This was a great show.. it didn't do well though because most Americans didn't get the Aussie humor. But I think it was on for a whole season around 1990 i believe.
I and many amercians have loved Dame Edna for many years. We'get' humor from any country,especially double entendres which are not that 'heady'.
I have wondered why 'she' hasn't been more prominant here, considering how much many of us seem to love her.She was recently on 'The View', and in my assessment, that's one of the most low brow american atmospheres there are. They 'got' her humor.
To "endofscene" - what a completely ridiculous comment you make to this video! America is not Robin Williams, and Robin Williams is not America. He was, however, popular at the time, so was on the show. Dame Edna does what she does excellently, sure. And Robin does "what he does!" You don't have to like either. "That's America for you" is a thoughtless inanity.
Williams is what happens when you give a fifteen year old with adhd a microphone...full of energy but let's face it not at all clever or funny. He's hoping that your'e laughing AT him.
Definitely two egos at play in that one, I knew before even watching it was going to be a battle for barry to keep the reigns on williams hyperactive nature
Williams was making Mrs, Doubtfire at this time, gee wonder where he got his character inspiration? Has he given credit at all to Barry for that inspiration?
Barry is awesome. If we had this sort of intertainment in America other than that reality horseshit we now have, I wouldn't have stopped watching TV 20 years ago.
Other guests on this show who were not featured quite as much in this video are Ring Starr, Rue McClanahan and Burgess Meredith. But the main focus is obviously Robin Williams and Dame Edna Everge. I think George Hamilton is also on this but I'm sure if it's him or not.
Robin is undeniably a comic genius but i do get embarrassed watching him sometimes because he goes for laughs at the expense of everything else. It's nice to see people mentioning that without immediately getting slagged off for humor heresy.
With WIlliams you get the sense of a gasket just needing to explode. Whereas Barry is tempered, considered, highly intelligent. He is in tune with the audience, the guests, etc. Robin is only in tune with his own need to let off and get off. But that's American for you.
@endofscene - Actually, until you pointed it out to me, I hadn't noticed that Robin Williams really is self absorbed in his humour. He's quick off the cuff, but it's basically a monologue whereas Humphries is highly interactive. Still, Williams is undeniably a great talent. But the Dame goes above and beyond and appeals to both the unthinking slapstick (American) audience and the subtle intelligence of an educated audience. There are many layers to her humour if you can catch them.
@endofscene I agree with You to a point, but I think it shows the few vertues that a drugged up mind on a good trip can be a wonderful & creative thing.
@JhonathanFree Entertainment value. I find Barry to be more intelligent and amusing than most of his guests, but he needs people to roast and interview :)
@endofscene Robin's performance on this show is "American for" YOU maybe . You seem to be ignoring the demure little Rue McClanahan who is also a guest and is also american, as well as the audience laughter.
You must also have missed Dame Edna's more recent visit to the Graham Norton Show when she dominated the show and was a little rude to the 'woman off the street'.
Americans are no more all one way than those of other countries and no one person is only one way all the time.
@skrinkle2000 I was ignoring Rue McClanahan quite intentionally. Was the audience American? Besides, audiences these days will laugh at anything.
Damn Edna dominates every show she is on. It is part of her character, which is a monster. She is rude to everyone. That is part of her act: she roasts people. If she is rude to celebrity and royalty then us commoners stand no chance!
I agree with your last comment. I was of course generalising in what I said.
Yes, I am a little sensitive to the generalisations on YouTube.
There is so much hatred spewed, sometimes I feel the irrational urge to educate people on the intelligence and variance of the supposedly typical american :/
@skrinkle2000 I understand. There is a lot of hatred on youtube because it is largely without consequence and there is a lot of hatred in the world.
I don't hate Americans or America. There are many Americans that I love and there are many things about America that I love. Every country has it's pros and cons. Unfortunately the USA has some very bad cons, though, but that is another issue.
@skrinkle2000 I am not offended if people judge or criticise Australia or Australians, even if just in generalisations, because I'm not that identified with my nationality. I'm just a person who happened to be born in Australia. I find most patriotism to be just another form of tribalism, and that is parochial and primitive, in my reckoning. Besides, if someone criticises me then they are either wrong, in which case I don't care, or they are right, in which case I can learn.
Well, I stated in my reply that I am "sensitive" and that I feel an" irrational urge" so I am aware of the higher ground.I am open to other cultures and opinions, not bile.If what you state is sincere, then why 'that's American for you'.Loud people in any country are just the most heard,not majority. What exactly makes an 'american'? Those of the WORLD's insanely wealthy who immigrate to add to the US's 1%?Pop icons,tourists and dirty politicians?They are everywhere.
