UK Comics

[garfy1974]

I see you guys discussing American comics past and present all the time but I never see you big up some of us Brits.

Is this because you think they're shit or you just don't get the chance to hear any of em?

Do you know guys like Jack Dee, Eddie Izzard, Lee Evans,
...Chubby Brown?

[bingolong]

garfy1974,
Unfortunately Izzard is the only one I've heard of.Benny Hill?Python?

On a lighter note wasn't Bob Hope born in the UK?

[garfy1974]

bingolong,

Those two were funny but weren't really stand up acts.

You're right about Bob Hope as far as I am aware.

So was Stan Laurel...interestingly enough.

[bingolong]

garfy1974,
I hate that I'm not up on UK comics like I could be.Are there any other comics that I should be aware of coming out of the UK?

[jane_haze]

garfy1974,

I think we all know of Izzard. He had a huge HBO special a while back, and he is in a few known films.

Unfortunately, I didn't know any of the other guys.

But how bout Ardal O' Hanlon, Jo Brand, Paul Merton (when he did stand-up!), the Byrne guy?

I went to the Comedy Store in London in February, and I was surprised at how little of the comedians names I recognized, or knew faces but didn't know names. It was a Comedy Store Player mecca though... Very cool place. I could live there.

Jane

[SweetLuchia]

garfy1974,

I like Bingo must admit I'm not up on UK comics either

I am a HUGE Tracey Ullman fan though

He ability to play characters is in a class by itself-a TRUE TALENT she is

[garfy1974]

SweetLuchia,

Aaaaaaah, Tracy Ullman - the first record I ever bought was her album of covers (I was about 6)!!! To be fair she was pretty average (although hot) over here and then moved to your side and just went stellar.

We gave you Tracy Ullman and you gave us Ruby Wax - thanks a bunch.

On a serious note, compared to American stand ups I think UK comics rely too much on base humour and observational stuff. There are not that many cerebral comics over here.

Amazingly, from the majority of stuff that I've heard from legendary American comics, i.e. Hicks / Bruce / Prior / Rock, I think your audiences are more open minded. That does surprise me.

[SweetLuchia]

garfy1974, and Mama T

I think when he says we're more open minded, he's talking about the comedy club scene and the audiences in clubs-not primetime TV.

And in that respect I guess we are more open minded but I've never been to the UK and hung out in your comedy clubs so I can't say for sure

And honestly, I don't even know who this Ruby Wax guy is-but I do apologize if he sucks

[NickFlanagan]

I like Alexei Sayle, but am not totally boned up on British standup comics. I'm more familiar with British guys like Bottom, or that show the Brass Eye, and Ali G. All that stuff is hilarious! I hated it when Phil Collins would try to be funny.

[bingolong]

NickFlanagan,
Yeah I like that Ali G. show.What's his background?