I so loved Beyond the Fringe and on the first day I finally managed to get to London, I went out to explore and miraculously came across two life-sized, mounted photographs of Pete and Dud outside of where they were appearing in "Behind the Fridge". I bought a ticket immediately, of course. I later saw the show again in the US where it was called "Good Evening" and they had added the wonderful, incredible, amazing Tarzan audition sketch. The last time I saw one in person was the sad occasion of the wake for Peter at the Director's Guild in L.A. We were told that Dudley would be there but he was very late and not in good condition. We assumed he was drunk which was totally understandable since he had lost his partner but it became obvious that something else was going on when he could not recollect any story about Peter. In retrospect, it was a symptom of the brain disease that killed him. I am so glad that I got to see them even though the last experience was so sad.
Cooke was probably the only comedian who could walk to in a room and do an hour's worth of humour without any preparation. Lot of people like to think they can or convince people they can - but they can't.
WELL---a whole week has gone by since you said that, and who knows, how many people have emerged, who can actually walk to in a room, and do what you claimed ,couldn't be done ? just saying , textually.
The sketch with a conversation in acronyms shows the influence d on the Two Ronnies and Ronnie Barker's sketches, others show the influence on Fry and Laurie (do you have another suit? No, not on me...) and before them Python which is basically Peter Cook type material with a dose of Spike Milligan surrealism. It's astonishing the influence Peter Cook has had on the cream of British comedy.
@stephen noonan Alan Bennett said it was a comment made by Cook in his collected essays "Writing home" published back in 1994.Cook wasn't this comedic genius as everyone says he was - just look how dated Beyond the fringe is - it's aged almost as bad as the Young ones !
people use people.... develop... Frost cut his own path....Peter Cook-Dudley Moore is obviously Monty Python archane comedy sketches all in play....genius is priceless Peter Cook-Dudley Moore
I've always liked/disliked celebs/artistes based on their "Look at Me, I'm Wonderful" Rating*. Most celebs don't reach the tipping point and so you can enjoy them to a lesser or greater extent. Some, however, are so full of themselves that they pass the tipping point. One that reached the far end of the see-saw was David Frost - hence the dislike. *Bonzo Dog Band song: "Look at me I'm wonderful Shooby-dooby-wah I'm not a bit like you or you I'm a super-show-biz-star…"
There isn't really any point in analysing why Pete and Dud were funny. It's like believing that there is some formula for matching people at a dating site. As Pete and Dud, and Derek and Clive, there was some incredible chemistry there and it's so sad that we have lost all that talent.
Mel Smith: How did he get away with it? exactly funny him describing petercook as the firs tintellignet tv comedian - as far as mel smith goes he looks like petercook was the last too!! mel smithalways reminded me of deputy dawg
Why would his looks be a negative, when most of history's greatest comic's, were visually funny, and or, dressed funny.He was a brilliantly flexible comic, who's range of comedy , both performing and writing , is greatly missed.
I can sit and watch Peter & Dudley for hours, I have always been very amused by them !!The current crop of comedians are awful, politically correct, unfunny, non-talented.
Because the (political) boundaries have been re drawn. Another way of putting it is….the comedy back in the day was somewhere near the top of the (say the decanting) funnel, where there was more freedom, now, the comedians of today are are swirling around near the bottom of the funnel because there is less (wiggle)room to work with. The humour tends to be very lame at times.
@paul bevan Whining about political correctness is pretty tiresome and ultimately irrelevant. Cook's genius was that he challenged authority and was irreverent and satirical. He never felt the need to punch down or play to racial stereotypes. So your comment about political correctness doesn't even make sense.
@Vlodec He was banging on, anyway. She proved her patriotism was nothing saccharine over the Falklands. She gave a major speech only hours after the IRA had tried to blow her up; more steel than almost any other politician.
@VlodecIf you think patriotism is a bad thing then I can only assume a left leaning Middle Class guy as the amazing thing I have noticed for decades about the UNsentimental Middle Classes is they have no time for nostalgia or have close links either to their Country of birth or, even, their Parents. Just a distant respect for their Parents, at best. They also like to sneer and mock the working classes who tend to be much more patriotic which is why the 2 main supporting elements of Labour will never be cosy bed-partners...
I note you have started proceedings with the tired old "Grammar Nazi" supercilious approach which is what I was alluding to. I will, however, take on board your example of leaving 2 lines after your opening gambit. It's a novel approach that could,easily, catch on.. As for my impression of your view of patriotism , I think the following sentence by you may be a clue..... @Vlodec : her "saccharine patriotism, catering to the worst elements of commuter idiocy ” ? He was bang on though. More Petit Pois required methinks....
So you are a " Nazi"of a kind because you believe in it I may be mistaken but there was an Austrian who, also, was a Nazi because he believed in something, as well,so you are in good company, it seems... Besides that you are supercilious to the point of ridicule with your " wasted education" put-down and pompous to an impressive degree with your "deep" meaningful and esoteric comments. Arrogant, Supercilious,Pompous,esoteric and egotistical with a nice line in pedantry tells me you must be on everyone's short-list for Dinner Party invitations....lol @ @Vlodec
What's new . ! ? The upper middle class suffer from overwhelming White Guilt and feel obliged to pose as caring socialists - as long as it doesn't threaten their wealth / privilege . Miller was a classic example .
AFTER A 1000 VIEWS EH? IT MAY SHOCK YOU, BUT MASSES OF YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE SEEING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND ARE NOW ABLE TO JUDGE THAT MODERN PC CRAP, IS ER CRAP.
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