@skrinkle2000 "That's American for you" is a generalisation, as I said. It the typical generalisation of the obnoxious egocentric arrogance that Americans are often criticised for. Being told that you live in the greatest country on Earth will tend to do that to you. Also, American humour tends to be loud and crass and obvious. It tends to lack subtlety and sophistication. But I can criticise my own culture as well, and I can list many positive things about America too.
@endofscene Funny you should say that, as an American, I couldn't agree with you more. Robin Williams is going to shove his brand of humor right up your nose, whether you want it or not and doesn't know when to quit. Barry Humphries is pure genius! Although, it's no secret he's a bit embarrassed by his own. As his "Les Patterson" character says, "There's a superstition that Australians don't have any culture; but I say we have culture coming out of our a**holes!" Too funny!!!
Barry Humphries understands sensitivity, compassion, and subtlety. None of which are in the blatant and overboard repetoire of Robin Williams. That's the thing about Americans, they tend to be so narcissistic - Robin Williams, Andy Kaufman... talented, yes? But who are they trying to entertain - the audience or themselves?
@bzylizzy I wasn't referring to Barry Humphries in this comment. By "both" I meant Robin Williams and Andy Kaufman. I am aware that Barry Humphries is Australian. I have met him. If you had read the thread properly you would understand this.
@endofscene I disagree with you in regards to robin williams, he is a man with huge talent, and I admired him even more so for his friendship with chris reeves, he was such a great friend to him even when he was so ill....
@bzylizzy I didn't say that Robin Williams is not talented. I was commenting on his style and comparing it to Barry's. His ability to be a good friend is irrelevant to my comment.
what's with the dutch subtitles?
mercycollege123 1 month ago
love how she gets control....
nomesy81 2 months ago
Madge says it all
BigEasyFFXIV 3 months ago
This was a great show.. it didn't do well though because most Americans didn't get the Aussie humor. But I think it was on for a whole season around 1990 i believe.
mrFalconlem 3 months ago
@mrFalconlem
I and many amercians have loved Dame Edna for many years. We'get' humor from any country,especially double entendres which are not that 'heady'.
I have wondered why 'she' hasn't been more prominant here, considering how much many of us seem to love her.She was recently on 'The View', and in my assessment, that's one of the most low brow american atmospheres there are. They 'got' her humor.
skrinkle2000 1 month ago
The way she tells of Robin is masterclass!
julesmaester 4 months ago
did anyone notice that actually medge joins the dance in the end!!!
janihari 5 months ago
@janihari madge :)
endofscene 5 months ago
@crafty1982 Aww come here and give me a big, wet, sloppy one :)
endofscene 5 months ago
ringo is so adorable as leader of her band...love him! and the dancing little girl is precious:)
brooksie19 6 months ago
ringo is so adorable as leader of her band...love him!
brooksie19 6 months ago
Are they all dead now, or very nearly?
NoNotALaughingMatter 6 months ago
To "endofscene" - what a completely ridiculous comment you make to this video! America is not Robin Williams, and Robin Williams is not America. He was, however, popular at the time, so was on the show. Dame Edna does what she does excellently, sure. And Robin does "what he does!" You don't have to like either. "That's America for you" is a thoughtless inanity.
AmericaTops 7 months ago 10
@AmericaTops So says AmericaTops.
endofscene 5 months ago
Robin Williams is embarrassing.
kubism1978 7 months ago
hehhehheh... shuddup Williams
SocksMacguffin 8 months ago
I AM A VIRGIN
steventhevirgin39 9 months ago
When Edna said he had disguised himself as an ethnic minority it was so much funnier than what Robin had been doing.
superfluousness321 10 months ago
Williams is what happens when you give a fifteen year old with adhd a microphone...full of energy but let's face it not at all clever or funny. He's hoping that your'e laughing AT him.
robandre1 10 months ago
Williams felt like being a blonde for the day?
1Thompsonmusic 10 months ago
LMFAO
mairwyn 10 months ago
Williams is an A-class prick in this show. Typical overbearing yanks, gotta be the loudest, but don't really deliver in quality.
clumpft 10 months ago
love Robin as an actor but he drives me insane as a commedian......
brpoole336 11 months ago 2
There is no substitute for the wit & intelligence of Dame Edna & the loud, aggressive type of Robin Williams humour is certainly no substitute!.
hotwok19 11 months ago
I love Dame Edna.....and Rue too!! But Robin Williams is loud and annoying!! He's not even funny!!
