Monthly Archives: October 2014

I, the oppressed – the burden of a privilege I never even noticed

Posted on October 31, 2014 by robinince

Another week where a loss of privilege has been confused with a loss of equality, as white, male comedians feel savaged and defiled by TV panel shows becoming anywhere from one sixth to one quarter women flooded (sometimes, but rarely, … Continue reading →

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You don’t have to be mad to tell jokes here, but we have no idea if it helps.

Posted on October 21, 2014 by robinince

I am working on a radio documentary about comedians and happiness. The image of the comedian drawing guffaws from a multitude, then weeping, drunk and alone, is a potent image. The suicide of Robin Williams has brought it to the … Continue reading →

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Blood Sugar, Bananas and Brains

Posted on October 20, 2014 by robinince

On occasion, I am asked to give advice to young comedians. I am of an age where my grey hair and stoop accidentally suggests wisdom, or creates the illusion I have survived this far in SHOWBUSINESS. My first advice is … Continue reading →

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I wanted to be a vicar, but I didn’t have the matins

Posted on October 17, 2014 by robinince

My mother would have liked me to be a vicar. I have always quite liked the idea of being a vicar too. I imagine myself as something akin to Alastair Sim in Folly to be Wise and Peter Sellers in … Continue reading →

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Did the beloved entertainer lose his licence ?

Posted on October 16, 2014 by robinince

“I’ve paid my admission to the Tate Britain, and you have the gall to tell me I can’t draw moustaches and cocks all over the Degas?” Michael Mcintryre walked off stage early at his Darlington warm up gig, does that … Continue reading →

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And the grand statues became readable barcodes… (when the epic became portable frippery)

Posted on October 15, 2014 by robinince

Spending the afternoon trying to work out what I think about something, so here are some of the confused ideas currently moving like jumping beans inside my skull Does culture become worthless if it is too easily accessible? Does the … Continue reading →

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I may be irritating, but I’m not sure that makes me art

Posted on October 14, 2014 by robinince

Unable to focus and confused, I read an interview with U2. The Observer New Review led with a Bono quote. “It is the job of art to be divisive”. And presumably, it is the job of art to force a … Continue reading →

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In Need of a Medicalised Stand Up Patch – Cold Turkey Comedy

Posted on October 13, 2014 by robinince

I gave up smoking. Four years or so now. The last one was with Steve Lamacq at Reading. Now I consider the smoking me as a ridiculous figure. I never had the face for it. I gave up drinking. I … Continue reading →

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“Good Lord, the man on the marimba has a cockney accent” – thoughts on youth centres

Posted on October 12, 2014 by robinince

I live in a nice middle class town. The upcycling shops and bespoke Chelsea bun bakers spread cinnamon and freshly tarnished nostalgia across the streets. Like many nice middle class towns, not everyone is middle class, but we don’t like … Continue reading →

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The Ludicrous, Mumbling Figure Hurried as Things Fell

Posted on October 11, 2014 by robinince

This is self indulgent. self-pitying. There are far more people facing far worse things than bruised egos and fear of failure, so don’t read on if that will irk you. There are far more important things than this – the … Continue reading →

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