Comedians

[Twodogs]

Re: Comedians

Last time I came across the actor who played Mike, he was playing a Sontaran leader in Doctor Who. Not that many roles around for a height-challenged actor...

He appeared in one episode of a show called "One Foot In The Grave" too. It's the only time I've seen him in anything apart from Young Ones and Dr Who.

[soupman]

Re: Comedians

I thought the balance was right for the Young Ones. Alexi Sayle played various members of a dodgy Rusian family including the landord.

It wasn't his role that I didn't like so much, it was just that I have never ever found him funny on that show. When the main three were on screen you could usually expect something, but Mike and Alexei never really offered anything in terms of comedy IMO.

Having said that, it's a very hit and miss show. It hasn't dated well.

[The Underdog]

Re: Comedians

He appeared in one episode of a show called "One Foot In The Grave" too. It's the only time I've seen him in anything apart from Young Ones and Dr Who.

He's in a Disney real life version of Alice In Wonderland from about 10-15 years ago. He plays one of the Queen of Hearts subjects (for wont of a better word), it's not a big part. That movie's in my daughter's top 5.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Comedians

I think the problem with a lot of female stand-ups is that they are trying too hard to be FEMALE stand-ups rather than just good stand-ups. A good stand-up tells jokes about everything and anything but so many of the stand-ups of female persuasion fall into the trap of talking about things only from a female point of view (or THEIR cultural female point of view, which is not the same thing, although many of them seem to think it is), and if there is a turn-off, it's someone persistently referring to their ovaries or being a mum. The first two people who did it may have been interesting and original, but the thousandth 'mum' comedian can safely be called a cliche.

I have the same issue with stand-ups primarily using their ethnicity as the basis for their comedy. Okay, you're Korean, we get it; unless you're going to use your Korean-ness as a platform to examine the GENERAL world we live in rather than the SPECIFIC one that you seem to have a problem with, it can get boring very quickly. Oh, and kill me if you're a Korean woman talking about your Korean ovaries. (Don't even get me started on white people using the stage to expunge historical racial guilt.)

Of course there are exceptions to the above (black stand-ups can still kill it talking about being black, but I think that's just because there is so much talent there -- a lot of very boring 'I'm black and I have an 8-inch wang' crap going around, and a lot of the mainstream black comedians basically just swear non-stop and talk about banging chicks -- you know who you are).

Like I inferred above, your personal profile (race, gender) can be a useful springboard to general ideas, but if it's just a way to indulge in masturbatory navel gazing, puh-lease.

ps. Oh, if I have to name a personal (well-known) favourite, Eddie Izzard is good stand-up. Does he count as a female comedian?

[westdog54]

Re: Comedians

I saw Ross Noble at the Comedy Festival a few years ago and was in stitches from start to finish. Whenever he's going to appear on Good News Week I try and tune in because he salvages the show every time. If Noble and Akmal Saleh are on in the same episode. you know its going to be a corker.

We used to get some stand up comics performing at our 'O-week' functions at uni, my favourite of these would have to be Dave Callan. A very dry, very funny man.

Having said all this, all modern comedians should still be made to kneel down daily and bow before an image of Dave Allen. In my opinion one of the funniest men who ever lived.

And for the record, I'm 28.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Comedians

ps. Oh, if I have to name a personal (well-known) favourite, Eddie Izzard is good stand-up. Does he count as a female comedian?

I agree Eddie Izzard is brilliant and I only came across him from the YouTube hit (who hasn't had one of those) Lego - Death Star Canteen.

I am sure everyone else has seen this also but if not here it is. IT was a great stand up routine made even better with the Lego animation.

**Warning*** **Some non gratuitous profanity***

I love, "and this one is wet, and this one is wet, and this one is wet!"

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: Comedians

I think the problem with a lot of female stand-ups is that they are trying too hard to be FEMALE stand-ups rather than just good stand-ups. A good stand-up tells jokes about everything and anything but so many of the stand-ups of female persuasion fall into the trap of talking about things only from a female point of view (or THEIR cultural female point of view, which is not the same thing, although many of them seem to think it is), and if there is a turn-off, it's someone persistently referring to their ovaries or being a mum. The first two people who did it may have been interesting and original, but the thousandth 'mum' comedian can safely be called a cliche.

There are also a hell of a lot of male comedians telling jokes from their MALE point of view and assuming that it's universal, too. Just remember half the population of the world does actually have ovaries, after all.

