Tommy Tiernan

dregin · 31-03-2008 9:33am #1

Has anyone else been to see Tommy Tiernan in Vicar Street? I dunno if last night was a once off or are all his shows racist spam fests? I couldn't believe that people were laughing at his impressions of Polish people and refugees. 5 minutes in a guy shouted "racist" and of course Tommy was in up in arms straight away and most of the crowd were there to back him up. There were plenty of people around me less than impressed with his attempts at comedy.

The guy seems to have been living off the back of one episode of father ted for most of his "career" and all I can say is thank christ we didn't actually pay in to see nothing more than a racist playing up to the generic paddy homophobic, racist sense of humour.
I'm fairly sure last night's "performance" was significantly more right wing than usual thanks to your man heckling Tiernan, but has anyone else bee to the other shows?

Jesus Wept · 31-03-2008 9:34am

lol.

Tommy was very well known before the brief part in Father Ted.

SheroN · 31-03-2008 9:35am

How is doing an impression of a polish person racist? Unfunny yes, racist no.

GhostInTheRuins · 31-03-2008 9:36am

I haven't been to any of his shows but isn't that what he does? He like's being controversial.

Can't stand him myself.

kaimera · 31-03-2008 9:36am

Tommy Tiernan in new controversy over act.

Hold the front page.

*yawn*

Kernel · 31-03-2008 9:38am

dregin wrote: »

The guy seems to have been living off the back of one episode of father ted for most of his "career" and all I can say is thank christ we didn't actually pay in to see nothing more than a racist playing up to the generic paddy homophobic, racist sense of humour.
I'm fairly sure last night's "performance" was significantly more right wing than usual thanks to your man heckling Tiernan, but has anyone else bee to the other shows?

Maybe he was satirising our xenophobic attitudes and angst regarding the massive cultural changes sweeping our land?

Anyway, to answer.. I saw his show a few years back and it was excellent. Laughed my ass off. Very rehearsed though. Dara O'Briain was much better IMO. That man has a rapier wit!

biko · 31-03-2008 9:38am

Tommy is class.

dregin · 31-03-2008 9:39am

SheroN wrote: »

How is doing an impression of a polish person racist? Unfunny yes, racist no.

It was in the context of them not knowing who he was and therefore not being able to do their job properly/please him as a customer.

dregin · 31-03-2008 9:40am

kaimera wrote: »

Tommy Tiernan in new controversy over act.

Hold the front page.

*yawn*

Yeah, I realise it's old news, I just hadn't been subjected to it before.

Dyr · 31-03-2008 9:41am

He makes me laugh anyway. And if he's taking swipes at fordiners, fugee's and cappers I'll laugh all the harder

dregin · 31-03-2008 9:42am

Kernel wrote: »

Maybe he was satirising our xenophobic attitudes and angst regarding the massive cultural changes sweeping our land.

Yeah, I made it through the show holding out for some sort of conclusion, but there was none. It was him making racist jokes with the majority of the audience rolling around laughing at him.

Singer73 · 31-03-2008 9:45am

A comedian who doesn't offend slightly is not doing his job. Feeling comfortable at a comedy gig is not a worthwhile experience. Maybe you should travel back in time to a Hal Roache gig. Might be more your scene.

Dyr · 31-03-2008 9:45am

dregin wrote: »

It was him making racist jokes with the majority of the audience rolling around laughing at him.

*fires up ticketmaster to book a seat*

ven0m · 31-03-2008 9:47am

Watch a recent Tommy Tiernan DVD & you'll see it has subtitles in Polish ;-)

Tommy Tiernan's often 'contraversial material' is taken the wrong way by limp wristed conservative PC's who forget that SATIRE is a form of comedy.

The world has gone mental when people can't distinguish blatent satire. No-one posted an argument for Billy Connoloy's satire about muslims from his latest DVD - because he's not Irish. it seems If you are an irish comedian, you are NOT allowed poke fun at Irish stupidy when it comes to non-Irish people (except British people because of course that's 'always acceptible' :rolleyes:).

Ireland has gone to the dogs & until the political correctness brigade are put in their place, nothing will be safe.

:::: ven0mous ::::

cornbb · 31-03-2008 9:48am

Have to agree with the OP. I have no problem with the piss being taken out of fordners/mentally handicapped or whoever (I'm a South Park junkie) but Tommy Tiernan is just, well, he's very unfunny. He's impression of Down's syndrome kids reminds me of those kids who went around calling other kids "spas" in primary school, the whole "DURRR!" thing. No, the fact that Tommy has worked with them is not an excuse.