LivingMindfully1975 11 months ago
Love this thank you for posting make me smile
Trexanh60 1 year ago
Definitely two egos at play in that one, I knew before even watching it was going to be a battle for barry to keep the reigns on williams hyperactive nature
bluejeckett 1 year ago 3
Robin Williams and Dame Edna-- matter and antimatter, or antimatter and matter...
does it matter? best of both continents..... awesome
xyaqua 1 year ago
Williams was making Mrs, Doubtfire at this time, gee wonder where he got his character inspiration? Has he given credit at all to Barry for that inspiration?
couchebag 1 year ago
Barry is awesome. If we had this sort of intertainment in America other than that reality horseshit we now have, I wouldn't have stopped watching TV 20 years ago.
mozartgenetics 1 year ago 2
Other guests on this show who were not featured quite as much in this video are Ring Starr, Rue McClanahan and Burgess Meredith. But the main focus is obviously Robin Williams and Dame Edna Everge. I think George Hamilton is also on this but I'm sure if it's him or not.
FAWLTYWORZELMELDREW 1 year ago
2 Comedy icons together.
One of the funniest parts is when Robin Williams goes upstairs and Dame Edna says, ''I think I've lost control of my own show!''.
FAWLTYWORZELMELDREW 1 year ago
two comedic geniuses
DAbaliGshow 1 year ago
dame edna,,,one of my favourites
drspatt 1 year ago
he is trying to upstage dame edna..pathetic..he cud just shut up
stephenbiboy 1 year ago 2
Robin Williams, Dame Edna, Rue McClanahan (RIP), and Ringo Starr in the same video.
This is the definition of epic.
ReturnofTheBunny 1 year ago
R.I.P. Rue McClanahan
avatarnarutochuck 1 year ago 24
Battle of wits going on here, two comedians who can think fast on their feet.
ZamfirChannel 1 year ago
dame completly squashed robin's fire! why couldnt she just let him roll. when they sat down the funny was lost. why are the english so uptight?
LadyScorpio39 1 year ago
@LadyScorpio39
Dame Edna Everidge (Barry Humphries) is Australian.
congrind 1 year ago
how come i cant get the video to load past 42 secs.
LadyScorpio39 1 year ago
@endofscene I agree with you however there are exceptions like, perhaps, Billy Crystal or Woody Allen...but you are spot on your opinion
aikiboy24 1 year ago
saying all that he is hilarious here lol
KINGROOSTER45 1 year ago
Robin is undeniably a comic genius but i do get embarrassed watching him sometimes because he goes for laughs at the expense of everything else. It's nice to see people mentioning that without immediately getting slagged off for humor heresy.
KINGROOSTER45 1 year ago
@KINGROOSTER45 there are few people funnier than RW when he is really on his game. He's a bit inconsistent in that way
gabsylv 1 year ago
With WIlliams you get the sense of a gasket just needing to explode. Whereas Barry is tempered, considered, highly intelligent. He is in tune with the audience, the guests, etc. Robin is only in tune with his own need to let off and get off. But that's American for you.
endofscene 1 year ago 25
@endofscene - Actually, until you pointed it out to me, I hadn't noticed that Robin Williams really is self absorbed in his humour. He's quick off the cuff, but it's basically a monologue whereas Humphries is highly interactive. Still, Williams is undeniably a great talent. But the Dame goes above and beyond and appeals to both the unthinking slapstick (American) audience and the subtle intelligence of an educated audience. There are many layers to her humour if you can catch them.
jerramy 1 year ago
@endofscene I agree with You to a point, but I think it shows the few vertues that a drugged up mind on a good trip can be a wonderful & creative thing.
joeymod135 1 year ago
@endofscene Man, what an astute comment!!!!!!! I'm envious of your shattering insight. For sure, you have nailed it.
iamintheburg 8 months ago
@iamintheburg :)
endofscene 8 months ago
@endofscene Overkill, keep trying until you get some kind of laugh. Tedious humor only funny to an American audience.
stoob1969 5 months ago
@endofscene Then why does Barry have Robin as a guest you tool?
JhonathanFree 5 months ago 3
@JhonathanFree Entertainment value. I find Barry to be more intelligent and amusing than most of his guests, but he needs people to roast and interview :)
endofscene 1 month ago
@endofscene but i love him anyway.. they both make me laugh ..
nomesy81 2 months ago
@endofscene Robin's performance on this show is "American for" YOU maybe . You seem to be ignoring the demure little Rue McClanahan who is also a guest and is also american, as well as the audience laughter.
You must also have missed Dame Edna's more recent visit to the Graham Norton Show when she dominated the show and was a little rude to the 'woman off the street'.
Americans are no more all one way than those of other countries and no one person is only one way all the time.
skrinkle2000 1 month ago
@skrinkle2000 I was ignoring Rue McClanahan quite intentionally. Was the audience American? Besides, audiences these days will laugh at anything.
