Monkeys Fist 43067 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Study reveals the secrets of Northern comedy By Patrick Sawer Last Updated: 10:10PM BST 19/09/2009 The North-South divide has been identified as one of class, wealth and even climate. But according to a new study the true measure of difference is comedy. Rosemarie Jarski, a comedy expert, says the North of England's special brand of wit relies on self-deprecation, the desire to prick pomposity and the ability to find the comic in the tragedy of everyday life. While down South a comic is likely to put someone else down, up North they'll confess to what a daft beggar they have been. Jarski, whose new book The Wit and Wisdom of the North is published next month, says: "Northern humour is above all the humour of recognition. Northern comedians don't try to be cleverer or smarter than us. Southern comics tell us how they got one over on someone, Northern comics tell us what a prat they made of themselves. "There are no airs and graces, no attempts at one upmanship. They are one of us." And, it seems, it is funny up North precisely because it is grim – with a rugged landscape and tough industrial heritage combining to create a people who find laughter in the darkest corners. "Laughter and tears are never far apart in Northern life," says Jarski, citing both Victoria Wood and Caroline Ahern for their ability to spin "comic gold out of pain and misery". While Les Dawson's mother-in-law jokes may have been replaced by Aherne's bittersweet Royle Family observations, the tone remains sometimes downbeat and always down-to-earth. From Eric Morecambe and Ken Dodd to Peter Kay and Jenny Eclair, the tradition of Northern comedians is certainly a long and honourable one. But being Northern is not strictly to do with where you are born, Jarski points out. It's more of a state of being. After all Ahern was born in London and John Prescott – who Jarski (and possibly the majority of the British public) identifies as one of the region's best comedians – is originally from Prestatyn, in north Wales. "Northern-ness is less a matter of geography than it is a state of mind," she says. "It's a mindset in which humour plays a crucial if not defining role." Or as the writer Harry Pearson puts it: "A Geordie friend of mine advised me that when judging Southerners we must always remember that they have not had the benefit of our disadvantages'." * The Wit and Wisdom of the North, with foreword by writer and DJ Stuart Maconie, is published by Ebury Press on October 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14013 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 North South Enough said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 31203 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Tbf I find McIntyre funnier, though that says more about Noble than the former. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14013 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Well regardless of opinion it does highlight a part of the article. MM plays the regional stereotype to death! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonraider 0 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 North South Enough said! Detest both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccermom 0 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 saw noble at the city hall, thought he was pretty shit tbh. Goes on and on and on and on about the same thing too long does it to fkn death, like he hasn't got enough material and needs to fill in ticket payers time. I won't make the same mistake twice. Personally I think southern comedy is more political than it being about 'getting one over on someone'. Its more politically correct and save the world and hate politicians, where as northern is more "its funny cos its true" and more observational and experiences, about feelings rather than opinions. saying that though I've seen Russel Howard, Ed Byrne and Andy Parsons and I'd go see them again they wre all really funny. Ed and Andy - Very political but Russel- he's more in the 'Northern' style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I fucking hate Ross Noble like. What a cunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 2 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 There's a lot of inverse snobbery from people of the North re comedy iyam. People who patronisingly believe that you have to live north of Sheffield to "get" Peter Kay, for instance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6700 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Indeed. IMO the current funniest comedian in this country is Frankie Boyle. But it's got fuck all to do with where he comes from. Ross Noble is one of the biggest cunts going and McIntyre isn't far behind him. As stated previously, Russell Howard is class and I think that's down to the fact he's quite unique. Andy Parsons is superb on Mock The Week but put him on the stage and he's absolute dog-shit. One of the funniest stand-ups I ever saw was Mike Reid (I'm sure anyone else who saw him will agree) and while he was a definite cockney, his material rarely touched on regionality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew 4857 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I hate russell howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I hate russell howard If Russell Howard mated with Russell Brand, you'd get Russell Kane: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 2 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Indeed. IMO the current funniest comedian in this country is Frankie Boyle. But it's got fuck all to do with where he comes from. Ross Noble is one of the biggest cunts going and McIntyre isn't far behind him. As stated previously, Russell Howard is class and I think that's down to the fact he's quite unique. Andy Parsons is superb on Mock The Week but put him on the stage and he's absolute dog-shit. One of the funniest stand-ups I ever saw was Mike Reid (I'm sure anyone else who saw him will agree) and while he was a definite cockney, his material rarely touched on regionality. Spoken like a true Mock The Week fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14013 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Frankie Boyle - In England they... But in Scotland they... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew 4857 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Eddie izzard has been my favourite for a long time and still is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14013 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Cake or Death? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelus71 4 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Billy Connolly is the best IMO....even tho he's a Jock. Steve McGrew is pretty funny over here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 175 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Saw Dave Gorman last week, he was excellent ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14013 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Mitchell and Web's Dave Gorman parody is class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6700 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Indeed. IMO the current funniest comedian in this country is Frankie Boyle. But it's got fuck all to do with where he comes from. Ross Noble is one of the biggest cunts going and McIntyre isn't far behind him. As stated previously, Russell Howard is class and I think that's down to the fact he's quite unique. Andy Parsons is superb on Mock The Week but put him on the stage and he's absolute dog-shit. One of the funniest stand-ups I ever saw was Mike Reid (I'm sure anyone else who saw him will agree) and while he was a definite cockney, his material rarely touched on regionality. Spoken like a true Mock The Week fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezGiven 0 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I fucking hate people who take comedy seriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJS 4411 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 There are a few comics who I think are quite funny on panel shows etc but when I've seen them as stand-ups I've not found them funny at all - Noble, Izzard and Moran are examples of those. In contrast I can't stand Alan Carr or Russel Brand on panel shows but have found their stand-up to be excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 10965 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Mitchell and Web's Dave Gorman parody is class. no it's not. They're trying for parody, but just sounding a little snide and bitter iyam David Mitchell is brilliant, not a fan of Webb though. Izzard hasn't written anything new in ages and takes himself a little too seriously at times (like announcing he wants to run for parliament at some point) Parsons isn't that great, just a bit shouty. Boyle's got a great turn of phrase and a wicked wit, and while Howard is engaging he hasn't got the strength of material that Boyle does. the Big Yin remains one of the finest comedians of all time and I hope to get the chance to see him at some point before he snuffs it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 46031 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Mitchell and Webb are fucking shite outside of Peep Show. Mitchell is obviously a funny bloke, but he needs to end that partnership sharpish cos the other bloke is crap. Their live show is terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14013 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Mitchell and Web's Dave Gorman parody is class. no it's not. Opinion!!!!11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 46031 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Is Dave Gorman the zany, wacky prick that that Lou bird was always on about? OMG create your own cult!!!11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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