I remember reading that Lee Mack said this was one of the biggest highlights of his life. Making John Cleese, his hero, like many who grew up with Monty Python, barrel over with laughter. You can see it in Lee’s face when his eyes clock John Cleese and Lee is besides himself for making his comedy hero laugh.

Cleese laughed, composed himself for a moment, and then he doubled over and stamped his feet when the joke hit him again. You know a joke is great when it gets that second wave of laughter.

I love that when Lee says, “It was my first attempt at doing stand up,” John immediately leans in and is already into the story.

If you can get that kind of reaction from John Cleese, you're doing something right.  🤣

There's a bloke in a pub in Kent who tells a story about the time he was at Lee Mack's first gig.

1:56 The moment Cleese anticipates the punchline is absolutely priceless. He's losing it! Lmao.

I read Lee Mack's autobiography recently in which he remarks that making Cleese crack up with laughter was one of the proudest moments of his career.

Let's face it, Cleese is pretty much 'comedy royalty' in the same way that Elton, Eric, Mick, etc. are 'rock royalty'. I like Mack & he's right to feel proud.

2:36 he's so happy he got Cleese to laugh out loud :D

It’s really cool when you realise how this is literally Lee taking a story of him failing to deliver a punchline, and making the failed punchline the actual punchline of this new joke, and it’s a banger

His delivery is impeccable.

Mack’s delivery and timing is impeccable here, and demonstrates the mastery of his craft.  You know what’s coming with the gag, he massages your anticipation, then delivers the killer punchline perfectly.  One of our truly funniest and talented comedians.

Absolute banger of a story from Lee Mack but can we all just take a moment to appreciate Martin Clunes's "And it's still in your act!".

It's a testament to John Cleese's greatness as a comedian that he literally can't wait to hear yet another joke and punchline. He's dying of laughter because he simply loves comedy. And Lee Mack is an absolute genius story teller, so he should feel thrilled that John Cleese was in hysterics over his story.

If I could make John Cleese laugh, I'd still owe him a million more.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how well Lee sets up and delivers this story? Even his anecdotes are a masterclass in comedy

It's all in the timing. Literally everyone knows where this joke is going a minute before the punchline but Lee Mack's delivery is absolutely perfect.

My favorite part of this clip is that brief glance right at the end when Lee Mack looks over at John Cleese with such a sense of pride, knowing he just made Cleese genuinely guffaw. I feel comfortable thinking that Mr. Mack still regards this as among his proudest moments.

This years later is still one of my favorite clips of the Graham Norton show.  I cant help but laugh with John and Martin.

1:57 That little look in his eyes when he realises just how good this moment is.

Must feel pretty good to get John Cleese cracked up like that.