Paul O’Grady as remembered by…

[HowardKirksConscience]

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/29/lily-savage-paul-ogrady-eddie-izzard-russell-t-davies-blonde-bombsite

A selection of appreciative pieces of P O’G in the Guardian, but guess who tries to make it all about himself?

'But enough about me, what do you think of me?'

Suzy Eddie Izzard, is it?

There's two comments which reflect the impact Paul had on them, I don't think that makes it all about them.

What’s the difference between drag and cross-dressing? Before Lily Savage, men dressing as women was – in the mainstream, at least – the broad and unthreatening preserve of acts like The Two Ronnies and Les Dawson. Dame Edna, O’Grady once observed, “never got called a drag act because he’s a heterosexual male. But I’m called one because I’m a gay man.” Lily Savage complicated these distinctions.

An interesting and perceptive observation.

Peter Tatchell and Carol Vorderman were on the Today programme this morning talking about Paul O'Grady, Carol had clearly had many excellent drunken evenings with him but the overall impression was that he was a really lovely man. Gone too soon sadly.

Dame Edna, O’Grady once observed, “never got called a drag act

Yes he did

Good old Suzy eh?

I think I was still in boy mode

Right.

What gets me is that if P O’G had died, say 5 years ago, is that he would have been described as being part of the gay community, or the gay and lesbian community, but now the T has been so effectively welded to the LGB that every mainstream media outlet has just used LGBT. The TRAs have won and women have lost.

Good grief - how many times does Izzard use the word I in that dire contribution. 🙄

I like Janice Turner's musings on her mother's love for Paul O'Grady, Danny LaRue etc
"Why did working-class women in the 1970s, when homosexuality was closeted and seldom discussed, enjoy camp? Maybe because sex roles were so rigid then, husbands very much in charge. Camp men subverted male power, said what women longed to say but could not. Paul O’Grady grew up surrounded by beloved, hilarious Scouse aunties. Either in drag or as himself, he exuded a deep empathy for women of all ages, and they loved him right back"

I can't believe he's gone.

I can however believe the lizard made it about himself!

Oh bless. I hadn’t heard that he died.

I remember seeing Paul’s Lily Savage stand up before he made it big - he had a manky fur stole that he used like a glove puppet.

I wish I could remember it’s name - will probably remember it in about ten minutes time!

I like Paul, he was sharp and witty and full of funny but profound observations about ordinary people (especially scousers).

My Nan LOVED The Joan Collins Fan Club

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2uJtyMGAN_8

SKIPPY!

Dame Edna was always called drag!

I met Paul once, I served him at a pub I worked in. He was hilarious and very kind. I am glad he was with 2 elderly men and not Eddie fucking Izzard

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kiYgSBtTWFY

Paul O'Grady was clearly a gentle man who loved dogs. It's also a shame he made fun of his desperate female relatives.

Wasn’t the Joan Collins Fan Club Julian Clary with Fanny the Wonder Dog? That’s a blast from the past!

I'd forgotten about him!

Paul O 'Grady is where old me and current me's thinking diverges.

I loved Lily Savage. He was taking and using the stories and lives of women like the women in my family. And he was taking the micky in the same way the women did.

I didn't find him offensive or uncomfortable to watch. But then I was a teenager. And my outlook on things was hugely different to 50 year old me.

I'm not a fan of modern day drag at all. It's very different from the drag acts of my youth.

Wether I'd approve of Lily today I don't know, but rewatching some clips had me in stitches.

either way Paul is gone far too soon.

So sad that he has gone.

I found it interesting that so many people said he brought drag into the mainstream. I was wondering if everyone had forgotten Dame Edna.

See i really couldn't watch Barry Humphries he gave me the creeps when he was in Edna character. Blghhhhh.

And let's not forget Hinge and Bracket who were bonkers!

I wasn't a Dame Edna fan but there was also Danny la Rue, Dick Emery and the Scottish comedian, whose name I can't recall, who was brilliant. All predated Lily Savage.

Stanley Baxter

One of Hinge and Bracket were DHs neighbour as a kid, how could I forget them. And yes, Danny Le Rue. All on prime time tv.

This sums up exactly how I feel too! He also said that he hated things like Ru Paul’s Drag Race with all that fake sashaying around and contouring, he said that wasn’t drag.

He sounds like he was a lovely kind and compassionate man who respected animals very much.