... to think Dawn French isn't funny?

[JoanThursday1972]

I've never 'got' her. Just thought she's daft and not funny at all.

@FrenchandSaunders Her podcast with Jennifer Saunders “titting about” is hilarious. Thrilled to hear they’re writing another one

you’ve just made my day. Titting about is brilliant!

Graham Lineham is a genius.

I recently read he was also the creator of the Ted and Ralph 'Fast Show' sketch. Genius indeed: the pathos in those characters was palpable and there's so much under the surface that isn't being directly said.

Caroline Aherne and Arabella Weir were brilliant collaborators on that programme too.

As for Dawn French, IMO she was at her best in 'The Comic Strip Presents', which I love to this day. She and Saunders were also a great partnership.

OK so not every single thing she did was side-splittingly funny. Much as I love Caroline Aherne I didn't particularly like 'The Royle Family' either. I found both she and French funny, nonetheless.

"Five go Mad in Dorset" was the funniest thing her or any of the other people in it ever did. But that was over 40 years ago (first night of Channel 4!).

I repeal my earlier comments regarding the books, after PP said according to yes, I thought oh that's the one I struggled to finish, didn't like it at all. Checked bookshelves, the well written funny books I was thinking of are in fact by Ruth Jones.
Still stand by VoD though.

When you said you weren't a comedian, you were bang on...

'Did you know sugar kills you?' 😁

I find her stuff tends to be on the charming witty sitcom side of funny, rather laugh out loud stand up.

YABU.

French and Saunders and The Vicar of Dibley were both great.

I understand what you mean about the photobombing. But that’s a bit of a staple of the whole ‘80s Comic Strip crowd. Rik Mayall, for instance, also has plenty of clips of him just leaning into a scene and pulling a bit of a face/putting on a stupid pose/etc. which is all a bit class clown and has little real comic value. But where she’s developed the script and played a part, she’s been great.

100% agree. Not nearly as funny as she thinks she is

The thread is by someone who doesn't make a living as a comedian, about someone who does. I'm not required to be funny to have an opinion.

I liked vicar of Dibley but loads of french Nd Saunders was strange

If you don't like anything Victoria Wood did then I'm afraid you just don't like comedy. Her range, observation and deftness with language was unparalleled.

Dawn's thing is often playing the fool/ingenue and she does it well. But again I wonder if you've actually seen just how much she's done over the years? She's been around since at least the Comic Strip Presents days so I'd say 40 years or so. You just don't get to be as famous for so long without talent. VOD was a relatively safe comedy show but a very strong cast of characters and some standout moments.

Joan Rivers was the funniest female comedian I ever saw. So sad when she died.

I can't bear the league of gentlemen and inside number 9 but many people on MN are obsessed with it. I get it, it's just really not for me.

On the other hand I loved Blue Jam. So I'm not averse to a bit of darkness

I think some sketches on French & Saunders are great - eg, that ABBA skit . Not really seen her do “stand up comedy” tbh, only the TV sketches and Vicar of Dibley. I don’t really think of her as a comedian, more a comic actress… and I think she’s a pretty good actress.

Loads of comedians don't make me laugh. It seems a bit mean to single out one person who you don't like.

I'm not going to start a thread to say 'I don't enjoy reading JoJo Moyes' books, I don't think she writes good books', because I just go and choose someone else's.

These people don't owe you anything, take or leave them.

Not funny at all. I couldn't stand Ab Fab either.

YABVVVVVVU. I love her and I love Jennifer and i could watch the clip of Dawn dropping the C bomb at an awards ceremony 10 times a day and still adore them both.

Also Victoria Woods writing was absolutely genius. I've been watching Dinnerladies again and it is so clever and subtle and heartwarming. Howled laughing at Jean and Dolly:

Jean "I don't get diets. You could fall under a bus tomorrow."
Dolly: "I could fall under a bus. You wouldn't fit they'd need to jack it up"

I loved the French and Saunders pony sketches. If you've ever had anything to do with Jill books and ponies, it will strike a chord!!!

Yes it's brilliant. One of my favourite parts is when the Royals visit and Bren gets the Duke to tell Stan that he remembers meeting him 30 years before. Bren is such a lovely character. We all need a Bren in our lives.

It's similar to Early Doors in humour. Rounded characters who take the mickey out of each other but deep down they really care about each other.

I think there's a psychopathic glint in her eye when she is being terribly condescending.

I find her very likeable. Mildly funny.

I have a soft spot for Arabella Weir.

but I don’t think custard creams are nice at all. Bourbons aren’t nice, either, imo.

chocolate is nice.

I saw that one the other day and it brought tears to my eyes! Stan was so so proud. You are so right, Bren was the best.