Rowley Birkin - Sad Story

[jonasukulore]

I'm afraid I was actually crying at this.

[jonasukulore]

I'm afraid I was actually cruy

[SvartElric9]

I'm trying really hard to figure out what kind of person would dislike this clip... it's preposterous!

[warriorofwrestlingv3]

He really should become a serious actor, he's fucking brilliant

[alcatrazbaby]

Gets me every time.

[Vasilouxxx]

Superb

[kray62]

very good commieden

[roseabby100]

I remember watching this for the first time and busting out laughing at the end, and then feeling horrible because clearly, it's not funny.

[sheffblade100]

Paul Whitehouse....comedy genius.

[Canoodle4Yoodle]

The best acting. Ever. I can't quite get my head round how amazing this is. When Paul looks into the camera an says "I looked into her eyes .............. " Hollywood actors on millions per film can't do what paul did with 14 seconds and a fast show budget. Send around the world, Johnny Depp did, he was on the Fast Show because he saw it for what it was. AMAZING !

[Kkardemumma]

@Canoodle4Yoodle Or rather BRILLIANT.

[colemartinst123]

@Canoodle4Yoodle He even called Paul the greatest actor ever.

[danburycollins]

There is something really quite beutiful about this sketch - in fact its not really a sketch at all - the laughter track is muted but still feels out of place. Really one of the very best things that the Fast Show ever did - and that is high praise indeed.

[craigpsimpson]

I didn't realise Bertrand Russell had it so hard.

[fayfran]

Absolute floods of tears indeed!

[cleverandrew123]

This genuinely makes me laugh and brings me to tears at the same time. Without such great acting and writing, this wouldn't be possible.

[thebarkingpumpkin]

Based on one of Pauls encounters in Iceland. Had to watch this two or three times before commenting. But I remember emensely enjoying the fast show in the 90's and being moved by Paul Whitehouse' characters in particular. He seemed to have a far more deeper connection / understanding of the real world and its characters than the rest of the cast. At the time very observational and inspirational for of its day. Also oscar winning comedic acting / timing. Absolute genius.

[ProjectLonely]

I sooo love our comedy. Hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. 

[loveleopardprint]

why is this man not a Sir yet??

[poppyf01]

Wow! Tears! <3

[88Anesthetize]

This is superbly well done, both in terms of acting and the surprise factor. You know it's good comedy when it can be moving as well as funny.

[eydiot909]

Sad. Even i was moved.

[Star12121]

This is the most sense he ever made.

Incredibly intense.

Itll happen to us all...

[scoobydle]

Very Powerful. 

[vzbxvzbx1]

Gut wrenching. Turns the sketches apparent assumption of laughing at an old drunk on its head. Many people will empathise with the emotions of regret, pain and love similtaneously personified by Whitehouse in one stare. I saw this sketch as a teenager and remembered it as being unique amongst Fast Show sketches. It's exactly as I remember it.

[kb7199]

Brilliant clip! At first you laugh and slowly laugh turns into tears. Everyone in the world shoud see this!

[Grumftheld]

@kb7199 Perhaps, but then again, perhaps not. I was never a fan of The Fast Show growing up, not at all, but I searched for this clip because I heard it was so powerful, and it certainly seems to be so, however I just couldn't follow it so its effect is lost on me. I think you have to seen all of these Rowley QC sketches to really be able to appreciate this one. Watching it out of context really doesn't convey whats there.

[WorkersPower2008]

@Grumftheld I think the point is that he was always drunk in his adventures around the world, so being drunik was the whole joke. But then it hits you at the end that even in a moment of love, when he is going off to war, and he loved this girl, he was still drunk. He spent his whole life that way and felt, really, that he had wasted it. The punch comes from having watched two years worth of 'funny drunk' stories only to be hit by that one at the end. As other people have said, powerful stuff.

[Erholts]

This is just simply great. 

[Muherdon]

Johnny Depp said Paul Whitehouse is the best actor he's ever seen. Who am I to argue? Awesome end to one of the best comedy characters ever created!

