Modern comedy shows...

[Flibster]

I just don't get them. :huh:

I now stongly believe the comment..

"Alternitive comedy isn't dead. It's alive and well. It's just not very funny"

I've found myself listening to classic style radio comedy at the moment.
Hell - Radio 4 is now a regular on my stereo :shocked:
*Although that is for I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, Just a Minute and The Now Show*

For me, the top comedy shows are the Goodies, Python, Faulty Towers and The Two Ronnies *they had some superb moments - the Sketchbook series they did was almost comedy perfection*

So - given that The League of Gentlemen, Little Britain, The Office just made me sit there with a total straight face whenver I was forced to watch one, is there any modern comedy shows that I could give a go?

Help...I'm rapidly running out of stuff to watch. :shocked:

Simon/~Flibster

[Mark]

Comedians used to know how to go solo without relying on insults and expletives every other word, or play jokes off each other. They were also willing to make utter buffoons of themselves just for kicks. Comedians nowadays think they have to be hip and trendy and dispense with all the old 'formulaic' stuff, when in reality they're discarding the very stuff that works.

The likes of four candles/fork handles (Two Ronnies) just work. You don't even have to think about it to 'get' the joke. It's as funny today as when it was first aired. That's the whole point. If you have to think about a joke, or the joke relies on some contextual information, then the joke has either failed already or will surely fail eventually.

In summary, most 'modern' 'comedians' just suck.

[Flibster]

Too true.

Recently saw an older comedian at a small stand up club *was packed out cos he was there* Rob Newman.

People wanted him to do knob gags, however he did loots of very deep political and historical stuff - the audience in general, hated it. I loved it. :D

Also, later this year I'm off to Brummieland to see Jasper Carrott live. :D He still makes me laugh.

Same with Billy Connolly, Punt and Dennis, Smith and Jones, Bill Hicks, Richard Digance etc...

Whereas these 'new' comedians *of which, no names spring to mind* just don't make me laugh at all.

Aaaah sod it...

I'm off to watch Up Pompeii *oooh no missus..titter ye not!* in bed on my phone.

Simon/~Flibster

[Mark]

The political/historical stuff sure has it's place (just look at the success of Spitting Image and even HIGNFY), but it does date rather easily. That's where the likes of the Two Ronnies stand out for being almost timeless.

Billy Connolly and Jasper Carrott are both known for utilising the expletive-laden approach, but they at least have character and can pull off the classical stand-up approach. I'm not familiar enough with the others to comment on their styles. :)

[Mondo]

You are right about league of gentlemen, little britain, Bo selecta...el all that crap. I just don't get it, i was once "forced" to watch 3 hours of little britain with some friends as they were convinced i would like it once i watch a bit of it. Well, i watched it with an open mind but i just don't find it funny. I get the jokes, i know why it should be funny but in the 3 hours i smiled about twice the most. I laugh more than that watching Top Gear !

I like my comedy with a bit of thought and brain behind it, silly fart jokes are just that, silly.

[Feek]

Billy Connolly and Jasper Carrott are both known for utilising the expletive-laden approach, but they at least have character and can pull off the classical stand-up approach. I'm not familiar enough with the others to comment on their styles. :)

Carrott very rarely swears. I've seen him live.

[William]

On the telly I agree, I just watch most things and probably smile once or twice. I think I watched Porridge the other day and creased up. I love nearly all of the old ones.
I think the only modern thing I like is Two Pints.

Some modern standup is great though.

[Belmit]

I saw Stewart Lee on Paramount the other day doing some stand-up - always very clever and very witty although I'm not sure you'd count him as new. The only thing I've watched recently that made me laugh was Tittybangbang; the show itself is a bit hit and miss but the woman that does most of the main characters is really very good, and I'm not a big fan of female comedians generally.

[Pebs]

The most standout comedians I've seen recently who literally made me cry laughing are the four guys who do the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. I was totally helpless with laughter.

[Dr. Z]

I find Bill Bailey to be hilarious, and the comedies he has been in (black books being a fine example) are all top class.

I dislike almost all female comedians bar Victoria Wood, who was actually funny unlike Jo Brand/Dawn French etc

[William]

Aye, I agree female comedians are not often that good there are a few which make me laugh but as a whole my mum's mates are funnier.

[Matblack]

Black Books. Spaced, Green Wing and maybe Coupling are my favorites

MB

[leowyatt]

I find Bill Bailey to be hilarious,

he is awesome one of my favourite sketches was this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U5xwIYzs9Y&search=%22bill%20bailey%22) and here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk8G9JfoF9g&search=bill%20bailey%20bbc) here is one with proper BBC pictures

Ed Byrne is one of my favourite comediens, seen him live twice and he's great, though Eddie and Ross are both up there

[Belmit]

This was my favourite:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qod7nSGKag0&search=%22bill%20bailey%22%20chaucer :D

[leowyatt]

Isn't that what Leo just posted?

errrr nope! it's a sketch about Geoffrey Chaucer and pub :D mine was about the BBC.

[leowyatt]

hehe no wonder you thought it was the same, you must have a bad case of deja vu when you're on the net ;D

[Matblack]

I also like Mark Steel, his Mark Steel lectures were excellent, recently saw him live talking about his new book about the French revolution, very funny guy

MB

[Dee]

I love Peter Kay and Victoria Wood, and much to Gillys disgust, I think Jo Brand had some quality moments.

I just dont think The Office and Little Britain are funny at all. My mum and bro love them and claim I have no sense of humour! That always makes me mad, cos I just happen to like other shows. Friends, Scrubs and Frasier are all fab :D

Anyone remember Cybill? Can still catch it on Paramount from time to time :)

[Dr. Z]

I loved Coupling and Frasier too.

I did not get on at all with Green Wing, Little Britain, Royle Family or any of that stuff. The office had its moments but was generally boring.