Category Archives: Comedy

Michael McIntyre: As funny, camp and posh as ever

17 Wednesday Oct 2012

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I’m sure you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say ‘man drawer’, ‘I am five spice’ and ‘I was absolutely gazeboed last night’.

Yes, I recently saw the self-proclaimed fat Chinese man himself at London O2, and he did not fail to deliver his camp, posh jollity.

Michael McIntyre, the nation’s favourite comedian, effortlessly reeled off joke after joke, bringing tears to my eyes.

Despite being seated higher up in the cheap seats – which Michael mocked us for saying we “should have booked sooner” – I had a pretty good, central view in the mammoth venue.

Ironically I’d bought my ticket over a year ago! McIntyre apologised for the premature ticket release by saying he panicked that no one was going to come.

On the contrary, ‘Showtime’, his 2nd monster arena tour with 71 dates across the UK sold out instantly.

His entrance was just as impressive. On the same lines as Wallace & Gromit, a video showed him getting ready for the show, robot style, before being introduced by the X Factor voice over guy and emerging to ACDC’s ‘Back in Black’.

He certainly is back.

As expected, McIntyre’s set flowed perfectly, touching on subjects that everyone could identify with. He took the universally acknowledged oddities of reality, and spiced them up in his own whimsical way.

Of course he mentioned the Olympics and how dressage is “not a sport, just a gay horse.” The Royals got a large segment what with all the nudity this year, as you can imagine.

He also highlighted the idiocy of online booking, how difficult it is to look good in photos, and how he’s figured out the moment you know you’re in a long term relationship.

The men in the audience sympathised when he complained about the complexity of women, the couples recognized his attempts at spontaneity and the parents understood his struggle to entertain his children.

He may be the king of comedy, but like every human being he isn’t perfect. A large portion of his jokes are in the form of self-mockery and tales of embarrassment.

This makes us love him even more as, despite his fame and wealth, he is still human.

The gig I saw was actually the night it was filmed for his DVD, and of course it was this night he chose to say ‘cock-porn’ instead of ‘popcorn’. He teased, “would you stop laughing at my mistakes, it’s my DVD night!”

There also seemed to be a lack of his usual hop-skip-and-jump-around-the-stage routine, and I’m sure I heard him wheezing in between jokes.

I can’t deny that he was still as animated and flamboyant as ever in his delivery. In comparison to his other gigs, he seemed to interact a lot more with the audience and go off on humorous tangents, instead of sticking to a strict, yet very funny, routine.

All in all, a hilarious display of comedic excellence and I can’t wait to watch it all again when the DVD comes out on November 12!

Published at KettleMag.com 

University of Sussex Memes

25 Wednesday Apr 2012

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It was a typical Wednesday afternoon when two bored students decided to create a Facebook group to rule all Sussex Facebook groups. Of course I’m talking about the University of Sussex Memes group. The addictive group was created on February 8 by David Jonathan and Raminski Skii who tactically followed suit after seeing that other universities had their own memes sites. Within just one day of existence, the group had gone viral; it was liked by 2000 students, hordes of witty memes were posted by the hour and an entire new form of procrastination emerged.

If you’re completely baffled by the concept of memes, I will enlighten you. According to a very reliable source a meme is an idea, behaviour or style that spreads from person to person within a culture through writing and other imitable phenomena. The term is a shortening of mineme, the Ancient Greek for ‘something imitated’. It was also modelled on the word gene as it was coined by the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins (1976) as a concept for explaining the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena. The concept is analogous to genes in the way that they self-replicate, mutate and respond to selective pressures, each of which influence a meme’s reproductive success.

It is evident in this case that the most successful memes gain the most likes and comments. One of the most popular memes with over 400 likes is an image comparing Sussex accommodation with various other places; Swanborough as a palace, Northfield as Brighton Pavillion, Stanmer court as the land of Far Far Away, Brighthelm as Wisteria Lane, Lewis Court as a Premiere Inn, Park Village as a motel and, of course, East Slope as a cardboard box. It’s not difficult to see why this image is so popular – everyone who goes to Sussex can identify with it, and once someone likes it a few times, it pops up on newsfeeds and there’s no stopping the spread.

With a simple internet generator anyone can create their own customised meme from a series of stock images. These include the ‘Success Kid’, the ‘One does not simply…’, the ‘Y U No’ and the ‘Socially Awkward Penguin’, along with an assortment of film references, celebrities and cartoons. It’s this juxtaposition of popular culture and student values that works so well as everyone can recognise them and indulge in the sarcastic humour and clever analogies.

The topics involved draw on the shared knowledge of Sussex students. These include important issues such as sea gulls stealing our Bagelmans, the bizarre Sussex architecture (metaphors of ‘Inception’ are commonplace) as well as that damn library gate (‘You shall not pass!’). A constant focus is comparing East Slope to a slum, slating certain courses (Media Studies) and being bombarded with flyers every time you walk through library square. Just generally the hardships of student life like 9ams, assignments and Falmer Sports complex being up a mountain.

