A hilarious comic, don't ye know? (Imagine the last bit being said in his voice)
Paul Merton
I've never rated him. He seems to think he's Tony Hancock. Unfortunately for him, he hasn't got Galton and Simpson writing his material.
Does Tony Hancock think he's Paul Merton then?
I'm quite a big fan of his. I think he is best on stage improvising with others with him and the audience. I've seen him do his improv show (Paul Merton's Improv Chums) several times and I think it is one of the best things - if not the best overall - comedy performances I've ever seen.
I saw the Improv show recently too.
It was ace!
He was great, and very funny and likeable. (And quite scruffy.)
Who were the special extra guests when you saw it Ian? Mine was erm... Mike McShane.
Quote: zooo @ July 17 2008, 6:57 PM BSTI saw the Improv show recently too.
It was ace!
He was great, and very funny and likeable. (And quite scruffy.)Who were the special extra guests when you saw it Ian? Mine was erm... Mike McShane.
Mike McShane is the extra guest for the entire tour. I saw him in both York and Newcastle. I first saw the Improv Chums at the Fringe last year (although back then it was Jim Sweeney) and I'm seeing them again this year too.
Oh reeeally?
I thought they had a couple of different ones.
I used to like Slattery and McShane's improv show. Surely Slattery has done this thing with Merton?
Nope. 
Quote: zooo @ July 17 2008, 7:26 PM BSTNope.
Oh, that seems strange. Mind you hasn't he been suffering from bad bi-polaroids?
I'm syre I saw him on that Stephen Fry documentary.
Quote: ian_w @ July 17 2008, 7:34 PM BSTOh, that seems strange. Mind you hasn't he been suffering from bad bi-polaroids?
I'm syre I saw him on that Stephen Fry documentary.
Yes, he was quite ill at one point apparently, I think he's supposed to be getting better now. Isn't he in Kingdom?
I saw Paul Merton do the Improv Chums show last year with Jim Sweeney and Richard Vranch amongst others and their skill almost takes your breath away - they're so quick and clever.
I met him once years ago at a book signing and the only things I remember are me being really nervous and him being really friendly and then him being really sweet to an old man behind us in the queue who thought Paul's book My Struggle was a real autobiography and told him he "didn't look that old"!
He's been coasting on HIGNFY for a couple of years now, sadly.
Moving thread to Other British Comedy forum.
Coasting? I think HIGNFY is quite good.
He probably is coasting a bit on HIGNFY but he's still usually the best thing in it after 30 odd series and no -one would watch it without him.
I like him though I dislike Whose Line Is It Anyway?.