When I first met Brian and Hephzi (Kaplan) in the early 1980s, we could not have predicted that forty years later, we would all still be enthusiastically involved in stage shows, workshops and now our latest exciting project, the podcast, ”Are You Feeling Funny?” (master-minded by Alan Nixon, the iconic former BBC Radio producer, the brilliant Snipper Nixon team and me, the Comedy Consultant). All of our projects are driven by one basic concept – laughter is the very essence of well-being!
When I first began to visit Brian in his surgery, he was my doctor and I had the role of his personal jester. I told him my new jokes and routines – and in exchange, he prescribed solutions to many hypochondriacal inquiries with his trademark ‘twinkle in the eye’ persona. Visits with Brian also involved him explaining that when we laugh, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, endorphins, are released.
The belly laugh is the apex of laughter and the three individuals I know personally who react in this way to jokes are comedians Paul Merton, Alexei Sayle – and, yes, the very same Dr. Brian Kaplan.
“Are You Feeling Funny” podcasts produced by Snipper Nixon with Arnold Brown.
Dr. Brian Kaplan interviews top UK comedians about their physical and mental health.
“Are You Feeling Funny?” was one of the first podcasts to reveal the personal stories of the performers who give us the precious gift of laughter, while perhaps having to deal with their own demons and health issues. It is gratifying to note that many of the participants, formerly unknown to the general public, are now today household names on TV and Radio; indeed the legendary Stewart Lee was named in 2018 by ‘The Times’ as “the best current English language comedian in the world.”
Of course, laughter is sometimes not the only aim of many of today’s stand-ups. Some want to radically change society, railing at injustices and inequalities. But the an intriguing question always remains – what is the real personal story behind the comedy mask of these performers?
I look forward to 2023 when we hope to exclusively reveal the next guest on the Are You Feeling Funny? podcast is the most famous (former) comedian in the world – Volodymr Zelensky.