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To wonder why Romesh Ranganathan…

293 replies

Rainymoondays · 11/10/2025 22:24

Had so much exposure on TV? He’s really really unfunny, he’s a crap stilted presenter and just makes everything awkward.

OP posts:
elonmusk · 12/10/2025 07:24

I think he’s great on Radio 2. Haven’t seen him much on tv. I thought his desert island discs was absolutely brilliant. Super funny but he also came across as very smart. I hope he doesn’t read this thread!!

ColinOfficeTrolley · 12/10/2025 07:22

Comedy is so subjective, so your OP is completely invalid. I like his Radio 2 show on a Saturday, but would I pay for a ticket to see him do stand up? Nah highly doubt it.

Some people think Mrs Browns boys is peak hilarity. Some people don't get Alan Partridge

I literally could not be fri NDA with anyone who complies with the above.

It's all subjective

MeenaSays · 12/10/2025 07:16

@Tiatha im just saying whenever ive seen Stewart Lee in his own live shows, its been mainly older men in the audience. I just dont think his humour appeals to the masses ie men and women. Whereas ive seen RR plus many others (I guess im a nerd myself) and they tend to have a mixed crowd, loads of couples. Richard Ayoade is probably different so i take it back that people dont get him, but I wouldn't say he markets himself as a comedian, hes more a quirky presenter/writer and actor. I dont think he ever did stand up.

I'm a woman and I do appreciate sharp humour and several of the ones that @Rainymoondays has listed, are those i like seeing too.

TorroFerney · 12/10/2025 07:13

Rainymoondays · 11/10/2025 22:30

Millions? Where did you get that stat from?

The BBC don't put things on that people don't watch. If you listen to The rest is entertainment podcast with Marina Hyde and Richard Osman they are good at explaining how tv works. It's like Mrs Browns boys, I think it is awful and it makes me despair for humanity- but people are watching.

Of course there will be the occasional flops but if someone is on "everything" that is because they are making the production company money.

He has a podcast, Romesh that is with Tom Davis. He talks about all the abuse he gets from people that absolutely hate him and say he is on everything.

Tiatha · 12/10/2025 06:58

MeenaSays · 12/10/2025 03:28

@Rainymoondays you've picked very intelligent humour in say Stewart Lee and Richard Ayode but the general public just wouldn't appreciate how sharp these two are. I've seen Stewart Lee and the audience tend to be older men in their 50s, real comedy nerds, very few women. You have to be bland and mainstream to make the money, and Stewart Lee was never like that. At some point if you want the money, you need to tone it down, and he just has always been himself. He has a cult following though!

Erm. Women don't get sharp comedy and can't be comedy nerds? Your interpretation of that audience is letting some sexism hang out. (No, it makes no difference if you're a woman.) The level of fame that Stewart Lee and Richard Ayoade have would suggest that large swathes of the public are, in fact, able to appreciate them. You're coming across a bit edgelord.

babyproblems · 12/10/2025 06:57

I think he’s funny! So does DH. I don’t watch loads of tv but I generally think he is a good character.

Tiatha · 12/10/2025 06:56

ErniesGhostlyGoldTops · 12/10/2025 05:52

This. Same with all their 'talent'. I quite like RR but it's this factor that has the likes of Tony Robinson on archaeology programs when he clearly knows bugger all about it. Same with most programs and why we see the same faces over and over. They have been paid a massive retainer so they are squeezed into everything. It takes away all authenticity.

Nonsense, he's a presenter, he doesn't need to know about it, that's what the experts are there for. He's there to bring the information across to the viewers. That's a harder job than you give it credit for. He's probably taken in a bit of archaeology after all those episodes of Time Team anyway.

InMyOpenOnion · 12/10/2025 06:54

I find him OK in small doses but I wouldn't tune into something purely because he was in it. Presenters tend to have a heyday where they're in everything then it calms down. It was the same with Jack Whitehall for a while. Different genre but ditto Amol Rajan at the moment. People do get bored of them though, hang in there for that!

ACR7 · 12/10/2025 06:51

I really enjoy his radio show. He’s quite dry and has a bit of a jack dee grumpiness

HourlyTime · 12/10/2025 06:49

I find his humour funny, and his presenting style on BBC2 Saturday mornings is warm and endearing.

TiredOfLookingForAnswers · 12/10/2025 06:42

skippy67 · 11/10/2025 22:32

I wonder the same about Nigel Farage

😂❤️

whatohwhattodo · 12/10/2025 06:39

Wednesdaysotherchild · 11/10/2025 22:31

I really like him, he’s funny and he’s vegan so great!

He has actually bought into a local bakery chain - they do a lot of vegan food. He pops ip
serving in the shops occasionally according to their SM

CostelloJones · 12/10/2025 06:37

I find him an odd one - there’s things I’ve seen him on and enjoyed (In Taskmaster for example I thought he was great) but other things I find he hasn’t quite hit the mark.

Off the point a bit but I feel like he suddenly looks really scruffy lately?

ruffler45 · 12/10/2025 06:37

AmyDuPlantier · 11/10/2025 22:30

Because they buy a presenter’s exclusivity for x number of years and ram them into every show to get their moneys worth.

