Guy with microphone who tells jokes top of Grafton St and at the square in Temple Bar

Lex_Diamonds · 19-04-2005 09:08PM

oneweb wrote:

The bitterness here is quite disturbing. FFS if you don't like him, get over it, why bother getting so pent up about something that you're not forced to watch or even listen to.

Have you never really, really, really hated someone or something?

Miguel_Sanchez · 19-04-2005 09:14PM

Dave McSavage is ****e. Sorry but he is. I'm constantly amazed by his popularity - but then again lots of ****e things are popular. You'll never go broke catering to the lowest common denominator.

I liked the Naked Galwegian's article about him at Easter - "Dave McSavage looks forward to his first sexual experience"

Piste · 19-04-2005 09:24PM

The first few times I saw his routine I thought 'Wow, that guy's pretty funny- very smart the way he can just think off witty comments off the top of his head'

the second few times I saw him just bored me tbh.

DublinWriter · 19-04-2005 10:52PM

Papschmir wrote:

If you read "Love all the people", a book on Bill Hicks "the comedians comedian" there is numerous transcripts of his routines, and there is negligible difference between each.

Don't even dare to invoke the name of Bill Hicks in this thread. If you really are in the stand-up comedy game and you find Bill Hicks repetitive, then I’d suggest you follow an alternate street entertainment career, such as juggling or mime. To re-cap:

Bill Hicks: One of the best and most highly respected stand-up comedians in the history of comedy whose edgy and deeply perceptive material constantly challenged the status quo of America in an irreverent and hilarious way and was delivered with a manic, evangelical zeal. Died tragically young from cancer aged 32.

Dave McSavage: Stands on street corners and points at people with funny haircuts.

See the difference?

In fact, McSavage's act has less in common with professional stand-up and has actually more in common with that fine age-old Dublin tradition of lunatics on streets corners shouting abuse at people and dribbling on themselves.

His work draws more from the legacy of other notable Dublin avant-garde street-artists such as Bang-Bang, Keys, Holy Mary and that other mad aul’ wan that walks up and down O’Connell St. hitting people with a crucifix. Sadly, all are departed now, leaving us just with Dave.

Speaking personally, and from a purely entertainment point of view, if I was stuck at the top of Grafton St. on a Saturday afternoon and had to choose between watching Dave McSavage or that glue-sniffing girl who sits outside the Church opposite the Luas terminus and shouts abuse at people, I think the choice would be a fairly easy one to make for me.

McSavage never relies on any actual material but just a childish and insecure desire to be the head of the pack and poke fun at those that appear different.

This is humour of the worst kind. It seeks to bring out the pack-mentality in people. Most laugh relievedly only because they aren’t the butt of the joke.

I know most comedians have a deep and dark personal need for acceptance that usually stems from an unhappy childhood. Judging from Dave’s act, he must have been systematically emotionally bullied and tortured by others in queues standing three deep pretty much non-stop from ages 4 to 16.

I think it’s time to put this thread to bed now. The ugly mob of boards.ie have spoken. Dave McSavage is officially an unfunny git-monkey

Any more discussion on McSavage would only serve to give him the oxygen of publicity. Speaking personally, I wouldn’t even give him the oxygen of oxygen.

ExOffender · 19-04-2005 11:24PM

I was at the Oxygen awards a couple of years ago and Dave McNob-end was the 'entertainment'. I'd seen him on Temple Bar square before, but was unprepared for the true extent of his crapness... essentially 'I say, aren't homosexuals amusing? And what about those attractive women who aren't very intelligent? Isn't that the most innovative comedic concept you've ever encountered?' Then at the end he threw out some line ripped off from Bill Hicks. So I got up and started yelling at him. He was almost booed off heheheh. Truly truly crap.

Stephen · 19-04-2005 11:30PM

I haven't seen him on the street (since I don't live in or near Dublin) but I saw him on the telly a couple of times and saw a DVD of his vicar st. show, and I thought he was pretty funny. Meh.

Duckjob · 19-04-2005 11:58PM

Dunno really. Saw him on Grafton St with a big crowd around him and he seemed pretty funny. But you'll hear repetition very quickly. Like the Ireland/Britain shape gag - reasonably amusing the first time you hear it, but after that, it just sounds forced and crap.

