Noticing the Post on here about "The Mighty Boosh" (Like a lot of comedy shows;started on Radio 4) I would be interested to know what other DevaChatters opinions are on "Modern" as against "Good old fashioned" Comedy.How do you compare Eddie Izzard with say Peter Kay? Personally i find Izzard as funny as backache;while Kay makes me laugh.How do you compare" The League of Gentlemen" with Steptoe and Son.With Steptoe both actors long since dead;and yet the series (Both Radio and TV) are repeated constantly.Will "The League" be as popular in 30 years time? And yet there some funny modern comedians;Hugh Dennis and Steve Punts "Now" show has been running on Radio 4 for some years now.The most popular show on Radio 4 is "Im sorry I havnt a clue" which has been running for Decades;with a compere who is well over 70 and three of the panellists into their late 50s.If you turn on Radio 7 at 11 at night;they have what is called a "Comedy Club" were a lot of the new Comics are given their chance.Funny;not to me;But there again i think John Shuttleworth is hilarious.not everybody "gets him" But in the end its all about opinions i suppose.

I always said it, the old stuff is the best, some of stuff out at moment is terrible.

You dont even see any decent comedians on telly now, i like Little Britain and and Peter Kay but after that.

Alternative comedy seems to me to be an attempt to see just how bad people can be!!

bring back the good old belly laugh!!

So true!

In attempting to do something new, a lot of so-called 'comedians' push the boundaries a little too much and stumble over into what can only be described as bad taste. The trick is to be original AND funny, and that's where talent comes in.

Today's comics could learn a lot from many of the old-time comics, the best of which never had to resort to swearing or smut to get a laugh.

Sadly, I think that the humour of Tommy Cooper, Ronnie Barker, Tony Hancock, Les Dawson, Spike Milligan, Norman Wisdom etc. etc. and their generation will never be seen again, except on DVD.

Spot on there, i could'nt agree more.

All the good ones are either dead or ignored now

You could say that about footballers as well!!

The best modern comedian IMO is Peter Kay and the best old-fashioned comedian is Ronnie Barker IMO

I think Ronnie Barker just edges it, but i think the old-fashioned comedians are always going to beat modern comedians, O-F comdians hardly ever use swearwords, they get laughs without resorting to crudeitys...

that four candles is the funniest thing i have ever seen, exept the ministry of silly walks and the twit olympics (monty python)

Yeah, i've got to agree with you there

kartlad, how can you compare that fat northern SH*TE with a comedic legend like Barker. All Kay does is say things in a funny accent. granted, some of his stuff is ok but he isn't fit to to even grace the same page as barker.

being quite young I am of course partial to modern comedy with alternative definately being my favourite. I love Bill Bailey, the man is obscure as hell and its hilarious although I can see why others find it a bit odd. gotta broaden your mind!

eddie izzard is also brilliant. Mighty Boosh, mitchell and webb and generally anything a bit strange gets my vote.

Meh, opinions...and i for one, like Peter Kay...his accent makes it funnier, but he would be funny without an accent...

Ronnie Barker is undoubtedly the greatest comedian to grace this earth...and 99.9% of his sketches and t.v series' are hilarious..he is so funny....

Lee Evans

Ronnie Barker beats him hands down, Lee Evans is just a little kid jumping around the stage after having a blast of helium...

Ronnie Barker is a legend...

Peter Kays style of comedy is successful because it looks at real life, people can identify with that quite easily and that makes it easy to laugh at. Just like the Royle Family.

Have you ever seen Ronnie Barker in any of his comedy acts, Scott? If you have, you would agree with me

Ronnie Barker is a legend...


Exactly