Friday Night Live – Are we ready for Take Two?
I have to admit I am a great fan of BE and his books, what a wordsmith. His ability to craft great scripts like Blackadder are without question, and if you haven’t read BE books, then I recommend you read them all including the recent ones, his eye for detail and current topics is without question.
However he and I are complete opposites politically, but did that stop me enjoying CH4 40th Anniversary edition of FNL, no such thing it was pretty damn good entertainment for a Friday night.
Apparently some GoogleBox fans were “disappointed” that it was bumped to Saturday night, but really for one night, get over your selves, for the record I also watch GB, so don’t get all hot under the collar.
Let’s be clear he and the other comedians, had been given on open goal with LT resignation and the Conservatives in turmoil, but did he grasp the opportunity with both hands, did he. Funny and at times laugh out loud entertainment.
Typical and easy targets the gags were, his antipathy of all thing blue is evident but I enjoyed everyone.
The other guests were also able to take free pot shots at the Tories and quite rightly so, I just wish there were more comedians prepared to shoot holes in socialist ideals and the LP rather than fear the dread of the social media Cancel Culture, which I will come onto later.
The opportunity to see some up-and-coming talent was refreshing and at times different and while not always quite my thing, it still put a smile on my face, that is what jokes and humour do.
I am not sure a Trans Gender Comedian or any comedian come to think of it, would have got away with that act 40 years ago, perhaps not even 5 years ago, but it does highlight how things change and that we are tolerant of many if not all things in our current view of life.
While RJ is not particularly my cup of tea, I also enjoyed her take on things, it’s good to see new alternative comedians being given a chance, it does seem rather strange though, that unless you have some different take on things you may not get that opportunity, what has happened to good down to earth comedians, but then again, I guess if I trawled the plethora of acts at the EF I would likely get my answer.
BE did quite rightly finish the show with a broader look on modern culture and humour, the reason the Tories get lampooned is they are in Government and so the target of the satire, it’s a bit pointless having a pop at a party that is so very rarely in power, but according to BE he would similarly have a go at them, mmm, I not quite so sure of that.
His take on the Cancel Culture was spot on, the continual indignation of many today, about things taken out of context was brilliant, albeit probably lost on the people he was having a go at. Fortunately, the really good and established comedians like BE, RG and JC can say what they like, when they like and lets hope that continues, what we need is for everyone to accept that jokes humour and satire are just that and not having a go at people or their way of life.
So, back to my point as usual, are we ready for FNL take two, in principal yes, but I think the likelihood is that it would likely get repetitive and I think another show in 40 years may be more appropriate, or realistically maybe 10 years so BE and I can still enjoy it…..
