Entertainment
Jack Whitehall mocks his own American accent in Clifford the Big Red Dog movie: ‘It was all over the place!’
At least he can laugh at himself (Picture: NBC)
He earns his living by cracking jokes about other people, but at least Jack Whitehall can laugh at himself as well.
The comedian, 33, plays uncle Casey in the new Clifford the Big Red Dog movie, in which he had to put on an American accent.
It can’t have been easy for the Londoner, who regularly makes jokes about being as posh as they come, but he gave it a good go.
However, upon watching the film back, he found plenty of reasons to mock his attempt.
Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, the Brit Awards host said: ‘What a lot of actors do is go for one region of America and commit to a single accent, but I decided that I would take a tour of all 50 state, sometimes in the same scene. why do just do one when you can show off them all?’
‘It was all over the place!’ he added.
When the trailer for the film was released, fans were quick to also make fun of Jack’s accent, taking to Twitter to vent about how unimpressed they were with his attempt.
One user referred to his accent as ‘a horror,’ while another wrote: ‘Jack Whitehall is fighting for his life with that accent.’
Others questioned why his character was given an American accent at all, saying he should’ve been allowed to stay British.
The presenter was quick to join in, though, replying to a tweet that said: ‘That accent,’ followed by three cry laughing emojis.
‘More disturbing than a 10 foot dog!’ he wrote back.
But not everyone was horrified, saying the comedian is ‘dynamite’ in the film, and his accent ‘isn’t bad.’
Jack plays fun-loving uncle Casey in the film (Picture: AP)
Elsewhere in the interview, Jack was asked if he feels under pressure to start working out now he’s broken into Hollywood.
The funny man responded: ‘My American agent said, “You’re going to have to get buff if you want a Marvel part” and I am like, “Can I make sure I am getting the film first?”‘
He joked: ‘I am not going to get in shape and then not get a Marvel film. I need the contract signed and delivered, the flight booked, and then at that point I might lift something in the gym. But until that point, no way!’
Jack has made several acting endeavours so far in his career, and his role in the Clifford movie sees him star alongside Darby Camp as Emily Elizabeth and legendary John Cleese (you’ll be pleased to know, he keeps his own accent).
The film is based on the classic books that were big parts of many people’s childhood (Picture: AP)
The film starts with Clifford as a small red puppy, who is given to schoolgirl Emily by a magical animal rescuer.
After learning that the size he grows to depends on how much she loves him, Emily one day wakes up to a ten-foot Clifford in her bedroom.
Naturally, chaos ensues.
Jack plays her fun-loving uncle who is the not-so-responsible adult in charge while Emily’s mum (Sienna Guillory) is away on business. Actually he’s more of a big kid.
This film is one of many projects that kept Jack busy during the pandemic, despite many parts of the entertainment industry shutting down.
More: Graham Norton
He hosted the Brits back in May, and also made a film with Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson for Disney, called Jungle Cruise.
Clifford the Big Red Dog is showing now in cinemas.
The Graham Norton Show airs tonight at 10:35pm on BBC One.
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