Then I saw him on Pat Kenny one night, and every time Kenny asked him a question about himself, instead of giving an a proper answer, he would use it as an excuse to launch into his 'act', which got very annoying very quickly - If you're invited on to do your act, fair enough, but if it's supposed to be an interview, just do a f**kin interview!

Flukey · 20-04-2005 12:17AM

It's David McSavage alright. If you are walking past you have to be careful as you may become the butt of one of his "witty" :rolleyes: remarks. I've had that experience.

AARRRGH · 20-04-2005 12:23AM

Flukey wrote:

Yup, that's him.

I'd bet any amount of money he's had a very tragic childhood (molestation, very violent father.) His "comedy" is how he deals with it. He just ooozes "I'm really ****ed up". You can even see it in his face.

I'd feel sorry for him if he wasn't so smug.

Kingsize · 20-04-2005 08:19AM

his father is david andrews former minister for foreign affairs if anything id say hes a spoilt brat playing at being a funny man safe in the knowledge that daddy & indeed grandaddy's cash will support his little "career".
i dont think even jim davidson could spark this amount of venom on here.
dave "thinks he's the new lenny bruce hes not even the new lenny bennet",do us all a favour dave pi-ss off back to blackrock & try to raise your kids not to be a knob like you.

Naos · 20-04-2005 08:48AM

DublinWriter wrote:

I'd love to arrange one of those spontaneous web events (what are they called again?) where 10 total strangers agree to meet up at one of his street 'perfomances' and drop sink bombs at an agreed time, or start a very low droning noise.

Flash Mobbing..

Papschmir · 20-04-2005 10:22AM

DublinWriter wrote:

Don't even dare to invoke the name of Bill Hicks in this thread. If you really are in the stand-up comedy game and you find Bill Hicks repetitive, then I’d suggest you follow an alternate street entertainment career, such as juggling or mime.

Where did this idea come from that i was in the stand-up comedy game?

DublinWriter wrote:

Bill Hicks: One of the best and most highly respected stand-up comedians in the history of comedy whose edgy and deeply perceptive material constantly challenged the status quo of America in an irreverent and hilarious way and was delivered with a manic, evangelical zeal. Died tragically young from cancer aged 32.

Missed the point a bit there, I was not calling into question Hicks' talent. In fact, quite the opposite, Hicks' act was brilliant but also repetitive e.g. the two aren't mutually exclusive. Understand now?

DublinWriter wrote:

This is humour of the worst kind. It seeks to bring out the pack-mentality in people.

This coming from the "lets all go drop stink bombs" man/woman.

As a final point, if he wasn't enjoying some sort of success, he wouldn't have been doing it for as long as he has.

RE*AC*TOR · 20-04-2005 10:32AM

wow, the vitriol is strong here.

For those who complain about McSavage - how many other "comedians" do you know draw large crowds on the street on a regular basis?

1. He's doing a public service IMO. If I was a tourist in Dublin, I'd be thrilled to come across something like this. There should be a lot more street performers of his calibre and quality. Just look to the Edinburgh Festival and you'll realise what a boost for tourism it can be.

2. I personally find him funny. The slaggings he gives generally fall into 2 categories. The first is slagging scangers who often shout abuse in his direction. Anyone who's ever felt intimidated around town or elsewhere because of scumbags/scangers hanging around / shouting abuse will feel a great sense of satisfaction at this. The second kind of slagging is directed to more general people on the street and is generally a softer slagging. This can often be taken in good spirit by the slaggee. I think he tries not to cut too deep if its obvious the person is not going to react to well (except in case 1 above).

3. I agree that some of his material (like the orgasms of the world set to La Bamba) is getting old - but it is material particularily suited to the outdoor environment.

I haven't seen his stand-up (indoor) show yet, but would be happy to - he's unusually biting for an Irish comedian.

As a side note, one evening in Temple Bar he was getting particularily long and torrid abuse from a very drunk scumbag. The scumbag was essentially going head-tohead with McSavage. Anyway eventually McS decided to call it off and head home for the evening. Most of the crowd dispersed but the scumbag persisted and started messing with mcSavage's guitar, and ended up falling in his drunkeness on the guitar and nearly breaking it (or possibly fully breaking it). McSavage kicked the sht out of him.

I don't mean to glorify him getting involved in violence, but merely highlight that he has to put up with a lot of crap - just for the sake of entertaining. Its no easy job on the street - especially in Temple Bar.

