...says Stewart Lee

The media storm surrounding Jimmy Carr's tax avoidance could mark a major shift in comedy, Stewart Lee says.

He believes the issue could erode the illusion that comedians are the audience's friends, the very everyman liveability which has helped fuel the current explosion in stand-up.

In a wide-ranging interview in the new edition of ScotsGay magazine, Lee said:  'I think this Jimmy Carr tax avoidance thing is pivotal.

'I think the public need to get fed up with stand-ups, and then the distinctive ones will be left standing. It might be a watershed moment.

'I think the assumption will be that any comedian on stage is a cunt and has stolen loads of money and therefore isn’t entitled to talk about anything. It might make it difficult for everyone.'

Lee also said that Carr's position could lead to an end of 'ironically' nasty stand-up.

'The idea that you’re being ironic about the weaker members of society doesn’t really work if you’ve concealed millions of pounds a year which would have gone towards helping them.' he told interviewer Andrew Doyle.

'This perception that Jimmy Carr is in some way left-wing has always struck me as funny. There isn’t any indication of him having any political affiliation at all, although his material would suggest if he did have one it would be right-wing anyway.

However, Lee was not too scathing about Carr's tax arrangements saying: 'In his defence, what he’s done is a tiny drop in the ocean compared with what some of David Cameron’s friends in business have done. Which is why it’s so funny when Cameron chose to single out Jimmy Carr. It’s clear that no one’s advised him. He hasn’t talked to anyone and he’s just opened his mouth

'If handled properly, this could bring down the government. To pick on Jimmy Carr when you’re giving knighthoods to CEOs who are evading much more is absurd.

And Lee revealed he had been under investigation by the Inland Revenue himself... but their inquiry ended up with him receiving a rebate.

Click here to read the full interview.

Published: 8 Jul 2012