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How wise were Morecambe and Wise?
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By *eli OP Woman
over a year ago
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A friend recently introduced me to the "genius" of this comedy duo.
Never heard of them before and I didn't get it. At all.
And it got me thinking about the changing nature of comedy. Are there any comedians who you can see standing the test of time? Any you once loved but now found dreary? Do you think there's a generational gap in humour or is it something that can be bridged? |
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By *eli OP Woman
over a year ago
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"The late George Carlin is a legend that was spitting truths in the best way possible.
Out!
Before this descends in to being about free speech and comedians should and should not say! "
Oh I really don't want it to be about free speech at all. Although it will undoubtedly creep in.
I'm more interested in who you liked, who you now don't etc. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Good thread, OP! There's been a lot of negativity today so it's nice to read a light hearted thread about someone you once liked and now hate.
I can't think of any off the top of my head but I do think there's probably a generational gap in comedy.
I absolutely love Eric and Ernie. But some of the new comics leave me cold, like Jack Whitehall's Dad and Lee Hurst. |
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By *eli OP Woman
over a year ago
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"I love the carry on films. Although in today’s society they’re a bit off key  "
I've never watched any! Maybe I should give them a go, they can't be worse than the title duo. I think a bit of off key can be good in a rosy coloured glasses capacity. Maybe. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"A friend recently introduced me to the "genius" of this comedy duo.
Never heard of them before and I didn't get it. At all.
….."
*sighs. Stand up double acts will look at these two and would have been insprired. Absolutely set a benchmark for everything.
Okay, humour and what we will tolerate has changed, but at their peak, they were the best. And I’m my eyes still are.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I love the carry on films. Although in today’s society they’re a bit off key
I've never watched any! Maybe I should give them a go, they can't be worse than the title duo. I think a bit of off key can be good in a rosy coloured glasses capacity. Maybe."
The early black and white ones are better than the later ones in my opinion |
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OP I think comedy is contextual and if you don’t understand the 70s then Morecambe and Wise or The Two Ronnies won’t make sense. If you really want to understand Only Fools and Horses you need to understand the 80s and the whole yuppie thing.
I think the same argument can be made for any generation. |
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By *eli OP Woman
over a year ago
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"Good thread, OP! There's been a lot of negativity today so it's nice to read a light hearted thread about someone you once liked and now hate.
I can't think of any off the top of my head but I do think there's probably a generational gap in comedy.
I absolutely love Eric and Ernie. But some of the new comics leave me cold, like Jack Whitehall's Dad and Lee Hurst."
Aww thank you Ricky, I appreciate that. I thought it was important to highlight the different effects comedy can have a person - sometimes they find it amusing, other times they'll be irritated by their comedic genius. Or bored of it. Or make a pop at it.
I've never heard of Eric and Ernie, I'll look them up now. Thank you. x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I love the carry on films. Although in today’s society they’re a bit off key
I've never watched any! Maybe I should give them a go, they can't be worse than the title duo. I think a bit of off key can be good in a rosy coloured glasses capacity. Maybe."
You’ll probably snigger a bit it’s that kind of silly comedy |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"OP I think comedy is contextual and if you don’t understand the 70s then Morecambe and Wise or The Two Ronnies won’t make sense. If you really want to understand Only Fools and Horses you need to understand the 80s and the whole yuppie thing.
I think the same argument can be made for any generation."
Absolutely this, you need to be aware of what was going on at the time to get it. I laughed at them all in their day but now...bit dated ... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Good thread, OP! There's been a lot of negativity today so it's nice to read a light hearted thread about someone you once liked and now hate.
I can't think of any off the top of my head but I do think there's probably a generational gap in comedy.
I absolutely love Eric and Ernie. But some of the new comics leave me cold, like Jack Whitehall's Dad and Lee Hurst.
Aww thank you Ricky, I appreciate that. I thought it was important to highlight the different effects comedy can have a person - sometimes they find it amusing, other times they'll be irritated by their comedic genius. Or bored of it. Or make a pop at it.
