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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
 Posted - 01/09/2009 : 18:23:19
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quote:
Originally posted by markk
Continuing with this comedy vein, a comedienne's style is exactly what makes him funny. The way he looks, the delivery, the facial expression (animated or deadpan). Some are just funny on sight,
Groucho Marx, etc. I do think there is a large cultural difference
in comedy beteween the USA and UK. British humor leaves me flat, with the exception of John Cleese. I don't get it. But I also never laughed at Bob Hope.
Best I ever saw were Richard Pryor and George Carlin. Early Cosby was something too.
My point being is that you cannot define style for many great comedians they are either funny or they or not (to the individual of course!!). Maybe that's for the best?
As I've said before, the only (current) US comedian I find funny is Rich Hall and, I suspect, as he's always either on TV or playing live over here then he's more popular here than in the US?
I cannot think of one american produced comedy show that I have found even the slightest bit entertaining.
Bob Hope was, to the best of my knowledge, born in Bristol, UK so not quite an 'american comedian' though I presume he became a US citizen?
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2009 : 18:28:38
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quote:
Originally posted by lemonade kid
quote:
Originally posted by markk
Continuing with this comedy vein, a comedienne's style is exactly what makes him funny. The way he looks, the delivery, the facial expression (animated or deadpan). Some are just funny on sight,
Groucho Marx, etc. I do think there is a large cultural difference
in comedy beteween the USA and UK. British humor leaves me flat, with the exception of John Cleese. I don't get it. But I also never laughed at Bob Hope.
Best I ever saw were Richard Pryor and George Carlin. Early Cosby was something too.
The wisdom of Groucho Marx...I have a number of his quotes up....
I find television very educating. Every time someone turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book.--Groucho
I think Jack Benny's side-long glances and pregnant pauses were genius. Many a time I laughed to tears watching the Jack Benny Hour. I would think his kind of deadpan humor had some British appeal.
This topic has segued into such a fun thread, that I changed the topic title to go with the flow. What the hell!! I LOVE IT. We'll get back to Dylan eventually....as we get closer to the new Christmas release! Or not! Dylan wrote some pretty humorous tunes anyway. 
____________________________________________________________
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity;
and I'm not sure about the universe. --Albert Einstein
Groucho Marx came up with a lot of clever quotes but I can't say I would ever laugh out loud at any of them.
I don't think Jack Benny is popular at all in the UK, he's barely known. Someone who really didn't work in the UK.
The Monty Python thing is funny. I did used to watch the series and love it when I was a kid but I think it may be more of a 'cult' in the USA than it is here? There are a few classic sketches that are still very funny but most of it was very hit and miss. The people involved did move on the much funnier stuff with films though, Life of Brian and Holy Grail are still two of the funniest films ever. I took my youngest son to see the 'Spamalot' musical last year and that was pretty good too. |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2009 : 18:30:10
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quote:
Originally posted by rocker
boom..."it either appeals to the individual or doesn't"
Got to agree with that. I saw the Andre Previn sketch. Thanks. Nice but many many other comedians roll me over more than that one. I'll have to see some more on the M&W franchise.
I didn't really expect you to like it much, their humour was, thankfully, very British and they would never have suited the brashness of the USA. |
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markk
Old Love
USA
803 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2009 : 18:52:50
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| Yes, when a mugger asked Jack Benny, "Your money or your life", Jack paused, turned his head to the audience as only he could, as if he was thinking about it. Great |
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rocker
Old Love
USA
3606 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2009 : 20:25:19
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So can I ask what's the top comedy show and stand up comedian now in the UK? I'm figuring that we'll probably pick it up and fashion it for the US market in a few years!!
"Don't Mention the War!
And hows's Ricky Gervais doing? Genius in the Office. haven't run into a boss like that.....yet! I think I'm going to like his new movie where he finds out he can lie and get away with it..... |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2009 : 20:38:04
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quote:
Originally posted by rocker
So can I ask what's the top comedy show and stand up comedian now in the UK? I'm figuring that we'll probably pick it up and fashion it for the US market in a few years!!
"Don't Mention the War!
And hows's Ricky Gervais doing? Genius in the Office. haven't run into a boss like that.....yet! I think I'm going to like his new movie where he finds out he can lie and get away with it.....
I have no idea what is the top comedy show or comedian at the moment here, I'm not sure people really fuss about that sort of thing. There is a wide variety and people like what they like. I am quite fond of a series called 'Outnumbered', a family series where the kids (so we are told) make up most of their own lines, they steal the show and can be very real and very funny.
Ricky Gervais had another series called 'Extras' a few years ago, I also really enjoyed that but hasn't done much else here lately as he seems to be concentrating more on films. |
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Lizzyb
Fifth Love
United Kingdom
470 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2009 : 22:51:44
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Outnumered is one of mine too. Maybe having lived with young children I recognise the cold logic they bring to the discussion. Ace.
