Many, many years ago I was dating a young American lass who was studying in London. She had never heard of Dave Allen so, for a laugh, I took her to see him live. Admittedly he was slightly more risqué in his live performance and occasionally used the 'F' word but he was a complete showman and really knew how to play an audience. My date thought him hilarious, even when he cracked a few jokes at her expense (she had a particularly loud laugh). Anyway, when Allen reappeared for his encore he had with him a bottle of champagne and two glasses. He poured both glasses, then walked down into the audience and handed one to my date. She was overjoyed and squealed with delight. I was just thrilled to be so close to the great man. What a performance, what an evening and what a gentleman! His like will probably not be seen again.
Although Dave routinely had fun with different religions he was never bigoted, vicious, cruel, used foul language or had an iota of hate in him. He was hugely intelligent, thought provoking and could tell a story that had you from the first word to last. As a kid he was my favourite comic on tv - it's only when they're gone do you realise how special some folk are.
Now if he did this with Islam? Not a woke comment, just a perceived observation. I love the Lord Jesus, but hey, I can laugh. He is a genius. If God had an issue with this man, then He would have an issue with me, as I find him funny. As you say, there is no maliciousness in his humour. And I agree, just pure slapstick.
He didn't use fiwl language because it wasn't allowed on tv back then. He did droo a clanger in I think a Parkinson intwrview once. They bleeoed it out for tv. Having had the pkeasure if seeing him twice on stage I can tell you he was certainly foul mouthed. But, really funny. My Grandma was Irish Catholic and taught by nuns. She had all her children baptised as C of E or who ever else was available at the time.
+philster611 Much better than people like Bill Maher, Ricky Gervais or Jimmy Carr who do religious jokes, Dave had a down to earth approach. He never ridiculed anyone's belief in a God, it was religion and the rules and the stupidity of religion which he detested, and did not have any quarrel with people who believed in an afterlife/deity.
I love Dave Allen and his jokes are wonderful, but I think Eddie Izzard is a good run for the money with the religious jokes. Eddie's are pretty classic too. The both do them from the cerebral approach.
No swearing or dirty talk either ...and...he was a staunch ATHEIST...I loved how he ended each show with good night and may your god go with you...very democratic...rest in peace Dave allen...loved and missed
This man is genuinely brilliantly brilliantly funny - amazing he was never in States - and there is no one anywhere near like him today or in recent decades past. Skits are brilliantly acted and done.
I am old enough to have enjoyed Dave Allen first time round. As a youngster I was becoming very doubtful about religion but was not articulate enough to discuss it in my social environment. Suddenly this guy appeared on TV and became a witty advocate for atheism. I took a lot of comfort from this. Dave Allen, you were a great guy.
I had a similar experience with George Carlin and later on, once I moved to the UK, I discovered Dave. A man of true elegance and grace, of razor sharp with and eloquence. His humour I believe was a product of his many other qualities, and he was superb at it. I to this day speak in a rather peculiar manner for someone my age, particularly because as a young man I tried to emulate people like Allen. I'm glad to hear you found your comfort in knowing atheists can be funny, kind and cheerful. I sure am.
I must be a similar age to you. If Dave Allen was on TV, my parents would let me watch it, even when I hadn't reached 10, but I wasn't allowed to talk. We laughed a lot, but nary a word was spoken, not even in the silent sketches like the best one ever (shown in this video. I couldn't tell you how often I've watched it!) After the show, we talked all about it!
As a small boy, I didn't really get the humour, but was awed by the sophistication and adult nature of his show. I reached for understanding. As an adult, today, I'm glad to say I'm not disappointed - bravo and thanks Dave Allen.
Can't agree more. Sadly persecuted a couple of times during his career, for his comedy involving religion and swearing, otherwise he, no doubt, would have created so much more.
He was actually banned from irish tv in the early 70s for his jokes about the catholic church, yet it was my irish grandmother, herself a devout catholic who adored dave allen and found his jokes about religion hilarious.
Ian Williams I find I can’t watch a lot of the comedies from that era anymore. But as you rightly point out, this is timeless and still really funny :) I remember those nights as a young kid listening to him and laughing... ;)
No one ever came nearer to Dave Allen as a comedian. His wit ,way of storytelling , timing and brilliant sketches is unparalleled. He used to keep audiences in his palm. I have watched him from his begging to end. The most intelligent comedian ever.
