British or American humor?

[Oso]

. Bob Hope was not a typical British stand-up comic. Although he often employed British scriptwriters, his humour was strictly American. To tell the truth, I never found him particularly funny.

He was born in Britian, true. But he immigrated so young that very little if any of the culture stuck.

He was the Master of the American one-liner.

[Felix/FFDS]

PS. Felix. Bob Hope was not a typical British stand-up comic. Although he often employed British scriptwriters, his humour was strictly American. To tell the truth, I never found him particularly funny.

I'll thank you not to spoil the story with the truth.  Only by birth can it be claimed he's British.


As a side note - isn't comedy, at its core, political?  Most of the time, the difference between politics and comedy is, at best, blurred.

[Scottler]

Precisely my point, Felix.  Thank you!  

[Hagar]

Tut tut. Now don't encourage him Felix.
This was a perfectly civilised discussion on comedy. True, humour is a great way to bring politics & politicians into perspective. Yes Minister is a case in point. That's not the same thing as discussing politics. I'm sure Hype realises this perfectly well & is just up to his mischief. Where's that mamalade?

If there is such a thing as a typical British stand-up comic it would have to be the late, great Max Miller.

[OTTOL]

On the flipside to the argument, politics(especially in the US)is some THE best comic material!  :D

[OTTOL]

OTTOL I'm disappointed. Nobody has introduced you to Jasper Carrott, Mike Harding, or the stand-up king Billy Connelly (mind you, it helps if you speak Glaswegian, but he IS funny!).

Ozzy

Ps. Which is your favourite Young Ones episode? Mine would be either Bambi or Flood

I think INTERESTING is where my quote"....what's a FATOOMSH" came from, but I think Bambi and Demolition are tied for first.  
I thought Billy Connelly was Irish?  :D

[Smoke2much]

Comedy is one thing, political satire is a whole other topic.  Both are very funny.

Will

PS I voted British but there have been some excellent American comics and shows.  The simpsons is just one.  It is my belief that US humor and British humour are much closer than we often realise and the best can often be a blend of the two.

Will

[Fozzer]

Although I am English, I voted for American humour.
I'ts all to do with the accent, and the dry way it is put over.... ...!
The dry paranoia of Woody Allen always creases me up... ...LOL...!
There are many Jewish-Americans* who make amazing comedians, again, it's the accent and the delivery... ...!

...also, cartoons only work using American accents!!!

Cheers all...!
Paul.
(England).

I know their faces, and their voices, but I can never remember their names... ...!

[Hagar]

Nobody has introduced you to Jasper Carrott, Mike Harding, or the stand-up king Billy Connelly (mind you, it helps if you speak Glaswegian, but he IS funny!).

Ozzy

LOL I still giggle uncontollably when I think of Carrott's story of the moles.

PS. OTTOL. The Big Yin is definitely Glaswegian.

[Felix/FFDS]

There are unconfirmed rumors that Hyperion and Inspector Poly are long-lost twins that fate screwed up and reunited.




[quote]Precisely my point, Felix.

[ozzy72]

unconfirmed rumors that Hyperion and Inspector Poly are long-lost twins that fate screwed up and reunited

Better Inspector Poly than Inspector Gadget, this thread is getting v.silly in the best SimV traditions Hooray
Hagar, Spin City was on C4, and it stars Michael J. Fox, its good

Ozzy

Ps. There is only one way to get rid of a mole. Blow its bloody 'ead off.
What you mean boom?
No, with a twelve bore

[Woodlouse2002]

British humour and comedy is far better than American. Admittedly the Simpsons is an exception along with a very select few. However compared to british comidians like Eddie Izzard, Spike Milligan, Ross Nobel, Paul Merton and Peter Sellers all american comedy falls flat on its face. I can sit through hours of so called American comedys and not even smirk. However one line from any of the above can get me laughing for days afterwards.

The fact is that British humour told by a truely funny person can make absolutly anything hilarious. American humour can do something similar and just make me think "What?".

To say british humour is all about word play is nonsense. There is no better way to produce a groan from your audience than to utter some sort of pun.

I think it also depends on the person. I have a mind that can find a funny point to any situation and with the right company I can be laughing for hours at something completely normal like a yellow bus. I prove this theory by telling all that The Two Towers is the funniest film I have seen for ages because I watched it with a friend who's sense of humour is practically identical to mine. We plan to see Return of the King and do the same thing.

[OTTOL]

Although I am English, I voted for American humour.
I'ts all to do with the accent, and the dry way it is put over.... ...

What accent?  ::)

[Paz]

 Sorry, but I just can't pick between american and british humor, I like too much of both!

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote]
What accent?