[romanaii]

so sad, just bought the box set and watched it - tears

[boru1982]

extremely moving - nothing more to say

[gscobie6]

There's just something about that stare that tugs my heart. The flower in his lapel, the cigar smoke wafting in front of him, the ticking of the Grandfather clock and the crackling of the fire make it a very touching moment.

[4beatlefans]

I defy anyone not to be moved by this brilliant piece of pathos. To call it plain 'good comedy acting' just not do it justice. Brilliant.

[Pluis1970]

Fourteen seconds of silence. Praise this man.

[Jonnybanks90]

Only a truly great actor can say a few word, make you laugh in hysterics, then cry instantly in less than 2 minutes.

[MrBoBoTom]

:<

[negativecreep07]

Brilliant clip, right up there with the end of Blackadder Goes Forth and Fry's dog in Futurama

[megahurtz30]

Brilliant acting !

[drewid88]

Masterful timing

[sferemonk]

The audience expect punchline after punchline, and every one is a mis-fire.

And only at the very end do they realise It's just one of the saddest things ever.

[PrimetimeD]

Wow, that was amazing.

[Pippin76]

That was very good.

[rudedogg06]

I remember the first time I saw this. Such a shock when all the previous sketches have been so funny. Incredible acting. It's up there with the final scene of Blackadder Goes Forth for me. Very emotional.

[PrimetimeD]

@rudedogg06 Very good call.  Hit me the same way.

[SimonFoston]

Breathtaking.

[johnpaul4000]

Absolutely amazing, in the worst kind of way but amazing nonetheless.

[antmania]

Johnny Depp says he is one of the best actors he has seen. Thats enough for me.

[chillbillloz]

pure brilliance

[daxnews]

Brilliant actor

[goochie333]

If you could take away the canned laughter this would be one of the most beautiful scenes in tv.

[SharpEdges]

It reminds me of what my grandmother would tell me when we had chance to talk....her days during the occupation and communist times. Non of me or my cousins wanted to listen to her stories, not unless its just the two of us me and her. You could always feel the grieve in those pauses and distant look.....I miss her.

[dwynnell]

I used to work right next to where Paul lived and saw him pass by often, this sketch always stayed with me. He passed by one day as I was standing there, he had a ohone to his ear so I didn't want to intrude but I gave him a thumbs up and I hope it conveyed my sentiments about his absolute genius. Kudos Paul.

[captainkayos1]

So very sad...my favourite fast show moment

[PeteGeeza86]

That's so sad,stired me quite a bit :-(

He is a fantastic actor though.

[SaitanMar]

Love that odd grumble in his voice, Paul is a very talented actor.

[vadershelmet]

The laughter dies when slowly the audience realise that this is a regret. Very moving and wonderfully surprising. I howled.

[simianunkle]

Wish they still made comedy programs as good as this... thanks for uploading

[mrscurge]

Paul Whitehouse has an unbelievable range as an actor. 5 stars.

[Jonnybanks90]

What i got from this is that he's saying the love of his life died in his arms. Am I correct in thinking this?

[dozysplot]

@Jonnybanks90

It makes me think that she was the love of his life that got away, because he was to drunk...

Because there are so few words spoken I think it leaves a lot for imagination, everyone will interprete in different ways.

Its just so wonderfully done, The silence near the end , the way he looks into your eyes and then looks down. . . . .

[jkcee]

He's a genius. Very very moveing.

[adrianzag]

PW is a genius.

[NUNCHUK0]

yer ... i found myself strangely moved by this ... great series :D

[iain2761]

pure genius

[Bigredgumball]

I laughed my ass off at his other videos... this one moved me to tears.... BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!

[drpoppabong]

nu false lols wooo0o0ooo!

[topi85]

Just like me today.... im afraid that i was very very drunk..... :(

[julianvalensi]

wait are you saying you killed someone in a hit and run?

[discos22]

Aw man i am in floods. The acting is so powerul, reminds you that Whitehouse is seriously able.

[CharridMedia]

I have watched this clip over 20 times now, everytime it brings me to tears

[hiyadroogs]

They say that 85% of communication is non verbal, & this beautiful clip shows why. Whitehouse has gigantic acting ability to impart, without context or build up, without emotive music, & with only a couple of key words, a whole gamut of thoughts emotion & poignancy. Oscar winning.

