General Chat

There have been some great ones. The ability to make others laugh and forget their problems must be one of the most precious gifts there is. Max Wall-I saw him when he was a really old man at the Gordon Graig Theatre Stevenage.His walks were hysterical.His son told me that they had left him with crippling pain,yet the night I met him he was as daft as ever.You would never have guessed. Then I have to honour Eric and Ernie-I used to love and the wonderfull Breakfast sketch.I met Little Ern at a reception at Hampton Court Flower show, but now a very frail little bird of a man.I was able to thank him for the years of laughter he had given me.He was so sweet. We must all have memories and tributes to pay to these greats

No one want to remember laughs then?

Les Dawson - I used to think he was very funny and I doubt if anyone knows how hard it is to play the piano out of tune on purpose. Naomi

Les Dawson was a master of comedy.Not only that piano,but also the observation that went into the women talking over the garden fence.His mannerisms were spot on and the wonderful mouthing of the 'female'words he would not say when they were talking about their medical problems.I loved his humour

When I worked for social services I had to accompany one of our clients to see Ken Dodd. I was only about 23 at the time so needless to say I was exactly enthused by the idea! What a night! he was absolutely fantastic and one of the best shows I had ever been to...he was just so funny! Even now when I see him on TV I am in stitches laughing! Very very funny man

Humour is strange isn't it! I never laughed at Ken Dodd.Maybe I should have sen him on stage.

The other all time greats for me were the two Ronnies-I really loved the middle of the programme when they did Fat Belly Jones or some other act. Really funny

Rosemary He was brilliant on stage!! A little blue but very subtle

My favourite of all time though just has to be Michael Crawford in "Some Mothers" We went to see him in "Phantom" and you was half waiting for him to do something stupid...

All of them so very funny Mary.I can see them all as I read what you have put. My husband was working in East Anglia years ago and he walked into a local pub for a meal to find all the cast of Dad's Army in there too.They were on location locally.He said it was the best evening he had ever had.Apparently Mainwaring-Arthur Lowe, was a fantastic raconteur

It is really strange Bev,but I could not stand Some Mother's do Ave'em.I used to get so embarred for him.It just did not appeal. I saw him in Phantom and thought he was marvellous.He should have developed his singing career years ago.

I agree with that Rosemary..His singing is out of this world but for some reason he just cracked me up on TV

They don't make 'em like they used to do they? However those that will be the old time greats of the future will number amongst them - David jason - Open all hours, Dawn French The Vicar of Dibley, Wendy Craig and Geofrey Palmer in butterflies I used to love, Judy Dench and Geoffrey Palmer As Time goes By. I too liked all the ones previously mentioned although not keen on Ken Dodd - My Dad loved him. ann Glos

Yes Tommy Cooper used to crack me up but my husband didn't find him funny at all.It was deliver wasn't it.Delivery and timing-Rose

Ernie Wise died in 1999 aged 73.

Lets not forget Bob Monkhouse

I never found Tommy Cooper funny . Loved the Goons and Hancocks Half Hour. The Blood Donor Sketch was a classic. Also loved Round the Horn and of course The Two Ronnies and Morecombe and Wise. Rosemary(Essex)

I adored Round the Horne, and although I didn't "get" Sandy & Julian's palari, I thought they were hilarious. Steptoe & Son and Porridge were brilliant - superb acting, believable characters and a great script. Monty Python has indelibly changed the world - they gave us SPAM (and we don't like it!). Joyce Grenfell & Victoria Wood are proof that women can be funny. I took my mum to see Maureen Lipman's tribute show to Joyce Grenfell twice and we laughed so much I thought we were going to pass out! nell

I have so enjoyed reading all of these,and thanks for reminding us about the steamradio.They were the forerunners of the tv programms.We use to sit and howl with laughter at the Goons and then howl again at the adults who didn't think it funny. However can I share Huffnung and Flanders and Swan.I know we are straying here from straight forward comedy but I feel that they are on a par with Maureen Lipman's performances and Victoria Wood. CB you answered the question I was about to ask.Do you have a brillint memory or do you have them on Vid. I have enjoyed this thread very much.I have dipped in and out through the day,between going to Weymouth and doing ironing and other things.

Before I sign off can we hear it for the amazing Jo Brand-I have seen that lady mature.I think she is great. Rose