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Beau Peep Notice Board => Outpourings => Topic started by: Diane CBPFC on January 30, 2014, 05:09:59 PM

Title: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Diane CBPFC on January 30, 2014, 05:09:59 PM
On another post I mentioned that I had treated myself to some UK stand-up DVDs

I had planned on saving them for Friday nights – doling them out through the coldest part of the winter. So much for that plan; I picked them up two days ago and watched one each night since. So far I watched  Jack Whiteall (with daughter) and Rob Brydon (with husband). I think they were both brilliant. Sadly, my hubby couldn't understand what Rob was talking about, he couldn't understand his Welsh accent either.

It got me wondering if any of you guys have ever been to see a live comedy show? 
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Roger Kettle on January 31, 2014, 06:55:08 PM
Back in '85, I went to New York with my (now) wife and ended up in a fantastic comedy club in Greenwich Village. There were no big names on that night but the standard on stage was incredible and it was a brilliant night. I spoke to one of the comedians after the show and was amazed to hear him  say how much he had been influenced by British humour. He was a pretty off-the-wall type of comic so it was strange to hear him wax lyrical about the likes of Morecambe and Wise. Good memories.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Diane CBPFC on January 31, 2014, 07:38:59 PM
I was thinking that you would have shows closer to where you live :) It would be good to see a line up of comedians too - that way you are bound to like some of them. But I really like these DVDs all being the same person - they interweave jokes through the whole 90 minutes - it is so clever.

Last night I watched Alan Davies  “Life is Pain”.  I was on my own, laughing so hard I thought at a few times that I was in danger of peeing myself, thankfully that didn’t happen or it would have upset the dogs - who take the blame for that sort of thing.

Not only is Alan Davies hilarious but there is a real solid message there for parents of new babies.


Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Malc on January 31, 2014, 08:52:19 PM
I think one of the most visceral AND intellectual comedians is Frank Skinner. If you see his stage show, it contains some dark stuff, but always hilarious. He's like Connolly in the sense that he can deliver stuff funny that from other comics would be offensive. He has a few thousand people in a mixed audience here all chortling away to a subject that is quite grim.


frank skinner live-one night stand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq5wvLwD5Nw#)
 
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on January 31, 2014, 09:04:24 PM
I was thinking that you would have shows closer to where you live :) It would be good to see a line up of comedians too - that way you are bound to like some of them. But I really like these DVDs all being the same person - they interweave jokes through the whole 90 minutes - it is so clever.

Last night I watched Alan Davies  “Life is Pain”.  I was on my own, laughing so hard I thought at a few times that I was in danger of peeing myself, thankfully that didn’t happen or it would have upset the dogs - who take the blame for that sort of thing.

Not only is Alan Davies hilarious but there is a real solid message there for parents of new babies.

May I recommend Eddie Izzard. If you can, YouTube his sketch where he talks French without uttering a proper word.

Tears of laughter will fall.

 ;D
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Malc on January 31, 2014, 09:44:19 PM
You sure he's not uttering a proper word? He's a fluent French speaker.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on January 31, 2014, 10:24:25 PM
You sure he's not uttering a proper word? He's a fluent French speaker.

Yeah, I know. Just spent the last 30mins trying to find it, but I keep getting sidetracked. I'm determined to find it, but there's so many funny clips. I can see him in his shiny purple suit, but I just can't get the clip.

Hey ho, it'll be fun finding it.

 ;D
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 01, 2014, 05:34:21 AM
Those names are now on the list for the next order. They are good entertainment value for me with the price we pay for internet and I love the full long show compared to a snippet on YouTube.

I first saw Eddie Issard as the baddie on the re-make of the Triffids and then I saw him on Graham Norton but he wasn’t that funny, he was talking about his multiple marathons.  But Mr. Butcheeks has not yet steered me wrong.

Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 01, 2014, 06:06:27 PM
Those names are now on the list for the next order. They are good entertainment value for me with the price we pay for internet and I love the full long show compared to a snippet on YouTube.

I first saw Eddie Issard as the baddie on the re-make of the Triffids and then I saw him on Graham Norton but he wasn’t that funny, he was talking about his multiple marathons.  But Mr. Butcheeks has not yet steered me wrong.

He was damned good as Long John Silver too, in the Treasure Island remake. Admittedly, he had ditched the French act, the women's clothing and his hair (if I remember correctly), but it was a great family watch. I can't believe how quickly his leg grew back, what healers these ex-transvestites are.

