Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a new episode of The Public Nuisance Podcast with me, Sean McComb. This week we welcome Pearse Elliott to the podcast. We cover growing up in Belfast when everyone knew everyone, bookies, horse racing, greyhounds, pigeon racing, hunting dogs and the characters that made local communities what they were, why gambling becomes part of social culture and the psychology behind addiction, stories of lucky bets, unlucky horses and betting disasters, life around pubs, bars and bookmakers, growing up with no phones, no social media and creating your own entertainment, wild childhood stories, chasing a tiger that supposedly escaped from Bellevue Zoo, building a pack of dogs to hunt it down, why imagination seems to be disappearing in modern life, the decline of community spirit and knowing your neighbours, Covid street parties and what they revealed about people’s need for connection, poverty, ageing and the challenges facing older generations, Belfast’s unique humour and storytelling culture, writing for television and theatre, the reality of getting projects commissioned, the legacy of Pulling Moves, Malcolm, Kneecap and Northern Irish storytelling, why Belfast produces incredible writers, artists and characters, the changing arts scene, funding struggles and the value of creativity, growing up working-class in Belfast, family stories, local legends, pigeon racing culture, unforgettable characters from North Belfast, The Sopranos, acting, Daniel Day-Lewis, method acting, comedy, performance, confidence under pressure, why the stories of ordinary people are often the most entertaining of all and much more. New episodes every Tuesday. NEW MERCH 10% off with Code - BANGBANGGRAVEYCHIP Website: https://visualanticsapparel.com/collections/public-nuisance-podcast Sean McComb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmccomb/ Killen Studios Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killenstudio/ Website: https://killenstudios.com/ That Prize Guy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatprizeguy/ Website: https://thatprizeguy.co.uk/ The Wing Society Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewingsociety/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Gambling Culture 05:12 Sponsors & Chicken Tenders 06:09 Greyhounds, Dogs & Betting Stories 08:38 Hunting, Community & Growing Up Outside 12:39 Covid, Street Parties & Losing Community 15:08 Belfast Characters & Storytelling 17:28 The Arts, Funding & Northern Ireland 19:31 Kneecap, Malcolm & Belfast on Screen 21:42 Growing Up in Belfast 28:43 Writing TV Shows & The Reality of Production 32:27 The Sopranos & Great Television 35:47 Daniel Day-Lewis & Method Acting 40:43 Confidence, Performance & Pressure 43:23 Bookies Stories & Gambling Characters 47:49 Pigeon Racing Culture 52:29 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up
