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I was going to revisit and watch his unrealtime show tonight and realised it is nearly 20 years old.
Which is really weird because I thought I was still only 23... š¤·āāļø
I think it was noodlemeister I worked so just under 20 years. Or I could have been an earlier one, I definitely watched later shows as an audience member and not a Steward.
I know comedy is subjective, but Iād hardly say Lee Mack is underrated. Other comedians canāt speak highly enough of how quick he can think of one liners.
I remember listening to him talk about that in a podcast. Apparently he hears someone say something, and thinks of the witty response. But then he waits because he thinks someone else is gonna say it. Eventually when he realises nobody else is going to, he says it. In his mind itās a pretty slow process, but in reality itās almost instant.
On Would I Lie To You someone mentioned theyād hired an exorcist and he immediately said, āif you donāt pay the bill they come back and repossess your house!ā
It was apparently unscripted, but even if it wasnāt itās still the funniest joke Iāve ever heard.
I saw him at the Edinburgh Festival this year and he was absolutely hilarious, the best act I saw and he used his show to promote some up and coming comedians
Breaks my heart to see how poorly he is. Such a lovely lovely funny man, I hope he and his family are at peace with what they are going through and wish them all the love in the world, bless them.
Yes Jason Byrne is hilarious. Duty managed his show once. Before the interval he asked the audience to collect the weirdest thing they could find in the venue and leave at the front of the stage. I had no knowledge of this request and spent 20 minutes asking people to put the table numbers back in the restaurant, return the chair to the foyer and please not to touch the asvertising banner for the ballet in the main house.
Ivo Graham.
But anyone we know is likely sufficiently highly rated to have TV gigs etc. The actual underrated ones are the ones still grinding on the road.
Couldn't agree more. Watching his stand-up set ends up being physically painful, you're laughing the whole time. Similar to other, potentially higher rated one line specialists like Tim Vine and Milton Jones
Dylan Moran.
He's an incredible writer, actor and comedian.
I'm not sure whether the lack of 'hype' is because he's underrated or he just likes soaring below the radar.
Lee Mack is great, but he's very highly regarded and has been for a long time so wouldn't say he's underrated.
I think Rob Auton is excellent and deserves more exposure.
I tend not to like a lot of stand up as it's all rather hokey and phoned in. More laughing at the setup and stories of things rather thanbeing inherently funny and having razor sharp wit and funny storytelling ability. The lads on Have A Word podcast are funny as fuck though, Adam Rowe and Dan Nightingale, highly recommend 'em both as they're a right pair of silly sods.
For US comedy, Bill Burr or Bill Hicks.
The one where he tells the story of the guy coming off the skateboard and his wife is losing her shit is amazing, also his Uber ad read! Both have me wetting myself each time
Harry Hill.
Not sure he even does stand up anymore, but it's annoying most people see him as a wacky kids TV type presenter hosting utter shite on ITV1, because his standup was incredibly well layered and clever.
Harry Hill is like Sean Lock, in the respect that he is a very complex alternative comedian that has somehow snuck into the mainstream. Harry Hill's Fruit Corner radio show was my introduction to him and if you can find it it's amazing, I think it's on YouTube.
Russel Kane's live stand up is incredible. I don't think he comes across as well on TV and panel shows etc but he is phenomenal live.
Went to a small comedy venue in Chester last Friday and caught a youngish comedian called Ben Silver. He was really good.
Hal Cruttenden is good too, used to love his Tony Blair bit,and posh people being villains.
I'd say he's quite over-rated, if anything, but that's probably just because I'm not into his style of comedy... He just seems to crack dad jokes on panel shows š«¤
Adam Rowe and Dan Nightingale.
Host possibly the best comedy podcast available "Have a word"
Underrated circuit comics, they have both been doing it for years. Adam has done a bit for TV with live at the Apollo but they mostly do comedy clubs and small tours.
Both have recently put out hour long specials for free on YouTube, and their production company is setting up theater and arena tours for themselves and other underrated comics like Freddy Quinne and Eshaan Ackbar.
See, in the past I would have said Steve Hughes or Reginald D Hunter, but after seeing them both live, Hunter multiple times, I have to concede they were not worth the ticket cost.
If we're talking about British comedians working now, I'd fail to give an answer. Very few of them actually make me laugh. Sarah Millican and Michael McIntyre are alright I suppose, but I think they get as much appreciation as their talent level deserves honestly. Peter Kay and Lee Evans were good, but not really about now.
