Stephen Fry on Irish television: full interview

February 2, 2015 • 11:32 am

If you click on the screenshot below, you’ll go to the page where you can hear Stephen Fry’s full 39-minute interview with Gay Byrne, host of the “Meaning of Life” show on the Irish station RTÉ (I’ve already posted a two-minute snippet on Fry’s view of God).  It’s quite frank and personal, with Fry talking about his upbringing, the “terrible honor” of love, his instant bond with Hugh Laurie, his cocaine use, the difficulties of being gay and, of course, religion. He also talks about his affection for Oscar Wilde, which is appropriate since the conversation takes place in Wilde’s house in Dublin.

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You’ll notice that Fry is wearing a wedding ring. That’s because he just got married.

I love that man, though not with the love that dare not speak its name.

h/t: Grania

 

19 thoughts on “Stephen Fry on Irish television: full interview”

  1. A great interview! I’m glad the lithium is working for him as some people never find a medicine that works well for them.

  2. Unfortunately i cannot play video on my ipad, although it worked fine on the shorter clip the other day.

  3. Great interview. I had not idea Fry suffered from BP spectrum DO. His public composure, sense of humor, and courteous interpersonal skills seem to be the benchmark of equanimity.

    User caveat: Check out the site archives. You’ll notice that an unfortunate appearance by an unfortunate character appears on October 10, 2010.

    1. Fry did a documentary on bipolar disorder a few years back called The Secret Life of the Manic a Depressive.

      He spoke to others with BP including Carrie Fisher and Richard Dreyfus.

      1. That documentary rang a few bells with me, so I spoke with some people and was eventually diagnosed with BP in 2009. I even had the chance to thank him, when I met him after a talk in Oxford, a year later

        They should have his picture, in the dictionary, next to the word “lovely”, he is the very definition

    2. Deepak Chopra. I fouud that and started to listen. I lasted till he said tha word “consciouness” in answer to the first question. I have grown to hate the sound of his voice – and I know that is irrational, but there it is.

  4. Far be it for me to criticize anyone’s lifestyle, but a 30 year age difference? I guess it must be true love.

    2. It’s not clear what you mean by “lifestyle,” since one’s sexual orientation is inborn and unchangeable. My spouse and I were (he died two years ago) thirty-two years apart. Though he was the older of us in age, in heart and courage and vision, he was always by far the younger. I know other couples–opposite-sex and same-sex–of thirty or more years age difference and they are very happy as we were, too. The only true disadvantage is the likelihood of the older partner dying well before the younger. But you don’t think about things like that when you’re in love. You’re just too happy!

      2. I have to agree, Larry. The happiest couple I’ve ever come across were almost three decades apart in age. Age was not something they ever thought about. They loved each other and he cared for her and she cared for him. That’s all that was important to them. When he died last year at the age of 85, she was devastated. The children of their mutual friends supported her emotionally and eulogised at his funeral. I’m sure their own relationships will be the better for having known them.

  9. I am glad Mr. Fry has found his Dorian Grey.

    A most eloquent, cultured, and emotional man, it was amazing to see Stephen Fry on an Intelligence Squared debate on the merits of Verdi vs Wagner. Fry’s breadth of knowledge, much like Hitchens’, is astounding and inspiring.

    I still consider Stephen Fry’s, shall we say pre-mortem eulogy of Christopher Hitchens at the beginning of this homage the most lucid and rousing one. It’s no surprise that these two were such good friends.

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