Sara Pascoe was born in Dagenham, east London in 1981. She started performing stand-up comedy in 2007 and has appeared on “Mock the Week” and “Have I Got News For You”. In 2016 she was among the numerous artists who toured the UK in support of Jeremy Corbyn.
What’s your earliest memory?
Crying in my pram when I was a baby. I remember the trees were blurry because of my tears. I also remember staying at my grandparents’ house when my sister Cheryl was born and I was 18 months old. I was already annoyed with her!
Who are your heroes?
I really liked SuperTed when I was a child. He did good deeds and was a cute bear. As an adult, my hero is my dog, Mouse. He is so friendly to everyone he meets. He wags his tail and loves everyone, like Jesus!
What book last changed your thinking?
Revolting Prostitutes by Juno Mac and Molly Smith. It opened my eyes to how migrancy laws, drug laws and the laws around sex work all combine to make the lives of impoverished and vulnerable people even harder.
Which political figure do you look up to?
This one is difficult, because everyone who has had political power has done terrible things. I really respect the work and speeches of Tony Benn. He was a powerful speaker with a huge heart.
What would be your Mastermind specialist subject?
They asked me to do it once and I chose Freud, but then I was too busy. If they ask again I might choose something easier such as Love Island winners.
In which time and place, other than your own, would you like to live?
I was always obsessed with ancient Egypt, but any time you go back to wouldn’t be as good for women as now – so it might be a quick visit.
What TV show could you not live without?
The only thing that I constantly rewatch is The Office (US).
Who would paint your portrait?
I would. Really badly. It would be me surrounded by Mouse the dog, SuperTed and Michelle Obama.
What’s your theme tune?
“Boys” by Lizzo. Or anything by Lizzo. I went to see her in concert a few months ago and it was like worshipping in church.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I was going to do a PGCE so I could teach while trying to be an actor, and my dad told me not to have a back-up plan – which is terrible and amazing advice all in one. He said: “Make it work or starve to death.” The rest of his kids starved, unfortunately.
What’s currently bugging you?
I get too upset by online criticism.
What single thing would make your life better?
Next year I would like to sit in the garden a bit more.
When were you happiest?
Now is the happiest I’ve ever been. I am very lucky with my work, I have a dog and I have just bought a flat.
In another life, what job might you have chosen?
A psychologist, I think; an academic who studies people and tries to understand us better.
Are we all doomed?
Nope, we’ll work it out.
“Sex Power Money” by Sara Pascoe is published by Faber & Faber
Content from our partners
Related
This article appears in the 28 Aug 2019 issue of the New Statesman, The long shadow of Hitler