I love Simon and his vulnerable comedy. It's always funny to see him be vulnerable after watching him be so quick witted and sharp with people on buzzcocks.
he started doing standup when he was about 14, then had a break from it to present when he was about 21 (I think). I'd agree that he can't be called a genius, but he's a decent, reasonably experienced standup
@FukPhysics I'm not saying everyone on this is mediocre. I like Jimmy Carr. Although 2 hours of continuous one liners doesn't exactly make him one of the greats either. But you have to admit, a lot of the people on here are given way more time than they deserve. Lenny Bruce is talked about for about 20 seconds and his material is taken out of context. Bill Hicks isn't even mentioned. Some of the talking heads are nobodys speaking as if they have been to the fucking moon.
Brit here. Joe Rogan is fucking awesome but he also includes a lot of 'insecurity' in his act. In his case it's about admitting inadequacy, inappropriate thoughts or desires. I know you must listen to his podcast. What do you think he'd say if you asked him if he had "no insecurity"? I think he'd laugh and say, "Oh fuck. everybody feels insecurity, you can't escape it, it's about how you manage it".
@titaniumslug I dont think its a 'history of comedy' they're just all describing their experiences being successful professional comedians. Bill hicks didn't do much for comedy, simply due to the fact that he was never popular enough in america. Carlin stole his shine. As an aspiring semi professional comedian i find this entertaining but to each his own
I'm obviously not referring to Billy Connolly. He has been around for over 35 years. Why would the BBC be pushing him? That is just so obvious I'm surprised you bothered to post that comment.
@titaniumslug I just finished it, i agree with you it was poorly done. It fails as an attempt to analyze the comedian's art just as it fails at being a history of comedy. It really should have picked one and stuck with it, rather than shooting for and missing both.
@TheRamsesII Not to contradict, but I'm American, and the comedy that resonates most strongly for me comes from insecurity, because there's a clear point of conflict (artist vs himself). Other comics that I like, like Joe Rogan, have no insecurity, but rather their comedy comes from the disparity between how the world seems and how it is. But that's rare for me. Chris Rock, for instance, is a great comedian, but his comedy doesn't resonate with me, culturally.
Where did I say all those people were mediocre? All though I would say shappi corsandi is. Again were did I say "all the comedians in this documentary are mediocre"? why do people keep responding with the same fucking comment. This was a great early call on my part. Watch the rest of the documentary and then come back and tell me it was brilliant.
I can respect that. but my taste in comedy does come from the other direction. I like to poke fun a that Brits as I know so many of them and it's a friendly rivalry.
@theramsesll about the last guy saying all American comedians are Jews you said that the Brits don't know about American comedy. Obviously you don't know much about comedy or geography either as Dara o'briain is Irish.
what that last statement at the end all about?? since WHEN have all great American comics been only Jews? Brits don't know very much about American comics, it seems.
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