Quote: Lee Henman @ June 21 2012, 12:27 PM BSTBut they're not "cool" like Stewart Lee for instance, hence they must be shit. And what's wrong with appealing to the masses? Surely a performer's raison d'etre is to make as many people as possible love them and laugh at them.
I have no idea how old you are Lee, but when I was growing up, all the McIntyre-style acts of the day (Tarby, Brucie, Wilmot, etc.) were swept aside by the 'alternative' comics.
We've now gone full circle and I am once again waiting for a brave comedy commissioner to herald in the next wave of dangerous, entertaining and original performers.*
That's not snobbery, it's taste.
*(like a new Alexei Sayle would last 5 minutes these days - Frankie Boyle can't tell a joke without everyone and their Mummy having a spaz fit of hypocritical mock outrage and complaining to the BBC - bunch o pussies)