Stand-up Comedy: December 2010

27.12.10

Belgian fan's on-pitch marriage proposal rejected

It might have been part of a TV stunt, but still it makes classic comedy.

"A would-be groom was humiliated on Belgian TV - when his girlfriend snubbed an on-field marriage proposal before Cercle Brugge's Boxing Day match against Standard Liege.

The hopeful lad, called Frank, sank to his knees in front of the cameras and, after throwing away a prepared speech, asked pretty Natalie to be his wife.

But she shook her head and ran off the pitch and out of an exit in tears, leaving him to be led away by the stunned stadium announcer."

Belgian fan's on-pitch marriage proposal rejected

The hopeful lad, called Frank, sank to his knees in front of the cameras and, after throwing away a prepared speech, asked pretty Natalie to be his wife.

But she shook her head and ran off the pitch and out of an exit in tears, leaving him to be led away by the stunned stadium announcer."

23.12.10

Work Experience (Starring James Cotter) Teaser Trailer

Work Experience is a short comedy film starring James Cotter as Daniel Langdon and is written and directed by James Daly. It was shot on location in Bournemouth in October 2010.

Work Experience follows a student named Daniel (James Cotter) embarking on his first day of work experience. As well as dealing with nerves and his own insecurities, Daniel has to compete with another student named Stuart (Chris Dodimead) to make the best first impression. The only problem for Daniel is that he always seems to be one step behind his rival.

Find out more at http://www.jamescotter.co.uk/workexperience.htm

Work Experience (Starring James Cotter) Teaser Trailer

Jerry Seinfeld announces London gig plans

Jerry Seinfeld has confirmed he is to return to the UK for the first time in over a decade.

The stand-up, who became a household name through the sitcom Seinfeld, will head to Europe next summer, playing one night in Oslo and one night in London.

Notably, the date at the O2 Arena in Greenwich will be the comedian's first UK gig since 1998, despite the fact that, since his show finished, he has maintained a regular presence on the US stand-up circuit and counts a number of leading British funnymen among his friends.

Explaining his absence, Seinfeld told the Guardian that he has nothing against the UK, even going so far as to say he likes the food.

"I've been very busy here in the States and I just wasn't even aware that there was an audience [in the UK] that really wanted me to come back until we spoke to a promoter who was very confident," he said.

The show will take place at the east London venue on June 3rd.

Read More - http://www.uknetguide.co.uk

Jerry Seinfeld announces London gig plans

Alan Carr eyes up Britain's Got Talent role

Comedian Alan Carr says he would love to be a judge on Britain's Got Talent as he is "au fait with freaks".

The host of Chatty Man claims he would be suited for the role but can not commit to the programme next year as he is on an exclusive contract with Channel 4.

Carr said: "I would have loved to have been a judge. I'd be perfect. I've worked in call centres so I'm au fait with freaks."

David Hasselhoff and comedian Michael McIntyre have already been announced as the replacement judges for Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan, who are both busy with work commitments in America.

Britain's Got Talent returns for a fifth series in spring 2011.

Alan Carr eyes up Britain's Got Talent role

Comedian under fire for Burka Woman version of Pretty Woman

Saad Haroon has been accused of mocking Islamic values prompting bloggers to call for him to be stoned to death.
The video follows his tongue-in-cheek efforts at serenading a "sexy ninja" or "mystery prize" hidden beneath a black niqab, with only her dark eyes visible through a narrow slit.
"Burka woman, in your black sheet," he sings, "Burka woman, with your sexy feet, "Burka woman my love for you it grows, every time I see your toes." He even describes going home to "practise flirting with my living room curtain".
However, the video has caused a storm in Pakistan, the cradle of the Taliban, where conservative religious leaders hold considerable influence.
Earlier this year, access to YouTube, Wikipedia and Facebook was blocked after cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed were published online.
"You should be stoned to death Saad Haroon Hell to You," reads one comment on YouTube, where the video has been posted. Others have chastised him for giving the West a chance to laugh at Islam.
He has also been deluged with threats sent by email.
Mr Haroon said that he had simply set out to make people laugh.
"I don't know if I'm brave or not. I'm a comedian. It's my job to make jokes about things," he said.
But he added that he was pleased his video had received supportive comments and started a debate about whether the burka had any place in Muslim society.
"Everyone has a right to say what they want. The crazies always shout loudest but I've also had positive comments from women in burkas who have come up to me after shows, saying how funny they found it," he said.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk
Watch for yourself

