Kielty complains about stand-up

The Northern Irish star says too many subjects are now considered off-limits to comedians – unless the person telling the joke is the ‘victim’.

Kielty, who was recently vilified in the Press for cracking a joke about the Madelaine McCann case, says the current atmosphere stops stand-ups saying what they really think.

‘These days you have to be the victim to make a joke, then you can get away with anything,’ he said. ‘This attitude can be frustrating.

‘I went with a Jewish friend to see Auschwitz and I was amazed there was a hot dog stand in front of it. My friend said I couldn't joke about it because I'm not Jewish. That's stupid

‘Today, it's hard to even make a Jewish joke, or, more pertinently, a joke about Muslims.

‘It was fine when I joked about Irish terrorism, but people get furious when I joke about Muslim terrorism.

‘I've said the IRA were gentlemen terrorists because at least they used to ring and say a bomb would be going off! But when I say the Muslim terrorists are neither polite nor competent, there is a terrific row.’

In the interview with the Daily Mail to promote his starring role in the West End play A Night In November, 36-year-old Kietly does admit to having is own no-go areas in comedy: namely using swearing as a substitute for 'proper material".

‘These comedians rely far too much on swearing to get a laugh,’ he said. ‘But swearing in itself isn't funny, unless it can somehow be used as a brilliant punchline.’

Kielty also said the emotional rollercoaster of being stand-up has led him to depression, but he conquered it.

‘I'll either come off wanting to commit suicide, or feeling like Jesus Christ,’ he said. ‘In fact, you have to be a bit unhinged to get up there at all."

‘I've had my Stephen Fry moment - like, where's the duvet? Let's go to France. But I'm OK now.’

Published: 12 Oct 2007