Finally, jokes have made it across the Atlantic.


And I‘m not talking about the Beckham’s here either. I am of course referring to the out dated cliché that British and US humour are so far apart, you could easily fit Bernard Manning between them. Come to think of it, the middle of the Atlantic wouldn’t be such a bad place for the fat git. Looking back though (and I’m biased here of course) for some time the difference between US and UK comedy culture was indeed vast and I would argue that we were well ahead. But don’t take my word for it. Here’s a ‘funny quote’ from one of America’s most zany funny men from way back when.


"The Doc told me I had a dual personality. Then he lays an 82 dollar bill on me, so I give him 41 bucks and say, "Get the other 41 bucks from the other guy !"


Any guesses who siad this? Well that was Mr Jerry Lewis supposedly making the world laugh. Okay, it’s taken out of context here and the gag may work better if delivered to a sultry Deano by a stumbling, stuttering clown, but still.


Staying with the money theme, the UK riposte is delivered here by Spike Milligan, one of our all time greats.


"All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy."


Granted, it isn’t side splitting but it is funny and it is clever. And let’s not forget, the man was officially insane.


Next up for the Yanks, and from roughly the same era, here’s Bob Hope, a smirkin’ an’ a grinnin’.


"I grew up with six brothers. That's how I learned to dance waiting for the bathroom !"


Now I’m sorry and I don’t care who I offend here, but you can put as many exclamation marks as you want after that punchline and it ain’t ever gonna work. Compare this with the brilliance of a British Bob (Mr Monkhouse) who was an equally smarmy but oh so talented wit setting out at about the same time.


“People laughed when I said I wanted to be a comedian. Well they’re not laughing now.”


Pure genius. But what gives the Brits a 2-0 half time lead here? Well, the difference between these gags is quite simply irony. At least I think it is although I must confess, I’ve never been too confident with the definition of this illusive concept. I mean, is it ironic that I’m basing a whole blog on something I can’t define? Who knows and what’s more who cares. Okay, I could argue that Gervaise’s supremely funny ‘reality’ TV show, The Office (and later The Extras), has led the way recently, but this is in only one genre. I also have to admit that his challenge has been met admirably by the likes of Reno 911 and Corner Gas (or is that Canadian??). As for the standard sit com format, for some time now we’ve had nothing to compete with the likes of Friends, Just Shoot Me and Fraser. Re-runs of Flowery Twats (still a mystery how Mr Cleese got that particular opening sequence of Fawlty Towers past the BBC censors) doesn’t count. So to me, for now at least, the game is up and looks to be heading toward a resounding American victory (and this before they even consider bringing on an offensive line led by the likes of Futurama and the Simpsons).


The point I’m trying to get to here is this; if it’s true that once upon a time the US didn’t do irony, then they sure as hell do now. When you look at the wealth of high quality American comedy shows today, either popular comedy or niche, the British are in danger of getting seriously left behind. As a novelist who deals in comedy writing (dark as it may be) and being fortunate to be published in the US, I find myself more and more looking west to get an appreciation of what people are really laughing at. I know too that if I don’t, it will be easy to lose touch with the latest trends and get set adrift in the mid-Atlantic with only fat Bernard to keep me company.


To quote Homer, "I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman!"


Andy Tilley


Author: Recycling Jimmy
Publisher: Kunati Inc. (September 1, 2007)

ISBN-10: 1601640137