 ;D
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 01, 2014, 06:38:01 PM
Is one ever really an "ex" transvestite? Once you've felt how nice and soft the fabric of women's clothing feels next to your body...
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 01, 2014, 06:45:15 PM
I listened to my first disappointing DVD :-\  It was David Mitchell’s Soapbox. It was not stand-up at all, but a bunch of filmed rants by a mild-mannered bloke who spoke so fast it were as if even he were bored with the content. Not saying there were not funny bits in there – if he gave them to Alan Davies they would take twice as long to say but would be much funnier.

I remember him being a great guest on Graham Norton.

Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 01, 2014, 06:55:27 PM
Is one ever really an "ex" transvestite? Once you've felt how nice and soft the fabric of women's clothing feels next to your body...

Ah Diane, how true. That smooth, sheer feeling of slipping on fresh stockings. The glide against the skin of finest silk...


I'm alone here now, aren't I?

 :-[
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Roger Kettle on February 01, 2014, 08:14:20 PM
Moving on swiftly....
I once saw Frank Carson live in Dundee. Now, I'm not what you'd call a fan and I had no intention of going. It was a charity do and a friend of mine, who was a HUGE fan, had bought several tickets. As it happened, my friend was unable to attend---due to a broken ankle, I seem to recall---and I went in his place. The show itself was pretty much as I expected---a barrage of corny jokes, well executed. What WAS impressive was what happened afterwards. As Frank mingled with the punters in the bar, he learned that our friend who had organised the outing had been stuck at home, unable to enjoy the evening. He insisted on getting our friend's number and proceeded to do a full five minute routine on the phone to him.
That's class.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 01, 2014, 08:19:09 PM
Was it the way he dialed'em ?

 ;D
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 01, 2014, 10:37:07 PM
Would I be considered a transvestite because I as a woman, wear men’s winter work boots?

I bought them at a time when our small local shop was out of my size of ladies boots. The difference they made in my life! To go out with warm feet in the snow, to not feel every rock and pebble you stand on, to not slip so much on the ice. It was like discovering one of the great mysteries of life – how come men are much tougher? They have sensible work boots is why.

 
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 01, 2014, 10:46:56 PM
Why is Monty Python's "The Lumberjack Song" now playing in my head?

 ;D
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Malc on February 02, 2014, 11:35:49 AM
I don't think you should see it as odd to be affected by lumberjack-associated songs, clothes or any other paraphernalia.

I mean, I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 02, 2014, 01:48:30 PM
Do you sleep all night and work all day?   ;D
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Malc on February 02, 2014, 05:29:31 PM
At my age, not ALL night.

Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 02, 2014, 08:15:57 PM
Urine a common situation.

 ;D
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 03, 2014, 10:32:02 PM
I just want to finish this off by saying that Lee Mack was also brilliant. I could easily watch these shows over again and again (in fact I did with Alan Davies - his school uniform bit is priceless) - it is the delivery as much as anything, so knowing the punchline won't matter (especially with my memory).

Sadly both my husband and daughter were not that impressed with the stand-ups. I hope that my sons will be when they next come home at holidays - one has the same sense of humour as me and the other "just likes to be seen as a team player".

Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on February 04, 2014, 04:42:45 PM
We have yet another thing in common, Roger. I took my second wife to see Frank Carson whilst on Honeymoon in Llandudno. He topped a bill that included The New Bachelors. I know what you're thinking, but the marriage still lasted four years. Carson was relentless! I've heard that Ken Dodd is the same, live - that these guys need to be physically removed from the stage so that the audience can go home. I'd heard so many of his jokes before, but still laughed like the proverbial drain throughout - it really was the way he told them. Marvellous night!

I've seen Billy Connolly three times in concert. There were small chunks of his performances I missed, where I vividly recall having to mentally shut down because it was hurting my face too much to laugh. I can't recall anyone else ever making me laugh so much, or so painfully.

The most delightful one though, was Victor Borge, at Dundee's City Hall. Again, I'd seen quite a lot of his routines on telly, but they were an absolute joy to watch live, and he put in just enough new material to keep the momentum going all through . Gentle, subtle, intelligent humour, uniquely performed with absolutely perfect timing. Genius is an overused word, but...

My better half had never been to a theatre in her life when we met, so I hunted for tickets nearby as a birthday treat. Best I could find at short notice was a one-man show from Dylan Moran at the small Oakengates Theatre near Telford. Seemed to go down well with everyone... except my dear partner, who dragged me out of the theatre during the interval, never to return. She was convinced that the entire audience were afflicted with 'Emperor's New Clothes' Syndrome, laughing only because they felt they should, and that the act was completely devoid of humour. Despite my protestations, the sentence, "I'm from the Black Country - when we buy tickets we expect to be entertained!", still rings in my ears.

And, no - I bought the tickets.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 04, 2014, 06:42:00 PM
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QMKIE8vjBQI (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QMKIE8vjBQI)

Hope this works.

