Stewart Lee - Boy George's Autobiography

[quigmire84]

Stephen Gately's let himself go...

[noeldc]

A double pullback and reveal; nice.

[AbortedHitlerCock]

'And then I got off the bus...'

[ACreepyPriest]

All those travel lodges have taken their toll.

[quimboy500]

And then I got off the ferris wheel, ah.

[Steve7508]

Anal sex is a dance as old as time.

[Lieu3C4]

The most succinct statement of sodomitic supremecy I suspect I shall never hear the like again.

[astroboirap]

what happened

[ultimatesnail]

6 people are egregious.

[roquefort88888]

Thanks to the commenters for introducing me to the work of Michael McIntyre.

He is truly an original voice. On the surface, all he does is go thru a checklist of banal observations that are not actually funny. He sets up the scene by noting the reality of some mundane fact, but then - as you await the twist which will make it humorous - he DENIES you it. This is post-comedy.

He is a meta-comedian, who in fact reminds us what real comedy is.

Ermm... right?

[SnoopyChicken]

God I love Stewart Lee, his hair did look fucking stupid back then though

[TheSludgeMan]

His smugness seems a bit precocious in these early clips, it's definitely something that has grown to work for him

[debrucey]

Damn he was quite fit when he was younger

[sirtinycreep]

Is this Terry Christian's twin brother??

[klisher]

shame about the video quality

[djaygun1]

someone farted with sheer hilarity at 1:55

[DJEdSaunders]

28 years old I was

[Miasma]

And then I got off the bus..er...

[Underground906]

...To get Lee, you have to share that same conceited, immature arrogance common to all lefties. Really, anyone talking like they are somehow smart for getting Lee and you need a higher intellect to grasp him, whereas you have to be a moron to appreciate the likes of Macintyre is just a gullible idiot who has fallen for a deliberately crafted and honed comedy act. When someone can make humour of of real life we can all relate to, it's not an act, like Lee's is, but they're just genuinely funny

[eezysqueezy]

@Underground906 I don't particularly associate Stewart Lee with being smart, high brow or a "leftie". He's funny, that is all. I cannot say the same for McIntyre because I find him extremely unfunny. You see, no pretention or conceit here, just a view that Stewart Lee is very funny and Michael McIntyre is not funny at all.

[mynameisloader]

@Underground906 The point with alot of comedy like mcintyre and others is that you know the punchline half way through the set up.

Thats great if your not old enough to have seen lots of stand up, but it gets old!

Stewart lee clearly tries to weave a more winding path towards the punch line.

McIntyre for you and many others is a surrogate friend who is good company, a mate down the pub who is on a roll

Frankie boyle for instance breaks boundaries and taboo's so as not to be like Macintyre

[mynameisloader]

Ricky Gervais dropped the laughter track to break from the norm, larry david improvised curb your enthuasism so as not to make another predictable sit com.

I think fans of comedians of macintyre like relating to him, where as others don't.

I don't mind watching predictable comedy if I like the person, and tim vine must have a certain type of genuis to come up with that many puns and one liners.

do you watch the same comedy when your pissed as you do stoned?

[Underground906]

@mynameisloader Making out the alleged predictability is the appeal is condescending. Pigeon holing him with Manford too or Vine also. I couldn't not turn of fast enough with Macintyre for years until I just left one of his videos running. It was the upbeat energy of the performance and the referencing and parodying real life events skillfully that impressed. Lee's dull, slow-paced, plodding, unenergetic, feigned randomness lacks vigour and pace. 1 mild laugh every 2 mins is not enough.

[mynameisloader]

@Underground906 If you like Macintyre and I like Lee it's pointless arguing over it, it's all opinion after all and neither of us will alter our preference.

I think Stewart Lee's comedy will be appreciated long after Michael Macintyres observations are no longer topical.

[Underground906]

@mynameisloader I think the argument sprung up on this clip. It's crap. And it's not more intelligent or creative. Lee over all, in other routines is though. That's his act. It's not that I don't like cerebral comedy. I just dislike some of the obnoxious, smug prats who think some kudos rubs of on them or they are smarter than the next person for liking it. I've only seen 1 routine by Macintyre. it wasn't topical but more universal than that. Maybe in other instances he has been that.

[Underground906]

I thought McIntyre was shite. But watched him properly a few weeks back and was in stitches. Lee has his moments, but a lot of people like him because his comedy gives the *impression* there is something sophisticated and high brow about it and you need a higher intellect to understand it. It makes pretentious lefty dickheads feel good about themselves and superior to others. You'll see the same 'you just haven't got the intelligence to get it' used on all his vids to any criticism.

[birchual]

@Underground906 thats exactly what i think. he has made me laugh at times but a lot of it can be boring. he delivers it in such a way that the listener thinks he has got them on the edge of their seat when really he doesn't deliver anything to match the build up most of the time. i suppose ya gotta give it to him for havign such an original style.

[Underground906]

@birchual He has that going for him. His own original style.

