CK Goldiing renews his love of comedy

Last night, while watching Mock The Week on Dave, I noticed something different… very different. Of course, much was the same - namely Russell Howard did voices, Hugh Dennis pulled faces, Russell Kane did dances, Gina Yashere did Nigerian, Milton Jones wore a deckchair, Jack Whitehall cut-off circulation to his nuts and none of the women were funny, but all these constants aside, for the first time in many months, I found myself laughing heartily.

Why was this?

Well, in part, I think it’s because I knew that stating, on a forum as public as Chortle, that ‘none of the women were funny’ would result in all female readers concluding that I’m a prick, closing their browser windows and returning to their household chores, which, deep down, we all want, but mainly, I think I found the show funny because I was watching it free of the shackles of ‘insider trading’.

You know what it’s like… when you do something so regularly that you understand its underpinning mechanics like the back of your hand, you’re less inclined to be impressed by the act when someone else does it for your pleasure. Masturbation notwithstanding.

Having not performed stand-up for a few months due to radio/writing commitments, last night I was able to enjoy Mock The Week free of prevailing judgement and I must admit, it was truly liberating!

So, does performing comedy regularly sharpen a stand-up’s eye for the craft or make blunt their funny bone? I’m inclined to err on the side of the latter.

Take the Royal Wedding, for example, apparently, an audience of two-billion are expected to tune in to the live coverage on Friday. Now, much of this audience will dwell outside British shores, because so far, I’m yet to encounter a single Brit who gives a shit.

Why the almost tangible apathy? Probably because we live with, listen to and watch these privileged jokers on TV all the time. We observe their lavish, hereditary opulence not with quaint admiration, but with minor irritation. In fact, I’m convinced that the only two countries that won’t be glued to their TV screens come Friday are England and France.

We’ve both seen enough royal car crashes, thanks.

Published: 27 Apr 2011