Clowns
The boys and I popped into Ikea for a meat-ball based lunch and found, to our utter disinterest, that it was a family day. That’s why there was a torn-faced clown wandering around spinning plates. Clearly bored riged, he tried to strike up conversation. The topic? Our local undertaker.
Top Gear
Three grown men acting like teenagers as they read out lines from clunky script. There are cars.
Burniston
Shell suits and shouting isn’t enough to constitute Scottish sketch comedy. Or, in fact, sketch comedy from anywhere.
Everything else
‘Funny’ slogans. You don’t have to be mad to live here, but it helps. No it doesn’t.
Putting a hand out to shake then taking it away. Rubbish. Never funny.
See-you-Jimmy hats, fake tits.
Real tits. Especially to the person who owns them.
Women pulling up men’s kilts.
Most photoshopped pictures
Most sit-coms. Should be called sit not-coms.
Politicians’ jokes.
Posters (cards/mugs/keyrings/printed knickers) that begin Keep calm and…
Vic Reeves.
Anything that is introduced by: “You’ll love this, it’s hilarious…”
Heather says
I don't think I've ever seen a clown that's funny. In fact most of them are just rather scary!
Ellen Arnison says
The certainly are.
Ellen Arnison says
Thank you. I was slightly concerned that I might have to add this post!
40s Chic says
Do you know, I've never got Vic Reeves either, even when he was everywhere on TV in the 90s.
Ellen Arnison says
It might be a male-female thing because my husband objected to him being on this list.
SusanKMann says
I could not have said it better myself. x
Very Bored in Catalunya says
There is not one thing on your list that I disagree with, in fact, are you me? (I am missing out the Burniston thing because I know not what that is).
Clowns are evil, they should be against the law.
Ellen Arnison says
Thanks. x
Ellen Arnison says
Burniston is a very very unfunny Scottish comedy, don't even waste time googling it.
I might be you – have we ever been seen in the same room?
MumB / @mumbosh says
Now curious to know what does make you laugh out loud?
Iota says
Loved this list (though have to confess to quite liking Top Gear – sorry).
Videos featuring cats on Youtube.
Being tapped on one shoulder, so you look round in that direction, while the tapper is in fact on your other side and just reached round to tap the 'wrong' shoulder.
The 12th time you hear your child's knock-knock joke (Who's there? Doctor…)
Anonymous says
Burniston and Vic Reeves are two of the funniest comedy shows I have ever seen, Oh, and Limmy, especially Limmy. There is no such thing as good comedy and bad comedy, it's just that everyone is different.