A new series of "4 stands up" has started. Comedy is a significant part of my life. I listen to radio during much of the time that I am working, and I tune in to comedy both on radio and on TV via the BBC iPlayer. I have already mentioned my huge admiration for Stewart Lee, and his excellent "Comedy Vehicle" programme. But, over the years, nothing makes me reach for the "off" switch faster than the announcement that a funny song follows.
Being a good comedian is hard enough. Being someone who can compose lyrics is difficult. Being able to combine the two is very rare indeed. And, so, it fails so often. On Saturday evenings I often listen to "Loose Ends" while cooking, and then I will hear "this is a song by...", and after a minute or so, I will start to cringe, feeling sympathy for the guests in the studio who are trying to pretend that the performer has some merit.
There are a few exceptions. There are comedy song performers who I know will produce something surprising and funny. Tim Minchin, Bill Bailey, and the amazing Mitch Benn.
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- zarbi (
zarbi) wrote,