Geek of the Week: Bill Bailey
26 Feb
I have recently become obsessed with the British sitcom “Black Books”. (It ran for three season and can be found on Netflix Instant.) I was drawn to the series because of its two stars – Dylan Moran (best known in the States as the stodgy, bespectacled David from Shaun of the Dead) and Bill Bailey, who had bit parts in several Edgar Wright projects.
Bill Bailey (born Mark Bailey) became enamored by music and comedy at a young age. He spent much of his free time practicing with his band, Famous Five, and listening to Monty Python records. Although he received an Associateship Diploma from the London College of Music, his love of comedy made it difficult for him to take music seriously. He joined his two loves by incorporating his musical talents into his stand-up routine.
He was nominated for a Perrier Comedy Award in 1995, which lead to regular appearances on two game shows – “Pop Dogs”, which put his vast musical knowledge to use, and “Space Cadets”, a short-lived science fiction quiz show. After doing well-received regular guest appearances on several talk shows, his friend and fellow stand-up comedian Dylan Moran approached him with the pilot script for “Black Books”. He became the team captain on music quiz show “Never Mind the Buzzcocks” for six years, eventually leaving to return to acting and stand-up.
Bailey is an avid animal activist who has filmed several wildlife specials and mini-series, including “Baboons With Bill Bailey”. He supports the International Animal Rescue and is a confirmed Trekkie and Lord of the Rings fan.
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