Photos from The Space You're Not In

Here are a load of photographs from last Saturday. I made sure I took plenty throughout the day. From the rehearsal in the morning to the end of the show. Click on the picture to get a bigger version.





Paul and his sports car.


We had a rehearsal at Langside Halls in the morning before the show. Here are Nicola and Clare outside.


Here’s Anne-Marie declaring peace.


Nicola pretends that she can play the accordion.





Clare leads us all in a warm-up.


Jon had the first poem in our performance.





I use all my acting talents to convey a hangover.


Anne-Marie and Nicola





Paul frightens Jon.

















Nicola and Stuart practice their much anticipated tango.


In between the soundcheck and the show, we took advantage of the weather and lazed around in the Botanic Gardens.





A coy looking Anne-Marie.








Nicola staring majestically off into the distance.


There was nowhere to do a pre-show warm up, so Clare suggested we do it in the Ladies toilets. Here we are.


Borders ran a poetry competition in Gail's name. Simone read the winning entry on the night. Here she holds it complete with the signatures of the literary giants who performed.


Paul gets melancholy before we go on stage.


Not the best view, this, from the side of the stage, but this is famed playwright and artist John Byrne.


John Byrne leaves the stage.


Liz Lochhead was next up.


Linda and Yvonne did a fantastic job at organising the whole show. Here they are at the side of the stage.





Nicola and Stuart's tango.


The auction in full swing.


The lovely Jennifer came down from Inverness for the show.


Yvonne and Mhari worked at the box office for the first half of the evening. But made up for it later.


One of these men has been in a Super Noodles advert.





Eddi Reader


Linda and Yvonne in the Green Room.


This is Sarah.


Sarah, Linda and Yvonne.


Auctioneer Anita Manning.


Sarah or ‘Sexy Sadie’ as I believe the girls refer to her as.


Arab Strap, as I recall he was singing something about ‘cocks’ at this point.


All I did here was flash the camera in Nicola’s face cos she was taking the piss.


Belle and Sebastian prepare to take the stage.


Belle and Sebastian rock out.


Gail's best pal Lesley and friends.





I did tell her I thought they were really good later and although she said ‘Oh thanks,’ she just looked frightened.


Clare goes mad for The Belles


Clare and her dancing partner.


Some happy members of Belle and Sebastian leave the stage.


The back of Belle and Sebastian Main Man Stuart Murdoch’s head.


The hilarious irony of taking a photograph of the photographer.


Compere Sandy Nelson.


Claire the photographer again.


Nicola and Claire.


Yvonne shakes her thing.


And finally at about 2am Yvonne and Sarah.

The Gigging Weekend

Two gigs this weekend. And to be honest another two that were somewhat less than inspiring. On Friday night Mags had asked me to compere one of her popular Acoustic Heaven gigs at the Ramshorn Theatre. It was apparent from early on that few people were really interested in listening to me doing stand up, so I worked mainly on building up the acts, telling the audience to shut up at the end of each break and making the odd announcement. The night itself was very good, with a lot of top quality acts on.

Saturday night I did a gig at Blackfriars. Poorly attended though it was, it went over okay. There were a couple of seemingly lairy girls down the front, but in actuality they were quite nice, though it did help that I started with "Straight off the bat, I'd like to make it clear that I'm quite frightened of you two. In particular you." From that point they decided to be nice to me.

Also on the bill were Kevin Bridges, Jack Burns, Matt and Farron and compere Scott Agnew. Kevin was pretty good, very confident, Matt and Farron were funny, if somewhat offensive at times and Scott did an excellent job of whipping ten folk up into a participative audience.

As for my part I really should spend more time turning some of the half thought out ideas, that litter my set, into proper routines. A bit more time spent writing and honing should make future gigs more enjoyable.

Just one word of warning before you click on the links. If you go to Scott's site, be careful it's very funny but it ain't for the faint hearted.

Have I Got Trumped Up Law Suits For You?

An amusing aside to the previous post. The gig was run by Mac Star and on the drive down he was telling me of his claims that Dara O'Brien performed one of his jokes on Have I Got News For You the previous Friday. He eagerly told us that he was in the process of suing him. Well, he wisnae kidding. Here is his claims in the Edinburgh Evening News and the response he has received.

In the comedy community nicking material is a favourite subject of debate. I guess sometimes it happens, but sometimes you just have to face up to the fact that your material isn't as original as you may like to think that it is. It hasn't happened to me as yet, so I've no idea how I'll feel about it. I think the way to deal with it is to just work harder at creating 10 more jokes better than that particular one. But we'll see how I feel if ever I reckon someone has pinched my stuff.

