Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05

Subject: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 02:43 PM

Dave Allen the well known Irish comedian died today, which is Red Nose day in the UK, a day in which comedians raise money for charity under the umbrella title of Comic Relief Day.
What a day to go Dave, your timing was always impeccable.
May your god go with you.
Giok

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 02:48 PM

Your absolutely right on that one Giok his timing was down to a tee.
I remember him in the 70's i think it was called Dave Allen at Large.
May the Irish be with him rest his soul.
Scooby

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 02:49 PM

His program was played here in the U.S. many years ago, but I thought he was a very funny fellow. I'm sorry to learn of his loss, though I'm not surprised at his timing. As you say, it was very good.

He had one of my favorite closing lines at the end of his program, and it is suitable now:

May your god go with you.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Dave4Guild
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 02:49 PM

I'm sure he was in Heaven before the Devil knew he was dead!

R I P Rest Well

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Rasener
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 02:51 PM

Saw him live about 35 years ago in a nightclub in Brum. he was brilliant.

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: alanabit
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 02:56 PM

One of the very best. He made it look as if anyone could do it. A real master.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: gnu
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 03:00 PM

May your god go with you. Rest in peace. And then crack Saint Peter and the rest of them up.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 03:14 PM

Damn...we always LOVED his show. Used to watch it in Wyoming when there were only 2-3 stations available; thank goodness for PBS!

Rest well and thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 03:24 PM

I thought his show was great. Sorry to hear he's gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: jacqui.c
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 03:36 PM

What a shame. He was one of my favourite comedians. His clever wit made his observations on life so apt and so funny.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: the fence
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 03:37 PM

An amazing talent, but if god does exist, boy is he in for it!!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: freda underhill
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 03:48 PM

i watched his show in australia and laughed, laughed laughed. thanks starting this thread Giok - i want to remember him.

freda

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: JohnB
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 03:56 PM

I hope that he gets a bottomless glass of "Limejuice" wherever he ends up. Great Comedian, what a Day to go!
JohnB

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 04:37 PM

And a peaceful way too, in his sleep.

Sadly missed by many.

LTS

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 05:11 PM

A total original, very few came near him for pure obsevational comedy. An alternative comedian before the term was invented.
R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 06:07 PM

It has been so long since I saw his show that I don't remember any particular routines. (I think I wrote a couple of his jokes or punchlines down somewhere, but who knows where they are now.) My memory is general, of the sharp wit that was behind the very funny material. If someone knows of a way to get a refresher on any of his programs, please post a link or information here. Thanks!

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Lanfranc
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 06:32 PM

Another of my heroes gone! A genuinely funny man who was witty rather than crude. I'll be buying his DVD as a reminder, though I would hope that some of his old shows will get a rerun on TV.

And, yes, his timing was always impeccable!

Alan

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 07:16 PM

It's always sad when a genuinely funny person leaves us.

I heard that he was thinking of making a comeback - I always wondered why his shows had disappeared from view - I think he was last played on Aus in pre-colour-TV days - wonder if his show are available.

A genuine 'Intellectual-comedian'.

Robin

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Metchosin
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 07:56 PM

Oh dear, one of my all time favorite comedians. Too bad he didn't get time to make a comeback. His irreverance was delightful and his fondness for the Catholic Church was only exceeded by Martin Luther.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 08:32 PM

Dave Allen is listed at IMDb as a writer. He was very witty--that's what made him so superior to much else that was going on out there.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 09:03 PM

alex glasgow.. jake thackray.. dave allen..

f*ck off god..

you cruel humourless merciless old fudy duddy bible bashing old deity..

.. oh well .. still got bernard manning and freddie starr and Roy Chubby Brown and jethro andmike harding..

.. what a blokes got to do to avoid red nose day..!!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: GUEST,Folkiefrank
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 09:55 PM

A true genius, the likes of of which will seldom come your way. May his God keep him safe.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 10:43 PM

A brilliant comedian. I wonder if he will be finally reunited with that missing bit of his finger wherever he has gone to?

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Troll
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 12:16 AM

Damn! So we've lost another of the good ones.

Go with God, Dave.

troll

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 12:48 AM

Aw what a ahame. I always loved watching the Dave Allen show. I see he was born in 1936, which makes him 69 - not all that old. Anyone know what he died of?

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 01:03 AM

I have looked up two news stories here and here. He was actually still 68, and the cause of his death is unknown.

One of the sites has some of his quotes, which I think are worth putting on here.

IN HIS OWN WORDS

"I still think of myself as I was 25 years ago. Then I look in a mirror and see an old bastard and realise it's me."

"Am I the Irish comedian with half a finger? No, I'm the Irish comedian with nine and a half fingers."

"A good storyteller never lets the facts get in the way."

"We spend our lives on the run: we get up by the clock, eat and sleep by the clock, get up again, go to work - and then we retire. And what do they give us? A clock."

"I don't go out of my way to be outrageous, I just go out of my way to look at things."

"I'm an atheist ... thank God."

"I've stopped smoking ... I think the cost was a lot of it, and not being able to breathe. I first gave up smoking when I was eight."

"If it's sent by ship then it's a cargo, if it's sent by road then it's a shipment."

