Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: Posted Fri Jun 9 12:05:05 BST 2000 by Red Typeface

I have always been confused by the use of the description "surreal" to describe certain comedy.Python,Q,Izzard,Harry hill,Vic and Bob,Father Ted as examples.To merit this adjective, the writing has to include animals (usually fish ) ,foodstuffs (usually cheese or root vegtables)and displacing famous figures from their usual behaviour or enviroment(usually Ghandi or Thora Hird).I feel as soon as something is described as surreal, it automatically discounts itself.A lot of the aforementioned comedians and shows seem to inhabit similiar ideas so much, that the notion of talking pets and juggling broccolli ceases to be "strange" or "kooky".(I notice a new trend at the moment with the new batch of stoner comedians is saying the word "monkey" a lot).Now Im not criticising any of this crazy,floppy timepiece,giraffe on fire merchants,but surely they should be classified as "absurdists".Surreal comedy would be Jim Davidson collapsing to his knees,pounding the stage with his fist,singingGlad to be Gay with teary eyes.Surreal would be Chris Morris playing a cameo of a funny solicitor in 2.4 Children.It would be Simon Day performing an excruitiating impression of Boy George on Stars in Their Eyes.Hey this is fun .Anymore ideas for my New Surrealism in comedy?


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Jon on Fri Jun 9 12:43:01 BST 2000:

How long before someone adds a comment that just says "Fish"?


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Mr Herring on Fri Jun 9 13:30:59 BST 2000:

Fish


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Anonymous on Fri Jun 9 13:32:27 BST 2000:

Not *the* Mr Herring btw.


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Sir Real on Fri Jun 9 13:39:17 BST 2000:


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Dan L on Fri Jun 9 18:46:55 BST 2000:

Autogyros were the first successful rotary wing aircraft to fly. They marked a departure from conventional fixed wing aircraft and an attempt to fill a role that airplanes couldn't. They can fly slowly due to a phenomenon known as autorotation, where the rotor is unpowered and is made to spin by aerodynamic forces. Autorotation allowed the wings to move faster than the aircraft. Although autogyros were never widely accepted by the public, the military, nor aircraft companies, they were very important in the development of the helicopter. Many of the technologies developed for the autogyro were used in the helicopter. If Cierva had not pursued the autogyro, it definitely would have delayed the development of the helicopter, maybe even for decades. After the introduction of the first successful helicopters, autogyros were largely forgotten except as kit aircraft and ultralights. Recently, two companies, Groen Brothers and CarterCopter, have brought back the autogyro using modern technologies. Neither plans to replace the helicopter entirely, only in places where low speed flight or vertical take off and landing are all that are needed. Perhaps, if these companies have their way, the future will be more kind to the autogyro than has the past.


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By No on Fri Jun 9 19:04:50 BST 2000:

>Autogyros were the first successful rotary wing aircraft to fly. They marked a departure from conventional fixed wing aircraft and an attempt to fill a role that airplanes couldn't. They can fly slowly due to a phenomenon known as autorotation, where the rotor is unpowered and is made to spin by aerodynamic forces. Autorotation allowed the wings to move faster than the aircraft. Although autogyros were never widely accepted by the public, the military, nor aircraft companies, they were very important in the development of the helicopter. Many of the technologies developed for the autogyro were used in the helicopter. If Cierva had not pursued the autogyro, it definitely would have delayed the development of the helicopter, maybe even for decades. After the introduction of the first successful helicopters, autogyros were largely forgotten except as kit aircraft and ultralights. Recently, two companies, Groen Brothers and CarterCopter, have brought back the autogyro using modern technologies. Neither plans to replace the helicopter entirely, only in places where low speed flight or vertical take off and landing are all that are needed. Perhaps, if these companies have their way, the future will be more kind to the autogyro than has the past.

You, sir, are a cunt.


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Anonymous on Fri Jun 9 19:28:58 BST 2000:

How many surrealists does it take to change... what do you mean you've heard it before?









































Fish, obviously.