Back at the Fag End of the Entertainment Business

In this crazy business some people call show you don’t stay at the top for long, so grasp it while you can. After the excesses of Saturday the Tom Entertainment Express juddered somewhat with a gig at McCabe’s Ale House in Ayr.

Playing to 8 confused middle aged Yorkshiremen, the local gay guy, two couples and the barstaff is a gear shift from a 500 strong sell out crowd. And no offence to him but Kenny Ken doesn’t really cut it alongside John Byrne and Liz Lochhead. Anyways my spot went over okay considering the circumstances. The Yorkshiremen and one of the couples had left by the time Kenny took ‘the stage’ and by the time headliner Chris Broomfield got on, there was an audience of 3.

Still a free bar and I necked more than my fair share of Jack Daniel’s and Coke. Though it would probably have been easier, cheaper and more fun to buy myself a bottle and sit in the house.

Hooray!

This is great news for me and everyone else who loves Arrested Development.

Saturday Night

As you will have noticed from previous posts I was in a show in Saturday night. The Space You’re Not In @ Oran Mor in memory of my pal Gail. It was a really great night. I was part of The Bluebird Theatre Group and we performed 20 minutes worth of Gail’s poems. Well done to us all cos we all nailed our lines. I’m glad we didn’t just read off the page as we could have done cos it helped the poetry come alive that little bit more.

It was a great venue to be in, although some people up the back struggled to hear certain performers, I thought it looked great and the green room was much more like what I think I could get used to as a performer. A sell out 500 crowd enjoyed performers such as Janice Galloway, Alasdair Gray, Liz Lochhead, James Kelman and John Byrne.

It was quite odd sitting around backstage beside Liz Lochhead and Tom Leonard as they discussed various folk on the literature scene while Alasdair Gray and James Kelman chatted on the other side of me.

There was a live auction too, which was probably the highlight of the night for me. Anita Manning of Great Western Auctions was a tremendous auctioneer very entertaining. I was sitting next to John Byrne as his paintings were sold for just over 2 grand, however he seemed much more interested in his next rollie.

The night closed with music from Eddi Reader, Arab Strap, Eugene Kelly and Belle and Sebastian who played 4 songs from their new album. I came off somewhat of an ignoramus when talking to one of them afterwards cos I was oblivious as to whether they were new songs or not.

I downed plenty of free booze, smoked salmon vol-a-vonts and prawn sandwiches. I chatted to Lewis MacLeod voice of Sebulba in the Phantom Menace and star of a Super Noodles advert, which he didn’t seem to like me mentioning. And ended the night at a party at Eugene Kelly’s house. A nice guy who I only bored briefly by chatting to him about Teenage Fanclub and never mentioned Kurt Cobain to him once.

I took loads of photos which I will post as soon as I can get them in to be developed.

Here is a review of the show from the Sunday Herald and below from yesterday’s Scotsman. Plus a piece about Gail here.

TRIBUTE
THE SPACE YOU’RE NOT IN ****
ORAN MOR, GLASGOW

IN MEMORY of the life and work of Gail Wylie, this evening could scarcely fail to entertain with the wealth of talent participating. The unpublished poet and actress, who died of leukaemia in September, was a keen supporter of the arts, and this benefit for leukaemia research welcomed some of Scotland’s foremost artists, musicians and writers.

As master of ceremonies, comedian Sandy Nelson kept the night bounding along nicely, suitably humbled to introduce Alisdair Gray, Janice Galloway and James Kelman for a series of short readings, with Bluebird Theatre Group performing some of Wylie’s own poetry and Arab Strap’s Aidan Moffat surprised to find the Anglo-Saxonisms of his own verse pre-empted by Kelman.

Tom Leonard, likewise, was keeping no lid on his expletitives, receiving a huge cheer from a lubricated crowd who lapped up the merciless characterisations of Liz Lochead and wry tales of sexual misadventure from Zoe Strachan. Playwright John Byrne poignantly related his relationship with Wylie, who became his biographer, and saw his artwork Alive sell for £2,600 in a tremendously fun auction.

To cap a marvellous evening, Eddi Reader sang a cappella, Moffat reappeared for a shambling Arab Strap set, and Belle and Sebastian rattled through some stonking new material.

JAY RICHARDSON

Davids' Blogs

Ever wished that Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David wrote his own blog? No? Well wish no longer. And have a look too at his wife's.

