Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Literature, Music, Art & Entertainment => Topic started by: Owlswing on April 17, 2018, 04:17:39 PM

Title: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Owlswing on April 17, 2018, 04:17:39 PM

Mine has to be a close call between Frankie Boyle and Jonathan Ross.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Maeght on April 17, 2018, 04:20:32 PM
Leigh Francis.

Keeping Up Appearances. Bread.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Rhiannon on April 17, 2018, 04:22:44 PM
When I think of what passed for stand-up in the 70s even Jimmy Carr looks like a comic genius.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Gordon on April 17, 2018, 04:39:21 PM
Have to say I find Michael McIntyre not just unfunny but annoyingly unfunny, and best avoided.

I'll confess that I just don't get American comedy at all: be it comedians or sit-coms.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: floo on April 17, 2018, 04:54:50 PM
Most stand up comedians. 'Open All Hours'.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Robbie on April 17, 2018, 06:02:40 PM
When I think of what passed for stand-up in the 70s even Jimmy Carr looks like a comic genius.

I liked Jasper Carrott in the 70s.

Can't stand Harry Hill.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Steve H on April 17, 2018, 10:10:28 PM
Last of the Summer Wine - feeble. Ditto Keeping Up Appearances, by the same scriptwriter.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Robbie on April 17, 2018, 10:18:27 PM
I didn't like 'My Family' which was very well cast but far too middle of the road for me. It was popular with other people though, it ran for long enough.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Rhiannon on April 17, 2018, 11:41:56 PM
I liked Jasper Carrott in the 70s.

Can't stand Harry Hill.

There were exceptions. Dave Allen as well, of course. But so much of Saturday night telly was full of casually racist, sexist white middle aged men.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Rhiannon on April 17, 2018, 11:43:09 PM
Last of the Summer Wine - feeble. Ditto Keeping Up Appearances, by the same scriptwriter.

Agree, stereotypes abounding.

That said, my aunt is actually Hyacinth Bouquet.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Robbie on April 17, 2018, 11:49:42 PM
There were exceptions. Dave Allen as well, of course. But so much of Saturday night telly was full of casually racist, sexist white middle aged men.

That has put me in mind of someone I didn't like who was on telly quite a bit when I was at school.Trying to remember his name, he was quite fat - it'll come to me. Got it - Bernard Manning!

Having said that there was a black comedian whom I found unfunny, Charlie Williams. I'm not a great fan of self deprecating humour.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Rhiannon on April 17, 2018, 11:52:57 PM
Not so long ago I watched 3-2-1 with one of my daughters. The racism of the Liverpudlian ‘comedian’ was incredible. But it wasn’t unusual at all, and if it wasn’t aimed at race it was aimed at women.

Oh god, now I’ve remembered Jim Davison doing Chalkie White.  >:(
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Robbie on April 18, 2018, 12:10:18 AM
Cringe!!!

Can't beat Lenny Henry in all his shows, he was so clever (still is clever i s'pose). Nice to see Everton (from Chef) pop up in things occasionally, last saw him in Casualty.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Aruntraveller on April 18, 2018, 08:44:48 AM
I'd go with Maeght.

Currently, Leigh Francis - he literally makes my skin crawl. Ugh.

Historically, many already mentioned, but in addition, I never understood the appeal of Harry Worth.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Owlswing on April 18, 2018, 11:38:30 AM

I liked Jasper Carrott in the 70s.

Can't stand Harry Hill.


Totally agree!
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: floo on April 18, 2018, 12:19:30 PM
Last of the Summer Wine - feeble. Ditto Keeping Up Appearances, by the same scriptwriter.

It was alright in the beginning, but went downhill as the series went on, imo.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: jeremyp on April 18, 2018, 08:11:30 PM
When I think of what passed for stand-up in the 70s even Jimmy Carr looks like a comic genius.
The 70's includes Morcambe and Wise and Billy Connolly.

I admit I am struggling to think of anybody else though.

Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Nearly Sane on April 18, 2018, 08:17:29 PM
The 70's includes Morcambe and Wise and Billy Connolly.

I admit I am struggling to think of anybody else though.
The already mentioned Dave Allen?
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: jeremyp on April 18, 2018, 08:24:18 PM
It was alright in the beginning, but went downhill as the series went on, imo.
I actually liked it in the early days, but it should have been canned when its original cast started dying.

