John Bird. RIP.

[mikecee]

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Sad to hear about the passing of satirist John Bird.

[Colston36]

I guess it's an old fogey's view but is there anything as sophisticated now?

[mikecee]

I guess it's an old fogey's view but is there anything as sophisticated now?

I suppose that despite Bremner, Bird and Fortune only being 9 or so years old  humour/satire has moved on.

[Ali Katt]

I liked seeing him on the rare TV appearances he made always a class act on Bremner, Bird and Fortune and brilliant as a guest on various radio programmes. The other sad fact is never mind satire there is very little narrative comedy these days and even fewer gag men comedy writers. Most comedy I watch is old stuff or American, I don't really care for unfunny dramedys, boring panel shows or even worse clips shows. I agree comedy has moved on, but it seems less rich and intellectual and don't get me wrong comedy doesn't need to be clever to be funny, but it does need to be funny.

[ulstersubbie]

The other sad fact is never mind satire there is very little narrative comedy these days and even fewer gag men comedy writers. Most comedy I watch is old stuff or American, I don't really care for unfunny dramedys, boring panel shows or even worse clips shows. I agree comedy has moved on, but it seems less rich and intellectual and don't get me wrong comedy doesn't need to be clever to be funny, but it does need to be funny.

I hear you AK, it's not just comedy but writing in general. I despair at the quality of screenplays now, very rarely do you get an outstanding one.

[Thephoenix]

The John Bird and John Fortune interviews were brilliant.
It's hard to pick a favourite, but the one about Europe takes some beating.
Can't do a link with my phone.

[Henry767]

A lot of the humour in the BBF pieces was in applying critical thinking to politics and then contrasting its results with the insanity of the situation or what was being said.
Less likely today because rational argument is getting outweighed by what an individual believes or feels about an issue, and because we have had so many recent political events that are just beyond satire!

[Stevelondon]

I liked seeing him on the rare TV appearances he made always a class act on Bremner, Bird and Fortune and brilliant as a guest on various radio programmes. The other sad fact is never mind satire there is very little narrative comedy these days and even fewer gag men comedy writers. Most comedy I watch is old stuff or American, I don't really care for unfunny dramedys, boring panel shows or even worse clips shows. I agree comedy has moved on, but it seems less rich and intellectual and don't get me wrong comedy doesn't need to be clever to be funny, but it does need to be funny.

So true.

[Stevelondon]

The John Bird and John Fortune interviews were brilliant.
It's hard to pick a favourite, but the one about Europe takes some beating.
Can't do a link with my phone.

Just brilliantly funny.
I’m on my iPhone too and can’t put a link up (if it is at all possible)

[Happiness]

John Bird Rest in peace.