Ken Dodd vs Frankie Howerd vs Les Dawson vs Larry Grayson

[Seymore Porn]

I voted for Les but it's a pretty poor bunch all round. They're all so ENGLISH in their humour.*

Strangely enough, after my initial post, I thought of Dave Alan (sp?).

[Hugh]

I voted for Les but it's a pretty poor bunch all round. They're all so ENGLISH in their humour.*

Strangely enough, after my initial post, I thought of Dave Alan (sp?).

Different class.

[John Mc]

Les Dawson was old hat even in the 70s - mother-in-law jokes and bad piano playing do not make great comedy.

Oh yes they do!

Oh no they don't!




Ken Dodd was an architect?

[The Slider]

I voted for Les but it's a pretty poor bunch all round. They're all so ENGLISH in their humour.*

Strangely enough, after my initial post, I thought of Dave Alan (sp?).

Different class.

Dave Allen's observational and anecdotal style was indeed in a totally different class.
But he ruined his TV shows with his truly abysmal sketches.
Very poorly written and mugged through.

[Hugh]

I wouldn't disagree with that but "ruined" is a bit strong.

[The Slider]

'Seriously tainted' then.

[Hugh]

I think the mugging was just part of them having a good time and not taking themselves very seriously. i mean we are not talking Emery levels of awfulness.

[The Prof]

Try not to laugh

[sensi]

I absolutely LOVE Lee Mack...he's very heavily based on Eric Morecambe but he has me crying laughing...plus he reminds me of Prof...when Prof is at his best that is...which isn't very often sadly

[Belle Lettre]

One more for Les.

[The Slider]

How the fuck is Les Dawson winning this poll?



I despair

[Bungo the Mungo]

How the fuck is Les Dawson winning this poll?



I despair

He had intellectual aspirations. Appeals to the Guardian-reading pseuds around here.

[Belle Lettre]

He had a lovely kitchen.

[Beebsy]

How the fuck is Les Dawson winning this poll?



I despair

He had intellectual aspirations. Appeals to the Guardian-reading pseuds around here.

Or he's the least less funny of a relatively unfunny bunch and we were told to vote for someone. By you. Possibly. Can't be bothered checking.

And I love Lee Mack too.

[yomptepi]

How the fuck is Les Dawson winning this poll?



I despair

He had intellectual aspirations. Appeals to the Guardian-reading pseuds around here.

Welcome to my world.

[Rayge]

Lots of Les Dawson this Christmas.

Rubbish, really.

Without any doubt the best of these four. A brilliant writer and raconteur who told some wonderful long-form jokes and stories that fitted in beautifully. A master of lugubrious 'northern' humour and a great gurner. All that short-form 'Comedians' stand-up stuff was nothing compared to his later work.
Although I would rate several of those not in the poll – Connolly and Allen spring to mind – as at least his equals, neither Dodd nor Grayson ever struck me as anything more than embarrassing, even as a kid (Dodd, anyway - can barely remember ever seeing Grayson), while Frankie Howerd was essentially a one-schtick pony, although it was admittedly a rather good stick.

[The Modernist]

Meh..Kept hearing about the supposed 'cleverness' of Dawson's comedy, but never saw much evidence of it myself.

Howerd should be walking this poll.

[Darkness_Fish]

I never could stand Frankie Howerd. I don't count Les Dawson as a titan of comedy, but in this company I'd say he's the best of a bad bunch.

[fange]

I don't know a single one of the names in the OP.

For the benefit of us non-UKers, would anyone like to post any YT clips of the comedians named, showcasing some of their work perhaps? Thank you.

EDIT: Wait, I remember Howerd, he was in some of the Carry On films I think. But don't know anything else he has done.

[Samoan]

Your life would not be enriched by an acquaintance with any of them, Fange