{{short description|English comedian based in New Brunswick, Canada}} {{for|the British author and historian|James Bass Mullinger}} {{Use British English|date=December 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}} {{Infobox person | name = <!-- defaults to article title when left blank --> | image = James Mullinger.jpg | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|3|11|df=yes}} | birth_place = Berkshire, England, UK | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) --> | death_place = | occupation = Comedian | years_active = 2005–present | known_for = | notable_works = | website = {{URL|https://www.jamesmullinger.com}} }} '''James Mullinger''' (born 11 March 1978) is an English-Canadian alternative comedian based in New Brunswick. Though primarily a stand-up comic, Mullinger has held a number of roles in other media including a presenter of ''Blimey! An Englishman in Atlantic Canada'',<ref name=stephen/> co-writer and co-producer of ''The Comedian's Guide to Survival'',<ref name=guidetosurvival/> and actor in the upcoming ''NBrexit''.<ref name=perry/>{{update after|2023|4|1|reason=get rid of "upcoming" once it airs (expected March 2023)}} In 2022, he published his memoir, ''Brit Happens: Or Living the Canadian Dream'', with Goose Lane Editions.<ref name=cooke/><ref name=nulman/> In 2016, Mullinger broke Jerry Seinfeld's record ticket sales at Harbour Station and outsold performances including Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, and Snoop Dogg.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/other-news/2018/05/03/39868/unknown_comic_outsells_seinfeld_%E2%80%93%C2%A0again|title='Unknown' comic outsells Seinfeld – again|date=2018-05-03|publisher=Chortle|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref>
==Early life== Mullinger grew up in Maidenhead, Berkshire.<ref name=dewey>{{cite web|url=https://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/18287/James-Mullinger-is--living-the.html|title=James Mullinger is 'living the dream' at Norden Farm|date=2013-11-08|publisher=Maidenhead Advertiser|last=Dewey|first=Philip|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> He studied English Literature and Women's Studies at Kingston University.<ref name=elder>{{cite web|url=https://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/latest-theatre-news/71966/Comedian-James-Mullinger-returns-to-his.html|title=Comedian James Mullinger returns to his home town with latest tour|last=Elder|first=Lucy|date=2014-10-30|publisher=Maidenhead Advertiser|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=laws>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/james-mullinger-play-birminghams-old-6120091|title=James Mullinger's brush with notoriety|last=Laws|first=Roz|date=2013-12-04|publisher=Business Live|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=guidetosurvival/> Mullinger grew up seeing shows at Norden Farm and has since performed there.<ref name=cook/> As a teenager, his favourite comedians included Ben Elton, Frank Skinner, Steve Martin, and Monty Python.<ref name=opportunities/>
==Career== Mullinger began performing stand-up comedy in 2005.<ref name=guidetosurvival/> The same year, he reached the finals of Jimmy Carr's ''Comedy Idol'', ''You Must Be Joking'' at the Newbury Comedy Festival, and ''Your Comedy Stars'' at the Edinburgh Fringe.<ref name=oxford>{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2010/10/25/interview-james-mullinger/|title=Interview: James Mullinger|date=2010-10-25|publisher=Oxford Student|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> He also started the Upstairs at the Masons comedy club in the function room of Mayfair's Masons Arms pub which, in addition to bringing in local comedians, attracted comedians such as Russell Brand, Richard Herring, Greg Davies, and Michael McIntyre.<ref name=cook>{{cite web|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/comedy-gigs/jimmy-mullinger-shares-teenage-diaries-4198128|title=Jimmy Mullinger shares his teenage diaries|last=Cook|first=Carolina|date=2012-08-30|publisher=Berkshire Live|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=guidetosurvival>{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/film/the_comedians_guide_to_survival/interviews/james_mullinger/|title=The Comedian's Guide to Survival: James Mullinger Interview|date=2016-10-17|publisher=British Comedy Guide|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> His debut show in 2009, ''The Bad Boy of Feminism'', sold out at the Camden Fringe.<ref name=cook/><ref name=oxford/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/feb/06/comedy-previews-the-guide|title=This week's comedy previews|last=Kettle|first=James|date=6 February 2010|work=The Guardian|accessdate=18 July 2011}}</ref> Since then, he has performed a number of shows—''James Mullinger's Schooldays'', ''The Man With No Shame'' (2012/2013),<ref name=cook/><ref name=oxford/> ''Living the Canadian Dream'' (2014/2015),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thebaron.ca/2014/10/30/james-mullinger-living-the-canadian-dream/|title=James Mullinger: "Living the Canadian Dream"|date=2014-10-30|publisher=The Baron|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cjlo.com/articles/james-mullinger-is-living-the-dream|title=James Mullinger is Living the Dream|last=Greco|first=Jacob|date=2014-06-16|publisher=CJLO|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=brownstein/><ref name=nulman/><ref name=laws/> and ''Anything is Possible''<ref name=opportunities/>—across both Canada and the UK. ''The Man With No Shame'' was centred around readings from his teenage diaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/comedy-gigs/james-mullinger-brings-living-dream-4189753|title=James Mullinger brings his Living the Dream show to Windsor|last=Cook|first=Caroline|date=2013-04-11|publisher=Berkshire Live|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref>