I'm Not Mental

Here's Dave Chappelle speaking from South Africa and not in a mental institution.

Later...Tonight

Just to let you know to watch or tape Later this evening. Cos the awesome Arcade Fire are on. As too are The Foo Fighters and Ronnie’s mate’s band Hard-Fi. Pure don’t miss.

The Man who Should Have Been Seinfeld

Here’s an article about the man who “was supposed to be the next Seinfeld.” Mitch Hedberg died 6 weeks ago. I’d heard of him but never any of his work. Since his death I’ve got a couple of his albums and he was very funny. A range of one liners from insightful observations to bizarre takes on household objects laugh out loud funnies to half thought out ideas funny only to him. Shame I only discovered him after his death and shame that he’s gone.

Dave Chappelle Hospitalised

One of Talking Pish and Heavy Sedation‘s favourite comics Dave Chappelle recently went missing while Comedy Central were awaiting completion of the third series of the consistently excellent Chappelle’s Show. He has now surfaced – in a mental health facility in South Africa.

Perhaps the responsibility of Comedy Central handing him $50,000,000 to do his latest series has tipped the balance against him. I’m not going to call that pressure, just see what the Glue machine could do with that cash. We at ‘Pish hope he gets well soon. Cos we need more classics like The Playa Haters, Tyrone Biggums, the History Channel's coverage of great inner city gang wars and the Wu-Tang Clan's new financial consulting firm.

Happy Birthday 'Pish

Talking Pish is One year old today. Instead of going through our greatest posts here is the very first link that was put on. An old interview with then Seinfeld supremo Larry David.

New Armando Iannuci

Here is a couple of interviews with Armando Iannuci about his next project with Steve Coogan and his new radio series with Steve Coogan.

Glue 2

It has to be said that it’s mainly down to a crackdown on shenanigans at work, but I haven’t posted for a long, long time. So what’s new?

Well some of you (is there anyone?) may have seen our show “You Owe Me Glue” at the 13th Note during the comedy festival.

That was a lot of fun, from the banging heads with the ultra hard-working Tommy, Graham and Ronnie to the performances themselves. Both shows as Tom has indicated in previous posts went down really well, and if I do have one regret it was that we didn’t capitalise on the success and get any reviews or work out of it.

That won’t be the case this time though.

That’s right no-one at all, You Owe Me Glue 2 is coming. Featuring the same cast and hopefully most of the backroom staff that did such a good job the last time, we are at it again, this time at Blackfriars in the Merchant City 16 and 17 July.

Just over 2 months to prepare, so it’s going to be tough, but we all seem pretty confident we can pull it off.

We’re also in the middle of finishing sketches for upcoming BBC Radio Scotland show “Sabotage”. That’s been an interesting process as well, if a little bewildering, as you’re never sure what people are going to like and I’ve never really tackled re-writing my own stuff to anyone’s specifications but my own up to now. Still, it looks like we’re getting some stuff on air, so that’s a great confidence boost.

I’m much the same apart from that, my daughter Jodie walks and talks now, and regularly beats me awake while shouting “Up! Up! Up!” at the top of her lungs. Being a Dad is great, but it’s tough to explain to an almost 2 year old that Daddy needs his coffee.

So yeah, we’re looking for someone to help generate some interest in Glue 2, get folk to come and review the show or even do a wee preview piece for us in the papers or on radio. Stuff like that. Interested?

Oh yeah, and Talking Pish is 1 year old tomorrow.

The Space You're Not In

This Saturday night I'm involved in a charity show at Oran Mor. The Space You're Not In has been organised in memory of my pal Gail who died last year.

The event features John Byrne, Alasdair Gray, Liz Lochead and Belle and Sebastian among many others. I'm performing three poems and only now beginning to worry cos at the moment I don't know them as well as I should.

There's more about the show on Glasgow West End Dot Com, Belle and Sebastian's website, Nexxus the West of Scotland bio Science website and the Sunday Herald. If you have yesterday's Scotland on Sunday lying around there is a great article about Gail on the front page of the Review section, but for some reason it doesn't appear on their website.

Anyway I'm sure you'll agree a fantastic line up and Linda and Yvonne have done a fantastic job at organising it.

Arcade Fire Live

Hey! A post after all this time. You know I must be excited. I saw Arcade Fire last night at Glasgow Uni’s Debating Chambers and thought it was worth a post.

There’s a lot of hyperbole about them flying around on the net and I’m reluctant to join in. However they were without doubt the best live band I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen Hue and Cry.

