Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?

Subject: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,Louise
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 01:21 PM

I saw loads of people voting for Bonzo & Dorris as the best festival act. I saw them last year and people I admit that some were falling about laughing but I just didnt get it! None of their magic acts worked. Am I missing something or what?

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Prodigal Son
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 03:15 PM

Louise I know exactly where you're coming from, I have never found them in the least bit funny either, or for that matter Keith Donnelly, another "you'll fall about laughing" act. In fact I find some 'comedy' acts at festivals so unfunny I cannot stay and listen to them, it really hurts that badly. I have sat looking at the audience wondering what they're laughing at and how come I don't get it (blaming myself Margo of 'The Good Life' like!). My conclusion is that it's not their problem it's mine. I just don't share the same sense of humour with them. Their humour could be described as 'childish' (no offence implied), but then so could Spike Milligan's and I love his. Just rest assured you're not alone, and others will be leaving the tent (I usually see these at festivals) scratching their heads as you and I are.

Now where's me Hancock tapes?

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Emma B
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 03:19 PM

not so much "childish" as childlike surely - Tommy Cooper made a livlihood from magic tricks that didn't work!

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Prodigal Son
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 03:22 PM

Accepted Emma, slip of the keyboard

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 03:32 PM

I saw Tommy Cooper live in Birmingham some 30 odd years ago.
I liked him on telly in short sharp doses. However a full gig of him live turned out to be very boring IMHO.

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,synbyn
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 03:35 PM

Must admit I can watch their act over and over and it always makes me laugh especially when I know what's coming... it's all in the timing, I think, and the sheer absurdity... writing about it's like trying to catch water in a sieve.. it's yer life, innit, all the hope that you're going to succeed... I'd say it was existential but I can't spell it... Why is it funny? Why is a giraffe big? It just is...

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 04:22 PM

Some like one thing some another. I find Bonzo and Doris hilarious.

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,with dubious sense of humour
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 06:06 PM

I thought I was the only person who couldn't find anything funny in Keith Donnelly's gigs. Thank you Prodigal, I am obviously in good company!

Bonzo & Doris I have yet to encounter.....watch this space

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Dartford Warbler
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 08:15 PM

I think we must all be realistic here. There are as many different tastes in humour as there are tastes in music. Also tastes do change. When I was 14 years old I watched the first showing of a new TV programme that was called 'Monty Python's Flying Circus'. While I was in absolute convulsions on the living room floor, my dear Mother and Father looked on in astonishment wondering whether they should call a doctor. However, Spike Milligan and the Goons had the same affect on my Father. I never really derived any great pleasure from Morecombe and Wise hailed as one of the best TV comedy duos.

On the 'folk' circuit in the early days, I never found Vin Garbutt very entertaining or funny. However, that opinion has taken a complete turn around and now he is one of my favourite 'all round 'folk' acts.

I find Keith Donnelly's performances rib cracking but his act leaves my partner cold. However, we are both in stitches watching Sid Kipper or Les Barker.

It takes all sorts to make this world?

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 09:18 PM

Having sent my video of Bonso and Doris at Banbury Canalside Festival 05 they are now selling it for £10 on DVD. Paul did say "Give it to anyone , no one will want to steel this crap" They are brill ,and on main stage this year at Banbury this year. I laugh each time I see it ,I enjoy "Crap Humour" others miss the point at their loss. Yes they have my vote !

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,Bruce Baillie
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 01:49 AM

...I've never found Keith Donnelly funny either!

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,Banjoman
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 06:56 AM

Saw them at Broadstairs & agree they were hilarious. However, I do ask what place they really have at a Folk Festival.
By the way, who the hell is Keith Donelly?

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 09:16 AM

Keith Donnelly

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 05:24 AM

Tastes vary.
I don't find June Tabor funny. Why not?
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,Bill
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 12:14 PM

I have tears running down my face every time I see The Great Bonzo & Doris and I will definitely be at Banbury festival to see them perform again. If you haven't seen them they are well worth watching/ booking. They have a "Goldfish
Circus", their own versions of escapology, "Budgies of Prey", a levitating toilet tent, an hilarious
boxing extravaganza, plus many more "life defying" stunts. They have toured Korea, India, Ireland and loads of other places that will have them. Bonzo (AKA Paul Elliott) and Doris (Glen Elliott) are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. They can be contacted on [e-mail]

I must admit I am also a fan of Keith Donnelly too.

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: The Badger
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 08:13 PM

Louise - yes, you are missing something.

The Badger

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 06:37 AM

My good pals Bonzo & Doris came about from a night at the Warwick Folk Club which they used to run where there was a competition to find the crappest act by the way they came second!!

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: kab
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:38 AM

Does anyone recall who won?

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:40 PM

Keith Donnelly?

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 02:06 PM

I have a dog called bonzo and a spider called doris,ill have to train them up.

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Girl Friday
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 09:50 PM

Len and me saw them at Broadstairs. The so-called humour was totally lost on us. Expect we weren't derunk enough! Keith Donnelly is hilarious- he is one of Jasper Carrot's scriptwriters. Thanks for the blue clicky to his website. I have put it on Favourites.... one of the best guests at Friday Folk.

