Podcast inspiration with My Dad Wrote a Porno

He did what...?! The trio behind the smash-hit podcast, My Dad Wrote a Porno, chat Dad-porn, sell-out live shows and what it's like to run the world's filthiest book club...

Where did the idea for the podcast come from? Jamie Morton (JM): My recently retired father sent me the first three chapters of an erotic novel he’d been writing in the garden shed called Belinda Blinked. I showed it to James and Alice down the pub and we found it so funny that we had to share it with the world. Essentially, each episode consists of me reading a chapter of the book and we all chip in with thoughts, comments and critique. It’s a lot of fun.

Hearing that Daisy Ridley listened to us on the set of The Last Jedi was insane

How does each episode come together? JM: We always meet around the kitchen table. I’ll have already read the chapter for the episode, but James and Alice just rock up and get on with it. Normally after dinner and accompanied by a fair bit of wine. We record a couple of hours of content then I’ll spend a couple of days editing it down to about 30 minutes. That’s my favourite part of the process actually, crafting our conversations into a piece of polished audio entertainment.

My Dad Wrote a Porno has hit more than 100 million downloads. Are you surprised by its success? JM: We are genuinely so surprised by the success of the show. Who knew some terrible dad-porn would be such a universal hit? We’re currently on our world tour and it’s so bizarre that people all over the globe are as invested in my dad’s books as we are. Hearing that Daisy Ridley listened to us on the set of The Last Jedi was insane. She came along to one of our American shows and loved it.

Dad's are intrinsically embarrassing - everyone can identify with that

Why do you think people connect so much with the podcast? Alice Levine: There are a few reasons we’ve had this crazy reaction, I think. The universal truth that your parents’ sexuality is the final taboo is, of course, the first hook. Dad’s are intrinsically embarrassing -everyone can identify with that.

James Cooper: I think we’ve stumbled across an amazing alchemy that doesn’t come along too often. The books are obviously incredible but I think people have also enjoyed getting to know us along the way –we’ve overshared way too much. I like to think listeners feel like the fourth friend around the kitchen table.

Mum doesn't listen - I can't blame her for that!

And are the family on board too? JM: They have been from word go and they are all now mega fans. Well, not my mum. She’s supportive but she doesn’t listen -I can’t blame her for that!

Image credit: Royal Albert Hall

Your live stage shows are selling out fast. How does reading the book in your kitchen compared to performing on stage? JM: It’s very different, but wonderful. Around the kitchen table you forget that anyone will ever hear it. We’re playing the Royal Albert Hall in June which will be the biggest podcast gig in history. Walking onto a stage in front of an audience is a total buzz. You feel like you’re in a massive, filthy book club.

My Dad Wrote a Porno Live is at Edinburgh Playhouse on 18 April. For tickets visit atgtickets.com.

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