Overexposure and a finite career length means get the money while they can as they may be in retirement a long time. Not many have an alternative skill set

JoyousRaven · 12/10/2025 06:36

Hard agree - I read his book and it was so boring I didn't bother to finish it

ruffler45 · 12/10/2025 06:22

Dont get me started on Taskmasters and other alleged "celebrity" editions of shows. Jobs for the boys and pretty poor and tired form of entertainment.

ruffler45 · 12/10/2025 06:13

The world has finally discovered that these alleged comedians aren't/were never funny and as they cant get any work anymore so they have all decided to become travel guides. They are pretty poor at that as well.

ErniesGhostlyGoldTops · 12/10/2025 05:52

AmyDuPlantier · 11/10/2025 22:30

Because they buy a presenter’s exclusivity for x number of years and ram them into every show to get their moneys worth.

This. Same with all their 'talent'. I quite like RR but it's this factor that has the likes of Tony Robinson on archaeology programs when he clearly knows bugger all about it. Same with most programs and why we see the same faces over and over. They have been paid a massive retainer so they are squeezed into everything. It takes away all authenticity.

AppleandPB · 12/10/2025 05:07

What an odd thread.

I think he’s funny. I like the way he notices and can make every day experiences funny. He’s quite self depreciating too.

User37482 · 12/10/2025 05:01

I think he’s really funny.

Puregoldy · 12/10/2025 04:57

Surely this is opinion op. Everyone will have different likes/dislikes based on their personality. The same as we have different friendships. I think he is funny.

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 12/10/2025 04:31

I think he’s funny but at the same time I don’t like him that much. It’s weird.

BrokenWingsCantFly · 12/10/2025 04:21

Humour is subjective
I find him funny
I don't find Mrs browns boys funny but I know millions do. My family loves that show.
The beauty if today is that we have so much choice on what to watch or listen to, the things we don't like we can switch off and move on. Why care if you don't like what other people do

SpidersAreShitheads · 12/10/2025 04:12

MeenaSays · 12/10/2025 03:21

All these comedians share the same top 2 agents. Thats why they seem to be on everything. I think hes great buddies with Seann Walsh, who brought him in and gave him the opportunities then he just went with it and became a bigger star. Hes mainstream enough/harmless so getting all the exposure, and id say mainly white, english people like him. There was obviously a gap for a decent Asian comic. I'd say Paul Chowdhry is far superior but hes just not family friendly enough and appeals more to asians. Hes never had that same type of career but ive seen both and hes much sharper. Seann Walsh is also a very talented comedian but his popularity sunk with Strictly and I was surprised how he toned down his real style to be famous.

Jimmy Carr had broken America and is constantly touring. Whereas others take breaks, I dont think he ever stops. I guess im saying he has always been as quick and sharp regardless. He knows the money is in the US and Netflix specials. He just follows the money.

I used to see Michael Mcintyre loads as a compere at gigs, really bland and his jokes would always land with silence, yet he then became a massive star. Again very mainstream and your mum would love him whereas others like say Sean Lock, absolutely hilarious, just didnt have the same sort of career (though certainly popular). People want harmless!

I love Paul Chowdhry!! He’s so naturally funny.

Have you listened to his podcast series? I only found them the other day! I don’t normally like interview-style podcasts but Paul’s are really natural and very funny.

SpidersAreShitheads · 12/10/2025 04:08

Rainymoondays · 11/10/2025 22:52

Joe Lycett, Stewart Lee, Masie Adam’s, Joe Wilkinson, Lou Sanders, Roison Conarty, Richard Ayoade

Edited

Ah but you see OP, I cannot for the life of me understand why Lou Sanders has got anywhere near a TV screen. She finds herself hilarious and thinks she’s the height of wit by desperately trying to to make sexual references where there are none to be had. I am utterly bewildered how she is considered to be any form of entertainment.

Maisy Adams seems a nice lass and very grounded but no funnier than any of your mates down the pub. Not really sure how she’s on TV either tbh, but I don’t object to her like Lou Sanders. Wouldn’t ever list her as someone I find particularly funny though.

I like most of the others on your list although I think Joe Lycett has lost his edge. Stewart Lee has the odd funny moment but is the biggest ego-wanker in town.

I find RR genuinely hilarious - he has a natural wit. I would say there’s a similarity to Richard Ayoade so it’s strange that you like one but not the other.

I think you’re misunderstanding RR’s humour - he doesn’t belittle his wife and mother in the slightest, it’s almost the reverse. He tells stories that make him look like a bit of a dick - he doesn’t have any ego.

I’m not a massive fan of him using his kids as the joke but that would be my only criticism - and it’s very clear that it’s hugely over exaggerated for comedic effect - that’s the schtick.

You’d probably get a better sense of who he is if you watched him for a while; I can see how first impressions might be a bit different.

Ultimately though humour is subjective. We’re never all going to agree on who’s funny and it’s good that a wide variety of tastes are now well-catered for.

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