Comedy, is it me?

[Arcadian]

I watched a couple of programmes recently and it got me thinking about comedians. Forget situation comedy shows just think about someone on stage making you laugh. For me most unfunny are Johnny Vegas, what an embarassment, Peter Kaye, like Vegas thinks talking with a Northern accent automatically makes you funny, Lee Evans, maybe a good kids entertainer with all his falling about. Compare them with , among others,Tommy Cooper, Jimmy Tarbuck, Jackie Mason, (and if you`re really old), Shelley Berman, Bob Newhart, Victor Borge.

[margaretcarnes]

How true - there just don't seem to be any around these days, at least not in the UK. We get some decent programmes which contain comedians, like QI, which can produce good oneliners and off the cuff stuff. But to be honest even the good British female comedians like Victoria Wood don't seem to do much now.
I remember going to see Dave Allen years ago - and when Charlie Williams was the regular MC at Batley Variety Club. Now there's no-one I would shift my butt to see.

[Jimbob]

its not you and its not me.
the material used is often crap and getting the timing right is still an acquired art mastered by few.
I don't get off on drug related jokes which for some comedians is a quick cheap laugh or think they are relating to the audience..

Are comedians susceptible to Tourette's syndrome?
I like Billy Connolly but I am sure he has this syndrome like many alternate comedians. Excess F and C words leave me cold.

[Siani]

Things have changed in the world of comedy. Comedians are not what they were. Unfortunately, some comedians could be good but spoil it by being too rude or smutty. I would have added Frankie Boyle, but lately he has done some stupid things, shame because he is funny. I di include in my list Matt Lucas & David Walliams because they are clever, but again spoil it with certain acts and vulgarity. I am not a prude, but think "modern" comedians push the boat out too far

Unfortunately all the best comedians are dead...still able to watch many sitcoms again...

These are in my OK list.

Simon Amstell
Clive Anderson
Bill Bailey
Rory Bremner
Jimmy Carr
Alan Davies
Hugh Dennis
Russell Howard
Sean Lock
Josie Long
Paul Merton
David Mitchell
Brian Conley
Harry Enfield
Harry Hill
Matt Lucas (Little Britain)
Bob Mortimer
Frank Skinner
John Cleese
Michael Palin
Mel Smith
Ronnie Corbett
David Walliams (Little Britain)
The Royle Family
* Ricky Tomlinson
* Caroline Aherne
* Sue Johnston
* Ralf Little
* Liz Smith
* Craig Cash
John Cleese

[sandman67]

Ricky Gervais
Bill Hicks
Eddie Izzard
Billy Connelly
Al "The Pub Landlord" Murray

but my current fave is the totally foul mouthed drunken rambles of Jim Jeffries.

stick with it....its funny as hell

[richard]

Nobody like Freddie Star?

[dtaai-maai]

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=38378

Just be grateful you weren't around in these days...

A fore-runner to the famous Fork'andle sketch. The two Ronalds.

[Arcadian]

I forgot my current favourite standup comic, (just him a stage and a microphone) Michael McIntyre.

[sandman67]

Ah if we are talking classic comedy then yes, Tommy Cooper, the Two Ronnies and Eric n Ernie must sit in the thrones of gold, along side Laurel n Hardy and The Marx Brothers and The Three Stooges. Harold Lloyd is also great old silent slapstick fun.

Laurel n Hardy's The Music Box and Sons of the Desert have me in tears still...they never get old.

Here, for our younger members, is how comedy is really done





and here is Eric Sykes in two of his greatest shorts - The Plank and Rhubarb Rhubarb

[Siani]

Yes but some of these are now dead...I thought we were talking about comedy today?

Loads of dead ones, but the ones alive are few are far between. Too much swearing with some of them...we all know the words but sometimes it is not necesary to swear every other word!

A true comedian can make you laugh without this

[Siani]

Oh one more thing I forgot to say......

All the comedians have gone now Tony & Cherie departed