IT SOUNDS an odd thing to say, but sometimes comedy can be too trivial for its own good.

According to stand-up star John Moloney - appearing in a double-bill with Lee Mack at Southampton's Nuffield theatre on March 9 - a lot of modern comics are obsessed with nostalgic reminiscing about film and TV.

"It's too easy a target, really. I think some comics come into the business with their eye on becoming a TV presenter. I came into it wanting to make people laugh," declares the 37-year-old performer.

"I'm an old-fashioned comic who likes to talk about real situations that occur to everyone, not one of those Ninja Star Wars comics who say nothing of substance.

"I talk about the four vices - sex, drugs, politics and religion. The stuff which is common to other people's experiences. I like to have my feet on the ground."

Moloney's background is as down to earth as they come. Until 12 years ago, he was a languages teacher in north London. Then his love of comedy got the better of him.

"I was obsessed with comedy films when I was a kid, and I always really liked Tony Hancock, Steptoe and Rising Damp - really well-written comedy where it's not just 'Oh, vicar, I'd better put my trousers on'. I look for the truth in something and try to twist it in a funny way.

"When I was about 20 I went to the Comedy Store in Leicester Square. It just blew me away. It was like Saul on the road to Damascus. I just thought 'That's it. That's what I want to do'."

He may not be a household name, but Moloney is probably familiar to most comedy fans from his many TV appearances - including the seemingly compulsory likes of They Think It's All Over and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

He says he'd much rather perfect his live theatre act than appear on yet another TV quiz show.

"The thing with comedians is you can be the eternal game show guest which is fine for a while, but it's not particularly going anywhere. I've been there and done that now.

"I see my future as trying to get better. I've done a few short films and I wouldn't mind doing a bit more acting, but I've not had any formal training."

Anyway, he says, the live comedy scene is currently in a rude state of health.

"There's so much to talk about at the moment with this war coming up that Tony's so desperate to have.

"Once you grow up a bit you can talk about the issues that the younger comics wouldn't know or care about."

Lee Mack and John Moloney are at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton on March 9. Performance: 7.30pm. Box office: 023 8067 1771.