Paul Merton in G&S's The Radio Ham (1/3)

[michaelukable]

Tony Hancock was better then this .

[lordandino]

very poor and disappointing. Sorry Paul but I am cringing watching you try your hardest, Leave perfection alone.

[spangelguy9]

I can,t believe Merton had the nerve to do a cover version of this classic, he should be ashamed of himself. It made me cringe!

[radiowd]

Complete copy-cat of Tony Hancocks version made many years earlier. Cant Paul do a ham version of his own, without copying from others before him.

[M1PRO]

Well atleast he gave near realistic callsigns. Bringing it upto date i suppose.

Wish it was that easy to speak with Japan every time I switch on my wireless set.

But if I had a 4CX250 Valve I wouldnt be a problem LOL

73's all

Jason M1PRO

[dofty]

Duplex. Hmmm

[kosmoskatt3n]

I definitely think the Fleksnes Radioten intepretation beats both Hancock and this one. Nice to see different interpretations though.

[peterperry268]

This was a prime example of imprinting. Hero worship is one thing, but when it gets out of whack....

[zthetha]

Thought I'd give this a look after watching Hancock's immaculate interpretation of G&S' script...already beginning to wish I hadn't... Merton is a very funny ad lib comedian who needs other wits to bounce off but should have left this alone. G&S wrote specifically for Hancock's larger than life persona and Merton's is - as the Yanks say - 'regular'. Sorry Paul - had to switch you off.

[charlizetheronvids]

@zthetha Valid points there. Like the commenter below yours, I'm only familiar with the Merton version. The presence of Sid James has put me off the Hancock episodes in the past but I should give them another go.

[zthetha]

@charlizetheronvids Hi - thanks for comment - humour is a curious thing, isn't it - very much of its time and place. I remember as a kid watching Jerry Lewis movies where people were literally rolling in the aisles at his antics. Now - years later - I have sat through his films without so much as a titter - in fact they are embarrassing to the point of painful. Hancock captured the spirit of the age with what must seem to you young guys as very broad - even corny - humour.

[charlizetheronvids]

@zthetha True but the so called subtle comedies that are anything but (eg The Office) will likely age far worse.

[zthetha]

@charlizetheronvids Yes - I think you're spot on. Blackadder - one of the all time great comedies - was very broad and slapstick - as was Fawlty Towers. There seems to be a kind of sourness around in comedy these days - hardly surprising given the sick world we live in - but the stuff that lasts seems to be the more gentle observations on the human condition, e'g Buster Keaton, Tati. Notwithstanding I think Bill Hicks was possibly THE greatest comedian to come out of USA.

[ComediansFan]

Considering I've never seen Tony Hancock's version, I think this is FAB!!!

A perfect prelude to Paul Merton's Live show in Brighton tomorrow night that i'm going to.......

[dacotv]

His delivery is his own. Tony Hancock made a better job of it. Paul Merton is okay though.

Thank you for posting