Billy Connolly:modern comics "killing stand-up comedy

Billy Connolly: modern comics 'killing stand-up comedy'


Billy Connolly has waded into the row over Channel 4's controversial TV quiz which sparked a storm of protest from outraged viewers - and accused modern "gurning" comics of killing stand-up comedy.








Billy Connolly (left) and Jimmy Carr Photo: Rex Features






By Telegraph reporters

10:29AM GMT 02 Jan 2013





The 70-year-old 'Big Yin' warned that British stand-up is "in danger" from "Channel 4-type" comedians who prefer to grab TV chat shows instead of working on new material.


His comments come in the wake of Channel 4's The Big Fat Quiz of 2012 which was aired shortly after 9pm on Sunday night.


The pre-recorded show - hosted by Jimmy Carr - featured a panel of comics who made a string of tasteless and puerile jokes about the Queen and Susan Boyle.


TV watchdog Ofcom confirmed it had already received a number of complaints from outraged viewers.


Connolly, who was voted most influential stand-up ever in a poll last year, fumed: "When I see all these London guys who all hang out together at the Groucho and all that, I'm really glad I'm not one of them.



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"They call jokes 'gags'. I don't talk like that.

"I don't want to be like them, Channel 4-type comedy people.

"They have this drive and I'm glad I don't have it.

"Like, you must be seen at Edinburgh until you're 99. 'Look at him, isn't he great!' No, he's not great.

"I listen to them on the radio at the Edinburgh festival, but I wouldn't darken its door.

"I think stand-up comedy is in danger.

"Stand-ups spend their time gurning on panel shows in the hope of one day being given a chat show."

Viewers complained about the Channel 4 quiz which saw Jack Whitehall, 24, and Gavin and Stacey star James Corden, 34, swigging wine and becoming visibly drunk.

Connolly, who currently stars in the Dustin Hoffman-directed 'Quartet' movie, also blasted PM David Cameron and George Osbourne - branding them "public school -------".

He said: "My blood boils more easily these days because there are fewer surprises.

"Like Cameron and the chancellor of the exchequer - whatever his name is - those public school -------.

"There should be a job for people to sit in the public gallery of parliament and go "-----!" every 15 minutes.

"'Liar! Bull----!'"

Glaswegian Connolly and wife Pamela Stephenson are set to return to the UK after 15 years living in the US.

He started his showbiz careers as a folk singer in the 60s before a series of appearances alongside Michael Parkinson made him a household name.

The former welder has appeared in a string of blockbuster films and received a BAFTA nomination for his performance in 1997 drama Mrs Brown.

In 2003 he received a British Academy lifetime achievement award in recognition of his work.

Ive never taken to Billy Connolly, I like Peter Kay!

cherry1 wrote:Ive never taken to Billy Connolly, I like Peter Kay!

Yeah, I did like billy connelly, especially the "incontinence" Pants.













2

I don't think I want to hear that joke......

I certainly have a lot of sympathy for Billy after reading of his dreadful childhood but he's not really my cup of tea as a comedian.

Panda wrote:

cherry1 wrote:Ive never taken to Billy Connolly, I like Peter Kay!

Yeah, I did like billy connelly, especially the "incontinence" Pants.









2

each to his own!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGNMeR-BOis

I presume this is it but I don't feel brave enough to watch it myself!

I dont think I have the stomach to watch it after recovering from the
hermaphrodite!

Not Born Yesterday wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGNMeR-BOis

I presume this is it but I don't feel brave enough to watch it myself!

Thanks NBY, it's not vulgar honestly, "an Audience with Billy Connelly" and they are all Celebrities who can't stop laughing,go on, have a look.