Jump to content

Recommended Posts

What I find interesting is when comedians just aren't funny anymore.


Izzard's absolute peak for me was "Dress to kill" (show he did in San Francisco around 1998/99) it was perfect, and still makes me laugh lots today. I saw him around 2003, and just felt that he wasn't funny anymore.


Jack Dee used to crack me up with his dry grumpy act. Then that got old.


I think stand ups have a shelf life.


I even think Lenny Henry was very funny at one time, but it was very much of it's time (Live & Unleashed was great).

What happens to young and visiting comedians later in life:

There was a wonderful comedian from New Zealand who did a lot of ranting comedy poetry called Little Dave, and he came over in the mid-1980s and did a lot of gigs with the likes of Attila The Stockbroker and Nick Toczek. Well this year he won a literature prize back in his homeland.

I went to the Comedy Store recently and was surprised that a strong majority of the audience were in the 40+ age bracket.

It made me think that the comedy purple patch of the 80/90s dragged its audience with it and it possibly hasn't been popular with younger age groups.

Some great reminiscing (Sea Monster is of course Jo Brand) and similarly not a fan of Jimmy Carr. Remember being fortunate to have conversations with the likes of Arthur Smith.


Two favourite stories at EDC were once when a scream went up due to a spider and the act said that this was the first time he'd been heckled by an aracnid. And another time when some act was getting grief so my mate turns on the member of the audience. "great the heckler is being heckled". You had to be there of course.


But was the poo that I saw on Friday night dreadful or do I not understand 2010s comedy? I reckon it was dreadful but surprised that people just didn't walk out but seemed to thing ranting expletives was hilarious.

I remember back in (I think) 2002 (I am sure it was the same time that the big sinkhole opened on Blackheath Hill. Why I remember that I don't know) I went to the ED Comedy when it was at The Mag (when Ron's brother had it). There was this skinny bloke doing the stand up, he may have been Irish but I can't remember.


Anyway, there was a pissed up bloke heckling, to the point where it got aggressive. The comedian basically told him to seriously feck off. Pissed bloke then stands up and makes towards the stage. Stand up says "sir if you try to get on this stage I will kick you in the head". Pissed bloke made his way to get on stage, and comedian, true to his word, kicked bloke in the head. It was the funniest thing that happened all night. The comedian seemed genuinely surprised with himself and told us he'd never kicked anyone in the head before.


Pissed bloke was removed from the venue.

Salsaboy - why do you seem to have to revert to the language of the street? Gervais is in deed over rated and not funny. Do insult him for that but not his size.


You should organise a one to one with aforementioned Nick Helm (a fat and bearded fcuk to use your terminology) where you can fcuk and cant at each other to your hearts content. Preferably in a sealed room without any connection to the outside world where nobody can hear you or read about it. The last one alive wins.


Now that is what I call funny.

In answer to the original question. Nearly all comedy is unfunny.


Of those i'd consider mainstream, i think the only ones that make me laugh consistently are Stewart Lee, Eddie Izzard (his latest is good after a long lull), Sean Lock, Tim Vine and Louis CK.


The likes of Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre, Russell Howard, Russell Brand, Ricky Gervais etc. are deeply unfunny. Even Mickey Flanagan (funny first time you see him, then rinse/repeat) doesn't cut it.


Other than the five mentioned above, I really like Daniel Kitson (my favourite by a distance), Brendon Burns, Doug Stanhope, Simon Amstell, Matt Berry, Paul Foot.

titch juicy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Eddie Izzard (his latest is good after a long lull)



Do you know what it's called? I would love to see him back on form again, loved his early stuff, and as I said earlier, "Dress to kill" is stand up perfection.



> Doug Stanhope


I need to see more of him. What I have seen was brilliant.

Salsaboy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Or that fat fcuk Gervais.

>

> Jah Lush Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Phlox Wrote:

> >

> --------------------------------------------------

>

> > -----

> > > When it's Sarah Millican.

> >

> >

> > Indeed. Or Miranda Hart or Mel & Sue.


Yes I agree with Miranda Hart, couldn't ever get into her TV programmes, except I did like her in Call the Midwife, but she was doing straight acting there.


I wouldn't class Mel and Sue as comedians at all. I didn't mind Sue when she paired up with Giles Coren for those food programmes, but he irritates me.


Ricky Gervais is way past his sell by date.

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> titch juicy Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Eddie Izzard (his latest is good after a long

> lull)

>

>

> Do you know what it's called? I would love to see

> him back on form again, loved his early stuff, and

> as I said earlier, "Dress to kill" is stand up

> perfection.

>

>

> > Doug Stanhope

>

> I need to see more of him. What I have seen was

> brilliant.



Doug Stanhope's 'Beer Hall Putsch' set on netflix is excellent.


The Eddie Izzard latest release was Force Majeure from a couple of years ago. I thought it was a real return to form.

