View all newsletters
Sign up to our newsletters

Support 110 years of independent journalism.

  1. Culture
  2. Q&A
13 June 2012updated 07 Jun 2021 5:15pm

Sara Pascoe Q&A: “My dog wags his tail and loves everyone, like Jesus“

By New Statesman

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
Development finance reform: the key to climate action
Individually rare, collectively common – how do we transform the lives of people with rare diseases?
Future proofing the NHS

This article appears in the 28 Aug 2019 issue of the New Statesman, The long shadow of Hitler

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
  • Property, Assets and Fleet Management
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
  • Service Delivery
  • Sport and Recreation
  • Travel, Accommodation, Tourism
  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU