Quick links: NewsBiscuit Home • Chat Room • Writers' Room • Top Ten
shitsu_tonka
offlineMember
I know that sometimes old skool comedians get embraced by young whippersnapper types and have a resurgence - right now Betty White, back in the day Frankie Howerd and Kenneth Williams - but I hope there's never a time when Davidson becomes ironic and cool.
What do you reckon, Biscuits? Anyone want to confess to missing 'Big Break' and hoping that Davidson becomes Mr Saturday Night once more?
IABP
offlineMember
Not too bothered about some of the old skool guys but I do miss people telling jokes. That seems to have died a death on TV, DVD and everywhere really. Everyone is basically doing the same stuff - observational comedy - because they are too scared to tell a joke.
SteveCut
offlineMember
Everyone is basically doing the same stuff - observational comedy - because they are too scared to tell a joke.
Nooooo! Don't wish it upon yourself. You don't know how lucky you are. Where I live Jim Davidson would be some kind of superhero if they ever saw him (God forbid). You really don't want that!
Here is something I prepared earlier:
http://betwixtia.blogspot.com/2009/10/humour-in-betwixtia.html
nealdoran
offlineMember
Ahh, y'know what I like most about this story is that it gives me the chance to dig out one of my very first subs for NewsBiscuit from back in the glorious autumn of 2007. My second attempt at a full-blown full length sub. I still quite like it (although a bit slow to start, weak at the end, and needs a bit more in the middle...).
It also reminds me that if it's September it must be NewsBiscuit's birthday -- 4 this month! Suddenly the reason behind the pope's visit to Blighty becomes clear...
Someone finally tells Jim Davidson, “It’ not that you’re non-PC, it’s that you’re non-funny”
Former gameshow host and failed reality TV star Jim Davidson was reported to be ‘sad, disappointed, but also slightly relieved’ to discover that his recent inability to get a TV show was due to his being relentlessly unamusing, and not because of his controversial views on ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals.
“For years I thought I wasn’t getting a primetime slot because telly’s full of poofs, dykes and fuzzy-wuzzies who were too easily offended. Instead, it turns out that bugging my eyes while doing a West Indian accent, and making continual references to ‘Nick-Nick’ are just really lame.”
Davidson, who still maintains that his imaginary black friends think the term fuzzy-wuzzy makes them sound warm and cuddly, was also surprised to learn that his apparent popularity with the armed forces was largely down to his performances taking place on military bases, where the audience wasn’t actually allowed to leave without permission.
Matt Williams, the passerby who explained the situation to Davidson when they met outside a West End branch of Dixons, insisted he had only done what any decent person would have done in the same situation.
“There wasn’t time to think,” said the good Samaritan, “I just acted on instinct. But it’s important to remember that there’s more to be done; there are still plenty of people out there – of all races colours and creeds – still unfunny, and still trying to get TV shows. Now, I don’t suppose anyone has Harry Enfield’s address to hand, do they?”
Meanwhile Davidson, pleased he doesn’t have to risk bankruptcy again trying to find new ways to amuse the nation and upset Guardian readers, is re-training to join the social work department of his local borough, Lambeth.
ronseal
offlineMember
In accordance with the Pope's visit, can I make a confession?
I feel a bit sorry for Jim Davidson. I think he can be quite funny too. I even think he might be a nice bloke.
I saw him interviewed on telly, by Piers Morgan of all people, but despite all this, it was quite touching.
(I can't believe I said that.)
OK, he once did some borderline racist material. That Chalky character was a bit embarrassing. (Name me someone who wasn't in the 70s and 80s). I hated his Nick Nick Nick catchphrase.
But at least Davidson actually had a black childhood friend. Can you picture any black kids in Ben Elton's playground? Davidson grew up on a council estate in a rough part of south east London with an alcoholic dad. BenElton pretended to.
Davidson was never going to be as artful as ben Elton or Chris langham at presenting himself to the public. But he is actually a lot nicer.
Davidson isn't racist. Clumsy yes. But he was painfully honest and dare I say it, funny when talking about his own shortcomings and mistakes. The man is sensitive (he's training to be a social worker, ffs!) and certainly not irredeemable.
Steve Coogan did all that cocaine and hookers and cheating on his wife thing, and nobody bats an eyelid.
A lot of people love Jim Davidson. He wasn't my cup of tea. But I don't know why comedy has to be regulated so only approved, predictable on-message mockneys get access to the media.
I think I'd rather watch Jim Davidson than Russell Howard.
nealdoran
offlineMember
I dunno, I've seen him interviewed, and he seemed generally petulant, although he could do remorseful and self-absorbed well enough. I just looked up some of his stuff on YouTube and it really only confirmed that he's just not that good a comic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q98baQT1qj0&NR=1
I don't agree with his world view, and don't like his attitude, so I might be prejudiced, but overall nothing much to laugh at here. Bit of crude stereotyping, but in some ways almost anti-racist -- claiming the police are racist and picking on his pal because of the colour of his skin -- but ultimately just not that good.
I saw him in panto as Buttons once, and I thought he was brilliant, so maybe he could come back as a kids' tv presenter.
Stan Laurel
offlineMember
It is nearly as fashionable to knock Ben Elton as it is to knock Jim Davidson. I saw Elton in the early nineties and he's still the best stand up I've seen.
StoopyDeGunt
offlineMember
I initially thought Ben Elton was a revelation.
He was brilliant live too.
That's why I was massively disappointed when it came out what a big phoney he was.
