The 50th Unfunniest Britons

[Brad]

According to the London News Review, whatever dubious publication that may be. I've certainly never heard of it...

http://www.lnreview.co.uk/media/journal/003303.php

Let's debate this "list" shall we?

OK at joint No 1 is Billy Connelly; admittedly, I've never found him funny, and Lenny Henry who I have found funny in the past. But Dawn French at #7?! Ben Elton at #10? OK, I do think he's a hypocrite for all this royal and 'toff' bashing in the 80's and now here he is presenting the Royal Variety Performance and writing with Andrew Lloyd Webber, but I have been in hysterics over his material over the years. Clearly the writer of the list has never seen The Goodies, and er... to call Tony Hawks "an incalculably annoying individual" I love his books! I have nearly drowned in the bath laughing at them! (Yes, I read in the bath, OK? )
Ross Noble is great, as is Rowan Atkinson. There are some on the list I'd agree with. Vernon Kaye, Steve Penk and Roy Hudd (sorry, Roy!) for starters. And me, an ex-News Huddlines contributor too.
And who the hell are Russell Brand and Earl Okin?!
Although I see my own personal nomination, Richard Blackwood isn't there.

[russnet]

Well Russell Brand presented Efourm (Big Brother spin off) recently on E4. Would class him funny though.

[Jamez]

Ahh yes, Mr Brand looks a bit like the secret 1970s lovechild of Freddie Mercury!

[DAS]

There's something about Russell Brand that makes me like him, though I shouldn't really.

I remember watching him in the early hours of the morning on MTV running around various music festivals and being weird but very very funny. Even the drunk people he pounced on were very confused at what he was trying to do.

He was an interesting choice for Efourum to say the least, but I reckon once he settled in, he was pretty damn good.

An acquired taste but very funny in my opinion.

[TVDragon]

There's something about Russell Brand that makes me like him, though I shouldn't really.

I remember watching him in the early hours of the morning on MTV running around various music festivals and being weird but very very funny. Even the drunk people he pounced on were very confused at what he was trying to do.

I think it was those who were off their faces on class A's that he spun out the most mind you. Making some kid wet himself with fear because of the killer dolphins he convinced him were in his bottle of water. I think all that facial hair just added to the terror.

Rubbing his whole face in Mr Whippy was a bit much for me though.

The list -- agree with most of them, apart from Bill Bailey who's great.

The top 20 funniest British people list was on R2 a couple of nights ago -- Tommy Cooper came first, then Peter Kay, then I don't remember any more.

[cat]

According to the London News Review, whatever dubious publication that may be. I've certainly never heard of it...

The London News Review is, I think, one of those bizarre publications that have been around for centuries, with hardly any readers, managing to survive thanks to a string of wealthy owners who have nothing else to spend their money on.

There were loads of them. Pall-Mall Gazette, etc (think that eventually merged with the Daily Mail). I think our official paper of record, the London Gazette, is actually still running.

The New York Observer is the most bizarre.

[Gavin Scott]

I love Russell Brand.

Do any non Scots know of Craig Hill? He's a friend of mine so I'm conflicted when it comes to giving an honest critique.

[James Hatts]

The London News Review is, I think, one of those bizarre publications that have been around for centuries, with hardly any readers, managing to survive thanks to a string of wealthy owners who have nothing else to spend their money on.

Actually it was only founded last year - but I think that the founders wanted to evoke the spirit of the type of publication you mention.

In the last year it has lurched from crisis to crisis, suspended publication and changed format at least once.