With a singer that looked like a young Christopher Walken and an insane Napoleon Dynamite lookalike percussionist practically every song took on an anthemic quality.

If I said that the percussionist was the most exciting member of the band you’d maybe think I they would be a dull group. But how wrong you’d be. I think he did something different for every song. Climbing the speakers to play on the balcony, cymbals, tambourines, a bass drum, the floor, a crash helmet on his head...

I’ve never seen a band before where I was just too blown away to even applaud at the end of a song.

They ended the show by jumping down from the stage and walking through the crowd, still playing their instruments out the main door.

An incredibly theatrical band they also seemed to have two live parrots in a cage in the bass drum.

When they play Glasgow again or Edinburgh for that matter go see them. You can’t fail to be disappointed.

On the downside of course I was stood next to Christendom’s biggest daftie. One of these rough Glaswegian stoaters who inexplicably love a band you’d never expect them to even have heard of.

Ben Folds in Paste

Another brief post, here's Ben Folds in Paste Magazine.

More Cross

Here's another interview with David Cross.

Comics

Here’s some links to articles on a couple of comedians. I’ll try to put some more up later. First of all Daily Show host Jon Stewart on his hottest year. I liked the bit about people thinking that joking about war is out of order but war itself isn’t.

Secondly here’s a guy I’ve been watching and listening to a lot recently, David Cross. I’ve just got through Arrested Development on DVD (which I should post about separately) and I’ve been playing both It’s Not Funny and Shut Up You Fucking Baby. Tommy will be pleased to hear that I’m about to make a proper go of Seasons 1 & 2 of Mr. Show.

Back Again

OK Very few posts on Pish lately from either of us, this is for various reasons, not least that we’ve been moved to less blog friendly offices. Here’s a couple of things for you if anyone is still checking.

The legendary Cookie Monster is now being taught that cookies are ‘a sometimes food’ and that vegetables are good for him.

And have a look who the Washington Post are touting as an outsider to be the new Pope.

I’ll try to come back later with some more.

One Big Laugh

Last night I did at spot at One Big Laugh. I imagine that you haven’t heard of it, so allow me to enlighten you. It was a benefit for Depression Alliance, a world record breaking attempt at a 36 hour gig.

I arrived at about 6.30pm when the gig had been running, non-stop for 18 and a half hours. I stormed it, helped by the fact that the guy on before me had died so helplessly on his arse. The best gig I've done for ages. One of the times when I actually enjoyed being onstage.

I don’t usually hang around with fellow comedians but I really enjoyed it last night. I met a guy I knew when I lived in Edinburgh who has since become a stand-up and I journeyed home with a carload of comics.

Out of the two dozen or so comics I saw the highlight for me had to be Southside Johnny. A guy who looked like a small time Mafioso who spoke calmly about how nervous he was for his first 2 minutes, “I feel like walking straight out that door. I am not kidding.” Did a Buddy Holly song for his next 3, while the room fell about, not knowing if we should be laughing or not. Every time Southside said “Why is everyone laughing? This is true.” the room fell about even more. I lost it when he attempted to explain the aliases he has used “Southside Johnny, East End Johnny…” he got no further, “Why are you all laughing? This is true.” He rounded off by singing a Julios Iglesias song then fell to his knees pleading for more stage time. Classic.

Although I really wasn't looking forward to doing it, it ended up being a great night.

The show finished at 12pm this afternoon, setting a new world record for a continuous comedy show.

It's now made the news.

And talking of comedy I’m currently listening to David Cross – It’s Not Funny. It so is. Some very good political stuff on it.

Johnnie Cochran 1937-2005

Johnnie Cochran has died. He taught me the only thing I know about law and lawyers. "Never ask a question if you don't already know the answer."

Here are some of his greatest moments.

He featured in Chris Rock's latest show "Some people say if you hire Johnnie you look guilty...Yeah, but you go home." And spawned the hilarious Jackie Chiles, lawyer of choice for Kramer's numerous trumped up lawsuits on Seinfeld.

It's All Over

The second night of the show went even better than the first. We had a similar number in terms of audience, but they went for it even more than the previous night's.

Most people that I've spoken to or that have e-mailed me, have their own personal favourites, which is nice.

We're all going to watch the film of the show on Sunday night and after that the best bits from both nights will be edited into one DVD.

We've yet to sit down and discuss what's next for Glue. We are intending another show in a few months time, but we'll have to see what transpires.

Barney Martin 1923-2005

Barney Martin, the actor who played Jerry's Dad on Seinfeld has died aged 82.

