Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Literature, Music, Art & Entertainment => Topic started by: Steve H on October 31, 2018, 01:33:42 PM

Title: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Steve H on October 31, 2018, 01:33:42 PM
I know many people find Michael MacIntyre a majoe irritant, but I like him - he's very funny, and I think he's probably a very nice bloke, although his relentless puppyish enthusiasm can be a bit wearing.
Lenny Henry - another lovely bloke, but only mildly amusing as a stand-up, and pure teak as a straight actor.
Peter Kay - so-so.
Katy Brand - brilliant!
Catherine Tate - ditto!
Peter Serafinowicz - passable straight actor, complete humour-free zone as a stand-up and sketch comedian.
Erica Nernie - the legends.
Laura Lanhardy - the incomparable.
The Two Ronnies - unforgettable (in a good way).
Max Miller - supposedly a legend, but I've seen ancient footage of him, and found him only intermittently amusing, and was put off by the smug, self-satisfied smile he always gave between jokes.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Rhiannon on October 31, 2018, 01:40:46 PM
The Horrible Histories team are brilliant sketch actors.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: jeremyp on October 31, 2018, 01:48:07 PM
Stewart Lee is the best stand up comic today.

I used to be a big fan of Milton Jones too, but his material recently has been a bit iffy.

Last year, I saw Norman Lovett at the Atheist Nine Lessons and Carols. He was pretty good too, although his act seemed to consist mainly of pulling random objects out of a carrier bag.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Steve H on October 31, 2018, 01:51:40 PM
Milton Jones is brilliant.
Never seen the 'Horrible Histories' sketches, but the books look great fun.
Stewart Lee - [holds hand out palm downwards, and waggles it.]
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: jeremyp on October 31, 2018, 01:58:59 PM
Milton Jones is brilliant.
Never seen the 'Horrible Histories' sketches, but the books look great fun.
Stewart Lee - [holds hand out palm downwards, and waggles it.]

Milton Jones was brilliant. As I said, he needs new material.

There's a video you can see on Youtube in which Stewart Lee rips into the Scots for half an hour, claiming that being Scotch [sic] is inherited through the male line "like a disability", that William Wallace Braveheart had sex with a four year old princess and was gay and in love with Robert the Bruce. He never loses the audience, even though it was in a club in Glasgow. The man is a comic genius, whatever you may think.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Rhiannon on October 31, 2018, 02:18:47 PM
Milton Jones is brilliant.
Never seen the 'Horrible Histories' sketches, but the books look great fun.
Stewart Lee - [holds hand out palm downwards, and waggles it.]

HH won Best Sketch Show at the British Comedy Awards up against stuff for adults. The books are entertaining but the TV show is hilarious.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: BeRational on October 31, 2018, 02:23:59 PM
Milton Jones was brilliant. As I said, he needs new material.

There's a video you can see on Youtube in which Stewart Lee rips into the Scots for half an hour, claiming that being Scotch [sic] is inherited through the male line "like a disability", that William Wallace Braveheart had sex with a four year old princess and was gay and in love with Robert the Bruce. He never loses the audience, even though it was in a club in Glasgow. The man is a comic genius, whatever you may think.

I agree, I really like Stewart Lee
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: ad_orientem on October 31, 2018, 02:46:46 PM
The Fast Show was a favourite of mine. So many great sketches. Loved The Two Ronnies. Russ Abbot was a favourite of mine as a kid too. As for stand up comedians I thought Jasper Carrot and Dave Allen were very funny.

It's all down to personal taste, of course. If I can watch something over and over again and still find it funny, then for me that indicates some sort of comedy genius.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Aruntraveller on October 31, 2018, 03:51:05 PM
As I think I have posted before, I saw Victoria Wood live back in the 90s.

The funniest show I have ever had the pleasure to see.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on October 31, 2018, 04:35:43 PM
I agree, I really like Stewart Lee
I do too.
Though for the right reason....His comedy not his atheism.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on October 31, 2018, 04:37:31 PM
Milton Jones was brilliant. As I said, he needs new material.

There's a video you can see on Youtube in which Stewart Lee rips into the Scots for half an hour, claiming that being Scotch [sic] is inherited through the male line "like a disability", that William Wallace Braveheart had sex with a four year old princess and was gay and in love with Robert the Bruce. He never loses the audience, even though it was in a club in Glasgow. The man is a comic genius, whatever you may think.
Apparently Milton Jones couldn't go on stage once because he felt a little funny.

His manager told him to get on stage before it wore off.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Steve H on October 31, 2018, 10:42:01 PM
Apparently Milton Jones couldn't go on stage once because he felt a little funny.

His manager told him to get on stage before it wore off.
That's about the third time in as many days that you've cracked that joke. Even Peter Serafinowicz would consider it feeble.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on October 31, 2018, 11:40:06 PM
That's about the third time in as many days that you've cracked that joke. Even Peter Serafinowicz would consider it feeble.
Apparently Peter Serafinowicz couldn't go on stage once because "he felt a bit funny".
His manager told him to quickly get on stage before it wore off.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Owlswing on November 01, 2018, 12:35:04 AM
As I think I have posted before, I saw Victoria Wood live back in the 90s.

The funniest show I have ever had the pleasure to see.


Agreed
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Owlswing on November 01, 2018, 12:36:28 AM
On the other end of the scale I cannot abide Frankie Boyle!
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Steve H on November 01, 2018, 08:53:40 AM
On rge other end of the scale I cannot abide Frankie Boyle!
Nor me, though I must grudgingly admit that he can be quite funny.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Sebastian Toe on November 01, 2018, 10:25:46 AM
Billy Connolly.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 06, 2018, 01:04:42 AM
This


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_GA88xBgAk
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Steve H on November 06, 2018, 10:23:48 PM
Billy Connolly.
Best or worst? I think he's great.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: trippymonkey on November 06, 2018, 10:55:35 PM
That recent docu Shut That Door on the genius Larry Grayson was pure gold ?!?!?!

Every time I watch it I can't help laughing - one of a kind, no?

Nick
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Sebastian Toe on November 06, 2018, 11:44:07 PM
Best or worst? I think he's great.
Best!!
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Robbie on November 07, 2018, 05:12:26 AM
I like Billy Connolly too and, in contrast to Steven, thought Lenny Henry was a good stand up and extremely versatile comedic actor earlier on in career.

Became a very good all round actor I'm glad to say, love the Len. The bloke's done well!
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Dicky Underpants on November 09, 2018, 04:37:19 PM
Milton Jones was brilliant. As I said, he needs new material.

There's a video you can see on Youtube in which Stewart Lee rips into the Scots for half an hour, claiming that being Scotch [sic] is inherited through the male line "like a disability", that William Wallace Braveheart had sex with a four year old princess and was gay and in love with Robert the Bruce. He never loses the audience, even though it was in a club in Glasgow. The man is a comic genius, whatever you may think.

" ..Stewart Lee rips into the Scots for half an hour"

Last time I saw him, it was more like "dips into the scotch for the best part of three hours". However, in previous shows when he didn't seem to be plastered, he was brilliant.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on November 10, 2018, 11:55:16 AM
Stewart Lee comes over as the ''complete sarcastic angry man in a bit of a state who wants people at least to have a bit of his pain'' whether it's all an act I think we are privileged he has chosen to share it with us.
Title: Re: Best and worst stand-up and sketch comedians.
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 13, 2018, 11:59:49 AM
I've always rather loved this, and indeed most of Dylan Moran


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttRIz-0HWps