Jo Brand - Why is she famous?

I shall ask honestly a question which everyone in my house frequently asks themselves. I hope to do so without any indication of malice, as I don't think that is quite deserved. It is, however, not the question of science vs religion or how to achieve gender, racial and social equality in a right-wing world, but, why is Jo Brand famous?

She is a semi-regular on virtually every panel show going: Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie to You, 8 Out of 10 Cats etc. Yet, despite being billed as a stand-up comedienne, she doesn't tour or release any DVDs - at least in ages. The last released was in 2010 and that was of a gig filmed in 2003. She has published several novels and made a downbeat tragicomedy which finished years ago. Considering how many authors there are, I don't think this justifies such regular mainstream exposure. It certainly seems unfair when there are so many excellent comedians who would kill for such airtime.

However, I could well be wrong. This is, after all, merely a harmless opinion.

What do others think?

You could say the same for several people. Phill Jupitus, for example.

I would say Brand's done a lot more than him recently. Going Forward was this year, and I think she's got a new sitcom with Alan Davies coming soon.

By your criteria, why are a lot of comedians famous? They just are. So they don't release a DVD annually, or do mammoth tours every year, that still gives them the right to be funny when and where they can. As for Jo Brand, she deserves every bit of success, working her way up through the clubs to where she is today.

In my eyes a very funny lady.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Sitcomfan64 - By your criteria, why are a lot of comedians famous? They just are

Exactly. Why single Jo out? She's naturally droll and funny so makes an entertaining panel show guest etc, if she now wishes to ride on the crest of what's gone before, then I say good on her.

I love Jo Brand - the best HIGNFY host. Witty, self-deprecating, sympathetic - not surprising she's so much in demand.

Not wishing to join any Jo Brand love-fest, but she's an RF (recognisable face) and she's good value. More entertaining than most of those doing the panel show shuffle.

Jo Brand is awesome - funny, sarky, deliciously rude.

The thing about Jo Brand for me was when I first saw her in the mid 80s in her pseud lesbo drab black gear, cropped hair and bloody awful monotone one liners, I absolutely hated her; but then she suddenly seemed to blossom into a very funny and clever stand-up and completely won me over.

Jo Brand is a feisty, funny lady, who used to be billed on the stand-up circuit as 'The Sea Monster'. She can more than hold her own on panel shows, but as I recall from reading both of her autobiographies (the second is the best IMHO) she gets fed up with shouting over the men. Both Getting On and its sequel Going Forward symbolise black comedy at its best.

Hurrah for Jo.

I never used to like her but have warmed to her personality over the years and I think she's become popular because she shoots from the hip. She says it how it is and doesn't care what people think of her but she isn't hurtful with her humour and there is a jovial vibe to her observations that I find endearing.

I wish I could remember what was said but I once spoke to her at the stage door of a theatre after she did a performance around 2000 ish. I hate to admit I was probably a drunken idiot and she scolded me for it. Admired her ever since

Because she is funny and talented

She's Ok.

I prefer her on panel shows as opposed to her stand-up. I think with panel shows it helps to have a character like her to bring variation to the team but I've never been bowled over by her stand-up.

She's sharp and very funny. I always think that it must be very hard to be relaxed and natural in front of cameras, lights, crew and fellow peers all expecting you to be unscripted funny.