The First Night of Glue

I'm posting this here rather than on the You Owe Me Glue blog since, let's face it hardly anyone reads it. The first night of the show seemed to go really well. So far the only negative feedback we've had were from two old guys, who asked how "anyone could laugh at this pish." Though apparently they stayed 'til the end.

We had 65 in thru the door, including our guestlist and someone who didn't think the show was worth paying for and barged her way in for nothing. We're expecting more in tonight, so if you're coming get there early.

I should use this space to thank everyone involved in the show. Especially Tommy, Ronnie and Graham. These guys have helped us out just cos they wanted to. They've sorted out all the props and sound and helped the show run smoothly on the night. Ronnie also made his acting debut with us and unfortunately got more of a kicking than his character was meant to.

Tonight should, I hope, be even better than last night, since everyone has that little bit more confidence and we all have less to worry about.

The Comedy Scene Continues

With the comedy festival continuing apace we reach the big day. The day we finally put our bunch of rag tag sketches in front of a paying audience. As far as the comedy festival has been going so far, I've quite enjoyed it. Kitson was hilarious on Wednesday night, playing for 3 hours. As I keep saying, he's one of the few guys who can riff off the top of his head and be consistently hysterical.

On Friday night I saw The Musical! A show I had seen already at the Edinburgh Festival, but as it was in the venue we're using, the 13th Note I wanted to see how it looked and how the lighting system we are sharing with them looks. A good show and deserved much more than the small but appreciative audience it got.

After that I headed up to O'Neills where Fizzy was taking on the dual roles of doing the door and heckling the acts.

Saturday night I had a gig at O'Neills which went quite well. Considering. After that I headed to a mad night down at Blackfriars. With practically every comedian in town in the room, about a dozen of us had a turn on stage. I got on around 1.15am. Luckily the act on before me made me look like Jerry Seinfeld.

Tonight though is the biggie - You Owe Me Glue at the 13th Note. For anyone interested in my expectations - I think the acting will be fine. The only things that are currently causing us problems is that this afternoon will be the first time we have been able to rehearse in the space we're using with everything as it will be on the night. Timings for enterances and exits will have to be tightened and quick costume changes must be mastered. Other than that it should be a laugh.

I have just been informed this minute that we have 22 advance ticket sales for tonight. Fuck. People are coming after all.

"I Don't Wanna See a Movie Where the Guy's Gotta Take Viagra."

Two posts in one day? Surely not? Here's Quentin Tarantino on, James Bond, Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, his 'Guys on a Mission' movie and when he intends to retire.

The Fag End of the Entertainment Business

There have been very few posts up here recently. You may think that we have been too busy with the impending show/shambles/triumph/disaster and yes you would be correct. 6 days to go and still loads to do.

The Glasgow International Comedy Festival has for 16 days provided Glasgow with the comedy scene that a lot of folk would like to think exists all year round. Comedy promoters are even starting Tupac and Biggie style feuds. At the weekend I saw 6 shows in 4 days, working at 4 of them. Fizzy played 2 gigs in one night. Running across town Jerry Seinfeld style to get to the second one. With the country’s only deaf comedian Steve Day clutching his ‘gameshirt’ running alongside.

I’m off to see Daniel Kitson tonight, then at the weekend it’s another round of shows for the pair of us. If this were to keep up, we’d be under the impression that maybe we were actually in the entertainment business.

Glue Photos

For those interested the official You Owe Me Glue site now has some photographs added to the photos page. I think everyone who reads this knows all about it, but just to remind you all the show opens one week from today.

The Perry Bible Fellowship

Ah, a weekend posting. Exciting. I've spent a while laughing out loud to the cartoons in the pages of The Perry Bible Fellowship. Some of it is a little bit dark, but very similar in tone to our own Iain Laurie. As well as laugh out loud jokes PBF also displays a wide range of drawing styles a lot of times in the same strip and sometimes even in the same panel.

Dave Allen 1936-2005

The first post for over a week and it's a death notice.

Irish comedian Dave Allen died last night. When he was on TV regularly I remember my Dad watching him and I was too young to get him. However when I was working in an Irish themed pub, when we had a quiet Monday or Tuesday night I would put on his video compilations and I really began to appreciate him then.

Here is a biography.

Who? Eh? What?

