calling Anglos and Anglophiles

[brightlywoven]

(inspired by foreverdirt's latest link)

One thing I have found to stand between me and the feeling that England is home, has been my lack of familiarity with the people of pop and political culture. I have for indtance, rarely any idea who humph is snarking about in ISIHAC. Partly this is because I have no tv. However, rather than get one, then try to trawl through for the good bits, I am asking you, dear friends list to point me the right way.

Week one: comedy

Can you suggest British comedy or comedians that would probably not be known internationally which I might enjoy? (eg a passing comment from shanith led me to mitch benn. Awsome)

Comments

[vescoiya.livejournal.com]

Couple of thoughts. Have you yet been introduced to QI?

As for individual comics Bill Bailey comes to mind (I know he's not too hard to get a handle on as my brother is fond of him) does a lot of comic songs.

Never mind the Buzzcocks is another panel show that is usually pretty entertaining which relies on pop culture references.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

I was going to mention Buzzcocks (and Mock the Week), but dr_biscuit doesn't have a TV.

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

She does have a computer, though; and much can be done with iPlayer.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

'strue.

[vescoiya.livejournal.com]

That was my thought. I would have mentioned Mock the Week, but it's been making me wince lately a little too much let's unload on the powerless. Have I got News for You, is another one (pretty political but very entertaining).

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

I've never really taken to Mock the Week - too much mocking without purpose. Have I Got News For You, on the other hand, is very very good (though the last Angus Deayton one was painful to watch, as Ian and Paul made it very clear throughout that they no longer had any time for him as he had betrayed their trust and that of the audience).

[vescoiya.livejournal.com]

I like Mock the Week a fair portion of the time, but it's quality is very variable and I think that is in part as it is essentially all improv.

What happened with Angus Deayton?

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

Extracurricular activities involving prostitutes and cocaine. It was fascinating watching Ian and Paul basically forcing him off the show by mocking him mercilessly on air. As P-K said, though, it was also very painful.

The show hasn't been the same without him, although it's still very good.

[dr-biscuit.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I might poke my nose into them anyway.

The only thing I know about Angus Deayton is that Susan from Coupling kept a photo of him by her bed. Her boyfriend Steve was obsessed with Mariella Frostrup. These names meant nothing to me then, but now I get the Mariella bit, at least.

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

Have I got News for You, is another one (pretty political but very entertaining).

I enthusiastically second HIGNFY.

[dr-biscuit.livejournal.com]

Though sadly with a dead modem right now. But I will look for these when back on line

[dr-biscuit.livejournal.com]

QI I need to find!

Bill Bailey is made of pure awesome, and i have been in love with him since Black Books. Cealdis introduced me to his songs ("the duck lies shredded in a pancake, soaking in the Hoi Sin of your lies")!

I will Add Buzzcocks to the iPlayer searches

[vescoiya.livejournal.com]

Youtube. you end up watching it in 10 minute intervals but it is there, also due to the show format it is not quite as painful as it sounds. Also, you can get the A series and B series on DVD as an FYI.