Quote: chipolata @ April 13 2010, 11:06 AM BSTI've never quite understood the hatred Kay attracts. He's done some good stuff.
Popular and everywhere = complete hatred in some.
See also Ricky Gervais.
There's no doubt Kay has tested a lot of fans patience though, with things like the regular cash in DVDs.
Quote: chipolata @ April 13 2010, 11:06 AM BSTI've never quite understood the hatred Kay attracts. He's done some good stuff.
He does have a reputation professionally as being a f**k of a man and he's tested a nation with his music, books and cash-in DVDs but, like Matt said, he also made Phoenix Nights, which is a free pass up to and including regicide.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 13 2010, 9:15 AM BSTHe made Phoenix Nights, he could punch a baby now and I'd still like him. Perhaps like him even more.
Phoenix Nights is only mildly more amusing than ... um. A very unamusing thing. Child abuse perhaps?
Actually, strike that. Child abuse is more amusing than Phoenix Nights.
Quote: David Bussell @ April 13 2010, 11:10 AM BSTHe does have a reputation professionally as being a f**k of a man and he's tested a nation with his music, books and cash-in DVDs but, like Matt said, he also made Phoenix Nights, which is a free pass up to and including regicide.
I much prefer That Peter Kay Thing. IMHHO, that's his finest work. And makes anything he does now forgivable.
Quote: chipolata @ April 13 2010, 3:02 PM BSTI much prefer That Peter Kay Thing. IMHHO, that's his finest work. And makes anything he does now forgivable.
I enjoyed a couple of those (the ice cream man/Taxi Driver one being a stand-out) but far preferred Nights.
Bit harsh Aaron.
Quote: Chris Forshaw @ April 13 2010, 12:11 AM BSTHow can you hate Peter Kay for just making observations but then like Michael McIntyre?
There's probably a bit of a north-south divide between the fans.
Quote: chipolata @ April 13 2010, 11:06 AM BSTI've never quite understood the hatred Kay attracts. He's done some good stuff.
I don't think anyone hates Kay for the funny things he has done, but unlike other popular observational comedians like McIntyre & Evans, from what I've read in various places it sounds like Kay does have a negative side to him that is easy to dislike. Based on his DVD releases, he's clearly very dismissive of his fans (or, if not him, his management) - the DVDs he has brought out have just been lazy money spinners - a complete con in the case of the Live At The Manchester Arena one. (As an aside, I think Jimmy Carr's DVDs are the best - he takes time to make new extras just for the DVDs).
Kay is really not liked by the comedy community. There's lots of behind-the-scenes stories of Kay not being a very nice person. Many acts that he giged with in his early days have reported he sabotaged their acts to make sure he was the funniest on the night. I believe Kay even admits in his book he regularly meddled with the microphone stand to cause the subsequent acts problems.
I think I also read somewhere Neil Fitzmaurice and Dave Spikey won't talk to him anymore after he ruthlessly sidelined them to make a grab for the Phoenix Nights profits. (Discalimer: I may be wrong about this!)
Here's some more, Steve Bennett of Chortle talking about Kay's book:
Quote: Steve BennettThere's a slight passive-aggressive tone that occasionally comes to the surface. It's most visible whenever he refers to his old friend Dave Spikey - that adjective always italicised. You wish he'd either be gracious and let it lie, or just properly lay into his Phoenix Nights co-writer, rather than steer this niggly middle path.
He's sneery about anything that doesn't fit his view of comedy, including trotting out the old line that 'the only thing that's ever been alternative about alternative comedy is that it's an alternative to laughing'. He dismisses the Comedy Store as 'McComedy', snipes at panel shows ('all that quick-witted stuff is a load of bollocks') and revels in the failure of another act... though Duncan D'Sorderly did have the temerity to critique Kay's performance, so deserved it.
On at least one occasion, Kay actively contributes to another comic's downfall; deliberately giving Graham Norton duff information on the name of Manchester's gay district, so his gag relying on that reference fell flat. It's the same streak that led him to reveal the twists to current Hollywood movies on national radio, spoiling cinemagoers' enjoyment.
Quote: Mark @ April 13 2010, 3:17 PM BSTBit harsh Aaron.
I thought it was pretty fair. Perhaps the second series is a massive improvement, but the first was dull, depressing, and about 5 hours too long. I really couldn't wait for it to end.
I think you are right Mark about the Peter Kay and Dave Spikey stuff, they definitely had a falling out at some point over Phoenix Nights. Same with Daniel Kitson, who hated his experience on Phoenix Nights so much that he never wants to work on television again!
I do think the first series of Phoenix Night's is good, actual gags in there and some good character work. Kay's stand-up, hmm, it's okay, he's a good performer, but I just don't really like the guy, he doesn't come across well in my opinion and as mentioned, the cash-in DVDs are beyond ridiculous, especially that one that was just clips of him on Corrie and his John Smith adverts!
As for the list in general, it was very poorly put together, most of the show was simply re-used from last time, even the voice-over calling out the wrong number.
The list is utterly meaningless in the grand scheme of things. I mean Ricky Gervais number 3, above Bill Hicks, just...no.
Nice to see Stewart Lee and Daniel Kitson fairly high up though.
Quote: Aaron @ April 13 2010, 3:00 PM BSTActually, strike that. Child abuse is more amusing than Phoenix Nights.
Only when Woody Allen is making those clever self-effacing remarks.
I've yet to come across Peter Kay in any context other than him plugging himself on Children in Need, in which he came across like an absolute c**t.
It's not fair to compare him to Ricky Gervais and Michael McIntyre. At least those two have the decency to appear on my television screen every five minutes.
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ April 14 2010, 12:03 AM BSTI've yet to come across Peter Kay in any context other than him plugging himself on Children in Need, in which he came across like an absolute c**t.
It's not fair to compare him to Ricky Gervais and Michael McIntyre. At least those two have the decency to appear on my television screen every five minutes.
Decency? Decency? If they had any decency they would be trying to see who could hit the ground quickest after jumping off Beachy Head !
Billy Connolly deserves every award thrown at him - legend.
Peter Cook my have done sets in his Establishment club, but he wasn't a stand-up comedian first and foremost.
Dave Gorman didn't classify himself as a stand-up but has for the past year now he's rehit the trail.
Overrated for me is Bill Hicks - but you couldn't fault his energy.
Connolly, Izzard & Murphy are the masters.
Wrigglesworth and Noble could get there too
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ April 14 2010, 12:03 AM BSTI've yet to come across Peter Kay in any context other than him plugging himself on Children in Need,
You should give Phoenix Nights a try sometime, it really is a great show.
Quote: Aaron @ April 13 2010, 3:22 PM BSTI thought it was pretty fair. Perhaps the second series is a massive improvement, but the first was dull, depressing, and about 5 hours too long. I really couldn't wait for it to end.
I think you're right Aaron. I don't like Phoenix Nights either.
Quote: Dave @ April 19 2010, 10:56 AM BSTI think you're right Aaron. I don't like Phoenix Nights either.
You're a disgrace to the name!
