JFK-1 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 This was the very last recorded performance of Bob Monkhouse, he died later that year, 2003. He knew he was dying of prostate cancer but hadn't made that public, he knw this would be his last performance so presumably for personal reasons this was an invite only event littered with comedians. They knew he had been ill but didn't know it was terminal. This show has apparently gone on to become legendary in the comic community. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mysterion Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 I remember watching this when it first aired. It was brilliantly filmed and put together and gave him a fitting send off. The respect shown to him was incredible. The comedians in that audience knew they were there to witness one of the greats of British comedy take his final bow. Monkhouse was a brilliant comedian, a master of his craft and vastly underrated in his latter years IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i wish jj was my dad Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 42 minutes ago, JFK-1 said: This was the very last recorded performance of Bob Monkhouse, he died later that year, 2003. He knew he was dying of prostate cancer but hadn't made that public, he knw this would be his last performance so presumably for personal reasons this was an invite only event littered with comedians. They knew he had been ill but didn't know it was terminal. This show has apparently gone on to become legendary in the comic community. I'm sure I remember watching that and i'm certain knew. Genius 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFK-1 Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 He was casually chucking around zingers right from the start. Holding a newspaper he's acting as if he's reading. "Les Denis says he wants to spend more time alone, I guess he's going on tour again" Soon after more risque. Talking about Prince Edward having been in the army. "Prince Edward was in the Hoosars, it doesn't say whose arse he was in" Not what people expect to hear from respected gameshow host Bob Monkhouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudi must stay Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 He is in an episode of Jonathan Creek and he is terrific in it. Really a talented actor and comedian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFK-1 Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 6 minutes ago, rudi must stay said: He is in an episode of Jonathan Creek and he is terrific in it. Really a talented actor and comedian I think his stand up and acting talents were largely forgotten by the wider public because for years or even decades all they saw or heard was Bob Monkhouse the gameshow host. Just remembered another of his cracks which was pulled from his legendary joke book sometime after he died. "My act wasn't great - a monk broke a 20-year vow of silence to heckle me'" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i wish jj was my dad Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 11 minutes ago, rudi must stay said: He is in an episode of Jonathan Creek and he is terrific in it. Really a talented actor and comedian His autobiography is brilliant,too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWL Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 1 minute ago, JFK-1 said: I think his stand up and acting talents were largely forgotten by the wider public because for years or even decades all they saw or heard was Bob Monkhouse the gameshow host. Just remembered another of his cracks which was pulled from his legendary joke book sometime after he died. "My act wasn't great - a monk broke a 20-year vow of silence to heckle me'" I watched this a couple of weeks ago. As an earlier poster states, the gags got a tad more risque as the evening went on. One of my favourites of his, not in this show was 'They all laughed when I said I was going to be a comedian................they're not laughing now'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 A very interesting man in many ways. There are many silent films that still exist due to him collecting the original reels. Also an archive of recordings of TV shows that even the BBC didn’t have copies of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFK-1 Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 5 minutes ago, JWL said: 'They all laughed when I said I was going to be a comedian................they're not laughing now'. I think that's a great demonstration of his comic genius many people may miss. I always thought Billy Connolly for example was hilarious, memorable punchlines. But to get to the punchline Billy would typically meander through a long story though in an entertaining manner. But how many great punchlines would Billy deliver in say an hour? Bob Monkhouse just keeps pulling the punchlines out one after the other with hardly a space between, how many would he deliver in an hour? And immaculately delivers them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 3 hours ago, JFK-1 said: I think that's a great demonstration of his comic genius many people may miss. I always thought Billy Connolly for example was hilarious, memorable punchlines. But to get to the punchline Billy would typically meander through a long story though in an entertaining manner. But how many great punchlines would Billy deliver in say an hour? Bob Monkhouse just keeps pulling the punchlines out one after the other with hardly a space between, how many would he deliver in an hour? And immaculately delivers them. One tells jokes, the other doesn't. It's that simple. Joke teller v story teller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovecraft Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 1 minute ago, ri Alban said: One tells jokes, the other doesn't. It's that simple. Joke teller v story teller. Totally untrue. If you just watched the video posted. Monkhouse does both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 Just now, Lovecraft said: Totally untrue. If you just watched the video posted. Monkhouse does both. Na your alright. I'd rather watch hibs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovecraft Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 Just now, ri Alban said: Na your alright. I'd rather watch hibs. Well stop pretending you know what you are talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuel Camazzola Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 Gold from Brazil! 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
been here before Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 9 hours ago, JFK-1 said: I think that's a great demonstration of his comic genius many people may miss. I always thought Billy Connolly for example was hilarious, memorable punchlines. But to get to the punchline Billy would typically meander through a long story though in an entertaining manner. But how many great punchlines would Billy deliver in say an hour? Bob Monkhouse just keeps pulling the punchlines out one after the other with hardly a space between, how many would he deliver in an hour? And immaculately delivers them. Are you sure you've ever seen Billy Connolly? 2 completely different comedians and comedic styles. Its like saying Craig Gordon is a worse footballer than Lawrence Shankland because he doesnt score as many goals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benny Klack Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 2 hours ago, Samuel Camazzola said: Gold from Brazil! 😂 omg - Brazil is a feckin clown 🤡 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFK-1 Posted January 14 Author Share Posted January 14 23 hours ago, been here before said: Are you sure you've ever seen Billy Connolly? 2 completely different comedians and comedic styles. Its like saying Craig Gordon is a worse footballer than Lawrence Shankland because he doesnt score as many goals. Eh yes I heard the very first Connolly album when it was released and I have seen him many times. What are you talking about? In relation to what I said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periodictabledancer Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 On 12/01/2024 at 23:19, JFK-1 said: I think that's a great demonstration of his comic genius many people may miss. I always thought Billy Connolly for example was hilarious, memorable punchlines. But to get to the punchline Billy would typically meander through a long story though in an entertaining manner. But how many great punchlines would Billy deliver in say an hour? Bob Monkhouse just keeps pulling the punchlines out one after the other with hardly a space between, how many would he deliver in an hour? And immaculately delivers them. I was never a fan of Monkhouse - who was a meticulous collector of other peoples material. I always had the impression he thought if he fired enough bullets he'd land some hits. I think he's the closest/earliest UK had to an American "wise guy" style of comedy. IMO Connolly was much more relatable because he told a story about such everyday events and delivered a punchline you just couldn't see coming (his joke on Parkinson about the guy killing his wife and needing somewhere to park his bike being a classic example - that one moment made him a superstar). All opinions valid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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