It's always sad when people who make us laugh, pass away, and this year saw the death of one of our best-loved comedy writers/actors, Ronnie Barker.
Earlier in the year (April), Irish sit-down comedian, Dave Allen, died at the age of 68. Famous for his chair, fags (until he gave up) and a glass of whisky, first started by doing spots on the BBC's 'The Val Doonican Show'. Weirdly, I wtched one of his routines from a few years ago, where he made a return to comedy, before his final series on ITV. He says, when talking about age, how he intends to just keep going, and even get his telegram from the Queen. This was also the routine where he said this famous quote; "We set our lives to the clock: we get up by the clock, we eat and sleep by the clock, we go to work by the clock - and when we retire, what do they give you? A clock."
He was a great comedian, who was possibly one of the first to bring us alternative comedy, and his witty criticisms of the Catholic Church. He caused controversy with his wit, and had a great sense for absurd everyday things (note: his humourous sightings of signs he had seen, including the now famous "have your ears pierced while you wait"). He would rant, he would swear, but very rarely said the 'f-word', and when he did, in his last ITV series, it didn't please people. His rants and criticisms of everyday things, including the stresses of Christmas and family, and his accurate impressions of Ian Paisley, classic.
Except for a compilation series he appeared in, in the 1990's, for the BBC, he kept his material under wraps whilst he was alive.
RIP Dave, and may your god be with you.
Later in 2005, one of our best comedy writers and actors, Ronnie Barker (or Gerald Wiley, or one of his other aliases!) passed away. He was aged 76.
Probably most famous for that 'fork handles' stetch in the Two Ronnies, he was loved by so many in the comedy world, a lot of those the stars that are making so many people laugh today. He was not only a great actor, not only comedy acting, but serious roles, too, but a great and modest wirter. He wrote a lot of the material for the Two Ronnies, but went under an alias in case his work wasn't used because of it being from the one person.
He was famous for his leading roles in classics Porridge and Open All Hours (Barker's favourite). And everyone who worked with him, loved working with him - "a dear friend and someone for whom I had the greatest respect" said David Jason, after Barkers' death in October.
Barker decided to retire in 1988, after having high blood pressure, and thought he'd achieved all that he could (something a lot of people disagreed with) and left showbusiness to open an antiques shop. He was later coaxed out of retirement, and appeared in TV drama, 'The Gathering Storm' and later appeared with his old pal, Ronnie Corbett, in the 'Two Ronnies Stetchbook', sadly, his last project.
There really is so much you could write about him, but I'm running out of space.
Cyril Fletcher, the comedian and broadcaster, died aged 91, in January. He appeared often, on BBC show 'That's life' and produced a lot of pantos and summer shows with his wife. He was one of the last of the old-time variety era.
Another comedian, Mitch Hedburg, also died in March, aged 37. He was known for his one-liners and odd subject matter, but never became a big name, however, he did have very big following.
Much later in 2005 saw the death of American comedian, Richard Pryor. He was famous for his controversial routines. He grew up in Peoria, Illinois - "affluent ... we had the biggest whorehouse in the neighbourhood". But became a very-well known comedian, and later, had a very successful film career, making over 30 films in total.
He was very political, and very talented. He spoke out for "the black voices that could not be heard" and was even sacked from his $3,000 a show contract in Las Vegas, after hurling insults at the mostly-white audience.
He sadly tried to commit suicide in 1980, setting his home alight, thus getting 30% burns. Then, 1986, is was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and had to make a comic jibe at his illness.
"You have to have lived some life. You've got to have paid some dues."
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