Kingsize · 20-04-2005 11:28AM

please explain "softer slagging" ? is this the bit when he makes children cry ? or makes derogotary remarks about innocent people's weight etc?

RE*AC*TOR · 20-04-2005 11:35AM

Kingsize wrote:

please explain "softer slagging" ? is this the bit when he makes children cry ? or makes derogotary remarks about innocent people's weight etc?

I've seen him do neither of those things. So I can neither deny nor support those claims. But there is a long stading tradition in comedy to make fun of the audience. I don't think any permanent scars will remain.

Blisterman · 20-04-2005 11:38AM

Ive never seen him make fun of someones weight to be fair.

Kingsize · 20-04-2005 12:09PM

My main problem with macsavage is his street act, if people want to pay to see him and know what they are letting themselves in for whats the harm, its not what i call entertainment but then each to his own.
but when he is on the street he DOESN'T make fun of the audience he makes fun of other people for the "benefit" of the audience.
i have seen him bring a small child to tears & he regularly slags passers by about their weight, hair whatever.
some people enjoy being humilaited fair enough,thats why some people love going to see a hypnotist & hoping they'll make a twat of themselfs on stage.
thats cool enough its their choice.macsavage may be a biting comedian on stage or as pat kennys warm up man,i dont care cos i aint ever going to pay to see him or be a member of the late late audience.
but what he does on the street is no more than being a rabble rousing bully.

LegacyUser · 20-04-2005 12:13PM

This interview is from The Irish Times magazine supplement published on February 12 2005. The interview is part of a series which speaks to "well-known" (sometimes!) siblings. Barry who is referred to is Barry Andrews, TD

Have a look and make up your own mind from it....

DAVID McSAVAGE

Me and Barry. Yeah. Well there was always a lot of rivalry. I was always crying out for attention, and Barry always got it. It made me crazy, really jealous, so I became a terrible tease. Eventually I found a more acceptable way of getting attention by going on stage.

I was always looking for my father's approval. I wasn't any good at school or at sports, so I got no praise or attention from him at all. I could always make him laugh, though. That I could do. And that's what I am doing for a living. Looking for affirmation.

I love performing and I have an almost desperate need to do it. I suffer from performalism. I was always in trouble for messing. Getting in trouble excited me. Barry and I never hung out together. I was the black sheep. I didn't fit.

I had to get out of the country, away from my family. I felt very repressed. I went away out of Dublin. I hated the place. So I went to New York for a while, and Boston. Lived in Japan for a year-and-a-half, busking and teaching English and getting laid. I've definitely had more sex than Barry, by the way.

Dad disappointed me as well as me disappointing him. I wish he had been an actor. I think he would have been happier. He would have been good at it. He would have been good in Westerns. He's a very principled man, very honest; he has a very strong sense of right and wrong. He's very rugged, very appealing, but there was never any overt show of emotion. He could out-Wayne John Wayne. Leave you behind like Clint Eastwood.

My father may be stiff but he is dead honest, really honest. Never implicated in any wrongdoing. Barry will be the same. I wasn't surprised when Barry became a politician, that he followed on in the family tradition.

I feel sorry I was never close to Barry. I feel sorry I wasn't a better big brother to him. I teased him unmercifully. He was very cute though, very cherubic. He knew how to get his way.

I am very glad about my two sons, though; they are very close and supportive of one another. My father and his brother Niall; they were possibly closer than me and Barry.

Barry is naturally a funnier guy than I am. Wittier. Very sharp, quick and honest. I hope he will show more of his personality.

I'm the wayward one, a bit self-destructive. Barry's got an old soul. A couple of years ago I was in Edinburgh, and Hannah and the boys (we were separated at the time) had come to Ireland from Poland for a holiday. Barry rang me and said "If you don't get back here I'm never talking to you again." He looks after me in his way.

A lot of stuff goes unsaid but I guess we both want things to get better. I go to a therapist now, which is good. It's like having an accountant if you are bad with money.

Papschmir · 20-04-2005 12:30PM

bruachain wrote:

This interview is from The Irish Times magazine supplement published on February 12 2005. The interview is part of a series which speaks to "well-known" (sometimes!) siblings. Barry who is referred to is Barry Andrews, TD

Have a look and make up your own mind from it....