A recurrent theme is of course the unavoidable Sussex vs. Brighton rivalry, with the insinuation that Brighton students are dense chavs. For example the image of Keanu Reeves saying ‘What if buses go through Sussex first to give Brighton students something to aspire to?’ and the young boy with the words ‘Meanwhile over at Brighton…I fuckin’ love colouring!!!!!!’ Someone even replied to the backlash with an image of Chris Crocker saying ‘Leave Brighton Uni Alone!’It all reflects the banterous nature of student life, and this unique medium has allowed us to share our opinions and experiences of student life in a light-hearted manner.

The University of Sussex Memes group has brought a sense of community unlike any other through its simplicity and accessibility; you can contribute your own unit of cultural beliefs and see how many people feel the same way, or simply look through others’ memes and have a chuckle between lectures. Who knows whether the Facebook group will prevail? At the point of writing, 3300 people have liked it, more than 500 memes have been posted, and Vodka Revs even dedicated a club night to it!

David, co-creator of the group said: “It’s the first page Sussex has that anyone can contribute to and share a laugh together. And the best thing about it is we have half the number of students, but more likes, memes and hits than Brighton Uni’s own  page! ”

Check out the infamous facebook group at:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/University-of-Sussex-Memes/171601282950713

Interview with Matt Lacey: The Gap Yah sensation

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

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After the widespread success of the ‘Gap Yah’ videos, Orlando is back with his new book ‘The Gap Yah Plannah’. For those of you who are unawahh of the YouTube sensation that is ‘Gap Yah’ (viewed over 4 million times), the video portrays a student called Orlando (played by Matt Lacey) telling his friend Tarquin about his experiences during his gap year in Tanzanahh, Perahh and Burmahh, all of which result in him vomiting, or “chundering”, everywahh.

Its creator, Matt Lacey, describes the video as: “A satire on the great number of people who seem to be leaving these shores to vomit all over the developing world.” (The Guardian). Matt, 25, studied Modern History at Oxford (his thesis was based on an obscure Irish moustache law), but unsurprisingly was always drawn to the stage. After uni, he formed the comedy group ‘The Unexpected Items’ who wrote the material for the sketch…

Where did you get the idea for the comedy sketch?

I kind of created the character as a composite of people I met at uni really. It actually started off as a silly voice I was using to take the piss out of a friend of mine, and after a while I started adding to what I overheard and eventually it became a real character that I could perform on stage.

Where did Orlando come from?

The character’s called Orlando, but the real Orlando was a friend of a friend I met at a party, and when he introduced himself, I couldn’t understand him with his lazy vowels. He was so posh I genuinely thought he was called Miranda.

What about that famous phrase?

Well I first overheard ‘I need to take a tactical chunder’, which means if you’re drinking too much and you need to lessen the load, you make yourself sick, which is quite a bizarre concept. But this one time I was in a queue for Zodiac on Cowley road in Oxford and there was this gaggle of teenagers and I just heard, ‘Oh em gee, Tarquin’s just vommed! Tarquin’s just chundered EVERYWHERE!’ as he was getting sick into someone’s front garden.

What did you study at Oxford?

Modern History. I did my thesis on a 14th century Irish law about moustaches.

Were you a lash hero at university?  

Was I ever? I don’t think they used that terminology then, but I liked to drink.

You must get recognised a lot since everyone our age has seen the videos.

The first time I got recognised was quite weird, it was at Elephant and Castle shopping centre in London, which is quite an unexpected place for that to happen, the guy just came up to me and said, ‘Saw you on the internet’ and walked off.  

As an English language student at Sussex I have to say you have the most inventive use of the language. How does it feel to have created and immortalised words such as ‘vomcano’ and ‘lashmina’ which are being used by students all over the country?

Yeah it’s nice to have added to the vernacular…Shakespeare made up words, why can’t I?! They seem to pop up in a lot of place, there was even an article in the telegraph the other day talking about the occupied people calling them ‘Lefties on their gap yah’!

What can we expect from your new book ‘The Gap Yah Plannah?’

Well, what can’t you expect?! I can’t think of anything. Hopefully you’ll find it funny, but it’s also quite varied, so it’s not all written from the point of view of Orlando. A lot of it is written in that Lonely Planet style. (Yeah check out this! Fuck off Lonely Planet you’re not my friend) It’s all illustrated by me as well…and it’s shiny.

I’ve read some excerpts of it and the way it’s written I can just imagine you saying it.

I did quite literally say it; when I was writing it I would read it back to myself in the voice just to make sure it all flowed.

Do you think anyone will be able to read it and find it funny, even if they’re not planning a gap yah?