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By DL on Fri Jun 9 20:42:04 BST 2000:

>Autogyros were the first successful rotary wing aircraft to fly. They marked a departure from conventional fixed wing aircraft and an attempt to fill a role that airplanes couldn't. They can fly slowly due to a phenomenon known as autorotation, where the rotor is unpowered and is made to spin by aerodynamic forces. Autorotation allowed the wings to move faster than the aircraft. Although autogyros were never widely accepted by the public, the military, nor aircraft companies, they were very important in the development of the helicopter. Many of the technologies developed for the autogyro were used in the helicopter. If Cierva had not pursued the autogyro, it definitely would have delayed the development of the helicopter, maybe even for decades. After the introduction of the first successful helicopters, autogyros were largely forgotten except as kit aircraft and ultralights. Recently, two companies, Groen Brothers and CarterCopter, have brought back the autogyro using modern technologies. Neither plans to replace the helicopter entirely, only in places where low speed flight or vertical take off and landing are all that are needed. Perhaps, if these companies have their way, the future will be more kind to the autogyro than has the past.

You, sir, are a cunt.

From you, that is probably a compliment. Thanks.
i think you are a cunt too.

Mine is *not* intended as a compliment...




Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By burdock on Mon Jun 12 17:39:32 BST 2000:

Its is indeed.. Very fishy in here.


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By burdock on Mon Jun 12 17:40:29 BST 2000:

It is indeed.. Very fishy in here.






































:P


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By No on Tue Jun 13 18:25:13 BST 2000:

>>Autogyros were the first successful rotary wing aircraft to fly. They marked a departure from conventional fixed wing aircraft and an attempt to fill a role that airplanes couldn't. They can fly slowly due to a phenomenon known as autorotation, where the rotor is unpowered and is made to spin by aerodynamic forces. Autorotation allowed the wings to move faster than the aircraft. Although autogyros were never widely accepted by the public, the military, nor aircraft companies, they were very important in the development of the helicopter. Many of the technologies developed for the autogyro were used in the helicopter. If Cierva had not pursued the autogyro, it definitely would have delayed the development of the helicopter, maybe even for decades. After the introduction of the first successful helicopters, autogyros were largely forgotten except as kit aircraft and ultralights. Recently, two companies, Groen Brothers and CarterCopter, have brought back the autogyro using modern technologies. Neither plans to replace the helicopter entirely, only in places where low speed flight or vertical take off and landing are all that are needed. Perhaps, if these companies have their way, the future will be more kind to the autogyro than has the past.
>
>You, sir, are a cunt.
>
>From you, that is probably a compliment. Thanks.
>i think you are a cunt too.
>
>Mine is *not* intended as a compliment...
>
>
>
>
Steady *on* old chap, you seem quite easily riled...


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By [T][W][O] ident on Tue Jun 13 18:56:52 BST 2000:

No, what *is* this fish doing in my bed?









































Fishy.
























Cunt



























:O


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By fish loops on Tue Jun 13 20:10:31 BST 2000:

Carry on, carry on, I feel we may be getting somware with this...


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Anonymous on Wed Jun 14 10:48:23 BST 2000:


Carol Vordeman throwing small children at a badly drawn caricature of my
Grandmother's Hobnail pants.
"One from the bottom!!"


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Mememe on Wed Jun 21 17:16:34 BST 2000:

Surrealism was the movement deriving from the 1920s Dada movement. It was based around how Freudian psychology and specifically the subconscious can affect our feelings and fears and emotions generally.
With all due respect, how exactly does that connect with Vic and Bob,Carol Vorderman throwing kiddies at someone's Grandmother's hobnailed underwear, and the bit in the Young Ones where Mike comes in saying "what's this fish doing in my bed?"
'Surrealism' in comedy is just a lazy way of saying 'different', or implying you couldn't repeat the humour with your friends over a tipple (unless you're very good). That said, most 'surreal' comedy is alright, it's just got a crap title.


That was just a load of sixth-former wank, basically, wasn't it?


Subject: Re: Surrealism in comedy.Discuss: [ Previous Message ]
Posted By MM on Thu Jun 22 11:46:28 BST 2000:



Main Entry: sur�re�al�ism
Pronunciation: s&-'rE-&-"li-z&m, -'ri- also -'rA-
Function: noun
Etymology: French surr�alisme, from sur- + r�alisme realism
Date: 1925
: the principles, ideals, or practice of producing fantastic or
incongruous imagery or effects in art, literature, film, or theater by
means of unnatural juxtapositions and combinations
- sur�re�al�ist /-list/ noun or adjective


[ Add Your Comment On This Subject ]
[ Add Your Comment Quoting Message ]