NJ: Endangered Surnames

JUSTIN:
Two things link the surname 'Clegg' with the Liberal Democrats. The first of course; being the pillock in charge! Whilst the other is the fact that they're both nearing extinction!

However, there are other names of note on the endangered list too - and joining me to talk us through some of them; is the leading genealogist - Henrietta Simpleton.

HENRIETTA:
Good evening Justin.

JUSTIN:
Now, of all the dying surnames in Britain - which would you say is your favourite?

HENRIETTA:
Ooh, probably yours, I think.

JUSTIN:
Mine? But I thought Edwards was quite common?

HENRIETTA:
Oh, believe me - it's as common as muck.

JUSTIN:
But then, why say it's endangered?

HENRIETTA:
I didn't! You see, I was referring to your REAL surname - as opposed to the one you made up.

JUSTIN:
But that IS my real surname!

HENRIETTA:
Poppycock! You were born Justin Edward Bumgardner; on the seventh of the sixth; '69.

JUSTIN:
'72.

HENRIETTA:
'69! And don't try to deny it - I've seen your records!

JUSTIN:
(SIGHS) Alright, I admit it - I changed it - okay?

HENRIETTA:
May I ask why?

JUSTIN:
I don't know... I guess I was just trying to cling on to my youth.

HENRIETTA:
I meant your name - not your date of birth!

JUSTIN:
Oh! Well, that was done purely so I could get my Equity card.

HENRIETTA:
Oh, yes of course - there WAS another actor by the name of Bumgardner, wasn't there?

JUSTIN:
What, you mean - he's no longer with us?

HENRIETTA:
Yes, I'm afraid his life came to a rather ironic end last summer.

JUSTIN:
Ironic - how?

HENRIETTA:
Well, let's just say that the incident involved a lawn mower and his rectum.

I really like the idea of Justin having changed his name - I would have like to have seen more on it. Maybe its a newsjack tradition and make a miles jupp joke. Good idea though

I've missed this news story but like the idea. However reading through it there's only really two jokes in the whole thing. Bumgardener and his date of birth.

Try and develop the concept - who else has changed their name? Why? Or which other names are extinct (e.g. my name used to be Siberian Tiger). I think the sketch needs to 'move on' as it goes along.

I think it's a good story to tackle as not necessarily one that others would cover. I'm not sure the intro fully conveys what the sketch is about though - it took me a couple of reads to get that it's about surnames becoming extinct. I think you could trim a lot from this sketch as there's quite a bit of to-ing and fro-ing which adds little. I think Stephen is on to something with his suggestion about linking in other extinct entities. A stronger punchline would be needed too - the current one doesn't feel very NJ either.