Well no one can afford to go on a gap yah this year what with the student fee rise…but this is the next best thing! It’s cheaper than paying £25,000 or however much a gap year costs.

What do you think of Made in Chelsea?

I’ve watched it a few times, it’s a bizarre programme, I don’t really understand it if I’m honest. I don’t understand how they make it, as it’s kind of semi real, but not. They seem to be having a lovely time don’t they? But never go down to the river Thames if you’re partner asks you to, ‘cause you’re going to get dumped.

Have you actually been on a gap yah?

Yes I had to take a gap yah. Most of it I spent in Ireland working in a Chinese restaurant run by Romanians. That was life experience! But I also did a more cliché trip to Tanzania or ‘Tanzanaah’.

So you went to Oxford and you’ve been on a gap yah, aren’t you just a ‘rah’ in denial?

Am I a rah? I don’t know…I’m pretty middle class, I’ve never worn a pashmina! And I only bought that Jack Wills gilet for Orlando…but previous to that I would not be seen wearing Jack Wills.

What’s next for you?

Well I’m talking to people about possible vehicles with the character for TV, but I’m keen to do more live shows with my sketch group called ‘The unexpected items’, and we’re going to put some more of our sketches up on our youtube channel – one of them is actually a satire on Made in Chelsea. And of course promoting the book, I’m not quite as good as the meerkat yet!

Orlando’s Lexicon:

  • Gap Yah – When posh kids spend a year travelling the world using daddy’s credit card.
  • Tactical chunder – If you’re drinking too much and need to lessen the load, you literally make yourself sick.
  • Vomcano – When you chunder volcanic proportions.
  • Lash Hero – Someone who can consume copious amounts of alcohol and still maintain a high level of banter.
  • Lashmina – The metaphorical pashmina one wears when out on the lash.

The Gap Yah Plannah by Orlando is published by 4th Estate, find it at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Gap-Yah-Plannah-Orlando/dp/0007432062

Jack Whitehall review

05 Monday Mar 2012

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Article written for the 31/10/11 issue, and was also published on KettleMag this year: http://www.kettlemag.com/article/greatest-comedian-i-ever-saw-jack-whitehall

As Jack Whitehall strolled onto the stage to ‘Back in Black’, wearing skinny jeans and attempting to down a pint, shouting ‘It’s Saturday night, let’s all get wasted in Oceana!’ you can kind of see where he is coming from when he admits he is a bit immature. Understandably though, he is still only 23 and one of the youngest successful comics around.

Posh boy Whitehall has come to fame relatively quickly. After school he took a gap year where he decided to pursue a career in stand-up. He then studied Art History at Manchester, but later dropped out to concentrate on comedy. By the age of 19 he was offered his first weekend at the Comedy Store and since 2008 he has appeared on every panel-show imaginable. His recent acting debut in the comedy drama, Fresh Meat, where he plays an extreme version of himself, has been well received and now he’s off on his nationwide tour, ‘Let’s Not Speak of This Again’.

We should hate him really; he’s talented, young, attractive, and well on his way to becoming very wealthy and famous. But his immaturity works in his favour as he gains the popularity of the younger and student audience by talking about trash TV, student life, holidays with your mates, and sex. Pulling up his t-shirt to reveal a sunburnt penis on his chest just about sums this up.

Stereotypically middle-class Whitehall says that his immaturity has been the downfall in his relationships. He once forgot about a six month anniversary dinner, going to a fancy dress party instead. His girlfriend dumped him as soon as he came home wearing an alcohol sodden chicken outfit, totally pissed.

As he flounces about the stage, his jokes are immediately funny. His posh voice and slightly camp persona seems to have Michael McIntyre effect on the audience. He mentions how, growing up, his campness was not appreciated by his father.  His dad wanted him to be more macho, while Jack just wanted to wear tights and dress up as Robin Hood.

Jack is trying to be more grown up. The confessed mummy’s boy is now living away from home in rented accommodation and says he’s doing things he’s never done before. If a light bulb would go out, nowadays he would say, ‘Oh shit, I’m going to have to change that’, while at uni his response would have been ‘Oh fuck, we’re only going to be able to use this room in the day time!’ Now he finds himself spending his Saturday nights with a friend round, drinking herbal tea (not forgetting a coaster) and watching egg heads.

He ended the show with his favourite past time: mocking Robert Pattinson. Whitehall went to the same school as the Twilight star and is distraught that the fellow posh boy gets all the attention. Jack says he was interested in acting at school, but complains he was overshadowed by Pattinson, who always got the good roles. His encore entailed whipping on his chicken outfit and letting out his fury by reading from Pattinson’s autobiography, slating it all the way.

Jack Whitehall may still have some growing up to do, but we love him how he is, and he’s not going anywhere. Watch out for Jacks new show in January ‘Hit the Road, Jack’, where he’ll be visiting a different part of the UK every week, filming stand-up and messing around with the locals.