Two of the worst comedy gigs I've been to were Eddie Izzard (about 14 years ago, granted) and Jimmy Carr. Both were long and just cringeworthy.


I used to go regularly to open mic type nights, as a friend was an aspiring standup comedian. Saw some genuinely funny people, but none of them have gone on to do anything of note which is a shame.


Randomly saw Ed Byrne in Catford a few years ago, he was very funny, but I think it was because his comedy rang true to my situation at the time (life with young kids).


Another very good random gig was Tim Michin at the Edinburgh Fringe. It was one of the late night gigs, he was a complete unknown, we bought tickets at the door just before it started. 90 minutes of him with a child sized Casio keyboard, haven't laughed so much in years. Was in a small room, probably only 50 people there. I've enjoyed watching his career progress.

That 'comedy' program hosted by Daragh O'Braian is mainly unfunny- where they all go on and do a few jokes on a topic- I know it's supposed to be spontaneous but it shouldn't be...they need to rehearse just like everyone else. Matthew Wright tries to be funny but he is just rubbish

steveo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Bernard Manning, Jimmy Tarbuck, Frank Carson



Add to that Chubby Brown.


Got talked into going to one of his gigs a few years back.


F*** this, f*** that f*** f*** f*** all the time. Act consisted of nothing else. I knew he was that type of comedian, but......


Went to the bar after about 20 mins and stayed there!!!

I think perhaps the best modern day example of marmite comedy is Mrs Brown's Boys.


My parents think it is hilarious. Some people I know who are my age think it's hilarious. It's ratings show that many many people watch it, so presumably think it's hilarious.



I am missing the joke.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • I think it's a good idea and follows the example of other towns/areas. As it says in the article, the area around the main tourist attractions in Southwark, that is The Globe, Southwark Cathedral, Tate Modern and the whole walking route from London Bridge to Blackfriars, takes a lot of maintaining and it shouldn't be a burden on regular council tax payers like us. 
    • Turn your used stamps into vital funds to support human rights around the world.   How it works: Simply send us your stamps and we'll then sort through them to sell or auction. We accept all stamps of all origin and value – both used and new. Foreign and commemorative ones are likely to be worth the most. Please leave at least half centimetre of paper around the stamps Send your stamps to: FAO Robin Sandow c/o The Post Room Amnesty International UK 2nd Floor, Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Street, London, WC1X 0DW Recycle your stamps.AIUK.pdf
    • Also, if he enjoys design or drawing (alongside his maths & tech) he might like the Greenpeace competition for a poster (see Lounge post) - 5 days left to enter. Something more for some time at home, but ...
    • Deadline in 5 days! Important Dates 🗓 Submission deadline: 25 July 2025 🗳 Public voting opens: 7 August 2025 🚢 Winners announced: 15 August 2025   Time is running out! There are only 5 days left to submit your design for Greenpeace’s poster competition. This is your chance to help send a powerful, creative message across Europe: We must stop fossil gas, oil and coal and move toward a fossil-free future. No matter your skill level, everyone is welcome. Whether you're sketching by hand, designing on a screen, or crafting a collage, we want to see your vision. 🎨 The 3 winning designs will receive:     A printed full-size poster of your artwork     50 postcards of your design     An exclusive Greenpeace campaign t-shirt   How to enter     Design your poster     Use any style you like – hand-drawn, painted, digital, collaged. Just make sure it’s original and fits our message.     Submit your design     Upload a photo or file using the form on this page. You’ll need to include your name and contact email.     Vote for your favourites     After the submission deadline, we’ll shortlist poster designs that you can vote for! Share the voting page with your friends so you have a better chance to win.     Your poster in the European Parliament and on the Arctic Sunrise The top-voted design will be sent to all members of the European Parliament as postcards. The three designs with the most votes will be printed as posters and postcards, and will be part of the Arctic Sunrise ship tour this fall. As a winner, you will get printed versions of your poster and a Greenpeace t-shirt.    Direct link: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/act/send-your-poster-design/?utm_campaign=fff-ban-new-fossil-fuel-projects&utm_source=hs-email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=fff-poster-design-contest-3rd-email-2025-07-20&utm_term=2025-07-20-poster-design-contest-3rd-email-button-2&global_project=fossil-free-future Time is running out! There are only 5 days left to submit your design for Greenpeace’s poster competition. This is your chance to help send a powerful, creative message across Europe: We must stop fossil gas, oil and coal and move toward a fossil-free future. No matter your skill level, everyone is welcome. Whether you're sketching by hand, designing on a screen, or crafting a collage, we want to see your vision. 🎨 The 3 winning designs will receive:     A printed full-size poster of your artwork     50 postcards of your design     An exclusive Greenpeace campaign t-shirt The deadline is 25 July 2025. After that, we’ll shortlist the top designs and the public will vote for the winners. Don't wait and join today! Join the competition now 
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...