Comics just aren’t funny enough now
SIR LENNY HENRY claims that comedians no longer have their own shows because of the cost of costume hire ‘and all that’ (Eden Confidential). I’d suggest the actual reason is that most so-called comedians don’t deserve their own shows. They seem to come mainly from a background of comedy clubs, where tipsy audiences will laugh at anything, including foul and offensive material — especially if it targets the Royal Family, politicians or religion. But their material is not remotely amusing to a wider audience. Tony Hancock wasn’t really a comedian but he was a great comedy actor and, armed with the words of Galton and Simpson, he produced magic. Dave Allen could sit on a stool with a drink for an hour and keep an audience in stitches.
The Two Ronnies used the English language brilliantly and created superb comedy. Les Dawson, Bob Monkhouse, Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise, Ken Dodd — the list of real comedians is a long one. But becoming a comedian is a hard grind, requiring carefully selected material and a special stage presence. These days, I see very little evidence of either.
John elford, lower Kingswood, Surrey.