Bradley Cooper's film based on the story of how John Bishop got into comedy

Here’s the first trailer for Is This Thing On? – the film directed by Bradley Cooper based on John Bishop’s story of taking to stand-up in the wake of his marriage break-up.

Will Arnett plays Alex, who seeks a new life in the New York comedy scene, while Laura Dern, who plays Tess, confronts the sacrifices she made for their family.

The movie will be released in the US on December 19 following its world premiere at the New York Film Festival on October 10. Cooper said the creative team was ‘honoured and humbled’  to premiere there, since the city serves as the film’s backdrop. ‘NYC injects an energy into every aspect of filmmaking that just can’t be replicated,’ he added.

Bishop got into comedy in 2000 when he wandered into the open mic night at Manchester’s Frog and Bucket as he had separated from his wife Melanie and was simply looking for something to do. 

The trailer for Is This Thing On?  credits him as writing the story with Arnett and Mark Chappell.

Comedian Chloe Radcliffe – who plays a stand-up in the film – previously told Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre podcast:  ‘I think Will and John sat next to each other at a dinner ten years ago  and Will heard his story and was like, "That rules, I want to do that someday." So anyway that's the movie.’

Cooper also plays the best friend of Arnett’s character Alex, with the cast also featuring Ciarán Hinds, former NFL star Peyton Manning, comedian Amy Sedaris and Will and Grace’s Sean Hayes along with his husband, Scott Icenogle.
 

Published: 26 Aug 2025