Fuddland

Sad news of the death of Dave Allen. I remember enjoying his comedy when I was growing up, although I’m sure I didn’t appreciate it as fully as I did upon hearing it again as an adult. There’s one sketch I remember in particular, a long story [they were all long stories!] about trying to teach a child how to tell the time.

The first hand, the shortest one, that’s the hour hand. No, not “our hand”, the hour hand. Then the second hand is the minute hand, and the third hand is the second hand. No, it’s not a minute hand as well. The second hand is the minute hand. But the third is the second.

And so on, only funnier. It’s perhaps a testament as to how protective he was over his material that I can’t find a transciption of the sketch anywhere.

It also struck me how rare it is [or it seems to be, at any rate] these days to hear news of people simply dying in their sleep. No “long battle against” nor “sudden illness”. It was just his time. However the hell you tell it.

#1

Daisy | 2005 / 03 / 12 – 11:54

There are some video clips on the BBC site and it’s so strange to realise that what was controversial (the first “alternative” comedian) in the 70s is now gently funny. Still funny, but doesn’t have the “Oh my God, did he really just say that?” edge.

You make a good point about his material, I’m sure it’s not lack of interest. I hope Radio 4 will repeat a 30 minute tribute to Dave Allen that aired a couple of months ago (the material issue came up in that). I can’t find it in the Listen Again pages but will keep an eye out for it. I made notes intending to blog it but, as always, didn’t quite get round to it.

#2

David | 2005 / 03 / 12 – 11:57

Re #1: Yeah, I heard that Radio 4 programme myself. Nice that it was produced and broadcast before he passed away, simply in tribute to his talent, and not just because he’s now no longer with us.

#3

felicity | 2005 / 03 / 12 – 15:12

A fond memory from childhood - someone should rerun the tv series.

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