that storied stage as one of the original guest players in a group that would go on to become the longest-running comedy team in the world: The Comedy Store Players
The Players started as a creative experiment, sparked when the brilliant Mike Myers brought improv games he’d learned at Second City in Toronto. He and Neil Mullarkey – then performing together as Mullarkey & Myers – introduced us to these beautifully structured improvisation formats.
They taught the games to the likes of me, Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, and Sandi Toksvig. We started performing on Sundays, more as an adventure than a master plan. And out of that playful spirit, something magical grew.
We had no idea at the time that Mike Myers would go on to become an international superstar – the mind behind Austin Powers, Wayne’s World, and the voice of Shrek. But back then, what we all recognised was the joy of the work. The thrill of getting on stage with people who challenged you to be your funniest, fastest, most fearless self.
That’s the magic of improvisation: it sharpens your mind, deepens your listening, and demands presence. You can’t fake your way through improv. You have to tune in, think fast, and trust your team.
Which, as it turns out, is exactly what great leadership is about.
In fact, my old friend Neil Mullarkey does brilliant work with organisations around the world, using improv techniques to train leaders (check out Neil’s website Here). Because when leaders learn to listen actively, build on ideas, and respond to change with humour and grace, that’s when teams really thrive.
So yes, the Sunday before last gave me all the feels: nostalgia, pride, and enormous gratitude. It reminded me how lucky I was – and still am – to have been part of something so special, with some of the most creative and generous performers I’ve ever known.
If you want to grow, you have to surround yourself with the best. Put yourself in the place where greatness gathers. That’s how you get better. That’s how you stay inspired.
And if that place just happens to have a stage, a spotlight, and a crowd full of people ready to laugh?
Even better.
Three Takeaways for Business Leaders
- Yes, And… Always Build on Ideas
The golden rule of improv is never to block an idea – always build on it. In business, as in comedy, collaboration thrives when people feel heard and supported. - Listen to Lead
The best improvisers – and leaders – are exceptional listeners. They’re tuned in to tone, timing, and emotion. Listening is the foundation of influence. - Stay Playful Under Pressure
When things go off-script (and they will), a sense of humour keeps teams calm and creative. Laughter builds resilience – and resilience builds results.
As I watched some of the original Players perform – still razor-sharp, still surprising each other, still cracking up on stage – I felt a warm, familiar feeling: joy.
And the quiet knowledge that when you surround yourself with brilliance, some of it inevitably rubs off.
See you next Tuesday.
Warmest,
Paul x
Typogate: The Deliberate Mistake
At Humourology HQ, we like to make you all feel good about yourselves and one particularly clever way of doing this is to slip a deliberate typo into our emails, while not every typo is picked up on and mentioned we are especially thrilled when somebody does win the:
“Spot the deliberate typo – we were wondering how long it would take somebody to see it Competition”
and we can hand over the Captain Mainwaring Cup 🏆
We are therefore delighted to announce the winner of our:
Spot the deliberate typo – we were wondering how long it would take somebody to see it Competition.
Is of course, the sharp witted and apparently equally sharp eyed comedy legend John Lloyd, the creative force behind QI, Blackadder and Spitting Image, and a truly fabulous guest on The Humourology Podcast. Naturally, he was the first to notice.
It is a gentle reminder that humour and humility go hand in hand, and that even our typos can be educational, especially when spotted by one of comedy’s greatest minds. Thanks for keeping us on our typographical toes, maestro. 👀✏️🏆
See you next Typoday,
Warmest,
Pual x