Damn Edna dominates every show she is on. It is part of her character, which is a monster. She is rude to everyone. That is part of her act: she roasts people. If she is rude to celebrity and royalty then us commoners stand no chance!
I agree with your last comment. I was of course generalising in what I said.
endofscene 1 month ago
@endofscene *haha* Okay.
Yes, I am a little sensitive to the generalisations on YouTube.
There is so much hatred spewed, sometimes I feel the irrational urge to educate people on the intelligence and variance of the supposedly typical american :/
Thanks for the clarification.
skrinkle2000 1 month ago
@skrinkle2000 I understand. There is a lot of hatred on youtube because it is largely without consequence and there is a lot of hatred in the world.
I don't hate Americans or America. There are many Americans that I love and there are many things about America that I love. Every country has it's pros and cons. Unfortunately the USA has some very bad cons, though, but that is another issue.
endofscene 1 month ago
@skrinkle2000 I am not offended if people judge or criticise Australia or Australians, even if just in generalisations, because I'm not that identified with my nationality. I'm just a person who happened to be born in Australia. I find most patriotism to be just another form of tribalism, and that is parochial and primitive, in my reckoning. Besides, if someone criticises me then they are either wrong, in which case I don't care, or they are right, in which case I can learn.
endofscene 1 month ago
@endofscene
Well, I stated in my reply that I am "sensitive" and that I feel an" irrational urge" so I am aware of the higher ground.I am open to other cultures and opinions, not bile.If what you state is sincere, then why 'that's American for you'.Loud people in any country are just the most heard,not majority. What exactly makes an 'american'? Those of the WORLD's insanely wealthy who immigrate to add to the US's 1%?Pop icons,tourists and dirty politicians?They are everywhere.
skrinkle2000 1 month ago
@skrinkle2000 "That's American for you" is a generalisation, as I said. It the typical generalisation of the obnoxious egocentric arrogance that Americans are often criticised for. Being told that you live in the greatest country on Earth will tend to do that to you. Also, American humour tends to be loud and crass and obvious. It tends to lack subtlety and sophistication. But I can criticise my own culture as well, and I can list many positive things about America too.
endofscene 1 month ago 3
@endofscene I'm an American and I find Dame Edna's particular brand of humor much more appealing.
zinnycat1597 1 month ago
@endofscene Funny you should say that, as an American, I couldn't agree with you more. Robin Williams is going to shove his brand of humor right up your nose, whether you want it or not and doesn't know when to quit. Barry Humphries is pure genius! Although, it's no secret he's a bit embarrassed by his own. As his "Les Patterson" character says, "There's a superstition that Australians don't have any culture; but I say we have culture coming out of our a**holes!" Too funny!!!
FyerBritches 2 weeks ago
@FyerBritches Yes, indeed. Barry is on the more sophisticated and intelligent end of the Australian Spectrum. :)
endofscene 2 weeks ago
Barry Humphries understands sensitivity, compassion, and subtlety. None of which are in the blatant and overboard repetoire of Robin Williams. That's the thing about Americans, they tend to be so narcissistic - Robin Williams, Andy Kaufman... talented, yes? But who are they trying to entertain - the audience or themselves?
endofscene 1 year ago 2
@endofscene Since when to Williams and Kaufman represent American entertainment? RW has an extraordinarily high IQ, as did AK.
gabsylv 1 year ago
@gabsylv Since they are both American and display the kind of blatant humour characteristic of American comedy.
There are more aspects and dimensions to Intelligence than IQ.
endofscene 1 year ago
@endofscene barry humphries is australian endofscene, you have big opinions for something you know nothing about lol......
bzylizzy 1 year ago
@bzylizzy I wasn't referring to Barry Humphries in this comment. By "both" I meant Robin Williams and Andy Kaufman. I am aware that Barry Humphries is Australian. I have met him. If you had read the thread properly you would understand this.
endofscene 1 year ago
@endofscene I'm an American, and I agree totally. When it comes to comedy, the British are nonpareil.
skateboardgumby 1 year ago
@endofscene I disagree with you in regards to robin williams, he is a man with huge talent, and I admired him even more so for his friendship with chris reeves, he was such a great friend to him even when he was so ill....
bzylizzy 1 year ago
@bzylizzy I didn't say that Robin Williams is not talented. I was commenting on his style and comparing it to Barry's. His ability to be a good friend is irrelevant to my comment.
endofscene 1 year ago
Thanks so much for uploading this, should have known that Robin williams would take over - he's brilliant.
jerramy 1 year ago
@jerramy Brilliant is one way to put it.
endofscene 1 year ago 2