I couldn't tell you the names of the young comics though...
Keep on shining |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2009 : 23:21:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Lizzyb
Outnumered is one of mine too. Maybe having lived with young children I recognise the cold logic they bring to the discussion. Ace.
I couldn't tell you the names of the young comics though...
Keep on shining
Well, I know the elder boy is played by someone called Tyger Drew-Honey, he's the son of 'porn stars' Ben Dover and Linzi Drew. Let's hope he does better than them with his acting career!!
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boombox
Old Love
United Kingdom
548 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2009 : 13:20:31
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quote:
Originally posted by caryne
Well, I know the elder boy is played by someone called Tyger Drew-Honey, he's the son of 'porn stars' Ben Dover and Linzi Drew. Let's hope he does better than them with his acting career!!
Some parentage!
I agree it's a very good series - I'd also heard it was only 50% scripted, in which case, all credit to the director for bringing out the best in them: the two younger children in particular have a great future ahead of them. |
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rocker
Old Love
USA
3606 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2009 : 14:38:41
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| Well I hope there can bit a "hit" developing over there on the BBC or TV 1 or whatever......tee-vee can use one around here!...I don't watch series online but that's becoming a growing area as well as all the good stuff to be seen when tv's have the capability of connecting with the Internet. Lots of good concerts for streaming etc... |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2009 : 21:12:32
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quote:
Originally posted by rocker
Well I hope there can bit a "hit" developing over there on the BBC or TV 1 or whatever......tee-vee can use one around here!...I don't watch series online but that's becoming a growing area as well as all the good stuff to be seen when tv's have the capability of connecting with the Internet. Lots of good concerts for streaming etc...
Well, I've just read that 'Outnumbered' has been bought by a US station and being remade, a pilot show is ready to go out. Mind you, in my opinion, the US always ruin shows when they remake them.
Another one I like over here is 'The I T Crowd', it's done by one of the same writers as 'Father Ted' (one of my all time favourite comedy programmes) and is a bit similar, it's well worth watching. |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2009 : 21:35:08
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quote:
Originally posted by boombox
quote:
Originally posted by caryne
Well, I know the elder boy is played by someone called Tyger Drew-Honey, he's the son of 'porn stars' Ben Dover and Linzi Drew. Let's hope he does better than them with his acting career!!
Some parentage!
I agree it's a very good series - I'd also heard it was only 50% scripted, in which case, all credit to the director for bringing out the best in them: the two younger children in particular have a great future ahead of them.
Guess no one can help who their parents are!!!
I understand that the adults lines are scripted but the kids are all made up by the kids themselves (they must have some idea of the story I guess or it would be mad!!). It certainly explains why it seems so natural, in most programmes kids speak lines written by adults which is why they always sound so fake. |
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John9
Old Love
United Kingdom
2154 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 08:28:49
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One comedy series that really has stood the test of time for me is BBC Radio 4's Just a Minute. I have followed it off an on since its inception back in the late 60s - and even though it lost, with the death of Clement Freud earlier this year, its last original panel member, it continues to serve as a reminder of how just how hilarious unscripted comedy can be. Sue Perkins I find especially witty - along with Paul Merton and Giles Brandreth. In fact back in 1970 at Leicester University Students' Union, I saw Giles lead in a humorous debate - he was absolutely amazing. |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 12:13:50
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quote:
Originally posted by John9
One comedy series that really has stood the test of time for me is BBC Radio 4's Just a Minute. I have followed it off an on since its inception back in the late 60s - and even though it lost, with the death of Clement Freud earlier this year, its last original panel member, it continues to serve as a reminder of how just how hilarious unscripted comedy can be. Sue Perkins I find especially witty - along with Paul Merton and Giles Brandreth. In fact back in 1970 at Leicester University Students' Union, I saw Giles lead in a humorous debate - he was absolutely amazing.
I have to agree with most of what you post here, I do like Sue Perkins a lot and Paul Merton is one of the few people who can make me laugh out loud these days but I do find Brandreth very annoying (I guess the fact he was a Tory MP at one time doesn't help, there are some things you cannot forgive ) |
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John9
Old Love
United Kingdom
2154 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 14:42:10
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quote:
Originally posted by caryne
I have to agree with most of what you post here, I do like Sue Perkins a lot and Paul Merton is one of the few people who can make me laugh out loud these days but I do find Brandreth very annoying (I guess the fact he was a Tory MP at one time doesn't help, there are some things you cannot forgive)
I think that Brandreth brought a breath of fresh air to Parliament during the Major years and besides....as he proudly declared recently on Just A Minute......he built and paid for his own moat! |
Edited by - John9 on 05/09/2009 14:43:05 |
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"Christmas in the Heart" segue to comedy & back!
