Photograph: Mike Pont/WireImage
What’s your opinion on the adage about not working with animals and children, considering you’ve worked with Crystal the capuchin monkey several times? fandango87
I’ve worked with Crystal on a dozen projects – The Hangover, the TV show Community and another movie, The Zookeeper. She is just a miracle. For example, in The Hangover, [director] Todd Phillips would give a direction or a note and it would probably take me three or four takes. Crystal could literally do it on the spot. I was upstaged by a monkey, and now I’m at peace with that.
You had a brief but memorable role on the US Office as a member of Michael Scott’s improv class. How accurately did that improv class reflect your real experiences? RedCraig30
It gave me goosebumps because my favourite comedy of all time was the UK Office. It’s probably my favourite guest-starring role of my career. The improv class was surreal. It was strikingly similar because Steve Carell and the other actors would improvise on top of the scripted scenes. It was very real and very genuine. You get to watch Steve – one of my favourite actors – from the best seat in the house. It was a masterclass.
Is laughter the best medicine? CaptainLib
I think medicine’s the best medicine. Laughter helps you through life. But – speaking as a proper physician – medicine is the best medicine.
When did someone last say: “Is there a doctor in the house?” TopTramp
I was on a plane and someone was having some discomfort and for some reason there was concern. The flight attendant went to the front of the cabin and said: “Is there a doctor on the plane?” I literally said – this is honest-to-God true – “Well, um, you know, I used to be a doctor.” Luckily, there was a happy ending because the person was completely fine and the flight attendant and I had a good laugh afterwards.
You’re in My Spy and the upcoming My Spy: The Eternal City. Would you make a good spy in real life? richpelley
I would make a horrible spy. I have no spy skills. I’m a weak man. I have a very weak spirit. I would betray someone very quickly if threatened. I’d talk too much and reveal too many secrets and plans.
I love your reaction when Dick Van Dyke was revealed on The Masked Singer US. What was it like seeing a comedy hero? YodaknowsAll
That’s probably my favourite reveal. I believe he was 97 at the time, so when he did Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious as part of his farewell elimination song, Nicole Scherzinger and I teared up because he’s such a global treasure. Appearing on the UK Masked Singer was amazing. I grew up on Jonathan Ross, so it was amazing getting to hang out with him, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Joel Dommett. I’ve always admired UK panel shows; they are so pioneering in terms of unscripted television.
Is Donald Glover really that cool, funny and talented? IscoBusquet
Donald Glover is perhaps the most talented person I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. He’s this incredible actor, comedian and then obviously there’s his music. We shared a trailer during Community. The Childish Gambino albums were written in his trailer. My daughter’s favourite artist is Childish Gambino. I score a lot of cool points with my daughter saying I worked with him.
What’s the most memorable heckle you’ve had performing standup, and how did you handle it? VerulamiumParkRanger
Silence is the worst heckle. When something doesn’t land, there’s a reason they call it “dying on stage” when you’re left with … what’s the opposite of love? It’s not hate. It’s apathy. Apathy is very hurtful, but that onstage training preps you for the apathy of showbusiness. You have to get thicker skin and learn to keep moving on and performing.
Have you ever been on a bachelor party that ended up as badly as in The Hangover? TurangaLeela2
I got married 20 years ago, way before The Hangover. It’s our anniversary in September. My bachelor party was in Vegas and it couldn’t have been more tame. Who knew that five years later I would be part of the biggest Vegas movie of all time and everyone would associate me with the raunchiness of it all? In real life we were just a bunch of doctors going: “We’re drinking. Wow!”
You play a chicken in the new advert for the mobile game Squad Busters. How did you get into character? richpelley
I would love to say I did a lot of research, but the only research that I did was the fitting to get into the big chicken outfit. Everyone looked at it and said: “You must have been so hot inside.” It was actually well ventilated, which was quite liberating.
Why does there seem to be such a natural connection between medicine and comedy? trp981
All my life, I thought I would be a physician. Then, in college, I took my first acting class and I was hooked. I felt I had an aptitude and a passion for it, but training to be a doctor and wanting to do comedy made me feel like such a weirdo. So to go back full circle and do my own sitcom as a doctor [ABC’s Dr Ken] gave me a sense of completion. My wife was talking about this the other day. She randomly said: “I don’t think you’d have achieved the level you’ve achieved now had you not been a doctor.” Maybe it means I can look at my showbiz life with a sense of maturity that I wouldn’t have possessed otherwise, in my current profession. The older I get, the more grateful I am for the past that I have, because when it comes to art commenting on life, you need to have lived a life in order to be an artist.
• Squad Busters is out now on Android and iOS. My Spy: The Eternal City is on Prime Video from 18 July
