The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
TV comedians trying to be funny at home? They really should get out more – Rebecca suggests dinner with Big Zuu and his chums
The BBC and I need to have a few words about what they class as “comedy”. On Monday evening, the first episode of a six-part (I think) series Comedians: Home Alone took to the screen, perhaps a few weeks too late.
The weekly episodes are on BBC Two every Monday night and only last for 15 minutes, but will feature up to six different comedians each time.
Monday of this week had the likes of Kerry Godliman trying to get her young kids involved in a lockdown party while getting sozzled and smoking a spliff in front of them; Marcus Brigstocke and his wife Rachel participated in a weird lip sync karaoke battle that left me feeling like I needed a shower to wash away all I’d just seen; and Bob Mortimer wasn’t his normal self (who is usually quite funny) but instead voiced an animated character in a stupid voice and said nothing funny whatsoever.
There was also a two-minute segment that just showed pictures of cats that a guy decided to name. That would’ve been a hoot if they’d made sense or if they had human names (as all pets should) but names like “Paul Falafel”, “Banana in Transit” and “Liquorice Nick” had me reaching for a pint of wine.
Only two out of the six were mildly funny – some of Rhys James’ observations on life (such as the fact that “slim chance” and “fat chance” mean the same thing, and that “old woman” refers to someone in their 90s, but “older woman” is someone in her 50s) gave me the energy I required to muster a chuckle. Similarly, Michael Spicer’s clever skit in which he made it look like he was telling Priti Patel what to say during her recent shambles of a speech about coronavirus, did have me nodding in approval.
But nothing irks me more when comedians try too hard to be funny and to determine what I should be laughing at. Rhys and Michael read the room before the entered it, the others were in the wrong building entirely.
AND ANOTHER THING...
Something else I watched yesterday (Friday) was a programme that’s been on my radar for a while, Big Zuu’s Big Eats, on DAVE. I’d never heard of him before but British rapper Big Zuu travels round the country with his pals Hyder and Tubsey cooking three course dinners for proper comedians.
I initially thought exactly what you’re thinking right now, but actually it was really entertaining. The episode I saw featured Phil Wang, who doesn’t need to say anything funny to make people laugh – his name is enough.
He has also been known to rate Asian restaurants he visits by giving noodle or rice bowls marks out of five and Big Zuu was determined to get the full five bowls.
It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but certainly hit the mark a lot better than watching comedians at home, where some of them should stay in future.