Sherifu · 31-03-2008 9:53am

Tommy has had his day. Retire him.

Xavi6 · 31-03-2008 9:54am

Hasn't been funny in years.

ven0m · 31-03-2008 9:55am

cornbb wrote: »

Have to agree with the OP. I have no problem with the piss being taken out of fordners/mentally handicapped or whoever (I'm a South Park junkie) but Tommy Tiernan is just, well, he's very unfunny. He's impression of Down's syndrome kids reminds me of those kids who went around calling other kids "spas" in primary school, the whole "DURRR!" thing. No, the fact that Tommy has worked with them is not an excuse.

Yet again proof - it's funny as long as it's not close to home. Reminds me of Isaac Hayes & him getting annoyed because they took the piss out of his religion, meanwhile he had no problems standing by when they took the piss out of every other religion.

Everything is ok long as it's not close to home in comedy :rolleyes: ...... I feel the need right now to break out my B*L**H*T banner right now on this kinda thing .......

IanCurtis · 31-03-2008 10:00am

Last time I saw him, the first 20mins were funny then it just dissolved into him shouting "f*ck" over and over again, while jumping around the stage.

But like the OP said, the audience seemed to think this was hilarious.

I could only figure that they don't seem a regular comedy audience, and were easily pleased.

The funniest thing was the barman, spotting my grimice, telling me "You think you're bad, I've had to listen to that sh1t all week!"

Now that was funny

Bendihorse · 31-03-2008 10:02am

Tommy is old hat, he rehashes the same stuff over and over, shouting and cursing are not clever or funny (unless the jokes inbetween are good) And his recreational habits are getting all the more obvious in his performances the longer he goes on...

He was good in the early days though, many a good laugh i had at him

cornbb · 31-03-2008 10:17am

ven0m wrote: »

Yet again proof - it's funny as long as it's not close to home. Reminds me of Isaac Hayes & him getting annoyed because they took the piss out of his religion, meanwhile he had no problems standing by when they took the piss out of every other religion.

Everything is ok long as it's not close to home in comedy :rolleyes: ...... I feel the need right now to break out my B*L**H*T banner right now on this kinda thing .......

you're not making any sense here... how is his comedy close to home for me? Are you implying that I'm mentally handicapped or something? As I said, I've no problems with the piss being taken out of foreigners, minorities or whatever, but there's a world of difference between taking hilariously taking the piss, and just being plain ignorant and unfunny, which TT usually seems to be.

kevmy · 31-03-2008 10:22am

Haven't seen his new show but I reckon he peaked maybe 3 years ago. He was hilarious in his day but has gone downhill. In fairness nobody could touch him when he was at his best and he's been at it for 15 years so there's bound to be a drop off in quality.

I'll give Tommy a free pass for being unfunny for a while due to the many laughs he gave me. God knows there are lots of 'comedians' out there who where never funny and made big careers out of it (Al Murray, Lee Evans etc.)

boardinwork · 31-03-2008 10:24am

The-Rigger wrote: »

lol.

Tommy was very well known before the brief part in Father Ted.

I completely agree... The guy is abnoxious and so full of his own hype. Did he go crazy again when someone in the audience took a photo of him with their camera phone? Eh what?!:mad:

Kev_ps3 · 31-03-2008 10:26am

dregin wrote: »

Has anyone else been to see Tommy Tiernan in Vicar Street? I dunno if last night was a once off or are all his shows racist spam fests? I couldn't believe that people were laughing at his impressions of Polish people and refugees. 5 minutes in a guy shouted "racist" and of course Tommy was in up in arms straight away and most of the crowd were there to back him up. There were plenty of people around me less than impressed with his attempts at comedy.

The guy seems to have been living off the back of one episode of father ted for most of his "career" and all I can say is thank christ we didn't actually pay in to see nothing more than a racist playing up to the generic paddy homophobic, racist sense of humour.
I'm fairly sure last night's "performance" was significantly more right wing than usual thanks to your man heckling Tiernan, but has anyone else bee to the other shows?

Get over it will you, it bet you wouldnt have been so upset if he was making fun of the Irish or another western group. Why is it racist if someone makes fun of the polish, im sure they are not too bothered - just bleeding heart liberals like you.

