TO THINK a comedian is overpaid at 17m a year

[picketywick]

Michael Macca Or whateverh his name is. I like him but.............

YABU
Comedians, like musicians earn exactly what they are worth. Their income is directly related to how many dvds etc they sell, how many tickets people buy, and how many people watch them on TV.

Seems reasonable to me.

YABU they are just successful. Well done to them, people obviously like them so they are worth it.

YABU - its like saying microsoft or whoever are a bit 'too successful'. If they make that much money, good on them!

Yes, the government must stop people buying his DVDs and going to his shows .

Perhaps he gives a lot away. Perhaps he doesn't. Perhaps he pays a lot of tax.

Yabu he's not getting a salary from an organisation for £17 million. That's how much he has made, dunno where the figure came from, was the the income from the tour? Or his personal profit after expenses paid?

Watched his DVD on Saturday and would say he is worth every penny. Very funny man and cheered me up after a rubbish week!!

Wish i was that funny and rich

YABU, for the reasons greenfolder said. Ridiculous post.

YABU. That isn't what he is paid, that is what he earned.

YABU. How do you think a comedian makes money? They're not salaried.

Are you jealous? I mean I am sure, but you sound bitter and resentful! That man worked for bloody years in crap pubs before eventually hitting the big time. He is a rare comedian who doesn't pick on vulnerable people or resort to swearing to getting laughs. More power to him!

YABU - he's earned it.

it is for Michael mcintyre. he bores the hell out of me

And 2m that he had for the advance on his book. Have you read it? You should.

He had absolutely fuck all at the point he had his first baby. Having had a very privilaged childhood his parents ran out of cash and he was taken from private school to state education. His grandmother stopped subbing him and he busted his arse as a comedian. Honestly read his book and you'll see his pure determination to provide for his family.

Good on him!!

And he's lost his child benefit too

YABU, most comedians (especially those who tour) work pretty hard, are away from their families and travel lots. They are not just sat on a panel show 10 times a year.

Same as musicians or anyone like that, they are worth it as they earn their money because people want to watch them and buy their stuff. Not a big deal. His book is really interested although I always wonder how true comedians autobiographies are!

I am jealous as I would of course like to earn £17m a year but only my kids think I am funny and TBH I think they think I am 'weird' funny and not 'comical'

i don't begrudge talented people from earning whatever they do. in the past (hundreds of years ago) people like michelangelo and mozart picked up the pennies their patrons gave them rather than being in charge of their own destinies/earning power. he doesn't seem to be a horrible person so good luck to him

I think comedians these days can be forgiven for making the most of their popularity while it lasts.

A couple of generations ago people in this position would have been able to take the same act around the theatres, music halls, working men's clubs or wherever for several years before having to write more material. But with the exposure that many now get on TV they must have to keep generating more material all the time. Yes they maybe keep much the same stuff for one tour - but once the DVD is out they will have to start again.

Unless they are absolute comic genius then I would guess many of them will burn out or simply run out of lines after a few years. So I can't see any reason why they shouldn't make as much as they can while they can.

After all - they wouldn't get this amount if people were not prepared to pay to go see them and buy their DVDs

I expect he spends much of his time alone living in travel lodges and eating service station sandwiches.

And don't forget his success will be paying the wages of many other people too: sound/lights/front of house etc.

But cor, that is a lot.

That's true too 5foot5, it is usually a short career. We're saturated with 'quite good' comedians these days.

Successful people should not be rewarded. Instead their money should be diverted to the bitter and resentful talentless people.

Hang in a minute.....

This is already happening with dh and I and those bastards Cameron and Clegg.

He is flipping hilarious. Worth every penny IMO.
YABU.

He's not paid a wage. His earnings are based on how many tickets/DVD's he sells, if he sells lots he earns lots.

It's not like they're paid by the government to keep us entertained!

I never understand this attitude, I'm afraid. He started at the same point we all did - ground zero, if you like. He worked, he hit the spot with a lot of people and made the most of what he can do.

Not my sort of comedian but good luck. All of us want to do well and look after our families. People are happy to pay for him and so his salary comes from us....

Creative industries are hard. Trust me, I am in one scrabbling at the bottom. I do OK in terms of success but money is another issue entirely. If I hit the jackpot - then I would work and work until my brain cells ran away with the milkman.

PS I have recently signed up for a comedy masterclass, after which there is a live gig. MADNESS!