The man was singularly talented. He was story teller, joke teller, stand up comedian, sit down comedian, satirist, sketch writer & performer and actor. And he enjoyed nothing more than hosting large gatherings at the family home and making sure both adults and children had a wonderful time.
Aaah they don't make 'em like Dave Allen any more,do they? I can remember his programmes back in the late 60's with my whole family sitting watching as if Dave Allen was sitting in the living room with us. A great story teller, very warm, very human, very funny and much loved.
+TheComputec he stole that joke from H.L Mencken. Th qoute goes :" A philosopher is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn't there. A theologian is the man who finds it."
+paus van de Lilith Kerk Yes, well, there's no such thing as a comic who doesn't steal jokes. Besides, it ain't the joke, it's the telling of it. Dave has impecable timing. And look at that shtick with the missing finger and the glass of booze. Will he knock it off the stand with his gesturing? How soon before he knocks it off?
This is one of the very few things I miss, not having a TV... every Saturday night, Inez and I would sit back and watch BBC reruns and howl with laughter. Dave Allen was our favorite.
Saw him live in London during the 1970's. I had tears of laughter running down my face for the entire show and left the theatre with sore ribs. I never laughed so much.
Brings back the good old days when there were only 4 channels. I used to stumble upon this gem of a show late at night on PBS when there was nothing on ABC, CBS, or NBC.
I'd forgotten all about this guy. I used to watch him as a 13 year-old on Canadian TV, but beyond that I couldn't remember any specifics. Clicking on this video, I had no idea what to expect. Excellent. Great entertainer, a real urbane wit. They don't make 'em like this anymore. Thanks for sharing this video. A real trip down memory lane.
@@Jonqen Dave Allen helped revive my father's spirit during the difficult days of the Troubles and the time after my father became a widower in his early 50s etc.
That was really funny and I loved the part where they were racing with the coffins to bury the people!!!! Hilarious!!!!! I still got tears from that one!!!!!!! Thank you DutchPastaGuy for posting this!!!!! You take care my friend!!!!!
Sorry to read that this funny man is gone. I used to watch his show when I was in high school, late night. Haven't seen him in years. Glad to have found this video. Thanks for posting from Canada.
The moment, and the way he says, "and he sees that Adam's happy" is complete comedic brilliance. By the way, I'm a 33 year-old atheist and have only just discovered this guy. Needless to say my day has just been made.
+Nick Webb great taste! Dave Allen was the leading man at all times in my youth. Next was Dick Emery. Later I discovered Ben Elton May you have many days of wicked satisfying comedy to come Nick
+Nick Webb - Yes, so silly god is trying to tell a woman what not to do... so there is this complete contradiction - of omnipotence missing the point. And Dave Allen doesn't need to say a word to explain it. I'd love to hear this joke at a Feminist convention...and if any laughed.
I watched Dave as kid - decades ago & I can still watch the same sketches / listen to him & STILL laugh myself stupid. Dave, you gave the world endless joy & I'll miss you 'til my last day. THANK YOU!!
Growing up Irish-Catholic must have been a very negative experience for a lot of Irish people. I'm a black Catholic but went to an Irish-Catholic grammar school. It was the most traumatic time in my life. I'm still a devout Catholic but I made sure that none of my kids went to religious schools and that doesn't only apply to Catholic ones, I attended a Presbyterian college for a trimester; same experience. Like a Jewish doctor friend of mine once said "I love GOD it's HIS 'employees' that I don't like;" my exact sentiments.
My pops used to watch Dave Allen all the time when I was a kid and he would laugh non-stop. I didn’t think Dave Allen was funny until I grew up. This man is a legend!