I've never heard of Eric and Ernie, I'll look them up now. Thank you. x"
That’s their first names |
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By *aizyWoman
over a year ago
west midlands |
"I love the carry on films. Although in today’s society they’re a bit off key
I've never watched any! Maybe I should give them a go, they can't be worse than the title duo. I think a bit of off key can be good in a rosy coloured glasses capacity. Maybe.
You’ll probably snigger a bit it’s that kind of silly comedy "
I loved the Carry On films when I was a kid, I still watch them now if they're on tv and there's nothing else on, still make me giggle. |
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I have several comic geniuses I have to thank, from the legendary Lenny Bruce, who if not for him you would have any of the other legends like Carlin, Hicks, Pryor, Chappelle - but special mention to more niche acts, because musical folk singer/comedy like Billy Connolly led me to people like Mike Harding, who Connolly once described as the funniest man in England |
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"Laurel & Hardy,still funny approaching a hundred years later,some comedy is timeless/universal.
Good to see "It ain't half hot mum" on ThatsTV (unedited)"
Haven’t seen It Ain’t Half Hot Mum for years - can only imagine that would give our younger Fabbers a real dose of the vapours |
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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago
Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton, |
"Laurel & Hardy,still funny approaching a hundred years later,some comedy is timeless/universal.
Good to see "It ain't half hot mum" on ThatsTV (unedited)
Haven’t seen It Ain’t Half Hot Mum for years - can only imagine that would give our younger Fabbers a real dose of the vapours "
10 O'clock every evening,ThatsTV (Freesat) after Benidorm,another great comedy. |
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By *eli OP Woman
over a year ago
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"A friend recently introduced me to the "genius" of this comedy duo.
Never heard of them before and I didn't get it. At all.
…..
*sighs. Stand up double acts will look at these two and would have been insprired. Absolutely set a benchmark for everything.
Okay, humour and what we will tolerate has changed, but at their peak, they were the best. And I’m my eyes still are.
"
That's really lovely Woody! I like hearing about those who've inspired future comedians, those who've been trailblazers. I think it's like in films where you get little homages to other films - particularly in the horror genre. A little nod of brilliance at another director, another iconic moment. I'm realising my comedy knowledge is severely lacking and it's good to learn.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Arthur Askey .. loved him in Ghost train !!
Ah brilliant, I'll have a look for this - hopefully it's on a streaming service. "
Just search for "Where's Me Washboard?" on Netflix. |
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By *imbo59seMan
over a year ago
North Norfolk area |
"I have several comic geniuses I have to thank, from the legendary Lenny Bruce, who if not for him you would have any of the other legends like Carlin, Hicks, Pryor, Chappelle - but special mention to more niche acts, because musical folk singer/comedy like Billy Connolly led me to people like Mike Harding, who Connolly once described as the funniest man in England "
Jasper Carrot, Jim Davidson (although he could be a bit blue at times....but did a lot for the Services) are worthy of a mention. |
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By *eli OP Woman
over a year ago
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"OP I think comedy is contextual and if you don’t understand the 70s then Morecambe and Wise or The Two Ronnies won’t make sense. If you really want to understand Only Fools and Horses you need to understand the 80s and the whole yuppie thing.
I think the same argument can be made for any generation."
Ah I really like this explanation, thank you!
I did feel a bit guilty for not having heard of them and not particularly getting it but I guess humour plays to the audience. Almost like it has to play to the zeitgeist and if that's one you don't understand, it can be harder to follow. |
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Most comedy is a a reflection of it's time and culture. Some transcends that.
For me growing up the pinnacle of comedy was Blackadder, in that generation. I think that does stand the test of time for sure.
Doug Stanhope is a comedy legend and Anthony Jeselnik. I can't see myself ever tiring of either of them. Bill Burr I like - he can get irritating though, Kathryn Ryan same. |
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"And it got me thinking about the changing nature of comedy. Are there any comedians who you can see standing the test of time?"