My least favourite comedy includes pretty much everything by Carla Lane except The Liver Birds and Butterflies. Also Mrs Brown's Boys is totally unfunny to me as was the Royle Family. The one with Robert Lindsey and Zoe Wanamaker.

A lot of those Northern British stand ups from the 70's were never funny to me e.g. Jimmy Tarbuck, Jim Bowen, Jim Davidson, Bernard Manning, Cannon and Ball, Little and Large.

I never found anything by Sacha Baron Cohen funny, although I think Philomena Cunk aka Diane Morgan, who does a similar thing, is hilarious.

Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: jeremyp on April 18, 2018, 08:25:16 PM
The already mentioned Dave Allen?

Yes. I wrote that post before reading down the thread and I did consider adding him to my answer.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: jeremyp on April 18, 2018, 08:27:05 PM
The already mentioned Dave Allen?

It also turns out that Steve Wright just about scrapes into the 70's

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Wright
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Nearly Sane on April 18, 2018, 08:32:49 PM
It also turns out that Steve Wright just about scrapes into the 70's

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Wright

Richard Pryor?
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Nearly Sane on April 18, 2018, 08:35:40 PM
Interesting point from jeremyp  about Carla Lane. Despite a general dislike I liked the Liver Birds but actually I rather love Butterflies. I think Wendy Craig in that is extraordinary.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Aruntraveller on April 18, 2018, 09:00:16 PM
Interesting point from jeremyp  about Carla Lane. Despite a general dislike I liked the Liver Birds but actually I rather love Butterflies. I think Wendy Craig in that is extraordinary.

Oh yes, Butterflies is a little gem. Carla Lane's later stuff never had the nuanced touch of Butterflies.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Nearly Sane on April 18, 2018, 09:51:57 PM
Oh yes, Butterflies is a little gem. Carla Lane's later stuff never had the nuanced touch of Butterflies.
I think the casting elevated it even down to Leonard who now advertises automated staircase lifts
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Rhiannon on April 18, 2018, 10:01:30 PM
Interesting point from jeremyp  about Carla Lane. Despite a general dislike I liked the Liver Birds but actually I rather love Butterflies. I think Wendy Craig in that is extraordinary.

Agree. The last episode is a corker.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Rhiannon on April 18, 2018, 10:03:39 PM
The 70's includes Morcambe and Wise and Billy Connolly.

I admit I am struggling to think of anybody else though.

Billy Connolly I’ll give you.

I realise this is generally viewed as sacrilege, but I never liked Morecambe and Wise. I get that technically they were brilliant. Just doesn’t do it for me.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Steve H on April 18, 2018, 10:19:34 PM
The 70's includes Morcambe and Wise and Billy Connolly.

I admit I am struggling to think of anybody else though.
Dave Allen (as already mentioned), Frankie Howerd, Tommy Cooper.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Nearly Sane on April 18, 2018, 10:37:32 PM
Disliked Howerd. Ambivalent about Cooper
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Aruntraveller on April 18, 2018, 11:13:42 PM
Disliked Howerd. Ambivalent about Cooper

Strange thing how humour affects different people.

Loved Howerd. Disliked Cooper.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Sebastian Toe on April 18, 2018, 11:25:53 PM
Strange thing how humour affects different people.

Loved Howerd. Disliked Cooper.
I liked them both.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Owlswing on April 18, 2018, 11:26:21 PM
I actually liked it in the early days, but it should have been canned when its original cast started dying.

My least favourite comedy includes pretty much everything by Carla Lane except The Liver Birds and Butterflies. Also Mrs Brown's Boys is totally unfunny to me as was the Royle Family. The one with Robert Lindsey and Zoe Wanamaker.

A lot of those Northern British stand ups from the 70's were never funny to me e.g. Jimmy Tarbuck, Jim Bowen, Jim Davidson, Bernard Manning, Cannon and Ball, Little and Large.

I never found anything by Sacha Baron Cohen funny, although I think Philomena Cunk aka Diane Morgan, who does a similar thing, is hilarious.

Jim Davidson was born in London
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Robbie on April 19, 2018, 12:14:56 AM
Yes he was but that didn't stop him being unpleasant, from my pov of course.

I liked Morcambe and Wise, saw some old shows quite recently and thought the way they took the mick out of their guests was funny.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: floo on April 19, 2018, 08:37:58 AM
Yes he was but that didn't stop him being unpleasant, from my pov of course.

