I thought as much- British comedy is being lauded, but not comedy from Britain, just the old 'classic' stuff that's now as extinct and irrelevant as the dinosaurs.
Case in point- two of our most successful exports, Benny Hill, and Are You Being Served?.
That kind of stuff has dated more than Paris Hilton.
Having said that, we do now how some really excellent comedy/comedians.
Having said THAT, the best American comedy at the moment wipes the floor with the best British- it's foolish to say otherwise. We have about 4-5 (at the most) modern shows which are worthy of high praise, and none of them are on anymore.
We have a few excellent stand-ups, but even then it's really limited. The only one that can truly compete with the Americans is Izzard, although he is probably the best there is.
Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
I thought as much- British comedy is being lauded, but not comedy from Britain, just the old 'classic' stuff that's now as extinct and irrelevant as the dinosaurs.Case in point- two of our most successful exports, Benny Hill, and Are You Being Served?.
That kind of stuff has dated more than Paris Hilton.
Having said that, we do now how some really excellent comedy/comedians.
Having said THAT, the best American comedy at the moment wipes the floor with the best British- it's foolish to say otherwise. We have about 4-5 (at the most) modern shows which are worthy of high praise, and none of them are on anymore.
We have a few excellent stand-ups, but even then it's really limited. The only one that can truly compete with the Americans is Izzard, although he is probably the best there is.
Izzard, Carr, Gervais, Murray, Evans.
I'd actually say the UK stand-up comedians wipe the floor with any American stand-ups.
But as for shows, until Red Dwarf gets that damn movie and ninth series out, the best comedy right now is Family Guy.
UK hasn't put anything like the calibre of Alan Partridge/Dwarf/Python/Brass Eye/Spaced out for a while now. There's nothing actually on right now apart from Family Guy, in fact, apart from Peep Show.
Originally posted by Red Superfly
Izzard, Carr, Gervais, Murray, Evans.
Carr is ok, bit predictable. Evans is a clown, has the odd moment I guess.
Murray is ok, bit niche though.
Gervais is funny, but he's not actually that great at stand-up. He will be, but he's definitely still learning the art.
I think the best stand-ups we have after Izzard are Lee and Herring.
The Americans had Hicks, now they have Stanhope, Cross, Sarah Silverman, Rich Hall.
I don't think we can challenge that realistically with what we are putting out at the minute.
You could dismissively label the American stand-ups in the same way though.
And, well, there's more people in America........and global warming......and.....hydrogen cars.........and........we're just as good, mmkay?
In fact I've seen other comedians who are unheard of. I go to the Comedy Store in Manchester sometimes and the calibre there can be crazy.
What about Bill Bailey aswell? That guys a genius.
Originally posted by Red Superfly
You could dismissively label the American stand-ups in the same way though.
You could do that, but the comics named are amazing- they won't go down easily.
Originally posted by Red Superfly
And, well, there's more people in America........and global warming......and.....hydrogen cars.........and........we're just as good, mmkay?
😆 We're in the ballpark definitely. Izzard is ploughing a lone furrow in the distance though.
Originally posted by Red Superfly
In fact I've seen other comedians who are unheard of. I go to the Comedy Store in Manchester sometimes and the calibre there can be crazy.
I've seen a lot of 'em. They are good, I just haven't seen the same ability on the same scale.
Originally posted by Red Superfly
What about Bill Bailey aswell? That guys a genius.
Yeah, he is really good. I like him a lot.