Audio Interview

Kayvan Novak, E4's cult prankster on Fonejacker talks to The Guardian about the art of the wind-up, impersonating Kevin Spacey and why he loves Iran.

Prank-call show Fonejacker has to be the funniest thing on the telly right now. I like the Iraqi man wanting to join the British Army. The recruitment officer is very helpful: he even thinks that Iraq may well be a Commonwealth country.

What, because you occupy it now? says the Iraqi. Erm, we don't occupy it now ... Well, I suppose ... can't really get into all that with you, sir.

It makes you squirm like an eel. But cringing is the new laughing - no, not new, it has been since Ali G, and Ricky Gervais. And this is so beautifully performed - by one man: Kayvan Novak.

Kayvan Novak, the man with the dark glasses, stripey balaclava and serious phone addiction is at it again. Whether you find all his pranks - such as the phone order to a Blackpool florist made from a 'war zone' - hysterically funny or repugnant is entirely a matter of taste.

A lot funnier than its juvenile concept would suggest, Kayvan Novak's prank phone-call show returns for a second series. Building on the stronger characters from the first series - including dodgy salesman Terry Tibbs, African scamster George and salesman Irish Mike, this outing sees an extended cast and much keener ear for the punch line.

Q&A with Kayvan Novak

An interview with the creator of Fonejacker.