BY ROGER WATSON I have almost given up on late-night comedy on BBC Radio 4. In fact, I have almost given up on the station entirely. The news is biased, and the comedy—studiously avoiding the tripwires of the woke and hypersensitive—is rarely funny. One of my favourite programmes used to be Dead Ringers, the topical satirical impressions show fronted by Jon Culshaw. Some of the impressions … Continue reading Comedy in a Time of Compliance
BY ALEXIA JAMES The BBC’s latest offering, Ludwig, found on BBC iPlayer, featuring the inimitable David Mitchell, is an enchanting blend of humour, heart, and intrigue. This six-part comedy-drama revolves around John Taylor, a puzzle setter whose wonderfully awkward disposition mirrors that of Mitchell’s beloved character, Mark Corrigan from Peep Show. Much like Mark, John navigates the complexities of social interaction with a delightful mix … Continue reading The Triumph of Ludwig
BY JOE NUTT I wish I could have a good laugh. I really, really miss it. It feels like years since I enjoyed the kind of unbridled, spontaneous hilarity that was a familiar part of my experience growing up in what we have all recently come to appreciate is indeed a sceptred isle. I certainly used to feel I belonged to a happy breed. But … Continue reading Dying Without Laughter
BY ALEXIA JAMES No, Brit Girl, the Germans do not now have a better sense of humour than the British. 30,000 people across 15 countries were asked to name both the “funniest” (“best at making people laugh”) and “least funny” nationality in a poll conducted by Badoo.com. The Germans came out last. They were even below the Belgians. Germans are as funny as Nish Kumar, … Continue reading Germans Are Not Funny
BY MATTHEW CORRIGAN It’s Christmastime And Geldof’s here to rant and rave At Christmastime He tells us all how we should behave And from their world of plenty They invade our privacy The celebrity bandwagon’s here again Let’s say a prayer Prayer that it’s the last one Last Christmastime That they come to spoil the fun There’s a man on television He’s a … Continue reading Bandaid 32
The flood of Trump-fearing American liberals sneaking across the border into Canada has intensified in the past week. The Republican presidential campaign is prompting an exodus among left-leaning Americans who fear they’ll soon be required to hunt, pray, pay taxes, obey the law, and live according to the U.S. Constitution. Canadian border residents say it’s not uncommon to see dozens of sociology professors, liberal arts … Continue reading Shock News in from Canada