"Don't mourn for me now, don't mourn for me never - I'm going to do nothing for ever and ever (what Allen said he would like to have inscribed on his tombstone)."

"Goodnight, thank you, and may your god go with you" (Allen's trademark sign-off).

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: alison
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 02:22 AM

awwwwwwww

the one I liked was his Ian Paisley hell & damnation speech - "there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth"

when approached by an old man with no teeth Paisley tells him "Teeth will be provided!"

or the playing dodgems in confessional boxes
or the race to the graveyard by 2 funeral processions
or the silent monks having a food fight

I hope they rerun the series

may your god go with you Dave, we'll miss you

alison

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: alison
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 02:28 AM

Foulestroupe I got the video "the best of Dave Allen" from an ABC shop in Sydney several years ago - I'm sure they still have them (in their BBC collection along with Morecambe & Wise, the Two Ronnies, Les barker etc)

I'm sure its on DVD now

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 02:50 AM

I have a BBC video entitled "Dave Allen" from 1994, that my son gave me for my birthday one time. Must be time to pull it out and watch it again!

Jenny

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 05:46 AM

When Jeannie Robertson was awarded the MBE Dave had her on his Saturday night show the same day.

Truly great observer and comic.

eric

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: ard mhacha
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 06:04 AM

The funniest man I have ever seen, the BBC News in a tribute to Dave showed a couple of sketches, I am still laughing, the funeral race, and the British Rail worker taking out the large key to wind up the train.
Surely the BBC will do a re-run of a comedian who had no peer.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Cllr
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 06:19 AM

this quote was used earlier but it had been censored and given his famed use of profanity and brilliant delivery i think it should be repeated in full

"We spend our lives on the run: we get up by the clock, eat and sleep by the clock, get up again, go to work - and then we retire. And what do they give us? A fucking clock."

As a catholic from a catholic household and also being taught by cristian brothers I was truly amazed by his very original take on life irishness and religion, avery specail comedian. cllr

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Tam the man
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 07:09 AM

A great man

sad day

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Pistachio
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 07:47 AM

I 'm surprised that he was only 68. I remember watching Dave Allen with my Dad (and he's been dead 20 years!) We used to be helpless with laughter, the man was so gifted with delivery, timing, expression - May his Heaven ring with laughter. H.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Fiolar
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 08:40 AM

I'll never forget the sketch he did where he was showing his friend around his house and boasting that it was fully computerised and obeyed all voice instructions. He went on to give examples. "Curtains close"- the curtains closed. "Curtains open" - the curtains opened. "Lights on/Lights off" (you get the idea). His friend sat down on a sofa in amazement and exclaimed, "Well, bugger me." End of sketch.
Miss you Dave.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Flash Company
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 10:51 AM

Dave Allen, sitting in a chair with a glass in his hand, was funnier than anyone else I can think of with all the props and back up in the world.
I remember the last time I saw him he did a homily on drink, and how it inverts your normal view of the world :-
Drunk greeting a friend,-'HOW ARE YOU, you old Bastard!'
Drunk about to start a fight,- 'Now LOOK HERE, Pal!'
Dead right!
He will be missed, we are loosing a lot of good men this year!

FC

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 01:11 PM

Am I the only one that remembers that one of his programmes included a visit which he made to Stanley Hicks down in Watauga County, N.C,?
Yes that Stanley Hicks, of banjo playing, making, carving, singing, storytelling fame,
Does anyone know if this available in any form? It was a number of years ago but hey so was Bert Lloyd's visit to Doc Watson in the 70's and that just recently showed up on TV here in the UK.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 01:55 PM

Always one of our family's favourites. His aunt is still alive and living near Leytonstone - my brother takes her out on trips once a month! I also hope this means we will be treated to a rerun of his shows - damn shame they have to wait for him to die before they show them though.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 02:26 PM

I used to love watching Dave Allen at Large. He was one of the most natural story tellers I've ever seen.

He may have some explaining to do at the Pearly Gates. His send ups of the Church were pricelss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 02:34 PM

May his God go with him

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: GUEST,Pete
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 02:34 PM

Wonderful to read so many of his great lines above.

And does anyone remember the tv series he did on traditional (and bizarre) English customs back in the mid-70s with the theme tune by English folk-rock band Frogmorton starting:

"This old England's a funny place..."

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: fat B****rd
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 03:02 PM

Agree with all of the above. RIP Mr. Allen

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: shepherdlass
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 04:30 PM

Ditto - may his god go with him - let's just hope that if there is one, he/she/it had a sense of humour (remember the Popemobile and sedan chair sketches?)

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 08:48 PM

I feel that almost anyone's God will have a greater sense of humour than many of their followers....

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: GUEST,folkiefrank
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 09:44 PM

The lines I remember most....aprox..."Alcohol free lager, De-caff coffee, what's the bloody point? It's like having sex without the orgasm!"

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Allen comedian 11/03/05
From: MuddleC
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 06:38 AM

His sideways view of the catolic church paved the way for things like 'Father Ted'

Arse!Feck!Girls!DRINK!

-how he got away with it for so long is amazing, I think Tony Bliar must be cursing, all that commons hot air expended and he can't get him for anything, racism, religious disrespect and political incorrectness... it's too late! unless he tags him in his box!-now there's a sketch there somewhere.........

have one on me Dave