Between November 2011 and January 2012, Mullinger hosted ''Movie Kingdom'', a web series co-created with friend and collaborator Mark Murphy.<ref name=guidetosurvival/><ref name=dewey/> The pair reviewed movies and interviewed celebrities. It was later developed as a Comedy Central web series titled ''A Moment With'', which featured actors including Anne Hathaway, Andrew Garfield, and Javier Bardem and comedians Jackie Mason, Ross Noble, and Stewart Lee.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} In 2016, he and Murphy collaborated on ''The Comedian's Guide to Survival'', a film based on and dramatising Mullinger's experiences as a comedian. ''The Inbetweeners'' star James Buckley portrayed the fictionalised version of Mullinger.<ref name=guidetosurvival/><ref name=opportunities/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heyuguys.com/the-comedians-guide-to-survival-set-visit-report-part-one/|title=The Comedian's Guide to Survival Set Visit Report – Part One|last=Pape|first=Stefan|date=2015-09-11|publisher=Hey u Guys|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/08/17/23052/inbetweeners_james_buckley_turns_stand-up|title=Inbetweeners' James Buckley turns stand-up|date=2015-08-17|publisher=Chortle|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref>
The same year, he worked with Hemmings House on ''City on Fire'', a documentary showing Mullinger getting ready for his first sold-out show at Harbour Station and exploring his love of New Brunswick.<ref name=harding>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/city-on-fire-documentary-1.3767420|title=City on Fire shares story of comedian's love for Saint John|last=Harding|first=Gail|date=2016-09-17|publisher=CBC News|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=opportunities/> He also finished shooting the first season of ''Comedy Bootcamp'' on Bell Aliant TV1 in 2016.<ref name=opportunities/> In 2022, Mullinger published his memoir ''Brit Happens: Or Living the Canadian Dream'' with Goose Lane Editions.<ref name=cooke/><ref name=nulman/> ''NBrexit'', his next major venture, is a sitcom about a comedian forced to move to Canada (whereas Mullinger made the choice) to escape a Brexit scandal. It was filmed in Miramichi and claims to be the first English-speaking sitcom filmed and set entirely in New Brunswick.<ref name=perry>{{cite web|url=https://huddle.today/2022/09/08/new-sitcom-set-in-n-b-will-be-released-next-year|title=New Sitcom Set In N.B. Will Be Released Next Year|date=2022-09-08|last=Perry|first=Brad|publisher=Huddle|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> Mullinger also made an effort to employ people living in New Brunswick.<ref name=opportunities/> It is scheduled to air in March 2023.<ref name=robins>{{cite news|url=https://www.halifaxpresents.com/comedy/comedian-james-mullinger-celebrates-ten-years-in-canada/|title=Comedian James Mullinger celebrates ten years in Canada|last=Robins|first=Mark|date=2022-12-19|newspaper=Halifax Presents|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref>{{update after|2023|4|1|}}
Mullinger worked at ''GQ'' 2000-2014, starting during a two-week work experience after university.<ref name=oxford/> He was a journalist, comedy editor, and photo editor, and interviewed celebrities such as Daniel Craig, Tom Cruise, and George Clooney.<ref name=dewey/><ref name=cook/><ref name=brownstein>{{cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/comedian-james-mullinger-is-living-the-dream-in-saint-john-new-brunswick|title=Comedian James Mullinger is living the dream in Saint John, New Brunswick|last=Brownstein|first=Bill|date=2015-05-13|publisher=Montreal Gazette|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=opportunities>{{cite web|url=https://onbcanada.ca/comedian-james-mullinger-on-why-anything-is-possible-in-new-brunswick/|title=Comedian James Mullinger on Why Anything is Possible in New Brunswick|publisher=Opportunities NB|date=2016-03-10|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theinterrobang.com/an-englishman-goes-town-to-town-performing-stand-up-in-rural-atlantic-canada/|title=An Englishman Goes Town to Town Performing Stand Up in Rural Atlantic Canada|date=2015-03-27|publisher=The Interrobang|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> In 2012, he was at the centre of controversy when he airbrushed Kate Winslet to look thinner and have longer legs. While the pushback was difficult, he said that the argument was valid and that he "was just an idiot" and that it was a "big mistake" rather than an intentional act of misogyny.<ref name=laws/>