[eezysqueezy]

@Underground906 McIntyre makes jokes about wrong numbers, airplane food and tractors that appeal to morons. A lot of people like him because his comedy is inoffensive and broadly appealing to the legions of morons that now exist in the UK. So really, I feel just the same way about him as you do about Stewart Lee...so why not trot off to a McINtyre video where you and other assorted chumps can compare notes?

[Underground906]

@eezysqueezy Why does any fan of this guy think they are also smart, high brow, cool non-conformists with sophisticated tastes that are above unprententious people like Macintyre? I couldn't stand the guy for years just from the sound of his voice that I'd never even bothered to hear one routine from him. I thought him some soft, middle class idiot. But for me any one who can parody real life events has a better gift for comedy than when it seems contrived, as does Lee's a lot of the time...cont

[Fiasco6Radio6Show6]

@Underground906 It's not about being smart or arrogant, but about having heard so much observational comedy that by its nature has no longevity. I liked it at first too but you see so much of it its tedious. To be honest Mcintyre is better than Jason Manford. He cracks jokes like "The weather in England is like the situation in Iraq. It's either sunny or it's shi -ite" That's just a shit joke but people love it. Or Tim Vine and his crap word play gags straight from a cracker. Like kid's jokes.

[Fiasco6Radio6Show6]

@Underground906 Interesting that you go by the name of underground and then wax lyrical about Mcintyre. Comedy is like music. At first your exposed to some mainstrean stuff and yeah,it's pretty good and entertaining. Perhaps the Stereophonics or whatever. But then you realise there's a whole world of different and often experimental music out there, not in the charts. And so it is with comedy. I never understand how someone who likes underground music doesn't have the same attitude to comedy.

[Underground906]

@Fiasco6Radio6Show6 Because it's like this for me. It's mostly a fallacy. I've seen it so many times, that if something is non-mainstream is must be cooler (just people, being stupid, in general are too thick to get it). And if something is popular or mainstream it can't be cool. Like Kinks fans who think because they weren't as popular as the Beatles, they're better, but just not recognized by the dumb majority. This is obviously bullshit. And the Beatles deserved their popularity. Same here.

[Fiasco6Radio6Show6]

@Underground906 I see what you're saying and I hate people that are into something just because they think it's cool. Music is dominated by these types and that's tragic. But Lee's comedy compared to Manford's is more like the difference between a well written novel and a celebrity autobiography. One's more popular but ultimately you CAN say that one is better cos one requires better knowledge of literature, it's history and techniques.Lee's comedy is for people who are bored of regular stand up

[simmy3000]

@Underground906 hmm no you're wrong, it's just slightly cleverer in it's outlook and execution, it just is, and that's why the masses are into Mcintyre and not into Lee

[Underground906]

@simmy3000 It's more self-consciously contrived. Before deciding his act would be 'cleverer' than the mainstream, Lee must have viewed comedy like Macintyre's as beneath him and set out to appear more complex than that. Committing the logic fallacy, like you have done, that there is somehow more skill, merit or intelligence needed between the two types of comedy instead of just being two difference styles, with one party simply deludedly thinking they are being smart instead of pretentious.

[Underground906]

@simmy3000 Truly intelligent comment wouldn't be preconceived and laboured over to give off a certain 'act' like's Lee's well worn schtick. It's that kind of spontaneous, of the cuff wit that is both clever and hilarious that someone like Hitchen's in his prime would display. THAT would be 'cleverer'. Lee's isn't. However hard it tries to be.

[simmy3000]

@Underground906 He's a stand up, he has a routine, that's his job, hello? Iv'e seen him completely manipulate an audience through improvising when he lost their attention, it was very clever indeed, he has crafted his performance very well. Stick to Mactinyre's hilarious upbeat observations, it's safer there. I'll continue with the darker, edgier stuff, I just love angry, embittered, misanthropic comedians, they speak to my heart. love you

[chrisjoneschrisjones]

this is incredibly dull sixth form humour

[MrLittleman96]

@chrisjoneschrisjones i think he get's better...although if you like Micheal Mcintyre you can't say anything...

[chrisjoneschrisjones]

@MrLittleman96 he doesnt get better,he keeps doing the same tired sixth form iroinic 'liberal' shite. he doesnt even come close to Mcintyre in wit,entertainment or popularity

[MrLittleman96]

@chrisjoneschrisjones nope... McIntyre is rubbish...he does the same old stupid notification comedy which can be understood by a 5 year old, his general appearance and gestures are incredibly annoying and i can't stand his child like sounding voice. he has indeed improved and the reason you probably don't find him funny no is because you most likely don't understand his jokes...

[chrisjoneschrisjones]

@MrLittleman96 thats the problem i do understand his 'jokes' .they are the jokes that someone who thinks he's insightful ,endearing,slightly mysterious and ironic yet knowing would make .but its shit.just because mcintyre is populist doest make him bad or not funny.what mmcintyre does takes a lot of skill and effort and mostly hits the mark

[cmwissy]

@chrisjoneschrisjones

Populism usually applies to the lowest common denominator. Sad but true.

