I think he's really nice. I don't understand the hate either.
BBC Four Curse of Comedy Season Page 2
I think it's because Jimmy can come across as quite cruel/cold in his act. Plus he's successful, which instantly brings enemies. I agree though - seems like a nice guy.
Along with the Curse of Comedy season, Wednesday's Mark Lawson Talks to... will be with Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
TALK SHOW: Mark Lawson Talks to...
On: BBC Four
Date: Wednesday 19th March 2008
Time: 23:05 to 00:05
Galton and Simpson.
Steptoe and Son creators Alan Galton and Ray Simpson in conversation with Mark Lawson
I for one will definitely be watching. 
I'm looking forward to this season, but isn't the "unhappy" comedian becoming something of a cliche. There must be hundreds out there who lead happy, well adjusted lives. And on the subject of tonights about Steptoe and Son, was it really so bad for these men to be trapped playing comedy characters in one of our greatest ever sitcoms? There are worse fates.
Quote: chipolata @ March 19, 2008, 10:19 AMAnd on the subject of tonights about Steptoe and Son, was it really so bad for these men to be trapped playing comedy characters in one of our greatest ever sitcoms? There are worse fates.
But if you play a character that you're not actually that fond of, and in a show so successful that you're typecast and never again play anyone who's not just a variation on that character, I would imagine that it could become quite wearing.
Anyway. Quite enjoyed it. Seemed a bit typically sensationalised, and I did read a short article last week (possibly linked to here, I can't be bothered to check right now) written by Galton and Simpson, basically saying that these shows aren't really reflective of their experiences, and that everyone was genuinely lovely in private, etc.
Yeah, anyway... Looking forward to next week's, on Hancock.
Ray now looks a lot like Matthew Kelly.
I didn't know they met at a tuberculosis sanitorium. That may be the coolest thing ever.
Yeah, I read that just last week. Very interesting stories there! Good interview on the whole, some nice insights into the writers' world.
It was a wonderful interview. Even my mum got drawn in.
I enjoyed it, but there was nothing new in it. Plus I come back to a previous point I made in that I can't see that it was such a hellish experience playing these characters. Working down a mine or cleaning sewers seems worse.
The one I'm really looking forward to is the one with Paula Yates's dad, since I don't know as much about him as the other people featured in the series. Other than he was a truly horrible man.
Didn't find much to enjoy in the Hancock one tonight. Think Ken Stott's a great actor, but he was badly mis-cast here I think. And what was with that accent?
Told us very little that wasn't already known about Hancock, and IMO was better covered in the drama they made some years back, starring Alfred Molina (doing a v.good Hancock).
Also, the script never really alluded to why the man was so funny. And he was never shown as funny. An hour-and-a-half of alcohol and self-pity was just too much. In the end all it seemed to be saying was "This man had demons", but with no real idea why. Or indeed why we should really care.
Was interesting to learn a little more about the strange affair with Joan. But it never really explained what she found so compelling about the man. And the Joan character never seemed to have a voice.
A wasted opportunity this? Or was it just a bad idea in the first place?
A bit of both. As far as the 'Curse of Comedy' remit goes, I don't think it did TOO badly. But you're right - nothing that wasn't already known, a shockingly weird accent, and for me personally it was just plain uncomfortable viewing for the final 10-15 minutes or so. Not so much because of the actual subject matter as how it was handled. Definitely a lot more could have been made of it. Pity really.
Well, as I say, the one they made a few years back had a great performance from Molina and covered much of the same ground. But it at least let you in on the sunny side of Hancock's life. Seeing how those brilliant shows were made and recorded. And it delved into the philosophy that led to Hancock's downfall... that he constantly compared himself unfavourably to his comic heroes. That he was blind to the fact that playing a pompous fool living in East Cheam WAS a grand comic idea.
Unless I'm searching badly, YouTube lets us down for once - I'd love to see Molina show again. 
Paul and Barry Chuckle, obviously.
Quote: Griff @ March 27, 2008, 9:46 AMThat's intriguing. Who were Hancock's comic heroes ?
Chaplin, Jacques Tati... Little Miss Jocelyn?