To think success in comedy must be a case of ‘who you know’

[LunaNorth]

Watching Last One Laughing, and there are people on there that I could literally live with for the rest of my life without cracking a smile, let alone spend six hours without laughing.

I know humour is subjective, but…there aren’t even any jokes. Just slightly off-kilter personalities.

Lou Sanders and Harriet Kemsley in particular. Has anyone ever seen them be funny?

People have...... different tastes? Gosh.

Like you said, it’s subjective. I find the whole of the cast of Last One Laughing hilarious and Harriet is one of my favourites.

There are other popular comedians I am not fussed about but others seem to like.

I do agree that who you know is probably a big part of any job in which only a tiny minority “make it”. I don’t think it’s only true of the people you have decided are not funny.

I mean yes, definitely, as it is in pretty much all walks of life, but especially entertainment, but also comedy is subjective. I quite like Lou Sanders, but I can't bear Mrs Brown's Boys which is one of the most successful comedy shows. Miranda is one of my favourite things but it makes DH's toes curl.

Fair enough. I’m enjoying Last One Laughing, but I think it’s really clear who has wit and funny bones, and who just seems to rely on saying ‘shocking’ things.

Maybe I’m in a mood.

I was discussing this with a friend the other day and they were of the opinion that the comedians that we see in various shows often have the same agents.
It often why the same comedians get on TV so much.

I think they are all from the same stable.

Why the long face?

Yep, I’m a big fan of Lou Sanders, think she’s brilliant and have been to see her solo set live. Also really enjoy Harriet Kelmsley.

Comedy is subjective - you probably find people funny who I don’t.

I've never heard of 'Last One Laughing' but I enjoy a lot of the comedians on 'Dry Bar Comedy' on Youtube. It seems like their stuff is all pretty clean too, which is nice.

It didn't used to be - if you read the biographies of the big names from previous generations, such as the Two Ronnies, coming from non-showbiz working class backgrounds, they really had to work to make their names, suffer knockbacks, make their own connections.

They do have the same agents … and if Production wants a popular/successful act, the agent will say “you can’t book A unless you have B” …ensuring exposure for the less funny person.

They're all managed by Avalon. But they have all spent years on the circuit. Nobody goes straight to a panel show. It takes years of shit shows and knock backs while you learn from experience before you ever get close to being on tv.

That makes sense.