Rob Delaney:Well, were happy to blaze a trail.
Ad content continues below
Youve said its an unromantic look at romance.
Whats the closest the series comes to an unadulterated touching moment?
Hopefully thats a moment when you’re able to see that they really like each other.
So is that as romantic as it gets?
It definitely gets more romantic than that, but further into the series.
Robs friend Dave and Ashley Jensens Fran seem like awful, awful people.
So its not quite as scathing a portrait as it might first appear then?
The drudgery isnt boring.
You didnt want to get into all that I suppose?
RD:Lord no.
We really didnt want to get involved in any of that.
SH:Thank you.
We really really tried to make it romantic and disgusting.
[Laughs] Thats so cute!
We dont always feel like we need to throw in something snarky.
They really like each other, but theyre in a shit situation.
Well, perhaps not shit but…
SH:Itisa shit situation.
RD:There are shit aspects, certainly.
RD:I felt like getting on a horse and galloping very fast away from other sitcom couples.
The way that they communicated was a big influence on us.
Could it have been a film do you think, or was it always a series in your minds?
We have this hi-falutin idea that we might like to cut the film version of the series.
Like they did withThe Trip?
That doesnt sound at all pretentious.
RD:I didnt think it would.
RD:None whatsoever.
So we cant expect Bernard the creepy clown to turn up at any point in this?
RD:Not in series one.
SH:Its slightly different tonally.
Like a chemistry test?
I came to him with an idea four years ago Id say, but not this idea.
RD:Whereas he has a tremendous amount to say about submarines.
RD:Which is the subject ofhis new movie.
SH:No, me and Dennis are writing something else together.
I just sort of parked it.
Until you met Mr Right.
SH:Until I met Mr Right.
RD:And then he was hit by a car and I happened to be standing there.
You two are like a comedy Super Group.
SH:How about Larry David and Julia Davis?
That sounds good doesnt it?
I would love to see Sally Wainwright and the aforementioned Steven Soderbergh.
SH:Sally Wainwright and anyone.
Were massive fans of hers.
What would you say youve learnt from previous sitcoms that youve brought to this.
SH:A massive one is really, really just do it if you absolutely cant not do it.
Okay, last question.
What can you tell us about working with Carrie Fisher?
RD:[To Sharon] You lay in a bed with her.
For a little bit.
SH:Thats probably not an anecdote.
Or how about her dog, Gary Fisher, whos inCatastrophe?
Umm, what else about Gary Fisher?
Gary Fishers tongue is fully distended twenty-four hours a day because he doesnt have any teeth.
I dont think we can write that.
But Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, thank you very much!
Catastrophe continues next Monday the 26th of January on Channel 4 at 10pm.