[chrisjoneschrisjones]

@cmwissy usually yes but not always

[Omegian14]

@MrLittleman96 I agree, Lee made an excellent parody of stand ups like Mcintyre in his 41st best comedian show

[ChrisCantHaveItAll]

he seems so kid like in this vid. I've only ever seen him after he has hit 30. I think he suits being old more. Haha he reminds me of Damon Albarn in the 90's

[fragglet]

I notice how he pulled off a double-"and then I got off the bus" at the end there.

My expectations were confounded and from thence the humour arose!

[mikapromotesobesity]

The only way that you can tell, is by watching the video.

[bjarneboy]

is this funny???

[hannahtheplatt]

can i have a soft drink? NO

[velocitybird]

We thought he was at home, turns out he was on a bus.

[SuiSamurai]

@velocitybird ;)

[vilkwang]

"Come in Boy" :D.

[krisbrechin]

Brilliant stuff. Went to see him last year absolutely fantastic. Met him afterwards and had an interesting conversation about Jerry Sadowitz & Frankie Boyle' legal issues....he was a very nice man!

[itsPenguinBoy]

cake or death?

[Pinkaugust]

Funniest guy I've ever seen.

[JapeUK]

Lovely ironic double twist, but it mainly gets me due to the mental picture I have of a woman leaving a ferris wheel carriage in motion to go to another.

[seonidh]

Of course Boy georges autobiography title doesnt even hols a candle to julian claries title called a young mans passage lol.

[A1260T]

on the ferris wheel what a genius

[philrichardson99]

But that was just the teachers er...............

[SuperLemonchipchip]

Yes he did, comedy gold...in fact this has served me well since i was it on TMWRNJ..."I was sick and then I s*** myself...so I left the supermarket que....ahhahahaha"

[seansalvador1]

Did he just do i 'i was wanking....... ....and then i got off the bus' gag? haha, i remember him ripping that on TMWRNJ

Brilliant none the less ;)

[mushroomfat]

No...you know the choice here....

[nadiaw00t]

Wow - he was gorgeous.

[LouFederer]

He is completely bloody YUMMY

[PFCAhammed]

@nadiaw00t do you not think he is now?

[amandapanda70]

@nadiaw00t Still is.

[Rachaelmmmable]

@nadiaw00t I still would, actually...

[lollyisthere]

@nadiaw00t is.

[Changles]

You used to love tea!

[edward6000]

phit

[totallykyle111]

Lmao at the anal bit xD

[speedmetal99]

his voice and act have changed alot over the years. he sounds about 15 when he says 'bye' at the end

[Mesnesl]

His voice sounds the same as his voice now to me :P

[cwalwyn]

weird... i think it might in fact be the same person!

[68040E]

ferris wheel legend.

[MartynInEurope]

Just great! Tea or sex? Can I have a cup of coffee? LOL

[iain075]

the man's a genius. I love his work.

[DeadBoy822]

So, essentially, Eddy Izzard appropriated this bit and used it, jettisoning tea and sex in favor of cake and death.

Standup comedy is a cutthroat biz, and populated not entirely by ethical giants.

[imlan123]

Bullshit, completely different routines. The only thing they have in common is that there is a strangely extreme thing juxtaposed with a commonly consumed english snack.

[drongovids]

Lee's also raising the question of why Boy George framed his liking for tea and his dislike for sex as some sort of choice between the two.

[seansalvador1]

You heard the ten minute long joke he does about mainstream comics ripping off the underword ones? Look up Stewart Lee Joe Pasquale!

Proper funny

[richardawson]

on the ferris wheel lol

[TezzRah]

legend

[Mikhaila]

Fucking hilarious. I love that quote by Boy George about preferring tea over sex but Lee makes it seem completely ridiculous. Bravo!

[ryko26]

"come in Boy"

good even back then!

[apollyon1]

oh my god!

And then I got off the Ferris Wheel, ah

I never thought I'd see the day! Great stuff though "tea or sex" is now going to be my stock reply to the "cake or death"

[PhillyDickinson]

You used to love tea!

[lovehatefilms]

Brilliant!!!!!!!

[thenigotoffthebus]

Oh wow, I thought he was talking about his girlfriend or at the very least a stranger on a train....but it was actually a stranger on a ferris wheel. My expectations were certainly confounded there!

[Direlan]

And from thence the humour arose.

[birdstuckinchimney]

Your expectations were indeed confounded but just to fill you in on the entire landscape of Mr Lees offerings, I can tell you that I am a male who once had the unfortunate experience of once sitting next to him on a ferris wheel. The outcome of that event was that to shut him up I had to go with him to his house and have a cup of tea.

[iamkarl]

"And then I got off the bus!"

Spot the lazy comedy slag. ;-)

Saw Stew's latest standup show in Buxton earlier this year - absolutely immense. Terrible turnout, but then it was Mother's Day.

[padraic2001eire]

Yeah, I'd say he did that "I'll have to move to another carriage" in an ironic way. I saw him in Dublin doing "41st Best Stand Up", brilliant show. Saw Richard Herring's "Oh Fuck I'm 40" show in Dublin aswell, it was also brilliant.

[ch1mpanzeethat]

My expectations were confounded and from thence the humour arose!

aha-aha-hahahaha

[drongovids]

'course he did. That's why he did the double pull-back with the ferris wheel.

[tiswas666]

yay! thank you!