Here is our Blub on the 13th Note’s webpage for the Comedy Festival. We have no idea who wrote this and while it’s great to get such a glowing reference (thanks, whoever you are) it does pile the pressure on somewhat…

A comedy revue with satisfyingly unpleasant undertones. The creators of local zine Cheery Bananas, whose Timmy Mallett-esque name belies the often darkly satirical content (think Chris Morris guest-editing The Onion) are Tom Brogan and Fraser Campbell. Their show is intended to go "riding roughshod over live sketch comedy rules like a big funny horse"; obviously created by and for fans of the flat expression school of bathetic comedy - like The Day Today - "You Owe Me Glue" throws out non sequiturs like the horse one with abandon, the dry delivery laying like an attractively crunchy-looking coat of snow above coal black ice, as three pensioners round the corner on uncertain legs. Darkly tragic funnies, playing for two nights, see them now before they get their own series on BBC Digital!

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

Last night I went to see Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. They played a rocking set. An amazingly hairy rhythm section they were a really tight trio. The highlights for me were Me and Mia and Timorous Me. Go see them if and when they play again.

One Neck Hates You

Famed Useless Bastard Iain Laurie now has a website for all his cartoons of hate. One Neck Hates You.

Same Old Song

My last post yesterday evening caused some debate between myself and Tommy. Tommy took exception to this comment. “It's one of the reasons I'm not all that interested in Franz Ferdinand, Orange Juice and Josef K did the same stuff better 25 years and more ago.”

He had a go at me for not being bothered by Franz Ferdinand on the grounds that I've heard it before and being done better. This he said proved his point on a comment at Ronnie’s site a few weeks ago when the discussion then was about ska. This being the crux of his argument.
“I don't think it's so much that people have a problem with the music itself. They have a problem with the trends and fads that made it popular. Ska in the late 90s boom definitely falls into this category. Just like bands from the Strokes through to Franz Ferdinand just now still take crap for just ripping off and ruining bands from days gone by. The moral of the story is: don't fear change, embrace it.”

My point was simply I’m not going to be excited by a band who are doing something that I’ve already heard done better several years ago. My point wasn’t that Franz Ferdinand should give up; just that what they’re doing isn’t awe inspiring for me. I’m not even accusing them of ripping off Orange Juice or Josef K. It probably is more their popularity that baffles me than the music. But then again Stereophonics became massively popular despite being no better than your average pub band. Maybe I am trying to highlight the fact that most folk who love Franz Ferdinand don't know much of Orange Juice's back catalogue or have heard of Josef K. But that's musical trends for you.

Sounding like other bands is part of music. But I’m not that interested by people retreading old ground and doing nothing new with it. Same as I’m not interested in comedians doing material I’ve heard better before or artists who paint in a similar style but not as well as their heroes. Not saying there’s not a place for them, but why get excited?

Did You Get That Memo?

For fans of Office Space this re-telling via the Super Friends is genius.

Edwyn Collins

Fuck, I'm gutted by this news. Edwyn Collins is seriously ill with a brain haemorrhage. He's been one of my favourite acts for years. I constantly play Orange Juice songs, I even played a few yesterday in work. It's one of the reasons I'm not all that interested in Franz Ferdinand, Orange Juice and Josef K did the same stuff better 25 years and more ago.

The Telly

There have been several posts in the last few weeks in the lead up to both Joey on Five and Nathan Barley on Channel 4. So after 3 episodes of the former and 2 of the latter, perhaps I should venture forth with my opinion.

Joey has made me laugh a few times. It certainly hasn't shown any great spark as yet. I had thought that with Joey now pursuing an acting career with increased vigour we may see him getting into a lot of actorly related scrapes. However he appears to have hung around the house most of the time. That is what comes of the studio sitcom format where most of the action takes place in one or two stage locations. Drea De Matteo is proving a strong support, but they'll have to build a stronger ensemble around him for it to be another Frasier.

Nathan Barley. I missed the first one and when I watched the second episode on tape, I got fed up with it about 4 minutes in and put it off. I dunno if I'll go back to it.

Fear and Loathing at the Book Festival

In August 1998 I went to see Hunter S Thompsons's collaborator Ralph Steadman give a talk at the Edinburgh Book Festival. I have just discovered a review of that very talk.

Then Get Me His Mexican Non Union Equivalent

The Simpsons voice actors in Mexico have gone on strike.

Unwritten Laws of Oscar

With the Oscars due on Sunday, here's famed movie critic Roger Ebert's Unwritten Laws of Oscar.

Is It Any Wonder?

In reference to Tom’s previous post, the problem is this:

Members of these extreme religious groups tend to find it difficult to grasp the idea that their religion should be strong enough to sustain itself against any attack, real or perceived without resorting to plainly un-Christian acts such as bullying and intimidation.

