I know the humour is subjective, what one person finds funny the next person might not, but most comedians today on TV are crap. It seems that you either have a "character" like McIntyre or you play it safe with rather inoffensive material. Today it seems some comedians tell "jokes" just to insult or shock, not to make you laugh because it's funny. It's not like Dave Allen back in the day, say, picking on an aspect of the church and making fun of how ridiculous it is. It's not that it's clever, just shock value, it's why I'm not a fan of Frankie Boyle. He just seems to be an angry Scotsman saying things to shock, but I can barely remember any of his jokes. The permanently offended either kick off about it or defend it because it's "free speech" supporting one of their prejudices.
To me the best comedians are those that are funny without being deliberately funny or offensive. Subtelty is an art form in comedy for me. Some comedians have had a career based on swearing alone. I didnt think I would find anyone funnier than the big yin but I have to say Peter Kay is my favourite. He just talks about real life and it makes me cry laughing. I have seen all his tours and he is magnificent. Not many cant get an arena aduience so involved in their comedy. A shout out to the early Eddie Izzard stuff, some incredibly clever stuff. His shows were very clever. Going back to my golden age then the two ronnies were just magnificent. Split your sides funny. Reeves and Mortimer had me in stitches as well. I can watch old videos of Tommy Cooper all day. Same for Bobby Thompson. These fellas just had funny bones. Some modern day comedians are quite easy to dislike. I dont think they have worked hard early enough to understand how to be really funny. They seem to land on a routine, and repeat that, or go for gutter comedy and roll with it. Lee Evans, like someone else has said, not funny at all. Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle, Jonny Vegas, Jack Whitehall, all not for me.
There is very little humour without "offending" someone, so on mainstream TV etc, there is barely any humour at all. It is achingly bad and unfunny. You can see those who have been on a decent time desperately trying to toe the BBC line. Or they lose the well paid, long running , high profile work. Paul Merton, Ian Hislop and many other formerly funny people are now just stale old individuals, trying to keep on the gravy train.
Anyone remember the Nights Of Laughter they had in the Roker Suite at Roker Park , Three comedians and a basket meal at a reasonable price was always a good night . Bob Richie , Alan Snell , Bobby Thompson , Bobby Knoxall , and a lot more local comedians entertained everyone certainly brings back memories .
Everone has their own opinions, but I think Lee Mack is a genius of a comedian. Very quick, and very clever in mastering the delivery of a 'counter attack' reposte. He is one of those who always gives you a good belly laugh. Peter Kay too, and Ben Elton are clever comedians. The best of all time are probably Billy Connolly and Bob Monkhouse the quickest ad lib reposte merchant of all time.
In a previous life I'd treat half a dozen of my colleagues to a night at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, at the end of the month, long story. It was all blokes so I'd choose a comedian over anything 'soppy' like music or theatre ... in any case comedy and beer go together. Because it was the end of the month I'd just book whoever was on and take pot luck. It meant going so see people you'd usually avoid based on their TV appearances. Ironically they were often the best ... Sean Hughes sat in an old armchair for two hours just rambling about nowt in particular, fabulous. Jenny Éclair had us in two kinds of tears and got a standing ovation. Harry Hill was hilarious in a dozen different ways and musically funny as well, great show. And one of the funniest which you wouldn't believe ... ... Joe Pasquale, absolutely brilliant and sharp as a cut throat
I saw Billy Connolly live years ago and he was absolutely brilliant. There was a bit of an "incident" at the start - he came in and was beginning his routine when a man walked down to the front row right in front of him and began talking to someone. Connolly noticed this but kept going but kept looking. In the end he stopped and asked if someone had nicked his seat while he went to the bog. We couldn't hear the response but it turned out that he was a kind of a steward there and it turned out that someone was taking photos when there was signs saying that photography wasn't allowed. Billy said that they were taking photos of him and he didn't mind, it seems like the response was"well I have to tell her". Billy Connolly's retort was well you've told her now you can **** off! The sound of a massive cheer while this jobsworth was walking back up the aisle was funny as. To end this Billy said to the person being told off that if she wanted a photo just shout Billy and he'll pose. All we then heard was a little voice shout "Billy" and he turned around to strike an exaggerated pose. All you then saw was a mass of flashing lights! I've also seen Freddie Starr live when I was a kid and I've never seen my dad having to take his glasses off as much to wipe away the tears of laughter! Other favourites when I was growing up were Jasper Carrott, Dave Allen, Bob Monkhouse, Morecambe and Wise and the 2 Ronnies were particular favorites though - pure geniuses. Today's "comedians" could hear a lot just watching them
This just shows how differently people can see things. I'd see Billy Connolly as a bully and a coward in that situation. It would be me telling him to f**k off and mind his own business in that situation ... ... and, in my experience, my boss would back me up.
I will always have time for billy connelly. In his peak he was superb. Not only that but also about something that happened about 30 years ago. A friend of my mams was a big fan of his. Unfortunately she was dying of cancer and wanted to see him live before she died. Her sister or friend decided to send him a letter and explain the situation and whether he could organise 2 tickets for them for his gig in Newcastle in a few weeks time. Not expecting a response, a week or so later a big black Range Rover pulled up outside of her terraced house in Annfield Plain. Knocking on the door was the man himself, delivering the tickets in person. He was invited in for a cup of tea and a slice of cake and allowed the family to film the occassion (Ive seen the video). An hour of his time and off he went. Unfortunetly the lady was too ill to go in the end and died a short while later. However im sure she would have not cared one jot. That act of kindness would have knocked the spots off of seeing him on stage. The intimacy that he showed in the video, being with the man himself and not the loud brash character he does for everybody else? And there was not any mention of this act of kindness in the press. A lesser man may have leaked the story, the dying lady or her family also kept the memory more close knit.
Lee Macks stand up, what little ive seen, was woeful. His performances on Would I Lie to You is a different kettle of fish. His brain is as sharp as anybodies who ive seen. Ive watched a few episodes lately mind, and it seems to have lost its zip, like they are all just going through the motions.
That's a great story and a testimony to the man. I did say 'in that situation'.but that's because I've been in that kind of situation. It's all very well denigrating the 'jobsworth' but it's a difficult job. The performers rely on those people, for all kinds of security, etc, so shouldn't humiliate them, in front of people, when they can't answer back. If that'd been me I'd have called him out after the show tbh, even if it cost me my job.
Used to have an open mic slot at Uni on a Sat night. My mates were always badgering me to get up, but I was never brave enough
Ricky Gervais manages it Interesting you use the word "woke" as if it's a negative term, or some sort of insult
Was going to say doing stand up and being quick witted on a panel show are two completely different animals. Plenty are funny on a panel show. Lee Mack on would I lie for you is pretty good cause he thinks quick. But I wouldn't watch him do stand up or his sit com. Go back overwhelming decades and there is plenty who did well on pale shows over the years but couldn't do stand up!