JIZZLORD · 31-03-2008 10:29am

kevmy wrote: »

God knows there are lots of 'comedians' out there who where never funny and made big careers out of it (Al Murray, Lee Evans etc.)

they're the reason i dont watch paramount anymore

topper75 · 31-03-2008 10:47am

These immigrant people come to our country - they enjoy themselves, earn a few bob, and tbh generally behave themselves. I'm fine with all that - but I don't see any case for making them sacred cows - wherever they originate or how they came here. That is mindless lefty liberalism.

Comedy is comedy and Tiernan (though I think he ain't great) reserves the right to say what he wants up there.

Rb · 31-03-2008 10:53am

topper75 wrote: »

These immigrant people come to our country - they enjoy themselves, earn a few bob, and tbh generally behave themselves. I'm fine with all that - but I don't see any case for making them sacred cows - wherever they originate or how they came here. That is mindless lefty liberalism.

Comedy is comedy and Tiernan (though I think he ain't great) reserves the right to say what he wants up there.

That's actually quite an entertaining way of describing a lot of the attitude in this country...

Tommy was good for a long time, "cracked" seemed to be the beginning of the end for him however he is definitely a very capable comedian.

mossieh · 31-03-2008 10:58am

OP, I was at last night's show and if you couldn't see that the butt of all of these jokes are the Irish and our idiotic views of foreigners/handicapped/offally people then there's no way it could be explained to you.

Try reading between the lines sometime. As an example, the imitation of the Polish girl in xtravision was actually a joke about being a celebrity in Ireland. I think his stage show might need subtitles too explaining the point of the jokes to those who don't get them.

Naos · 31-03-2008 11:19am

I find Tommy very overrated.

Funny a few years ago, yes. Now he is rubbish. His shows look very rehearsed and he shouts and curses to try and be surprising/make up for his lack of funny.

Seen his cousin play at the weekend too, she was equally as rubbish.

nevaeh-2die-4 · 31-03-2008 11:21am

Naos wrote: »

I find Tommy very overrated.

Funny a few years ago, yes. Now he is rubbish. His shows look very rehearsed and he shouts and curses to try and be surprising/make up for his lack of funny.

Seen his cousin play at the weekend too, she was equally as rubbish.

+1

CantGetNoSleep · 31-03-2008 11:30am

OP - Joe Duffy is starting soon - 1850 715 815

mental07 · 31-03-2008 11:32am

JIZZLORD wrote: »

they're the reason i dont watch paramount anymore

Paramount is only good for Frasier.

As for Mr. Tiernan, I haven't seen his latest show, but I remember thinking there had been a big drop in quality in his 'Loose' show. His first DVD and 'Cracked' are top-notch though.

Sam Vimes · 31-03-2008 12:05pm

Naos wrote: »

Seen his cousin play at the weekend too, she was equally as rubbish.

yes his cousin was sh*te

Affable · 31-03-2008 12:19pm

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ImUOf2_QZ_o

He's an interesting guy.

Paddyo · 31-03-2008 12:22pm

I could only figure that they don't seem a regular comedy audience, and were easily pleased.

What sort of a crap observation is that - what is 'a regular comedy audience'. Snobbery over comedy now !!

I would think Tommy tiernan is laughing all the way to the bank as all of his shows are booked out and he couldn't give a toss about a group of people not liking his style of comedy.

I saw the show, along with 3 other people, and we all thought the show was hilarious - but then again, I am not part of the 'regular comedy audience' and would not know what to find funny.

Paddyo

Silent Partner · 31-03-2008 12:34pm

One thing I do find interesting is that if someone does an impression of a Brit or an American, that's ok. If a Dubliner does an impression of a guy from Cork/Kerry/Belfast, that's ok (and vice versa!).
However, you do an impression of a Nigerian or a Pole, you're a racist!

Eh?

It goes into into a wider debate (and a little off topic) but if a black guy does something to me, say pushes in front of me in a queue or something, and I think to myself "He's a pr*ck", I'd probably get called a racist. Bear in mind, I'm not saying he's a pr*ck for being black, I'm saying it because he pushed in front of me in a queue. He could've been Irish, English, pink white or yellow. Yet because he's black, I can get called a racist.

