Writer Nida Manzoor wanted “We Are Lady Parts,” her series about an all-female Muslim punk band in London, to be funny. But as a Muslim woman writing about very underrepresented characters, she also felt some heavy responsibility.
Whenever Manzoor felt stuck comedically, she’d pull up some of her favorite funny movie clips on YouTube.
“That is definitely part of my process, and one that I’ve told other people whenever they get stressed. I’m like, ‘Just go to YouTube and whatever your favorite film is, just watch your favorite scene, and then you’re ready to go.’”
Her clips of choice were scenes from comedy classics “This is Spinal Tap” and “Withnail and I.”
While the internet may be helpful for revisiting old favorites, Manzoor says her writing strategy includes getting off social media. And she explains why some highly trained actors had trouble playing punk in auditions for her new Peacock series, “We Are Lady Parts.”