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 06:01 AM

Llantrisant Folk Club had four "scouts" at this year's Crediton Festival, and we all loved Bonzo and Doris! They are the guests at our Christmas party - and thanks, Pat, for booking them!

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Adrianl
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 06:04 AM

For those who have missed either act Keith Donelly is at Banbury Folk Festival on the 14 October as well as Bonzo and Doris.

Adrian

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,Bonzo
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 04:22 PM

We are touched; a lot of people tell us this. The Great Bonzo and Doris is a beast with a mind of it's own. We feed it stuff for people to look at and it's up to them to decide if its comedy. We know the contents a load of rubbish because that's what we do. This doesn't make us feel any better just before a show, sick as a dog comes to mind! will it be this time they don't laugh?
John Cleese said that good comedy comes with a bit of risk and must involve some cringe factor for it to produce the belly laugh, which will, inevitably leave some people behind cringing and not laughing, but the ones that go with it really hurt at the end of a show. One time we had a young lady hitting her companion telling him to stop laughing because she didn't think it was funny, but the more she hit him the more he laughed!
As for the question do B and D belong at folk festivals? Well, do grownup men dressed up in woman's clothing and beating each other with sticks and pigs bladders and waving hankies belong at folk festivals? Anyway enough about Dick Dixon. It doesn't hurt to break up the serious stuff with a little light relief.   
By the way Keith Donnely didn't ask to come into this string, I think he is a genius and his serious stuff is fantastic I wish he would do more

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,Nellie Clatt
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 12:13 AM

So who are you then ?

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 05:34 AM

It was Bonzo and Doris, was it not, who appeared on 'Pot Of Gold', Des O'connor's talent show, and were told by Des not to 'give up the day job'? thus unintentionally (probably) paying them a compliment.
B & D have been at Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival a couple of times and I have to say I nearly wet myself watching them (although this frequently happens anyway these days due to advancing old age).
I particularly remember the classic 'morris ironing' and the incredible 'levitating toilet tent',a stunt which members of the F&B committee tried to emulate later with indifferent results.
Bonzo and Doris are indeed almost excruciatingly funny and if you can't see or understand their humour you are unfortunate indeed.

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,Disappointed, Wales
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 08:18 AM

Based on the performance last night at Llantrisant FC - I can honestly say it was the worst act I have paid to see at any folk club. Sorry, guys, concept sounded allright but it did't work on the night, for me at any rate. EG "Budgies of Prey" with a stunt 'double' that is totally different sounds funny, but somehow wasn't.

One moment, and only one, made me laugh momentarily, so i will rate it a half point on a scale of 1-10. I went along willing to be entertained and with positive expectations. Basically, it is one joke. "We do everything badly.". But not with sufficient aplomb or style to make this member of the audience enjoy himself. Maybe if it ahd been delivered at breakneck pace it would have worked a little better, but every episode dragged interminably.

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 08:41 AM

I like them, perhaps the reason that some people don't find them amusing is because the fashion in comedy nowadays is to mock the afflicted and the inadequate.
I've heard folks who say they have people just like David Brent in their office, I suggest that they wouldn't laugh at that person to their face, but are happy to wet themselves laughing at a social misfit in the privacy of their own living room.
The same applies to the character played by Dawn French in Jam and Jerusalem, to me it looks like she is taking the piss out of retarded people.
So in conclusion, long live Bonzo and Doris, not all they do is uproariously funny, but none of it is insulting those who do not conform to our idea of social normality.
Giok

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Scrump
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 10:16 AM

I saw Keith Donelly with Les Barker (i.e. on stage together) and I thought the combination worked very well. We had a great evening's entertainment, and so did most of the rest of the audience AFAICT.

Never seen Bonzo and Doris though (or even seen either of them separately AFAIK).

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 28 Jan 07 - 02:21 PM

Well, having re-read what I wrote last September and having read some of the subsequent posts I realise that I was, perhaps, being a little dogmatic.
In the end, as we all know, humour is a subjective thing and if you don't find something funny you just don't. End of story.
And, of course, every act in the world is capable of having an 'off night' and falling flat on its face.
All I can say is that Bonzo and Doris at MFAB all those years ago were hilarious and just the memory of it all still makes me laugh.

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,don keithelly
Date: 31 Dec 10 - 10:50 AM

Yeah flaming KEITH DONNELLY, shouldn't be allowed!
Makes me want to flaming explode he's so not unfunny!
& who is he... and who does he think he is... and other imponderables!?!
& as for Bonzo and Doris... Well! - I very nearly didn't watch them this year at Warwick cos I wasn't not laughing so much!
Jeez guys - get a life! If you don't like 'em - there's always that virtual on/off switch
[door... tent-flap... machete... etc]

Best to you all [whoever you am!] always!

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Mr Red
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 08:19 AM

because they are.

You know when you have been Bonzoed!

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: Acorn4
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 10:05 AM

there's always that virtual on/off switch
[door... tent-flap... machete... etc]

..but beware of exiting a Keith Donnelly gig part way through - not many have escaped unscathed!!!

Subject: RE: Bonzo & Dorris Why Funny?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 11:15 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N4QLwXxvGU

You have to be familiar with Morris dancing...