Modern comedy shows...

Flibster · 29-07-2006, 00:12

I just don't get them.

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

*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.

Simon/~Flibster

Mark · 29-07-2006, 00:27

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 · 29-07-2006, 00:42

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.

Also, later this year I'm off to Brummieland to see Jasper Carrott live.

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 · 29-07-2006, 00:56

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.

Feek · 29-07-2006, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Scarlet

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 · 29-07-2006, 13:27

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.

Mondo · 29-07-2006, 12:32

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.

Belmit · 30-07-2006, 10:37

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 · 30-07-2006, 10:44

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 · 31-07-2006, 18:01

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

29-07-2006, 00:12	#1
Flibster Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,388	Modern comedy shows... I just don't get them. 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 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. Simon/~Flibster __________________

29-07-2006, 00:27	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	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. Last edited by Mark; 29-07-2006 at 00:47.

29-07-2006, 00:42	#3
Flibster Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,388	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. Also, later this year I'm off to Brummieland to see Jasper Carrott live. 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 __________________

29-07-2006, 13:27	#6
William Vodka Martini Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Church Broughton Posts: 533	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. __________________

29-07-2006, 12:32	#7
Mondo Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,174	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. __________________ My Website / MSN / Email / Flickr / Blog

29-07-2006, 00:56	#4
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	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.

30-07-2006, 10:37	#8
Belmit The Mouse King of Denmark Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Winchester Posts: 6,476	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. __________________

30-07-2006, 10:44	#9
Pebs Easymouth Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,716	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. __________________ ...faster you naughty little monkey! Running through hell, heaven can wait!

31-07-2006, 18:01	#10
Dr. Z I'm going for a scuttle... Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,021	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 __________________