The only time they're funny is by accident ... ... when they're taking turns to speak watching the expression on the silent one is hilarious. It's the same act they've always done, and always will do.
I can't even think of a time they were funny by accident. I just really can't see the appeal of them, I don't think they're funny, nor are they good presenters. I reckon I'm in the minority though, they obviously appeal to some.
I think people like harmless familiarity which is why the likes of Phillip Scofield become 'national treasures' despite an almost total lack of talent. It's like a favourite T-shirt that looks dated and a bit worn but people keep it because it's comfortable and reminds them of when they were young. 'Personable' is all it takes to be paid huge salaries ... I've no chance
I would have agreed with you when they were TV regulars, but I got a rude awakening around 1967. I was at RAF Sharjah, and we got occasional live entertainment through visiting shows. Mostly these were, at best, a break in the monotony and they reminded us that Ladies had an unsettling effect on us. Then came a touring Mike and Bernie Winters show. Not a lot of enthusiasm, but there was nothing better to do, so we turned up. As a stage act they were brilliant. I knew that Mike was a cool man with a clarinet, but I didn't know that Bernie was a hot drummer. The whole show was brilliant. Then came the 'common touch' bit. After the show the whole cast, including the girls, turned up at The Naafi. Every other show I'd known, went to the Officers Mess. Not Mike and Bernie. And they stayed there for most of the rest of the night amongst us peasants. I heard one, socially minded soul, ask why The Naffi, rather than the Officers Mess, and Bikes response was 'we feel more comfortable here'. Was a fan after that.
Good comics have the ammo to throw at any heckler, hecklers are the same breed everywhere you'd think. I don't think some are planted for comedic purposes.
Years ago I was at a Boro Xmas dinner, after the grub a comedian came on to lighten the mood and get things going and he was terrible, he was subjected to some really light hearted banter after just a few minutes and he took the huff and stormed off the stage, it was quite hilarious at the time, his antics were much funnier than his punchlines.
I still take my grown up sons to the Nottingham Theatre Royal panto every year and heckle the lead performer who's usually a comedian. The idea is to stop them in their tracks during the performance ... .... they usually wipe the floor with us We were disappointed when Joe Pasquale was announced but he was brilliant in his role and also cut us to pieces. (On again this year, in Snow White, so it's Round Two.) However we usually manage to land a knockout punch at least once. We did it with Christopher Biggins who was a master of his craft and fended us off expertly as Widow Twanky. But when he got some children up for a bit of 'audience participation' I nailed him. He had a cute little lad, with curly blond locks, up on stage. "What's your name?", asks Biggins kneeling down with his arm around him. "Err David." "How old are you David?" "Five and a half." "And where do you live?", says Biggins in a massive frock, full make up and gay as can be. Me, "DAVID DON'T TELL HIM!!!" The audience cheers, Biggins hangs his head and absolutely shakes with laughter. As he's struggling to compose himself, the lights come onto our box and we take a bow .... more cheering. Biggins stands back up, wipes away the tears and returns the bow ... more cheering. The performance carries on and we join in with the songs and all the cheering and booing. All at once the lights go on us again, the curtain at the back of our box opens ... there are half a dozen of the child dancers, from the chorus line, armed with super-soaker water pistols. The little bastards absolutely f**king soaked us .... huge cheers from the audience!!! We had no option but to take our punishment, in good grace, and take another bow ... ... Biggins looked radiant as he waved to us and grinned the grin of the victor