Irishcrx · 31-03-2008 12:37pm

Do you think Bill Hicks got well known by being an upstanding citizen- no and he was class.

kellybelly · 31-03-2008 1:12pm

OP I seriously think your idea of comedy/entertainment would be more suited to that on show in a parish hall in the 1960's.
It is common knowledge that Tommy Tiernans material is controversial,always has been but you know that when you go to his show.How do you find it racist to talk about a polish person working in xtra-vision?or a foreigner that does not wish to return to his/her own country?these are everyday scenarios that we as Irish people face due to the abundance of cultures which have grown dramatically in the last decade or so.As a previous poster pointed out you wouldnt be here giving out today if Tommy had slagged an American who was working in xtra-vision,so why should it be racist just because the person in question speaks a different language.I was at the show last night and enjoyed it immensly,if you paid attention to the story you would have also realised the wasnt just based on the polish person,the humour actually surrounded the situation he found himself in. Grow up...this is the big bad world we live in.

Naos · 31-03-2008 1:18pm

Common knowledge that his work is controversial?

Anyone who tries to be controversial for controversials sake is rubbish. He's simply not funny.

He seems to rely on this "Oooh look he's saying what we all think but don't want to say!". Only difference is, the reason we wouldn't say it is because it's not funny, it's not original and it's certainly not worth forking over x amount of euro to listen to.

IanCurtis · 31-03-2008 1:23pm

Paddyo wrote: »

I saw the show, along with 3 other people, and we all thought the show was hilarious - but then again, I am not part of the 'regular comedy audience' and would not know what to find funny.

Paddyo

I'm sure you think Colm and Jim-Jim are hilarious too. :rolleyes:

Maybe if you went to see a few other comedians, you might actually see someone genuinely funny.

kellybelly · 31-03-2008 1:26pm

Yes it is common knowledge that his material is controversial.

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last ten years you will be aware that he has always dealt with topics which would be deemed taboo in Irish society even since his early stand up days.

Whether or not he is funny is down to each individuals opinion.

However to call him racist because he talks about foreign people living in Ireland is absolutely absurd and this is exactly what is wrong with Ireland today.

Last night he made several remarks about people from Offaly is that also racist?Don't think so.

31-03-2008 1:27pm

See the thing is that when comedy is done right, then racist jokes can be funny. Only thing is that Tommy Tiernan just isn't good. I've seem him live twice and each time he was useless. Before someone asks why twice if you thought he was useless; first time he was replacing Ardal O' Hanlon and the second time the missus wanted to see him, so I went along. The first time the open mic spot got more laughs than he got.

The guy has no new jokes. He's been recycling his jokes for years.

mossieh · 31-03-2008 1:32pm

Naos wrote: »

Common knowledge that his work is controversial?

Yep.

Naos wrote: »

Anyone who tries to be controversial for controversials sake is rubbish. He's simply not funny.
.

There were 999 people in Vicar st last night who disagree with you. They were obviously wrong. As were the people who attended the 98 previous shows. Those idiots.

Naos wrote: »

He seems to rely on this "Oooh look he's saying what we all think but don't want to say!". Only difference is, the reason we wouldn't say it is because it's not funny, it's not original and it's certainly not worth forking over x amount of euro to listen to.

You seem to know everything. That must be handy. Unless...hang on, these aren't just opinions are they? Because you seem to be spouting them as facts.

mossieh · 31-03-2008 1:41pm

IanCurtis wrote: »

I'm sure you think Colm and Jim-Jim are hilarious too. :rolleyes:

Maybe if you went to see a few other comedians, you might actually see someone genuinely funny.

I actually have a degree in comedy-watching (my thesis was on the evolution of venues from the International to the Laughter Lounge) (B-)(:cool:)and I think Tommy Tiernan is funny.

Kev_ps3 · 31-03-2008 1:50pm

Silent Partner wrote: »

One thing I do find interesting is that if someone does an impression of a Brit or an American, that's ok. If a Dubliner does an impression of a guy from Cork/Kerry/Belfast, that's ok (and vice versa!).
However, you do an impression of a Nigerian or a Pole, you're a racist!

Eh?

It goes into into a wider debate (and a little off topic) but if a black guy does something to me, say pushes in front of me in a queue or something, and I think to myself "He's a pr*ck", I'd probably get called a racist. Bear in mind, I'm not saying he's a pr*ck for being black, I'm saying it because he pushed in front of me in a queue. He could've been Irish, English, pink white or yellow. Yet because he's black, I can get called a racist.

