Barry Cryer

[Windthrop]

The latest volume of memoirs/annecdotes from Barry Cryer has just been published Butterfly Brain. Should be a treasure trove.

[kingbman]

A serious contender as one of the UK's best comedy writers ever this man imho, I for one will be putting that book on my wants from Santa

[Windthrop]

name='kingbman']A serious contender as one of the UK's best comedy writers ever this man imho, I for one will be putting that book on my wants from Santa

Wouldn't argue with that

[Number Six]

It'scertainly on my list for Santa too! Though not a comedian (by his own estimation) - certainly a comic genius with a pen in his hand. Heard him on Steve Wright's Radio2 show on Wednesday and he was, as always , great value. He is one of the last remaining links to the golden age of British comedy - Eric Sykes being another - and IMHO it is amazing he and Eric actually) hasn't been recognised with a knighthood for his services to this country, both comedic and charitable over many, many years. A genuinely nice man - Long may he continue.

[eddie badger]

I think a Knighthood or some sort of recognition for Barry is long overdue. The man is a comedy legend.

[Windthrop]

name='eddie badger']I think a Knighthood or some sort of recognition for Barry is long overdue. The man is a comedy legend.

Writers are often overlooked in films and television particularly in the comedy field. In BC's case he is a performer as well so it is more of a surprise that he hasn't got beyond an OBE. But look at the the other surviving founding fathers of British comedy - Denis Norden, Galton and Simpson, Clement and La Frenais and others - when did they get a K ?



The only comedians who actually have been honoured IIRC are



George Robey

Bob Hope

Norman Wisdom



and comedy actors



David Jason



Brian Rix was Knighted and then enobled into the Lords but that was for his charity work



Not exactly thick on the ground are they ?

[Number Six]

No - when you think of the 'so-called' 'celebrities' who have received awards it makes you mad!!! Let's not forget that other comedy legend of our - Brucie - he deserves one too!

[Windthrop]

name='Number Six']No - when you think of the 'so-called' 'celebrities' who have received awards it makes you mad!!! Let's not forget that other comedy legend of our - Brucie - he deserves one too!

In the case of BF I thought they couldn't Knight him because he got his CBE so recently and he didn't help himself by complaining about it publicly.



My list of Knighted comics should have included Charlie Chaplin, Harry Secombe and Spike Milligan



There was a rumour when Ronnie Barker died that he had turned his down. I think it was Christopher Biggins that said that in an interview.



There is also one comedian, an octogenarian, who I doubt will get a K though he is in many peoples minds our greatest living comedian. He still does the live circuit with the vigour of a man half his age and still plays to packed houses. He is the real 'comedy legend' and has IMHO been denied his K, assuming he wants one, because of a trial on which he was aquitted. His name is Ken Dodd.

[Number Six]

Couldn't agree more Windthrop. Doddie is indeed a living legend and fantastic value live. A very rare talent. I think that the common theory that times have moved on so comedy has to change with them is a cop out - as Eric Sykes once said - a lot of today's comedians are too much in your face all the time, with routines that wouldn't work without continual swearing and crossing of the 'line'. He refuses to go down that route, saying that he is always aware that whilst he is on stage, he is a role model so should behave appropriately. The most important thing was that he was - and is - still FUNNY. All the comedy greats mentioned in this thread had the ability to be very funny without ever offending anyone. All that said, let's be honest, comedy is subjective and I do agree that if a cetain type of comedy or comedian offends you - don't watch them!!! And to be fair, there are some fantastic comedians around today - Ross Noble, Sean Lock, Bill Bailey, Jack Dee, Michael MacIntyre to name a few - all very funny - to me at least!!

[Windthrop]

Just finished the book. It is indeed a treasure trove - part bio, mini bios of colleages and heros, random jottings, anecdotes etc. Some lovely pieces on people like Humphrey Lyttleton and others. A kind of summing up of where BC has got to in his career and those he has met on the way. A slim volume and better for it - doesn't outstay its welcome and leaves you wanting more