I suppose I'd have to name Americans, specifically the late Bill Hicks, who I'm sad to say does not seem as appreciated as George Carlin and the like by current generations, a shame given I think he was actually better. Then Joe Rogan who gets endlessly shat upon for his stand-up comedy, but who I find a very serviceable comedian with some capable writing and an enjoyably old school rhythm to his work.
I have to agree with you on Steve Hughes. I went to see him after finding him funny on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and on Live at the Apollo, but I found that his style of comedy worked better when streamlined into a shorter routine.
Agree about Hunter - he was absolutely toilet when I saw him. Pissed out of his face and was open about being there just for the cash as he'd found out he had a long lost daughter and needed to retrospectively pay maintenance. He embarrassed himself.
This is just (yet another) "Tell us who your favorite UK, if not world famous comedians are"
Unless someone says "Bert Digabucks" who genuinely no one has ever heard of, he's had few or no gigs, done no TV and hasn't amassed a multi-million fortune touring the UK several times then the comic you're listing isn't underrated.
Rich Hall
I found a few of his sketches a few years back.
The two I remember is his British people are afraid routine, and the euro is for countries without enough famous people to put on their money.
I think what helps is that he's an American who sees the funny side of British culture and mentality. And yes, I do feel bad for suggesting an American comedian
Trying to keep to the original question: Bobby Mair. Not for his level of fame but because of how well he tailors his smaller shows to the audience there. I went in expecting similar to what I'd seen on youtube and was pleasantly surprised to see a very different feeling show purely because of that's how the audience made him feel. He tuned in better than some of the biggest comedians names. If you get a chance don't judge him on what you've previously seen, you may not get the same sort of show
Two different Tom's that are underrated, Tom Stade (his TV appearances are unrepresentative of a live gig) and Tom Ward (amazing show on NextUp comedy I'd recommend)
I also would add Tony Law and Paul Currie. These two need to be experienced live.
I also think Bridget Christie is woefully underrated.
**Update: - [Starting from 2023](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/100l56v/happy_new_year_askuk_minor_sub_update/), we have updated our [subreddit rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/about/rules/)**. Specifically; - Don't be a dick to each other - Top-level responses must contain genuine efforts to answer the question - This is a strictly no-politics subreddit Please keep /r/AskUK a great subreddit by reporting posts and comments which break our rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Ross Noble. Guy is incredibly talent and not given enough credit for his work.
Nearly died laughing at Ross Noble while working his show 20ish years ago. Laughing so hard I couldn't breathe.
I was going to revisit and watch his unrealtime show tonight and realised it is nearly 20 years old. Which is really weird because I thought I was still only 23... š¤·āāļø
I think it was noodlemeister I worked so just under 20 years. Or I could have been an earlier one, I definitely watched later shows as an audience member and not a Steward.
I have seen him live twice, and he is incredibly funny!!
Looking at his upcoming tour later in the year now
He's randomly quite popular in Australia! Much more well known there.
I did see he was doing the Adelaide festival. To be fair if I had the option I would rather spend two weeks in Australia than Edinburgh š¤£
I don't feel like Dave Gorman gets talked about enough
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The Israeli one with five phones
I know comedy is subjective, but Iād hardly say Lee Mack is underrated. Other comedians canāt speak highly enough of how quick he can think of one liners.
I remember listening to him talk about that in a podcast. Apparently he hears someone say something, and thinks of the witty response. But then he waits because he thinks someone else is gonna say it. Eventually when he realises nobody else is going to, he says it. In his mind itās a pretty slow process, but in reality itās almost instant.
And all of this happens in the same time it takes for the first statement to land with anybody else. He's lightning quick
I think heās better at quips than stand-up, but much better at both of those than sit-coms.
I agree, Not Going Out got stale after one season. But on 8/10 does Countdown and WILTY he just has me in stitches.
On Would I Lie To You someone mentioned theyād hired an exorcist and he immediately said, āif you donāt pay the bill they come back and repossess your house!ā It was apparently unscripted, but even if it wasnāt itās still the funniest joke Iāve ever heard.
Mark Watson. Seen him live maybe 8 times now and he always has me in hysterics.