I liked Morcambe and Wise, saw some old shows quite recently and thought the way they took the mick out of their guests was funny.

That was one of my unfavourite shows, I thought they were too silly.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Steve H on April 19, 2018, 01:54:04 PM
Jim Davidson was born in London
He was the brother of Jesus - not a lot of people know that. Jesus' brother was called James, and they were both descended from King David, thus Jim Davidson.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: floo on April 19, 2018, 01:55:18 PM
He was the brother of Jesus - not a lot of people know that. Jesus' brother was called James, and they were both descended from King David, thus Jim Davidson.

Don't give up the day job! ::)
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Nearly Sane on April 19, 2018, 02:10:08 PM
He was the brother of Jesus - not a lot of people know that. Jesus' brother was called James, and they were both descended from King David, thus Jim Davidson.
I would have expected Jim Josephson then, and a different type of comedy.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Robbie on April 19, 2018, 02:26:11 PM
He was the brother of Jesus - not a lot of people know that. Jesus' brother was called James, and they were both descended from King David, thus Jim Davidson.

Thanks Steven, I'll make a note of that for future reference.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Rhiannon on April 19, 2018, 09:15:31 PM
http://newsthump.com/2018/04/18/home-office-hires-jim-davidson-to-teach-windrush-deportees-how-to-act-jamaican/
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Robbie on April 19, 2018, 10:27:56 PM
Oh very funny  :D, Ali G can join him (& do some other parodies).
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Steve H on April 20, 2018, 09:08:38 AM
I would have expected Jim Josephson then, and a different type of comedy.
In Hebrew and English surnames, "Blankson" (or "Ben-Blank" in Hebrew) means descendant of Blank, not necessarily actual son of Blank.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on April 20, 2018, 09:39:12 AM
Now...... where did I put that directory of antitheist comedians?
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Maeght on April 20, 2018, 10:44:25 AM
Now...... where did I put that directory of antitheist comedians?

In the bin I hope.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: jeremyp on April 22, 2018, 03:30:00 AM
Jim Davidson was born in London
But he's part of that genre.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: jeremyp on April 22, 2018, 03:31:01 AM
He was the brother of Jesus - not a lot of people know that. Jesus' brother was called James, and they were both descended from King David, thus Jim Davidson.
Josephson surely?

Edit: Ninja'd by NS
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Steve H on April 22, 2018, 03:31:59 AM
Josephson surely?
See earlier post.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: jeremyp on April 22, 2018, 03:35:00 AM
Now...... where did I put that directory of antitheist comedians?
Are you claiming that you base your comedy preferences on whether the comedian is religious or not?
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Harrowby Hall on April 22, 2018, 08:41:56 AM
I dislike much contemporary stand-up stuff. I can't stand Mrs Brown's Boys.

I loved Dad's Army and 'Allo, 'Allo.. Tony Hancock was superb in the hands of Galton and Simpson. Round the Horne and Beyond Our Ken were matchless.

And then there were historical documentaies like Carry On Up The Khyber ...
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Harrowby Hall on April 22, 2018, 08:47:09 AM
Are you claiming that you base your comedy preferences on whether the comedian is religious or not?

Come off it, jeremyp. Didn't you realise that Jesus was a stand-up comic? He had them rolling in the aisles (and still does) with his Sermon on the Mount and then he'd do conjuring tricks with loaves and fishes ...
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: ad_orientem on April 22, 2018, 09:56:25 AM
Little Britain. Can't stand it. Horrible.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: Steve H on April 22, 2018, 01:08:07 PM
Little Britain. Can't stand it. Horrible.
Something of a curate's egg, but the good bits were great.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: jeremyp on April 22, 2018, 08:40:00 PM
Come off it, jeremyp. Didn't you realise that Jesus was a stand-up comic? He had them rolling in the aisles (and still does) with his Sermon on the Mount and then he'd do conjuring tricks with loaves and fishes ...
In the words of Mel Smith talking about the sacrilege against Monty Python by General Synod’s Life of Christ: these men died for us - frequently.
Title: Re: What is your LEAST favourite comedy, comedy act or comedian?
Post by: jeremyp on April 22, 2018, 08:42:23 PM
Something of a curate's egg, but the good bits were great.

I used to like it but then I watched the whole of one series back to back on a flight to Tokyo. It’s very obvious when you do that that they just recycled the same jokes each week.