The League, aka Simon Munnery, who admittedly is my friend, is the best British stand-up of the last 15 years.

>I saw his show in London last autumn, and, take away the technical gimmicks

I think that would be to miss the point. The "gimmicks" form part of the act as a whole, to take that stance to it's logical conclusion you might as well say that gesturing is a gimmick and that standups should stand stock still, deliver their lines and leave. I suspect that had he done that you would have found it unimaginative and lacking originality. And his "one-liners" were hilarious in my opinion. Content and presentation should never be separated in standup, it is in that way that the medium is unique. If you can only do one without the other you might as well become "just" a writer, or "just" a performer.

>It was better than Alan Parker Urban Warrior, which I could never tolerate: a 15-year out-of-date piece of satire (who really cares about The Clash nowadays, who hasn't already had their 35th birthday?)

From what I remember of APUW, the fact that this character still cared so passionately about out-of-date bands, opinions and stances was the whole point and the main joke of the act, backed up with outstanding material. I only saw this in breif TV appearances, unfortunately, but I remember it seemed unique at the time, standing out from the blanket of "haveyouevernoticed" style blandness offered by most of his contemporaries.

Oh, and Stewart Lee, back that statement up, man! This ain't no fan-worship forum, y'know!

Louise

I think to dismiss Munnery's masterful use of multi media as a gimmick betrays a lack of perception.
I saw TLAT last summer when it was in it's foetal, pre Endinburgh stage.
It was half the intended length, and only achieved half of the intended laughs, largly due to the audience having half the expected level of intelligence.
Maybe we should just stick with the lazy laconic deliveries and reworked knob gags which are the stapple of every comedy club in the country. Or maybe we should stop going to Jongluers and learn to apprciate something far more challenging.

I realise that you can't just dismiss something as a gimmick if it is an integral part of the act, what I was arguing was that IN THIS CASE the stuff with computers seem to do nothing more than provide a distraction whilst some limp routines were plodded through. Yes - as I said - he had some great lines. But that's not the same as having a great act. And yes - as I also said - I'm sure he's a great bloke. But I'm sure Bradley Walsh is as well.

Where's Rob S when you need him?
I venture some constructive criticism of a comedy hero (for a few), then Stewart Lee says 'No, he's brilliant and he's my mate, nerr-rr', whilst 2 lady fans say 'you just don't understand it, he's brilliant'.
Come on Robert - stand by all that stuff you said to the Simon Pegg fans...

If you see one comedian at Edinburgh this year, I strongly suggest you keep your mouth shut.

Why 15 years, Stew?

Because before then, there was someone better than him.

Stew's right about Simon. Though I'd like it if he worked harder (Simon that is. Stew works too hard!). But I suppose it's better to have a few minutes of genius rather than hours of mediocrity (like Lee and Herring?).
And the point is he lets things develop over time - the first time I saw the League was when he did it in the dum show in 92 (?). He's still using some of the same lines, but it has evolved beyond all imaginings.
The League show at the ICA was breath taking in its ground-breaking, as well as being full of incredibly witty and original one liners (take away the gizmos and it's still one of the funniest shows you'll see, but with them it's an assault on nearly every sense, with the possible exception of smell-mind you if you got too close to what was in that viewing box)
The second half at the ICA was undoubtedly experimental and not so funny, but still amazing and disturbing.
It is disgraceful that he isn't better known or appreciated. The Cluub Z pilot was brilliant and I thought was bound to become a genuine cult success. But Channel 4 turned it down to put on some toss such as the 11 o clock show etc.
He has influenced a whole generation of comics (certainly including me and Stew).
Is that enough explanation. Go and see him if you get the chance. He is what comedy is about, my friends.
Sorry I should be working (and dodging the papparazzi)

I saw him in Edinburgh and was quite bored actually. The technical wizadry did nothing to grab my attention, nor did it contribute much in the way of comedy. I realise he has a loyal following, and respect perople's opinions, but I myself just don't find him terribly appealing, nor funny. Please don't berate me for this, but not everyone can be expected to enjoy the same people.

It was the ICA show that I saw - the last night, though that shouldn't matter. I didn't stay for the 2nd half because Munnery himself warned it could be variable, and I had a train to catch, etc... Beccy sums up my feelings. I should also note that there was a hell of a lot of 'let's pester someone in the audience' (pretty much all the camera was used for), which is always the fall-back of a comic trying to fill 20 minutes with 5 minutes' worth of material.

I am sure he has a lot to offer, he seems a very nice man, but I cannot say it was a remarkable show.

>Where's Rob S when you need him?
>I venture some constructive criticism of a comedy hero (for a few), then Stewart Lee says 'No, he's brilliant and he's my mate, nerr-rr', whilst 2 lady fans say 'you just don't understand it, he's brilliant'.
>Come on Robert - stand by all that stuff you said to the Simon Pegg fans...

Slightly flawed arguement, as I have no real interest in getting involved here and I'm not going critise you for your opinion.

Sorry.

Won't you get splinters?

Me and my brother i reckon are the only ones who watched his Futurtv series on UK Play...it was hilarious! Well we thought it was anyway....

No one's mentioned the 1996(?) pilot 'London Calling', a vehicle on BBC2 for Alan Parker. Not very good.

The links for Glastonbury 1995 (Channel 4) were very good. Munnery stood in front of a tent for three days, straining in the light.

It was called 'London Shouting' actually. You see what he did there, cleverly changing the name of a Clash song? But no, it wasn't very good under its real name either.

I've only seen a bit of his act on TV, so I guess I can't comment on this too much having not seen his full show.

However, I have to say that the 'gimmicks' do add to the comedy sometimes. An example is after the routine about it taking the same time to get through central London as it does to get to Italy, a side flashes up of planet Earth with the caption "Greater London". This wouldn't have had the same impact/been that funny had words alone being used (which is why it's not that funny in this posting!)

So from what I've seen the visual aids are very much an important part of the act. Some of the lines were great too. Like I said, I'll have to see his full show to be sure, but he seems to be one of the more refreshing, original and (most importantly) funny people around right now.

Did you see what I did? Cleverly changing the name back?

It had that pair who do the Orb pisstake on it. They were alright.

Mooch, You and your brother had at least one other companion watching FuturTV...ME ! I found it rather compulsive, and rather theraputic. I am stunned by the opera singer, but don't think I would want to be in the audience ! Any idea when it will be back on ?

The 'orb pissatke' was called Pod, and I think they were Barratt&Fielding aka Boosh