Is the fact that they can't because they are generally angry, lost individuals attracted to these groups not by a love of God, but by the desire to involve themsleves in extreme, confrontational activites?

Or is it because they lack within them the very cornerstone of any religion - faith?

Or is it perhaps because they are all idiots who believe a magic man who lives in the sky somehow made the world?

Bullying Fannies

The Jerry Springer the Opera saga seems to never be over. Those fuckers at Christian Voice are still pushing their vile lies. This time they have strongarmed a cancer charity into refusing donations from ticket sales, by threatening them with protests.

Here's a link to an audio file of the chief fuckwit 'debating' with David Soul.

It really makes my blood boil that these fuckers can get away with their petty little bullying. If anyone is doing down Christianity it's these idiots. If they really were Christians they would do as Bill Hicks suggested and forgive. But they're not, just petty self important wee fannies who wish the world would take them seriously.

Links via Metafilter.

"Dostoevsky Wouldn't be Writing ALF"

There is an interview in today's Metro with former heroin addict and Permanent Midnight author Jerry Stahl.

Another Brother Down...

As Tom has just posted, we lost another one of the good guys today.

Here's part of the BBC obituary, shizzolated to soften the blow.

Gangsta S Thompson, tha American counterculture gangsta has bizzle found dead at his hizzy in Colorado with my hoes on my side, and my strap on my back.
Thompsons sizzay Juan, found his body. He said tha 67-year-old shiznot himself.

He is best-known fo` his 1972 account of a drug-addled Nevada triznip, Fear n Loath'n in Las Vegas like a motha fucka. Otha books is Hells Angels n Generizzles of Swine like a motha fucka.

Thompson pioneered "gonzo journalism", a factual style in whizzay tha playa was an essential P-to-tha-izzart of tha story, n was an acute observa of American life. Every brutha ain't a brutha.

Hunter S Thompson 1937-2005

As you're probably aware by now Hunter S Thompson shot himself last night. Here's his entry on Wikipedia.

Talkin' da Pish 'n Shit Know What I'm Sayin'?

Put a URL into the Snoop Dogg Shizzolator and see Snoop shizzle it up 'n shit. For example he turns Fizz's Old Firm deadline day purchases story into this.

We Arra Peepel n' shit. ..

So both half of da old firm has managed pull of relatively big ass signing coups in da window."

Certainly Celtic fans will be mo' than pleased wit da arrival of Craig Bellamy, a player whom I would suggest has that shiznit in tha dude's ass match da bomb diggity Larrson fo' ability 'n goals, know what I'm sayin'?

Celtic also signed da fool up properly as well, concluding they business quickly 'n wit da minimum of fuss, know what I'm sayin'?

Not so da 'Gers, who wuz in real danger of looking like a bunch of hopeless dafties if they had failed in they bid bring Barry Ferguson back da club n' shit. Despite da fact that da player wuz champing at da bit come, Bain, Murray et al managed turn a piece of piss into a precipice (I stole that from an old "Only an Excuse"), finally getting they mutha at around 10pm last night, know what I'm sayin'?

So yo' ass look at da back pages of da papers 'n yo' ass has Bellamy, standing in front of da Celtic crest, shaking hands wit da manager at Parkhead during a properly arranged press conference, know what I'm sayin'?

And then yo' ass has da "fowtay" of Barry, in da street holding a Rangers shirt wit a bunch of mis-shapen neds waving "we arra peepel!" scarves around."

So we managed look like dafties even after izzall n' shit. But who cares? The Skipper is back 'n izzle rivals has managed persuade a really gravy player away from da Premiership, even if da circumstances surrounding da move wuz a little odd, know what I'm sayin'?

Whatever folk be like 'bout ambition 'n gravy players staying in or moving Scotland, da presence of these players adds value da average punter's season ticket, which ain't cheap."

Do fans up here not deserve watch quality players?

Besides "lack of ambition" is a spurious jibe level at a player who wants come here, know what I'm sayin'?

The mindset that says a Scottish based player has move da Premiership prove himself is bathed in colonial inferiority 'n is simply not bourne out by da facts, know what I'm sayin'?

Take Larrson, Cooper, Willie Millar 'n Paul McStay as examples, know what I'm sayin'? All legends, none of whom felt da need move England, know what I'm sayin'?

We need remember who da last British team reach a European final wuz up here n' shit. Were they not from Scotland? And did they not beat two English clubs get there?

Arthur Miller 1915-2005

Arthur Miller has died aged 89.