[CharridMedia]

Its nice to finally hear someone on you tube part with sincere words as aposed to all the negativity on here. Wonderfull comment.

[hiyadroogs]

You are very kind. Thank you. : )

[reo205]

too right...

[foxhounduk2k8]

@hiyadroogs you used the word gamut. You sir should be knighted!

[hiyadroogs]

@foxhounduk2k8 Ha ha! Thanks. Sadly, once again, I have been omitted from this year's honours list! 

[BadEggCymru]

@hiyadroogs Rowley deserrves an OBE for being constantly very drunk

[MsMistyLake]

I've always wondered who is that fellow sitting on the other chair, trying desperately to understand what Rowley is saying... :o)

But yea, made me sad. Poor old man, remembering something that happened when he was young...

GOSH! Paul is such an amazing actor! He makes something that is sooo obviously comical and fictional into something "true" and which makes you think your own grandparents and you start to create life around Rowley like he was a real person! Wow...

[HappyDaze01]

He holds that gaze for way too long to be comfortable and from there the power of his acting shines through. Great stuff.

[pimpshizzy]

simply amazing,

[jannerman750]

Story of my life.....

[ninestrata]

the memory of an old man, very powerful stuff

[BristolCliftoniteGuy]

I saw this on Dave the other night, it made me cry! WTF?

[kgerry]

That was one of the most moving pieces of work i have ever seen. I havent cried in twenty years till now. Well done Paul, absoutly briliant.

[maylin75]

Powerful and brilliant stuff...

[originaltagster]

i got them shivers there

[quadsimo]

you are waiting for the punch line

it comes

except it punches you in the balls.... it comes over like a really honest story and the pause is so well paced. Brilliant

[BlindLemonJaffaCake]

Paul Whitehouse is an awesome actor and this proves it!

[lndac02]

The Fast Show was 1990s British Humour at its best. Paul whitehouse & Charlie Higson worked beautifully together, its a shame we don't see kind of entertainment any more

[jleque16]

Wow,very sad ,very moving and very funny.

[slipknotmaggot13666]

im tryin not to cry rite now he had to win an award for that because people think more of harry einfield but there he stands out and you see him as not a character or a comedian but an actor and a bloody good one to i was clappin at the end well done paul

[somberlight]

how many actors can "speak" this much by speaking this little? my appreciation to whitehouse just grew tenfold <3

[realityexplorations]

DAMN RIGHT! paul is amazing

[cdn42]

The last few moments of this sketch give me shivers. Made me appreciate Paul Whitehouse as not just a comedy character actor, but an *actor*.

[sarahnewt]

This is the first time I've seen this and I almost cried at the end.....

[GroundskeeperRonnie]

Almost makes me feel guilty for laughing all the other times when he said "I was very drunk". Really well done. Fantastic.

[HenryHallsGuestNight]

It takes an actor of confidence and genius to simply stop talking or doing anything other than look at the camera and create an effect through motionless silence. Whitehouse in this sketch is both moving and unexpected. His best ever, imho.

[ravensmead]

beautifully put old boy!........i remember when i wasfeytin in the southern sudan wen icredityly in the middle of the night it was she i still ln remembington somewhere near duxford ...dosen't matter now of course ...he still has the scars to this day...but it's all in the British library of a fog....but i must say i was vewy very drunk!!!

[scaryflakybiscuits]

The Fast Show is the only sketch show to do something this wonderful. Sketch shows dont usually bring a tear to your eye.

[Sakhalinskii]

This is fantastic.

[jotaman65]

to go from this to "hilarious story" Is just genius! Gives me goose bumps!!

[itshouldntbeallowed]

thanks for putting this one up

[TuuliPuro]

I also remember this one, and it's also my favourite. Very touching, sad and so true. It's no wonder Johnny Depp has said Paul Whitehouse is the best actor in the world. Thank you, max1018. Wonderful to see this clip after many years.

[TRWolf]

I remember this one. We dont even know what it was about, but it was heartbreaking!

[Jamesclegg88]

This is my fave fast show sketch ever, thanks for getting it up!

Such good acting on Whitehouse's behalf in this. Perfect.