There’s funny, and then there’s “Britain’s funniest man.” According to The Times of London, Mo Gilligan, 36, is the latter. Raised in South London, his humor calls on British culture, from impersonations of Essex girls at the pub to M.C.’s at the club. (Don’t worry, even Americans will laugh along.) After getting his start on YouTube, where a skyrocketing fan base included Drake, Gilligan’s 2017 debut tour completely sold out and was turned into a Netflix show. He’s since won three BAFTAs for The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan. Now he’s gearing up to participate in the comedy festival Netflix Is a Joke Fest in Los Angeles on May 3, and Mo Gilligan: In the Moment, his largest world tour yet. Here, he shares his least favorite things. —Clara Molot
Least favorite number: 17. I hate that number. There’s so much anticipation as a teenager to get to 18 in the U.K.
Least favorite color: Lilac. When you buy a lilac dress, you expect so much, but it doesn’t deliver.
Least favorite team: I’m a Londoner and Arsenal-soccer-team supporter, so definitely Tottenham Hotspur.
Least favorite James Bond: Roger Moore, maybe. Was it a bit smug?
Preferred deadly sin: Sloth. I like to have a lazy day. I like to chill. I like to take my time in life. That’s just who I am.
Least favorite food: Bubble tea. Disgusting. And those bits at the bottom of the cup?! Nasty.
Least favorite city: Great question. But I don’t have one. The world is a lovely place … and I need to sell tickets to my world tour!
Least favorite form of transportation: Electric scooters. We waited so long for the future to happen. Then they came, and they don’t go over 15 miles an hour.
Least favorite item of clothing: A scarf. What an overrated accessory. Just for my neck to be warm?! What? I’ll just wear a hoodie.
Least favorite time of day: Late afternoon. Just get on with it. Come on. Just get to the evening. Stop messing about.
BOOK YOU NEVER FINISHED:
The Bible. But I feel like I know what happens at the end.
Film you walked out of: An art-house film, I can’t remember the name of it! Totally mad.
Song you never want to hear again: “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day”—a Christmas song by Wizzard. Can’t stand it.
Preferred form of revenge: Maybe popping in someone’s house and taking just one small item a day for the rest of their days. Little things, but things that would really annoy someone, like the bath plug or all the small spoons. Drive them mad.
Favorite swear word: ”F*ck.” It means so much!
Thing you said but wish you hadn’t: When I was younger, I once asked someone if she was pregnant. She wasn’t pregnant. That was so embarrassing and still makes me cringe now.
Thing you didn’t say but wish you had: At school, when they suggested we all do work experience, I wish I would have shouted out, “This is pointless!”
Worst advice you’ve ever got: As a comic, I’ve heard people say, “You’re only as good as your last show.” Terrible advice. Doesn’t make sense.
Worst advice you’ve ever given: “Don’t worry. This pandemic will be over soon.”
Last words before execution: “If you’re bad … go on, then. Do it!”
Mo’s Inessentials
Mo Gilligan performs in Netflix Is a Joke Fest at the Regent Theater in Los Angeles on May 3. Mo Gilligan: In the Moment kicks off on July 10 in Paddington, Australia, and then travels to multiple cities