Comedian under fire for Burka Woman version of Pretty Woman

Saad Haroon has been accused of mocking Islamic values prompting bloggers to call for him to be stoned to death.
The video follows his tongue-in-cheek efforts at serenading a "sexy ninja" or "mystery prize" hidden beneath a black niqab, with only her dark eyes visible through a narrow slit.
"Burka woman, in your black sheet," he sings, "Burka woman, with your sexy feet, "Burka woman my love for you it grows, every time I see your toes." He even describes going home to "practise flirting with my living room curtain".
However, the video has caused a storm in Pakistan, the cradle of the Taliban, where conservative religious leaders hold considerable influence.
Earlier this year, access to YouTube, Wikipedia and Facebook was blocked after cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed were published online.
"You should be stoned to death Saad Haroon Hell to You," reads one comment on YouTube, where the video has been posted. Others have chastised him for giving the West a chance to laugh at Islam.
He has also been deluged with threats sent by email.
Mr Haroon said that he had simply set out to make people laugh.
"I don't know if I'm brave or not. I'm a comedian. It's my job to make jokes about things," he said.
But he added that he was pleased his video had received supportive comments and started a debate about whether the burka had any place in Muslim society.
"Everyone has a right to say what they want. The crazies always shout loudest but I've also had positive comments from women in burkas who have come up to me after shows, saying how funny they found it," he said.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk
Watch for yourself

Channel 4 urged to sack comedian Frankie Boyle in race jibe row

HE’S no stranger to controversy… and last night comedian Frankie Boyle was said to be unrepentant over his latest outburst.

Friends claim he has laughed off calls for him to be banned from TV following a deluge of complaints about racist language in his Channel 4 show Tramadol Nights.

Many viewers were outraged after he used the P-word and n-word during a series of near-the-knuckle sketches.

One skit involved a woman dressed as Super Mario. She danced provocatively in front of the cameras before waving and saying: “Hello to P***’s everywhere.”

Then during his stand-up routine Boyle, 38, turned the subject to war.

He said: “Basically we are murdering a load of shepherds. What gets me is our callousness as a society when we read out our dead on the news first, because our lives are more important. Other people’s aren’t worth as much.”

Adopting a newsreader’s tone, he added: “A bomb went off in Kandahar today, killing two British servicemen, three UN relief workers and a whole bunch of P****.”

Later he said: “The Ministry of Defence? At least in the old days we were honest, it was The Ministry of War.”

In a posh phone voice he added: “Hello Ministry of War, department of n*****-bombing, how can I help?”

His remarks triggered a furious reaction. A spokesman for Show Racism the Red Card said: “We condemn Frankie Boyle’s use of racist terminology.

“Regardless of context and intention, the use of words such as these has the effect of normalising racist language.

“That is never acceptable. It is dehumanising and provides the foundations on which serious hate crimes are built.” MP John Whittingdale, chairman of the culture, media and sport select committee, said: “There’s no question that these words are deeply offensive to many people.

“I think it’s entirely right that Ofcom should carry out an immediate investigation to decide whether this is acceptable.

“It’s very hard to justify – even in terms of political satire.”

On Digital spy forums, Dolly Stanford said: “He used to be funny and offensive, now he is just offensive. Shame.”

Another viewer said: “I liked him on Mock the Week, but this is just dreadful.”

Scots-born Boyle, who writes a column for the Sun, has already faced a barrage of criticism over earlier shows in which he made sexual jibes about Katie Price and her disabled son Harvey.

He also cracked sick jokes about cancer victims and mocked people with Aids.

Channel 4 – slammed three years ago for refusing to take responsibility for the Shilpa Shetty Celebrity Big Brother race row – seemed to be trying to tough it out again last night.

It pointed out that a warning was broadcast before Tuesday night’s show that it “contained very strong language and uncompromising adult content which some viewers will find offensive”.

But critics argue that Boyle’s comments breach TV rule 2.3 regarding “generally accepted standards”. It says any broadcast must justify in context any discriminatory language regarding race. Earlier this year Boyle had an on-stage run-in with the mother of a Down’s syndrome child. He spent five minutes of a stand-up show poking fun at sufferers and their parents by criticising their hair, clothing and voices.

He then turned on the audience, picking on a couple – Sharon and Keiron Smith – in the front row and accusing them of talking. Laughter turned to awkward silence when Mrs Smith told Boyle: “My daughter has Down’s syndrome and I’m very upset.”

Boyle retorted: “This is my last tour. I don’t give a f*** what people think.” Insiders at Channel 4 privately admitted the outspoken comedian has been testing executives’ patience.

But Shane Allen, the channel’s head of comedy commissioning, insisted: “We refute any suggestion we are endorsing or condoning racist language.

“This cutting edge comedy is clearly intended to ridicule and satirise the use of these words – Frankie Boyle was not endorsing them.”

- BOYLE also made a cruel jibe about missing Madeline McCann. Describing things you could say to change the atmosphere at a dinner party, he said: “We are all here – who’s looking after Madeleine?” A spokesman for Kate and Gerry McCann said: “It was deeply offensive.”