[Twodogs]

Re: Comedians

I think the problem with a lot of female stand-ups is that they are trying too hard to be FEMALE stand-ups rather than just good stand-ups. A good stand-up tells jokes about everything and anything but so many of the stand-ups of female persuasion fall into the trap of talking about things only from a female point of view (or THEIR cultural female point of view, which is not the same thing, although many of them seem to think it is), and if there is a turn-off, it's someone persistently referring to their ovaries or being a mum. The first two people who did it may have been interesting and original, but the thousandth 'mum' comedian can safely be called a cliche.

I have the same issue with stand-ups primarily using their ethnicity as the basis for their comedy. Okay, you're Korean, we get it; unless you're going to use your Korean-ness as a platform to examine the GENERAL world we live in rather than the SPECIFIC one that you seem to have a problem with, it can get boring very quickly. Oh, and kill me if you're a Korean woman talking about your Korean ovaries. (Don't even get me started on white people using the stage to expunge historical racial guilt.)

Of course there are exceptions to the above (black stand-ups can still kill it talking about being black, but I think that's just because there is so much talent there -- a lot of very boring 'I'm black and I have an 8-inch wang' crap going around, and a lot of the mainstream black comedians basically just swear non-stop and talk about banging chicks -- you know who you are).

Like I inferred above, your personal profile (race, gender) can be a useful springboard to general ideas, but if it's just a way to indulge in masturbatory navel gazing, puh-lease.

Great post Lantern. I competely agree.


It's a bit like politics in music. If you want to bang on about politics then become a politician and leave music to musicians.

[Mofra]

Re: Comedians

I went and saw Kitty Flanagan late last year, didn't have too much expectation but she was amazing, one of the top 5 I've seen live for sure.

Steven Wright was probably the best I've seen live. I do like the one-liner or short joke comics though - Mutch Hedberg (RIP), Tim Vine and Lee Mack are favourites.

Will always have a soft spot for Bill Hicks & George Carlin.

[comrade]

Re: Comedians

I went and saw Kitty Flanagan late last year, didn't have too much expectation but she was amazing, one of the top 5 I've seen live for sure.

She's good value on the 7PM Project. She's not an "I have ovaries" comedian, rather just an "Everybody's an idiot" type which I enjoy.

Will always have a soft spot for Bill Hicks & George Carlin.

Amen.

[The Underdog]

Re: Comedians

Great post Lantern. I competely agree.


It's a bit like politics in music. If you want to bang on about politics then become a politician and leave music to musicians.

Unless you do it well and know what you're talking about. Bands like the Dead Kennedy's proved it possible, back to Billie Holliday's version of the poem "Strange Fruit" or Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come". Those songs are overtly political and about as heartbreaking as music can be.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Comedians

I Loved Alexei and used to watch Alexei Sayle's "Stuff" religiously as I did with "A Bit Of Fry and Laurie" which is still one of the better sketch comedies ever made.

Gotta agree on both counts there!!

[westdog54]

Re: Comedians

I Loved Alexei and used to watch Alexei Sayle's "Stuff" religiously as I did with "A Bit Of Fry and Laurie" which is still one of the better sketch comedies ever made.

Love this sketch from Fry and Laurie:

[LostDoggy]

Re: Comedians

Anyone caught Adam Hills' new show, Adam Hills on Gordon St, just started last week on the ABC (8.30-9.30 Wednesday nights). Quite a funny show, always has a comedic guest, last night it was Tim Minchin, never really seen much of his stuff but couldnt stop laughing every time he opened his mouth, and the guy can sing! did a great cover of Better Be Home Soon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tFjKlWDUu8). My mate was featured on the show last night in a segment Adam Hills got a full wax (yes, full, downstairs.) :S funny show.

Heres the ABC I-View link if anyone is interested his first 2 episodes are streamable on http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/series/adamhills

[jazzadogs]

Re: Comedians

Anyone caught Adam Hills' new show, Adam Hills on Gordon St, just started last week on the ABC (8.30-9.30 Wednesday nights). Quite a funny show, always has a comedic guest, last night it was Tim Minchin, never really seen much of his stuff but couldnt stop laughing every time he opened his mouth, and the guy can sing! did a great cover of Better Be Home Soon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tFjKlWDUu8). My mate was featured on the show last night in a segment Adam Hills got a full wax (yes, full, downstairs.) :S funny show.

Heres the ABC I-View link if anyone is interested his first 2 episodes are streamable on http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/series/adamhills

Seeing Tim Minchin on the 27th, can't wait for it. Youtube 'Inflatable You', very funny stuff and the song that got him known.

The Adam Hills show is very good value, TV has been missing a show like that for a while.