Read the same article, although you've left out the funniest bit...... Barry presented David with a framed note that had been sent to his parents from Davids' school. it said that David, instead of being in PE had been seen on the Stillorgan Dual Carriageway, smoking a cigar and waving at passing motorists.

Thats a plus in my book.

DublinWriter · 20-04-2005 12:52PM

Papschmir wrote:

David, instead of being in PE had been seen on the Stillorgan Dual Carriageway, smoking a cigar and waving at passing motorists.

...and not a single car hit him. We sure got the crapfork there.

whiskeyman · 20-04-2005 01:16PM

DublinWriter wrote:

Don't even dare to invoke the name of Bill Hicks in this thread. If you really are in the stand-up comedy game and you find Bill Hicks repetitive, then I’d suggest you follow an alternate street entertainment career, such as juggling or mime. To re-cap:

Bill Hicks: One of the best and most highly respected stand-up comedians in the history of comedy whose edgy and deeply perceptive material constantly challenged the status quo of America in an irreverent and hilarious way and was delivered with a manic, evangelical zeal. Died tragically young from cancer aged 32.

Dave McSavage: Stands on street corners and points at people with funny haircuts.

See the difference?

In fact, McSavage's act has less in common with professional stand-up and has actually more in common with that fine age-old Dublin tradition of lunatics on streets corners shouting abuse at people and dribbling on themselves.

His work draws more from the legacy of other notable Dublin avant-garde street-artists such as Bang-Bang, Keys, Holy Mary and that other mad aul’ wan that walks up and down O’Connell St. hitting people with a crucifix. Sadly, all are departed now, leaving us just with Dave.

Speaking personally, and from a purely entertainment point of view, if I was stuck at the top of Grafton St. on a Saturday afternoon and had to choose between watching Dave McSavage or that glue-sniffing girl who sits outside the Church opposite the Luas terminus and shouts abuse at people, I think the choice would be a fairly easy one to make for me.

McSavage never relies on any actual material but just a childish and insecure desire to be the head of the pack and poke fun at those that appear different.

This is humour of the worst kind. It seeks to bring out the pack-mentality in people. Most laugh relievedly only because they aren’t the butt of the joke.

I know most comedians have a deep and dark personal need for acceptance that usually stems from an unhappy childhood. Judging from Dave’s act, he must have been systematically emotionally bullied and tortured by others in queues standing three deep pretty much non-stop from ages 4 to 16.

I think it’s time to put this thread to bed now. The ugly mob of boards.ie have spoken. Dave McSavage is officially an unfunny git-monkey

Any more discussion on McSavage would only serve to give him the oxygen of publicity. Speaking personally, I wouldn’t even give him the oxygen of oxygen.

Gotta say I agree with you one this... and well written too!
Got more a laugh outta this then I have have from McSavage

Kingsize · 20-04-2005 01:37PM

yeah i agree this thread has been his funniest public performance to date!

Papschmir · 20-04-2005 01:41PM

Kingsize wrote:

yeah i agree this thread has been his funniest public performance to date!

That's because you're a tw@t.

Blisterman · 20-04-2005 02:10PM

Why isnt he defending himself online?

AARRRGH · 20-04-2005 02:22PM

Blisterman wrote:

Why isnt he defending himself online?

I think he has... Papschmir.

Papschmir · 20-04-2005 02:26PM

dublindude wrote:

I think he has... Papschmir.

i'll take that as a compliment...thank you

Kingsize · 20-04-2005 02:35PM

my day will come papschmir .............

DublinWriter · 20-04-2005 02:36PM

Papschmir wrote:

i'll take that as a compliment...thank you

Fishing desperately for compliments and attention…it’s him alright!

But don’t be too disheartened Dave, as the comedy isn’t really working out for you, you could always start a family musical act with yourself on guitar and your dad on the fiddle.

Kingsize · 20-04-2005 02:39PM

why not sign Dave's guestbook & tell him how much you love him

http://4allfree.com/cgi/gb.id?mcsavage

AARRRGH · 20-04-2005 02:41PM

DublinWriter wrote:

Fishing desperately for compliments and attention…it’s him alright!

But don’t be too disheartened Dave, as the comedy isn’t really working out for you, you could always start a family musical act with yourself on guitar and your dad on the fiddle.

LOL!

Guy with microphone who tells jokes top of Grafton St and at the square in Temple Bar

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