Did Comedy Die with Ross
There is this idea amongst some that if you cant swear it is not funny. And there is a growing trend amongst teens that swearing is a sign that you are grown up. Neither or course is true, though with presenters like Jonathan Ross you can kind of understand the confusion.
The odd comic, connolly being one, has managed to turn swearing into a comedy device – but for most it just makes them sound stupid, makes them sound like if they dont swear they wont get a laugh
I suspect for many that is true.
Recently on a Newsnight Blog the question was asked whether British Comedy was being permanently changed by the Ross controversy. I would argue, though, that there is no such beast as British Comedy. It is a useful media device, but it doesn’t exist. It is as mythical as the idea that Americans dont get Irony. No one has watched Frazer then.
I spent years in studios making programmes involving comedians from now and way back then. And a few of the 90 year old members of the water rats were far quicker and funnier that Jonathan Ross will ever be.
I took as my benchmark a regular visitor – Mr Barry Crier. He is unusual in that he is equally accepted by the youngest of today’s comedians and by the old troopers.
He was interesting to talk to about comedy because he felt that having a fixed idea about what was funny or not was not just incredibly limiting, but was very quickly going to be not funny.
Comedy needs to use many devices and not be afraid to use them all at once if required. And it must not find itself funny. It must be serious – it is the audience that must find it funny.
Ross is part of a breed of presenter who find themselves funny. Russell Brand is another. You get the feeling that they are really pleased with themselves when they are clever. Whether or not we find them funny or clever.
Compare them with someone like Eddie Izzard, or Stephen Fry – people who have built their comedy persona on a real person that they feel comfortable with. All they ask is that you trust them a little and with any luck we will all enjoy the experience together.
Ross and Brand really have nothing to say for or about british comedy – there are plenty of talented people out there on the circuit who do not need these two desperately trying to be comedy icons.
We dont need them either.
I think it is not Ross who needs to take a careful look at himself, it is the broadcasters who need to look at who they take on, who they help to build and then how they use them.
I know producers, I know how they work – they would far rather take someone who is okayish talent wise but that they can build into a celebrity than take someone highly talented who the public are going to be slow to appreciate.
Thankfully, the world of comedy will survive either way.
Related posts:
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...