In the late 70's, a station out of Smell A, channel 9, I believe, ran Dave Allen At Large at 11:00 and my dad loved the show. He enjoyed the way Allen told a joke and his comedy skits. Watching this makes me think of my dad and hearing him laugh.
senorkaboom For a while, Dave Allen At Large was run late night on PBS in Chicago. Used to laugh my ass off at this man and his genius. No, there is nobody even close. And he didn't have to swear to get his point across.
senorkaboom Grew up watching him with my dad in the 70s, and took my dad to see him live in the 90s, thought my old man was going to literally die laughing at one stage😂. Fond memories as they are both now no longer with us. Dave Allen is one of the top 3 for me along with a Bill Hicks and Eddie Izard.
We were a strict Irish Catholic family but my dad loved Dave Allen. I saw him live in Melbourne, Australia and injured my leg from laughing so much. The Catholic clergy loved him too, especially the confession sketches.
I think it's wonderful that I live in a society where I can actually laugh out loud about religion without any fear at all. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives today in Paris.......
***** lol well im not a Muslim im atheist . But i notice that ppl using the word arab in the charlie hepdo death video . This is just like watching black guy killing a white guy and saying those black ppl are horrible and criminals :(
Great collection. I remember these shows back in the 70s and 80s. Amazingly, I was allowed to stay up past 9 on a Saturday to watch him (when I was about 10). I think it was because I couldn't get to sleep until after the show ended because my parents were laughing so loud 😂 Thanks for the upload!
He was a household favourite. My father enjoyed his irreverence and his glass of whisky. Thankful to folks like Allen who have given us so many laughs.
At a Catholic Sunday school a group of students were asked what they wanted to be when they grow up. The first kid said I want to be a firefighter, another said I want to be a priest, and this girl said, "I want to be a prostitute". The nun looks at the child in utter horror and says "You want to be a what?" The girl responds "a prostitute". The nun sighs relief and says "Good, for a second I thought you said you wanted to be a protestant."
At a Catholic Sunday school a group of students were asked what job their mother was involved in, a girl said, "uhm... substitute". The nun looks at the child in utter horror and says "you mean pro.... uhm ?" The girl responds "no that's my sister, she's a prostitute, my mother substitutes her when necessary".
I am glad that my Dad used to watch this guy when I was a kid, it made me think about the topics Dave Allen talks about instead of just believing what I was told. Funny thing is, my Dad went on to become a lay preacher. And that last gag at the end about the wall in Heaven I still quote today. Sums up religion to me.
Yehp, one of the very few people who actually know how to make jokes, many famous "comedians" these days just throw around some insults with no wit and for some reason are called funny...
totally ... i find the current trend of "lets see who can say a naughty word " ... imbecilic and childlike .. ultimately it sets its own boundary too ... when you have oushed the boundary to the limit and beyond ... then where do you go ?
yes i agree ... but if you take that to its logical conclusion ... thats not a happy place .. all humour would be pushed as far forward as possible ... so , just people throwing shit at each other naked whilst orgasming and screaming obscenities really ... maybe ok for some people , i like my stuff slightly more cerebral with occasional dick jokes and pie throwing...peace
A novice nun joins a convent, she is shown her simple room with a mattress and blanket and has one meal a day. She has taken a vow of silence but once a year can speak only 2 words. The end of the first year she goes before the mother superior and says "more food", another year goes by and she goes before the mother superior and says "more blankets". At the end of the third year she goes again before the mother superior and says "can't stay", the mother superior says "thank God you've done nothing but complain since you got here".
"God saw Adam. Adam looked happy. (pause)" HILARIOUS. you know what's coming after that. I wish I'd known of dave allen before today, and (more importantly) that he was still around. thanks for posting this.
A priest is walking home from work, when he sees a small boy in the street with a box of kittens. "Wow, there's some cute kittens you've got there, son!" Says the priest"Yes, they're Christian kittens" The boy replies "Aw, thats sweet" A week later, the same priest is walking back from a church meeting with his friend, when he sees the same boy with his kittens. "Judy, go and ask that boy what he's got in that box. He's got the cutest answer" Said the man Judy walks over to the boy and asks: "Hey, what do you have there? Those kittens are so sweet" "Yes" Replies the boy "They're Atheist kittens" "What?" Said the priest "Last week you said they were Christian kittens" "Yeah, but now their eyes are open" Replied the boy
OMG! I used to watch Dave Allen all the time as a teenage, I forgot all about him... his hair fiddling and the missing finger ... wow, thanks for the memories!
