I think the comic intros to songs were a cheerful and healthy and life-giving element in the folk club scene in the heydays. Whatever you think of Mike hardings Radio 2 prog now, he couldnt half split your sides (and play great songs) in the clubs back in the 70's. Billy C and jasper C were always good for a laugh(Tony C too come to think of it). Boring people with guitars killed the folk clubs...not funny people, I reckon.
Somebody's Law says "bad money drives out good". Very true. Not "funny money drives out serious money".