Strangely enough, I have been having a wee peek at Victor Borge for some reason...can't remember if he was mentioned in another post. This one is a cracker, I loved his punctuation routine but this one tops it, in my humble opinion.

Another one to have a look at, Diane.

 ;)
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on February 04, 2014, 10:38:12 PM
Absolutely marvellous, Sandy! And yes, he did that routine in Dundee also (along with the wonderful Phonetic Punctuation), many years before this clip was filmed, if appearances can be judged. And I'd bet my house on it being the long-suffering Marilyn who was at the piano that night also. Every move meticulously planned and rehearsed, and yet the whole routine appearing fresh as a daisy each time. Like I said - genius!
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 05, 2014, 06:51:21 PM
I was fortunate enough to see Bernard Manning at the Glasgow Pavillion and he was great. I don't know what was funnier...his act, or the look on the face of my eight months pregnant wifey as she realised we were in row 2. Sadly, he left her out of his banter.   >:(

I also saw Roy Chubby Brown at the Armadillo. He managed 40mins before having a strop with the hecklers and refusing to come back out, although he did manage to gift us with about another 20mins of a very poor routine. In fairness, he was just getting over throat cancer, so I suppose he should be cut some slack.

Diane, DONT YouTube Chubby.   :o
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on February 05, 2014, 08:02:54 PM
Or Bernard, for that matter.  :o
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Roger Kettle on February 05, 2014, 08:15:56 PM
Victor Borge was yet another of my heroes and a much-played part of my comedy LP collection. At the age of eleven or so, I could recite his "Phonetic Punctuation" sketch word for word. I could do much the same with stuff by Shelley Berman, Bob Newhart and, later, Pete 'n' Dud, Spike Milligan and the Smothers Brothers. I was a strange lad.
Tarks is right, by the way. Borge was a genius.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Malc on February 06, 2014, 05:50:35 PM
Wish I had seen Victor Borge live. Saw Connolly twice (and have met him personally), once in Manchester and once in Sydney. I also took my fiance to see Chubby at the end of the per show in Blackpool.

"Is he rude?" says she.
"Yes", says me.

"Like Bernard Manning?"

............"he's sort of the closest comparison, yes".

After ten minutes, she said the jokes just all merged into one huge ball of filth. I was laughing till my sides burst. Mostly at his dancing.

Working in Manchester for so long, I saw Manning at his famous Embassy club a couple of times. I didn't mind the racism at all. It was as though we had gone to see the Racist Comedian. If he hadn't been racist, we'd have been disappointed.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 18, 2014, 06:32:55 PM
Oban community fireworks fiasco (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6QtigLJD_4#)

One thing that Dara O Briain mentioned in his stand-up DVD - I had to stop the DVD and go and watch and found it funny that so many others had watched the YouTube in the same way.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 18, 2014, 06:49:47 PM
I'm sure there's a "quick climax" gag in there somewhere.

There's also a Scottish phrase about "a two-bob rocket" as well...thankfully I can't remember how it goes.

Honest.   :-[

Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 18, 2014, 07:01:17 PM
Meant to say, Diane. If you haven't seen a series called "Mrs Browns Boys", please look it up. It's not re-watchable, but it is hilarious.


Mrs. Brown Gets Drunk - Mrs. Brown's Boys Episode 4, preview - BBC One (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YtKtcedZzY&autoplay=1#)
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 18, 2014, 10:43:55 PM
We currently have this on BBC Canada so I could have been watching it - I just have not found the clips funny at all. Funny that, eh.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Bilthehut on February 21, 2014, 12:46:32 PM
What amuses me about 'Mrs Brown's ...' is the adlibs and extra comments made to catch out the cast.  They really must have fun making the show.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 21, 2014, 09:08:38 PM
What amuses me about 'Mrs Brown's ...' is the adlibs and extra comments made to catch out the cast.  They really must have fun making the show.

Are they real ad-libs? In my household the jury is out on that one. I do know a few people who have seen the stage show, and one things for sure...I'm determined to get tickets the next time. Word on the street is that it's hilarious.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Malc on February 28, 2014, 10:30:53 AM
Mrs Brown's Boys is incredibly successful, I think its appeal is in its uproariousness, unlike the middle class twaddle that Robert Lindsay appears in (which is also popular). Naturally, a man playing a woman is a handy panto gimmick.

I have to say that Mrs Brown's Boys seems to be a succession of stand up one-liners masquerading as a script, but I'm always being accused of "dissecting" stuff instead of just enjoying it.
Title: Re: Stand Up Comedians
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on February 28, 2014, 09:56:41 PM
How many seasons do you think it will stand up to? I find the format old already, and I hate being critical of someone else's "skills", but I just found the last series a bit same-y and not as funny.   :-\