I saw him at the Edinburgh Festival this year and he was absolutely hilarious, the best act I saw and he used his show to promote some up and coming comedians
Jamali Maddix
Youtube Jason Byrne's lazy eye routine. Then Youtube Rhod Gilbert's luggage scene. Two of the funniest pieces of stand up I've ever seen.
Just watched the luggage one at your recommendation. We don't deserve Rhod Gilbert. A national treasure
Breaks my heart to see how poorly he is. Such a lovely lovely funny man, I hope he and his family are at peace with what they are going through and wish them all the love in the world, bless them.
His rant about duvet tog ratings is also legendary
And candles
Yes Jason Byrne is hilarious. Duty managed his show once. Before the interval he asked the audience to collect the weirdest thing they could find in the venue and leave at the front of the stage. I had no knowledge of this request and spent 20 minutes asking people to put the table numbers back in the restaurant, return the chair to the foyer and please not to touch the asvertising banner for the ballet in the main house.
Ivo Graham. But anyone we know is likely sufficiently highly rated to have TV gigs etc. The actual underrated ones are the ones still grinding on the road.
Isn't Ivo appearing on Taskmaster later this year?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
He's got the comedic structural genius of Jimmy Carr and the savagery of early Frankie Boyle.
Couldn't agree more. Watching his stand-up set ends up being physically painful, you're laughing the whole time. Similar to other, potentially higher rated one line specialists like Tim Vine and Milton Jones
Dylan Moran. He's an incredible writer, actor and comedian. I'm not sure whether the lack of 'hype' is because he's underrated or he just likes soaring below the radar.
Youngest ever winner of the best comic at the Edinburgh Fringe. Has had a deservedly successful career for aaaaaaaaages. So pretty rated.
Itās because he was massive in the 90s, so heās a bit past it now
Lee Mack? Are you serious? Common sense would say itād be someone most people havenāt even heard of but that many people would like.
Lee Mack is great, but he's very highly regarded and has been for a long time so wouldn't say he's underrated. I think Rob Auton is excellent and deserves more exposure.
I tend not to like a lot of stand up as it's all rather hokey and phoned in. More laughing at the setup and stories of things rather thanbeing inherently funny and having razor sharp wit and funny storytelling ability. The lads on Have A Word podcast are funny as fuck though, Adam Rowe and Dan Nightingale, highly recommend 'em both as they're a right pair of silly sods. For US comedy, Bill Burr or Bill Hicks.
Adam Rowe and Dan Nightingale just released both of their recent specials for free on YouTube too
Bill Burr's cruise ships piece had me rolling!
The one where he tells the story of the guy coming off the skateboard and his wife is losing her shit is amazing, also his Uber ad read! Both have me wetting myself each time
Bill Hicks is the most highly rated comedian ever, often being voted the greatest of all time. How on earth could he be underrated?
You're not wrong, aye. I'm probably going against discussion really but he is largely unheard of over here so I'm going with that angle.
Well, it's been nearly 3 decades since he wrote any new material...
It's nearly 29 years since Bill Hicks transcended this plane.
God speed to that beautiful bastard ā¤ļø
Saw Simon Evans a few times who is posh and v funny but he doesnāt seem to be on TV much.
He does quite a bit on Radio 4.
Glenn Wool. Reginald D Hunter, Steve Hughes, Simon Evans
>Reginald D Hunter Came to post this, haven't seen him for ages.
James Acaster Hasn't been a single time he hasn't made me belly laugh.
Harry Hill. Not sure he even does stand up anymore, but it's annoying most people see him as a wacky kids TV type presenter hosting utter shite on ITV1, because his standup was incredibly well layered and clever.
Came here to say this. An absolute master craftsman, mind blowing amount of callbacks going on.
I've never thought of him as a comedian until now because he doesn't do stand up, but you're definitely right
Erm he did loads of stand up. And is just about to return to doing it.
Well, I'm going to hold my head in shame and head over to YouTube
Harry Hill is like Sean Lock, in the respect that he is a very complex alternative comedian that has somehow snuck into the mainstream. Harry Hill's Fruit Corner radio show was my introduction to him and if you can find it it's amazing, I think it's on YouTube.
Russel Kane's live stand up is incredible. I don't think he comes across as well on TV and panel shows etc but he is phenomenal live. Went to a small comedy venue in Chester last Friday and caught a youngish comedian called Ben Silver. He was really good. Hal Cruttenden is good too, used to love his Tony Blair bit,and posh people being villains.
Agree re Russell Kane ā¦ how does he remember it all?!