If someone calles you a racist for any of the above then that person doesnt know what the word means and is an idiot. Do you care what idiots think of you?

Naos · 31-03-2008 1:51pm

mossieh wrote: »

There were 999 people in Vicar st last night who disagree with you. They were obviously wrong. As were the people who attended the 98 previous shows. Those idiots.

You seem to know everything. That must be handy. Unless...hang on, these aren't just opinions are they? Because you seem to be spouting them as facts.

You asked each one individually did you? Just because 999 people went to the show, doesn't mean 999 people found it funny *points to boneyarsebogman above*

I haven't once claimed to know everything, nor would I ever. What I've said is obviously my opinion, is it really necessary for me to put in "IMO" before/after every post?

Lord Nikon · 31-03-2008 1:58pm

Making jokes about people from different places is easy, everyone can do it, and they do. Sure anyone can stand on a stage and slag off nationalities, but Tiernan didn't start of that way. Sure he jokes about his school days, and upbringing, but sure everyone can do that too. We all have a funny story to tell.

Laughing about the handicapped/foreigners and religious stuff is old and boring now. His jokes are the same old ****e.

Colm & Jim Jim - this is the worse radio I have ever heard, they act simple more than anything else.

Podge & Rodge - I'm sorry, but this is crap too. Jokes about breasts, and making dirty remarks is just sad too, and the only reason they are still on the TV is BECAUSE they controversial. They are not funny.

imo

mossieh · 31-03-2008 2:08pm

Naos wrote: »

You asked each one individually did you? Just because 999 people went to the show, doesn't mean 999 people found it funny *points to boneyarsebogman above*

I listened to them roar enthusiastically to pretty much every part of it and I also saw them give him a standing ovation at the end. Not scientific proof but pretty convincing I would have thought..

Naos wrote: »

I haven't once claimed to know everything, nor would I ever. What I've said is obviously my opinion, is it really necessary for me to put in "IMO" before/after every post?

That might be overkill but it would sound certainly sound less arrogant than your stating "He's simply not funny." as if it were an incontrovertible fact. So, to answer your question, yes, for you I think it will be necessary. Thanking you in advance.

humberklog · 31-03-2008 2:19pm

mossieh wrote: »

I listened to them roar enthusiastically to pretty much every part of it and I also saw them give him a standing ovation at the end. Not scientific proof but pretty convincing I would have thought..

That might be overkill but it would sound certainly sound less arrogant than your stating "He's simply not funny." as if it were an incontrovertible fact. So, to answer your question, yes, for you I think it will be necessary. Thanking you in advance.

IMO I don't think he requires the IMO suffix. It's a bit clumsy and takes away from the point IMO.
Tommy has been running out the same old tired patter for years. I was at him recently too. (Free tickets)I haven't seen as many bogman laughing like drains since someone spiked the breakfast rolls at the midland festival.
As for his cousin Leonora she hosts the comedy night in the ha'penny bridge 'battle of the acts' on a tue and thur. and in the nneptune on a fri. She's been off for a while supporting her cousin and the Dublin comedy scene is far better off without her.IMO.
Irish people in general have a pretty unsophisticated taste in comedy....IMO.
Support Live Stuff

twinQuins · 31-03-2008 2:23pm

mossieh wrote: »

That might be overkill but it would sound certainly sound less arrogant than your stating "He's simply not funny." as if it were an incontrovertible fact. So, to answer your question, yes, for you I think it will be necessary. Thanking you in advance.

I think Naos' original point was that there's a difference between comedy that has had thought put into it and "lol foriners!!!1!1". It's all too easy to appeal to the lowest denominator; comedians should strive to do otherwise.

Unless you want to end up like Al Murray.

mossieh · 31-03-2008 2:55pm

Morkarleth wrote: »

I think Naos' original point was that there's a difference between comedy that has had thought put into it and "lol foriners!!!1!1". It's all too easy to appeal to the lowest denominator; comedians should strive to do otherwise.

Unless you want to end up like Al Murray.

Well Naos' point was that TT is not funny, end of.

I agree that there is a huge difference between the two types of comedy you mention, my point is that his does have thought put into it and that the target is not the obvious one. Which is how satire usually works.

It seems to me that most of the objectors haven't seen the show and consequently are basing their opinions on tabloids and hearsay which is not unusual in this country.

Al Murray is satire too by the way. You do understand that he's poking fun at english attitudes?

Tommy Tiernan

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