He marketed himself as this sarf london geezer type, when it turned out he was a nice sensitive boy from Surrey. It turned out that Daddy wasn't banged up at all; he was a lecturer at Surrey University.
One routine went: 'I went art last night and the rioting was so bad I had to sleep in a skip. There was six coppers in there hiding'. Er, no you weren't Benjamin.
Hang on, what's wrong with being from Surrey? We're not all right wing lunatics! Why's he denying his roots? I thought artists were supposed to write about what they know! Not play up to fashionable prejudice. It's OK to be Jewish, but not from Surrey. Or leafy Surrey, as the papers always call it.
(don't they have leaves in the rest of Britain? Is that why everyone hates us?)
Brand Ben was a brilliant product I must admit. I certainly bought it.
But now I think of it, he was much creepier than Margaret Thatcher. Or Jim Davidson.
His show should have been called Ben Elton - terms and conditions apply.
Mrblacker
offlineMember
surely Ben Elton - Contents may vary from those advertised.
I think Jim Davidson's attempt to re-invent himself has been interesting - the constant harping on about his work for armed forces charities has certainly won him some friends.
But he's a comic out of his time - there might be a place for him in theatres and clubs catering for people of a certain generation, but today's audiences only seem to want Michael McIntyre clones or clever stuff like Rhod Gilbert.
As for Ben Elton - didn't think he was good in his prime - think less of him now.
shitsu_tonka
offlineMember
Not so sure about the armed forces thing. I've heard from a few friends that the worst aspect of a long deployment is that Jim Davidson turns up, tells jokes no one laughs at and then makes a tit of himself trying to out drink super-fit teenage squaddies. He is by all accounts a nightmare.
Think if I were serving somewhere violent and shitty then Mark Steele would be my comedian of choice. I'd like one of his brilliant lectures to take me out of the situation.
Anyone else know who they'd like gigging in their fox-hole? I'm guessing Ben Elton's not going to get many votes.
Mrblacker
offlineMember
I agree with everything you say about JD Shitzu - i was merely pointing out his 'attempts' at re-hab and what the rproles think of his involvement with the forces.
As for occupants of a foxhole - Milton Jones, Alistair Barrie and Billy Connolly - at least the latter can shoot.
StoopyDeGunt
offlineMember
I like the idea that Davidson might be liked by 'people of a certain generation'.
If people like him, and he's got a big enough fan base, surely he merits a TV programme. People of a certain generation are humans too, even if they're not on message.
Surely there's room for everyone, even the people you don't like.
Gerontius
offlineMember
Hear hear (or is it here here?)
Yes, there should be room for everyone.
Dangerous precedent to suppress a voice simply because you don't like/agree with it.
Before long the boot has a habit of appearing on the other foot.
And yes, Ben Elton is also the best stand up I've ever seen.
As for pretending to be someone he isn't...will all those doing exactly the same please leave the room right now.
Hello...hello...anybody there.
Is that people can't forgive him for being succesful
Sigmund Freud
offlineMember
Black tarmac road surface and red tarmac road surface were having a quiet pint when green tarmac road surface walks into the pub.
Black tarmac road surface whispered to red tarmac road surface "you'd better not mess with him".
Red tarmac road surface quietly asked black tarmac road surface "why not".
Black tarmac road surface said "because he's a cycle path".
pinxit
offlineMember
IABP: 'Scared to tell a joke'?!? Never heard of Jimmy Carr?
And if you really want to overdose on one-liners try Jezza Vine's young bro Tim.(Tho' take a box of Paracetamol along),
Davidson was well and truly sussed out year's ago with his arch fascist mate Marco-Pierre Tosseur on a celeb cooking series. Abu Dhabi or wherever the twat lives are welcome to him (tax-free).
We have some brilliant comedians in the UK, if only I could rustle up a name...
Nah! Only joking. David Mitchell and Lee Mack aren't a bad start if you want really quick-witted er... UK wit in one TV programme.
That antipodean jester, Tim Minchin is the man if you want intellect, wit and vitriol in equal measures. Damn talented bastard.
shitsu_tonka
offlineMember
I agree with everything you say about JD Shitzu - i was merely pointing out his 'attempts' at re-hab and what the rproles think of his involvement with the forces.
I wasn't disagreeing with you, Mrblacker, I meant that Davidson talks up his armed forces charity work and, like you say, it cons the proles but in my experience soldiers think he's a tosser.
I should have phrased it better, sorry. Wasn't trying to give you grief.
Quaz
offlineMember
If we are digging up old commedians, where is Freddy Star now? I memory serves me right, he could scare the life out of any 2010 chat show host in an interview. Not saying he would seem all that funny now, but he had edge for his time.
I think gags are back, Jimmy Carr etc.
Billy Connolly is an example of someone who can tell a gag and do the observational stuff at the same time. I love the way he can start a gag, wander off into another story, then weave back into the punchline. My fave comics all do this, so that you have almost forgotten the gag when they finally get around to the punchline and suddenly it's a big whammy.
Oxbridge
offlineMember
May God forgive me, I went to see Jim Davidson once. Well I was stuck in Wolverhampton on a quiet night in November ... yes, he really was that awful. (Sample: What's wrong with calling them 'shirtlifters'? That's quite a mild way of putting it, considering what happens after the shirt gets lifted). It was just after his appearance on Hells Kitchen, so he led the audience to call Brian Dowling a cnut. His warm-up act was Felix Dexter, who is black and also not very funny. Different world.
You must log in to post.