It’s a tricky one - I think if you view anyone’s performances you’ll see plenty which falls flat, however there are dashes of pure genius in their work which will be a high watermark for decades.
Morecambe and Wise were very good with getting the best out of their guests, Les Dawson’s monologues were superbly crafted and show the love of language that he had all his life, Victoria Wood worked and worked until her unnervingly accurate social observations used the most perfect word in every spot. |
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"OP I think comedy is contextual and if you don’t understand the 70s then Morecambe and Wise or The Two Ronnies won’t make sense. If you really want to understand Only Fools and Horses you need to understand the 80s and the whole yuppie thing.
I think the same argument can be made for any generation.
Ah I really like this explanation, thank you!
I did feel a bit guilty for not having heard of them and not particularly getting it but I guess humour plays to the audience. Almost like it has to play to the zeitgeist and if that's one you don't understand, it can be harder to follow."
Comedy is like music - it builds on what came before and if you really want to understand what you are seeing/listening to now then you would do well to understand what preceded it and what preceded that.
I would say that “modern” comedy probably starts with radio - you still have that on Radio 4 - which then morphed into television. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The TV show Goodness Gracious Me will always stand the test of time for me. It perfectly made fun of both Indian and English stereotypes which reasonated with an entire generation of British born south Asians. Whether it would be on today is another matter but it'll always hold a place in my heart. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I would say that “modern” comedy probably starts with radio - you still have that on Radio 4 - which then morphed into television. "
It's an easy (for easy read cheap) way of trying out what works and what doesn't. There is a lot of shit on Radio 4 though.
That doesn't always correlate though. Ed Reardon's Week is by far the most successful comedy on R4 in terms of popularity but hasn't made the transition to TV.
Count Arthur Strong did but preferred that on the radio, to be honest. |
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By *ayTVTV/TS
over a year ago
North Yorkshire |
"I have several comic geniuses I have to thank, from the legendary Lenny Bruce, who if not for him you would have any of the other legends like Carlin, Hicks, Pryor, Chappelle - but special mention to more niche acts, because musical folk singer/comedy like Billy Connolly led me to people like Mike Harding, who Connolly once described as the funniest man in England "
Add to Connolly and Harding the other greats of the time Jasper Carrot and Max Boyce...what a time for comedy!! |
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"I have several comic geniuses I have to thank, from the legendary Lenny Bruce, who if not for him you would have any of the other legends like Carlin, Hicks, Pryor, Chappelle - but special mention to more niche acts, because musical folk singer/comedy like Billy Connolly led me to people like Mike Harding, who Connolly once described as the funniest man in England
Add to Connolly and Harding the other greats of the time Jasper Carrot and Max Boyce...what a time for comedy!!"
I never really got Billy Connolly. I always just found him a bit annoying and couldn’t understand the cult status thing. |
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"Never heard of them before and I didn't get it. At all."
Oh, mate.
If the ‘fork handles’ sketch doesn’t get you, nothing will.
Yes, comedy ages terribly. Worse than most art forms. But usually the greats are held up so high because of one or two moments of transcendental genius. Brief moments that work across time and geography. I think ‘fork handles’ is one of those.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Never heard of them before and I didn't get it. At all.
Oh, mate.
If the ‘fork handles’ sketch doesn’t get you, nothing will.
Yes, comedy ages terribly. Worse than most art forms. But usually the greats are held up so high because of one or two moments of transcendental genius. Brief moments that work across time and geography. I think ‘fork handles’ is one of those."
Eric and Ernie were really fucked off when the Two Ronnies stole that one. |
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"I have several comic geniuses I have to thank, from the legendary Lenny Bruce, who if not for him you would have any of the other legends like Carlin, Hicks, Pryor, Chappelle - but special mention to more niche acts, because musical folk singer/comedy like Billy Connolly led me to people like Mike Harding, who Connolly once described as the funniest man in England
Add to Connolly and Harding the other greats of the time Jasper Carrot and Max Boyce...what a time for comedy!!
