Comedian John Bishop and his wife, Melanie, appeared more in love than ever as they stepped onto the red carpet for a glittering London film premiere on Monday night. The couple served as the real-life inspiration for the new Hollywood movie, Is This Thing On?, which charts how John's accidental foray into stand-up comedy rescued their faltering marriage over two decades ago.
From Marital Breakdown to Silver Screen Romance
The star-studded gala screening in the capital celebrated the release of the film, directed by Oscar-nominee Bradley Cooper. The movie is loosely based on the true story of the Bishops' relationship, with Will Arnett and Laura Dern portraying a fictionalised version of the couple. John, 59, and writer Melanie, married for over three decades, walked hand-in-hand, dressed in coordinating suits, beaming for photographers.
John cut a dapper figure in a charcoal double-breasted blazer with a grey turtleneck, while Melanie radiated in a bright purple jacket and trousers, accessorised with silver necklaces and strappy heels. The Liverpudlian comic was warmly greeted by the film's leads, Arnett and Dern, at the event.
The True Story Behind the Film
The plot of Is This Thing On? follows a novice comic, Alex Novak (Arnett), seeking purpose in New York's comedy scene as his marriage to Tess (Dern) quietly falls apart. This narrative mirrors the Bishops' own experience. After meeting at college in Manchester and marrying in 1993, the couple, who share three sons, faced a severe crisis. John has candidly described himself in his early married life as a blunt, unemotional Northerner unable to express his feelings.
Their marriage eventually crumbled, leading to an 18-month separation beginning in 2000 and the start of divorce proceedings. In a bid to cheer himself up during this dark period, John signed up for an open-mic night at a comedy club, primarily to avoid a £4 entry fee. His set, performed to a modest crowd of seven, was a roaring success. He was encouraged to return weekly, using the stage as therapy to joke about his ongoing divorce, unknowingly launching his stellar comedy career.
A year later, in a remarkable twist, an unaware Melanie attended the club and saw John's routine for the first time. His performance reminded her of the man she had first fallen for. She approached him at the bar after his set, they talked, and ultimately rekindled their relationship, calling off the divorce for good.
A Personal Story Finds a Global Audience
The heartwarming tale of reconciliation reached Hollywood after John relayed the story to Will Arnett. Arnett, alongside Bradley Cooper and writer Mark Chappell, developed it into a screenplay. "In the first conversations with Will and Mark, it was like, 'It shouldn’t be a biopic of us. It should be the essence of the story taken somewhere else'," John told Empire magazine. "I love the idea that it was taken to North America. I thought it would open the story up to more people."
Watching the film was a deeply personal experience for the couple. John admitted, "When me and Melanie watched it in a small screening room for the first time, it was like watching a memory." Melanie also praised the film, telling The Times, "Actually I am really pleased. It’s a beautiful film... You’re right in it."
Reflecting on that pivotal time, John previously explained his marriage simply "wasn't working." The pain of only seeing his children at weekends drove him to seek solace, inadvertently on the comedy stage. With his marriage back on track, he made the bold decision to leave a high-flying job in marketing in his late thirties to pursue comedy full-time. His gamble paid off, leading to awards, TV appearances on shows like Live at the Apollo and Have I Got News For You, and a thriving career.
The premiere of Is This Thing On? not only marked a major cinematic moment but also a celebration of the Bishops' enduring love story—a testament to second chances, the healing power of humour, and the unexpected paths life can take.