Here's his entry on Wikipedia.

Glue Update

In case you don't always check, there have been some photographs added to the You Owe Me Glue page. Our page on the comedy festival website has been updated with the picture we gave them and with a link to the blog.

Well Done Cathy!

Congratulations to our pal Cathy who has got herself a new job with Marie Curie Cancer Care. Let's hope that this time you're allowed to talk at work.

Cathy has also generously agreed to help us out with making costumes for the show.

Joey

Here's some more from Mark Lawson, this time on the coming Friends spin-off Joey.

Personally I always thought that the perfect spin-off from Friends would have been Chandler and Joey. I think you need one to play off the other. However Joey's character held Friends together for about the last 3 seasons since they split him and Chandler up by making Chandler fall in love with Monica.

To me Joey sounds like it's picking up where Friends left off. In that they'll be a few laughs, but you'll only really be watching it out of some sort of loyalty to the character.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Here's Mark Lawson in The Guardian with more on Nathan Barley

Who's Your Favourite?

Thanks to Tommy for introducing me to Sahara Hotnights. My favourite is Johanna. Who's yours?

Ronnie I expect some sexy gossip about them.

Not So Funny Now Is It?

This is what you get for forgetting my name fucker.

Self-Facilitating Media Node

Here's a preview of Nathan Barley and another profile of Chris Morris. To be honest as much as I'll watch Nathan Barley I don't think I'm going to like it much.

Rock the Oscars

Here's Chris Rock talking about hosting the Oscars later this month.

8.32 am

As I'm sure few people know I'm making a return to stand up again shortly after a 2 month lay-off. I can't really be bothered. I was 'up for it' a few months ago, but the motivation for it isn't really there anymore. However as I have several nights in Glasgow booked and a couple in Edinburgh I thought I should try to become inspired. So I did a wee search for someone inspiring and found this diary by Demetri Martin.

The gold in it for me was the bit on page 4 where he discusses how to get ‘MC Neighbor’ to turn his hip-hop down.

My initial plan was to get to know the guy first. I figure once we're homeboys, then I could just casually mention it sometime. " ... Yeah, I can definitely relate to your point about bitches and fancy cars. Been there. By the way, dog, could you turn your music like way down when you play it? Maybe even don't play it all? That would be dope. Also, when you do play it, could you rap along to it just a little less forcefully?

Failing that Demetri’s alternative is to play his Elliott Smith CDs up loud to combat.

I may add some more to this later on.

And here is the first add on a couple of video clips of him doing a routine.

An interview with him in Yale's magazine.

A little feature on him in The Eureka Reporter.

Saying Sorry for 'The Truth'

Here is a good article on The Sun's attempts to apologise for the lies it told in the aftermath of Hillsborough.

We Arra Peepel...

So both half of the old firm have managed to pull of relatively big signing coups in the window.

Certainly Celtic fans will be more than pleased with the arrival of Craig Bellamy, a player whom I would suggest has it in him to match the great Larrson for ability and goals.

Celtic also signed the guy up properly as well, concluding their business quickly and with the minimum of fuss.

Not so the 'Gers, who were in real danger of looking like a bunch of hopeless dafties if they had failed in their bid to bring Barry Ferguson back to the club. Despite the fact that the player was champing at the bit to come, Bain, Murray et al managed to turn a piece of piss into a precipice (I stole that from an old "Only an Excuse"), finally getting their man at around 10pm last night.

So you look at the back pages of the papers and you have Bellamy, standing in front of the Celtic crest, shaking hands with the manager at Parkhead during a properly arranged press conference.

And then you have the "fowtay" of Barry, in the street holding a Rangers shirt with a bunch of mis-shapen neds waving "we arra peepel!" scarves around.

So we managed to look like dafties even after all. But who cares? The Skipper is back and our rivals have managed to persuade a really good player away from the Premiership, even if the circumstances surrounding the move were a little odd.

Whatever folk say about ambition and good players staying in or moving to Scotland, the presence of these players adds value to the average punter's season ticket, which ain't cheap.

Do fans up here not deserve to watch quality players?

Besides "lack of ambition" is a spurious jibe to level at a player who wants to come here.

The mindset that says a Scottish based player has to move to the Premiership to prove himself is bathed in colonial inferiority and is simply not bourne out by the facts.

Take Larrson, Cooper, Willie Millar and Paul McStay as examples. All legends, none of whom felt the need to move to England.

We need to remember who the last British team to reach a European final was up here. Were they not from Scotland? And did they not beat two English clubs to get there?