British Comedy Guide

Haircutting Sketch

Int. Barbers

A bald man is sitting in a barbers chair. A barber examines the man's skull.

Barber: So, uh, what style were you looking for?

Man: I want to keep it quite long.

Barber: Right, you are aware that you're somewhat...

Man: Good looking? Yes, I get that all the time.

Barber: Whoever from?

Man: My mother mainly.

Barber: Is she blind?

Man: Sort of. I keep her locked in a cupboard.

Barber: How delightful. What I was originally referring to, though, was your lack of...

Man: Manners? I suppose you're right, you big twat.

Barber: You've got no hair.

Man: You what?

Barber: You're as bald as a babies armpit.

Man: F**k off!

Barber: Oy! Watch yer manners.

Man: Just get on with the haircut!

Barber: Alright. If you could tip your head forwards please.

The man bows his head. The barber whips off his own hair, which is a wig. He puts it on the man's head.

Barber: All done.

The man looks up into the mirror.

Man: It's not a wig is it?

Barber: No, no.

Man: Alright then, well, yeah. I like it.

The barber takes the man's gown off. The man rises and stares hard at the barber.

Man: Where's your hair gone?

Barber: Oh it's under here.

The barber pulls off his 'bald wig' cap. His real hair is under a hairnet.

Barber: It's health and safety.

ENDS

The first 2 thirds is kind, of clunky, and not very funny. The Final 3rd if a great skit in it's own right. e.g. bald man asks for haircut, hairdresser-sticks wig on-whips it off-health and safety excuse.

So you think something like this would be stronger?

Int. Barbers

A bald man is sitting in a barber’s chair. A barber examines the man's skull.

Barber: So, uh, what style were you looking for?

Man: Something a bit like yours.

Barber: Right, let me have a think about this.

The barber examines the man’s skull.

Barber: Ok, could you tip your head forwards please.

The man bows his head. The barber whips off his own hair, which is a wig. He puts it on the man's head.

Barber: All done.

The man looks up into the mirror.

Man: It's not a wig is it?

Barber: No, no.

Man: Alright then, well, yeah. I like it.

The barber takes the man's gown off. The man rises and stares hard at the barber.

Man: Where's your hair gone?

Barber: Oh it's under here.

The barber pulls off his 'bald wig' cap. His real hair is under a hairnet.

Barber: It's health and safety.

ENDS

Yes and I think that one's got a more natural flow, in my humble opinion. It's quite an odd sketch, that I suspect will work by it's very oddness. Nothing very predictable, but a familiar situation (bald men in denial). I suspect a lot of people will laugh at it, with out quite knowing why (which is a good thing).

Quote: Winterlight @ March 20, 2008, 11:03 AM


Barber: How delightful. What I was originally referring to, though, was your lack of...

Man: Manners? I suppose you're right, you big twat.

The second worked better apart from the best line in the first one which you removed.

For me, and I know I'm in the minority, I prefered the first one. I know there seems to be a feeling that it's always got to be a sprint to the punchline but I enjoyed the journey there more with the first one.

I think this one is going into the 'no' pile. For some reason I got quite excited about the first half of it, but now just think "meh!".

Thanks for the comments though!

I actually liked the first bit, about his mum saying he's good looking etc. xD

I really liked the sketch winterlight but theres also another sketch in the original if you can get the wording right. Its the bit where he says 'lack of manners' nd the guy says 'mind your manners.' I know theres a sketch there get on your bike and write it :P

Quote: dannyjb1 @ March 21, 2008, 9:00 AM

For me, and I know I'm in the minority, I prefered the first one. I know there seems to be a feeling that it's always got to be a sprint to the punchline but I enjoyed the journey there more with the first one.

Totally agree, here. The first version had a nice rhythm, some good sub-gags and didn't outstay its welcome at all. Very nice sketch.

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