Do comedians go off the boil when they get on the telly?

Dick Head · May 31, 2015

I've seen a couple or three that have had me absolutely pissing myself laughing in stiches on the floor when they're on stage but are mediocre on the telly.

Acker79 · May 31, 2015

They have to tame themselves for various reasons - time of broadcast, standards and practices, etc. They also have to fit their humour into the format of whichever tv show they are appearing on, which can include attempting to broaden the appeal of their jokes to appeal to a larger demographic (if only a small portion of the audience find them funny, they won't be invited back and TV not only pays well, but gives them the exposure to attract bigger audiences to their live shows so can be a necessary evil).

Some manage all of this better than others.

DumLum · May 31, 2015

Maybe other variables also. Like Alcohol intake and amount of people laughing around you.

W.C. · May 31, 2015

DumLum said:
Maybe other variables also. Like Alcohol intake and amount of people laughing around you.

Was going to say the same, the atmosphere is always conducive to having a proper laugh.

W.C. · May 31, 2015

Case in point.

Kevlar · May 31, 2015

Also comedians spent years honing an act which may only last half an hour.
The tv gig devours their material.

Bombadier Botty · May 31, 2015

Do comedians go off the boil when they go from the telly to the stage? Dylan Moran, fantastic in Black Books, boring/unamusing on stage.

Wozza · May 31, 2015

These days comedians go from TV to arena tours pretty quickly. :-(

Stat Brother · May 31, 2015

Some of you might be interested in Sean Hughes' podcast about comedy.

It's a good listen for those wanting to know the business, and not as 'dry' as The Comedians Comedian.

Nibble · May 31, 2015

I remember seeing Jim Jeffries sharing a bill with Michael Macintyre. One wouldn't think it now but MM was by far the filthier of the two. He was quite funny, as he can be now at times when he's not hosting Saturday evening tripe.

Diablo · May 31, 2015

Dick Head said:
I've seen a couple or three that have had me absolutely pissing myself laughing in stiches on the floor when they're on stage but are mediocre on the telly.

Live shows allways better than telly...Be it Comedians or Bands....Think you`re more in the mood...

stugbhafc1 · May 31, 2015

W.C. said:
Case in point.

Brilliant

Herr Tubthumper · May 31, 2015

Frankie Boyle went off the telly

Danny-Boy · May 31, 2015

Can I just put in a plug for a Radio 4 comedy "Claire in the Community"? Laughed a lot at the last show on Wednesday night. And thoroughly un-PC as far as they can dare.

BensGrandad · May 31, 2015

There are too many Mary Whitehouses watching the tv. I dont like comedians like Roy Chubby Brown so dont go to watch them similarly if Alan Carr comes on TV I switch off or change channels others could do the same.

Tom Hark Preston Park · May 31, 2015

Kevlar said:
Also comedians spent years honing an act which may only last half an hour.
The tv gig devours their material.

Gotta be this shirley? You can do more or less the same live set in thirty different towns on thirty different nights and get a great reaction every time. You can only do the telly material once.

Murray 17 · Jun 1, 2015

Thought Harry Hill was brilliant as a stand-up comic. A shadow of his former self now he is on TV.

Wrong-Direction · Jun 1, 2015

Many don't know when to call it a day and TV eventually destroys them

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