Dom Joly is set to return to the anarchic hidden-camera comedy that brought him fame with a new television show, "Mugwuffin," scheduled for release this autumn. The show will feature a fresh cast of bizarre characters, mirroring the surreal and often pointless humor that defined "Trigger Happy TV," which first aired a quarter-century ago.
Alongside the new show, Joly, 58, is embarking on a UK tour with over 100 dates and releasing a retrospective "Trigger Happy TV" book. He acknowledges that the landscape of television comedy has shifted, with some suggesting "Trigger Happy TV" could no longer be made due to changing societal sensitivities. However, Joly found that the public's reaction to his new material for "Mugwuffin" has been surprisingly positive.
"The man with the giant mobile phone," one of Joly's most iconic "Trigger Happy TV" characters, will be resurrected in "Mugwuffin," updated with a smartphone. The original character, who used a 6-foot handset to make ordinary phone calls in inappropriate public places, predated the ubiquity of mobile phones. Joly emphasizes that "Trigger Happy TV" was never intended to humiliate the public, but rather to find humor in the absurd and how people calmly accepted ridiculous situations. The primary challenge in airing the footage was often securing consent from participants, not from public anger.
The characters in "Mugwuffin" are designed to satirize contemporary trends. Examples include the "Crypto King of Dubai," who attempts to use fictional cryptocurrencies for transactions, and "Godbod 200," a character pursuing extreme and fictional treatments to live to 200. Another character features a smartwatch that controls a smart home, with the technology often issuing commands.
Joly's exploration of humor has also led him to investigate the nature of happiness. His upcoming book, "In Desperate Pursuit of Happiness," due out early next year, delves into this topic. The book is the result of his travels and conversations with psychologists, neuroscientists, and spiritual teachers as he sought to understand the formula for joy. His personal secrets to happiness include his dogs and engaging in creative pursuits, whether writing, making television, painting, or developing comedic ideas with his partner, Sam Cadman.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Joly has been open about his personal health journey, including a significant weight loss of 15 kilograms (approximately 33 pounds). He attributes this success to weight-loss jabs, stating they have been a "game-changer" by allowing him to lose weight with minimal effort. Joly clarifies that the medication does not diminish his enjoyment of food; rather, it helps him recognize satiety, allowing him to feel full after consuming a portion of a meal. He attributes his past weight to a tendency for overindulgence, describing himself as someone who would previously be "starved for three weeks and then let loose on an all-day buffet."
Joly has also been candid about his lifelong struggles with panic attacks, which began in his twenties, and subsequent periods of depression. He speaks about these experiences in the hope that others will understand they do not have to be a barrier to living a full life. He views these challenges as a potential byproduct of a creative mind, where the capacity for artistic expression is paired with a vulnerability to darker aspects of one's psyche.
He expressed that creating his new series has rekindled his appreciation for the joy derived from making people laugh. He contrasts this with his time spent on social media, which he feels often brings out the worst in people, including himself. Joly advocates for more "random acts of pointless funniness" in everyday life.
Further details on the "Trigger Happy TV" book and tour can be found at awaywithmedia.com.