I never really got Billy Connolly. I always just found him a bit annoying and couldn’t understand the cult status thing."
At the start the folk singer thing was good because light entertainment and music were a good combination and crowd interaction was very good, even modern acts still do this with Peter Kay doing singalong, but what got me was that he didn't tell jokes he told real stories about his life, job, growing up and again this is duplicated amongst all the greats. Chappelle tells stories about life, his delivery is impeccable which is why he is the GOAT, but the technique is something very old and people connect with the comic as a real person x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'm surprised no one said Mr Bean. The fact he's completely silent and can express emotion through facial expressions and body language means his appeal is literally worldwide and is so funny, it'll always stand the test of time. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Who the fuck are these man? Kmt
Who the fuck are who? M & W? Bring me sunshine, in your smile and make me happy, all the while  "
Anywayssssssssss
You lot are old  |
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By *aizyWoman
over a year ago
west midlands |
"Dave Allen will always be a genius. Always a bit risque but definitely stood the test of time.
Second that."
I've just recently for the first time watched on youtube his teaching a child how to read the time, its so funny  |
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Bob Monkhouse was a wonder he’d be able to tell a joke on any subject mind like a computer stored all the jokes then he’d just fire them out one after the other . Didn’t always like his smug delivery at times though appreciate the work he put in . |
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"Back in the 90s (just after the dinosaurs invented the wheel) I was really into Kevin bloody Wilson incredibly crude but very funny  "
I remember a Hey Santa Claus tape that was like some highly illegal contraband being passed round at school. As a ten year old in the 80s it was like gold dust! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I watched an episode of The Fast Show the other day. It was a staple to head in to school and start bellowing the likes of 'This week I have been mostly eating bourbon biscuits' or 'Scorchio' or 'You ent seen me, right?'
Maybe it was the episode but it just didn't seem as funny now |
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By *arkus1812Man
over a year ago
Lifes departure lounge NN9 Northamptonshire East not West MidlandsMidlands |
This thread is making feel really old as I remember most of the names mentioned.
I am even old enought to remember the comedy series "Wheel Tappers & Shunters Social Club" aired in the early 1970s on Granada TV and featuring the likes of Bernard Manning,Colin Crompton,Charlie Williams,Frank Carson, Paul Daniels and many more.
Happy Days |
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I don't think there is a generation gap with regard to what is funny as much as I do think there is a culture gap ....
What made me laugh as a youngster still makes me laugh today.
Joe public still tends to like middle of the road , family, the missus , work, sex sort of jokes and 2.4 type of sit coms.
I have eclectic taste and I won't be unique in that but I generally enjoy word play and witticisms and tend to like news , political comedy and satire |
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"This thread is making feel really old as I remember most of the names mentioned.
I am even old enought to remember the comedy series "Wheel Tappers & Shunters Social Club" aired in the early 1970s on Granada TV and featuring the likes of Bernard Manning,Colin Crompton,Charlie Williams,Frank Carson, Paul Daniels and many more.
Happy Days "
Wasn't Colin Cropton the one who did jokes about Morecombe...the town not eric |
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"Back in the 90s (just after the dinosaurs invented the wheel) I was really into Kevin bloody Wilson incredibly crude but very funny "
Madam may I enquire
"Does your dad own a brewery, can I feel your tits or will you show them to me?"
Speaking of antipodeans does anyone recall from the same time an aussie musical comedy trio The Anthony All Stars not only funny but musically talented |
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By *ean counterMan
over a year ago
Market Harborough / Kettering |
If you want to see something really funny then watch an american watching the likes of Morecombe and Wise, The Two Ronnies and even Fools and Horses. They (americans) don't get it or laugh at the wrong time! I suppose it's the same with generations having changing senses of humour. Most 70's or 80's comedians wouldn't get any air time now due to the PC brigade anyway  |
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Brilliant