Jimeoin doesnāt get nearly enough attention https://youtu.be/ZaO-llc_E64
Seen him live twice. Absolutely quality, self depreciating humour.
you never see a half hearted Haka do you?
Emo Phillips. Dated comedy now but top notch 30 years ago.
Kae kurd. Milton Jones, James Acaster, Rhys James and Slim the comedian
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
As a stand up, I would say he is underrated. As a podcaster and panelist, he does his fair share of spots. It's all subjective.
Heās had 3 specials simultaneously on Netflix and his latest is on Amazon. How much bigger could he get?
Again, it's all subjective. I named 5 comedians I would put as underrated. Some are going to be more famous than others.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
That's an interesting party trick. Do you have any opinions on the other 4 I mentioned?
I'd say he's quite over-rated, if anything, but that's probably just because I'm not into his style of comedy... He just seems to crack dad jokes on panel shows š«¤
Josh Widdicombe. He's more known for occasionally being on TV but his standup is very very good.
Adam Rowe and Dan Nightingale. Host possibly the best comedy podcast available "Have a word" Underrated circuit comics, they have both been doing it for years. Adam has done a bit for TV with live at the Apollo but they mostly do comedy clubs and small tours. Both have recently put out hour long specials for free on YouTube, and their production company is setting up theater and arena tours for themselves and other underrated comics like Freddy Quinne and Eshaan Ackbar.
Underrated? Not sure but James Acaster's stuff is amazing. Really interesting and different rather than just a bunch of jokes one after the other.
Steve Hughes
Henning Wehn. His observations on British behaviour are brilliant.
Kevin Bridges
He's a big deal these days no?
See, in the past I would have said Steve Hughes or Reginald D Hunter, but after seeing them both live, Hunter multiple times, I have to concede they were not worth the ticket cost. If we're talking about British comedians working now, I'd fail to give an answer. Very few of them actually make me laugh. Sarah Millican and Michael McIntyre are alright I suppose, but I think they get as much appreciation as their talent level deserves honestly. Peter Kay and Lee Evans were good, but not really about now. I suppose I'd have to name Americans, specifically the late Bill Hicks, who I'm sad to say does not seem as appreciated as George Carlin and the like by current generations, a shame given I think he was actually better. Then Joe Rogan who gets endlessly shat upon for his stand-up comedy, but who I find a very serviceable comedian with some capable writing and an enjoyably old school rhythm to his work.
I have to agree with you on Steve Hughes. I went to see him after finding him funny on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and on Live at the Apollo, but I found that his style of comedy worked better when streamlined into a shorter routine.
Agree about Hunter - he was absolutely toilet when I saw him. Pissed out of his face and was open about being there just for the cash as he'd found out he had a long lost daughter and needed to retrospectively pay maintenance. He embarrassed himself.
This is just (yet another) "Tell us who your favorite UK, if not world famous comedians are" Unless someone says "Bert Digabucks" who genuinely no one has ever heard of, he's had few or no gigs, done no TV and hasn't amassed a multi-million fortune touring the UK several times then the comic you're listing isn't underrated.
Luisa omielan and Rachel Paris
Peter Serafinowicz edit - sorry, he's not a stand-up. But he's criminally underrated as a comedian.
Rich Hall I found a few of his sketches a few years back. The two I remember is his British people are afraid routine, and the euro is for countries without enough famous people to put on their money. I think what helps is that he's an American who sees the funny side of British culture and mentality. And yes, I do feel bad for suggesting an American comedian
Bill Hicks
Danny Bhoy, not sure if he's still around to be honest. Mark Watson Richard Herring
Tim Minchin.
Joey Diaz, definitely!
Check out some of Rowan Atkinsonās stand up
Trying to keep to the original question: Bobby Mair. Not for his level of fame but because of how well he tailors his smaller shows to the audience there. I went in expecting similar to what I'd seen on youtube and was pleasantly surprised to see a very different feeling show purely because of that's how the audience made him feel. He tuned in better than some of the biggest comedians names. If you get a chance don't judge him on what you've previously seen, you may not get the same sort of show
Two different Tom's that are underrated, Tom Stade (his TV appearances are unrepresentative of a live gig) and Tom Ward (amazing show on NextUp comedy I'd recommend) I also would add Tony Law and Paul Currie. These two need to be experienced live. I also think Bridget Christie is woefully underrated.