Mullinger has appeared on ''Street-Cred Sudoku'' alongside Robin Ince, Sue Perkins and Rufus Hound.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} In Canada, he toured the country for ''Blimey! An Englishman in Atlantic Canada'' and ''Atlantic Edition'' and played villain Mr. Green in the children's show ''Ug Wug''.<ref name=stephen>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlottefm.ca/2022/02/01/saint-john-sea-monster-becomes-childs-best-friend-in-new-tv-production/|title=Saint John Sea Monster Becomes Child's Best Friend In New TV Production|last=Stephen|first=Elizabeth|date=2022-02-01|publisher=Charlotte FM|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/ug-wug-tv-show-1.6373162|title=Saint John's mythical Ug Wug is half salmon, half seal and coming to life in a new TV show|date=2022-03-05|publisher=CBC|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/miramichi-sitcom-1.6516899|title=New sitcom to be set in Miramichi|last=Sweet|first=Jennifer|date=2022-07-11|publisher=CBC|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> Mullinger is also editor-in-chief of ''Maritime [EDIT]'', a quarterly publication centred on Atlantic Canada,<ref name=robins/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/profile/james-mullinger|title=James Mullinger|publisher=GQ|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> and co-hosts ''Field & Mullinger's Underground Nights'' with Paul Field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://failedcritics.com/2016/09/24/field-mullingers-underground-nights-aroma-du-troma/|title=Field & Mullinger's Underground Nights: Aroma du Troma|date=2016-09-24|last=Hughes|first=Owen|publisher=Failed Critics|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023134854/https://failedcritics.com/2016/09/24/field-mullingers-underground-nights-aroma-du-troma/|archive-date=2016-10-23}}</ref> He has been nominated for a Just for Laughs Comedy Award and a Canadian Comedy Award<ref name=opportunities/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theeastmag.com/2017/08/27/james-mullingers-stand-comedy-hits-world-stage-amazon-prime/|title=James Mullinger's stand-up comedy hits world stage with Amazon Prime|last=Cook|first=Alex|date=2017-08-27|publisher=The East Mag|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> for Best Live Show.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} Mullinger credits a comedy course taught by Logan Murray and Hils Jago for helping him garner the confidence needed to perform standup.<ref name=guidetosurvival/>
==Personal life== Mullinger and his Canadian-born wife, Pam, moved to Saint John, New Brunswick from London in 2014.<ref name=perry/><ref name=brownstein/><ref name=guidetosurvival/><ref name=nulman/><ref name=cooke/> His wife worked with ''Vanity Fair'' and ''Wallpaper*'' while in London and as of 2022 was a marketing consultant and advertising director for several magazines, including ''Kinfolk''.<ref name=opportunities/> The couple have two sons, Hunter and River, who play Mullinger's children in his show ''NBrexit''.<ref name=robins/><ref name=perry/><ref name=opportunities/><ref name=guidetosurvival/><ref name=dewey/> Mullinger is a self-proclaimed feminist and has performed to benefit women's charities.<ref name=laws/> On November 9, 2021, he became a Canadian citizen.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sousa |first1=Aaron |title=From crumpets to Timbits: James Mullinger on becoming a Canadian - The Aquinian |url=https://theaquinian.net/40612-2/ |access-date=19 April 2024 |work=The Aquinian |date=27 March 2022 |language=en-CA}}</ref> As of 2022, Mullinger lives in the town of Rothesay.<ref name=nulman>{{cite web|url=https://totimes.ca/totimes-books-brit-happens-or-living-the-canadian-dream-by-james-mullinger/|title=TOtimes Books: BRIT HAPPENS* (*Or Living the Canadian Dream) By James Mullinger|date=2022-05-27|last=Nulman|first=Stuart|publisher=TO Times|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=cooke>{{cite web|url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/lifestyles/funny-pages-mullinger-chronicles-life-as-a-standup-brit-in-atlantic-canada-100744842/|title=Funny pages: Mullinger chronicles life as a standup Brit in Atlantic Canada|last=Cooke|first=Stephen|date=2022-06-17|publisher=Saltwire|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.maritimeedit.com/ ''The Maritime Edit'' official website] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkniRCzty64 James Mullinger live] at the Imperial Theatre on YouTube * [http://mobtreal.com/comedy/guest-blogger-james-mullinger/ James Mullinger on why he loves Montreal]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mullinger, James}} Category:Living people Category:English male comedians Category:Alumni of Kingston University Category:People from Maidenhead Category:English emigrants to Canada Category:21st-century English comedians Category:Naturalized citizens of Canada Category:Comedians from New Brunswick Category:People from Rothesay, New Brunswick Category:1978 births Category:Comedians from Berkshire