I remember seeing this in 84 or 85. I was quite amazed by the guy's confidence. To purposefully lose the audience for the first 3:40 of a 7:27 set and get them back was totally novel. I had never seen a stand up who would choose to do that. Now there still only 2 or 3 other people with that kind of skill and confidence, some 30+ years later. The timing of the break out is superb. The audience all knew the line is on it's way so holding off for 14 seconds and changing rhythm was and still is something few can manage. I've realized that people expecting jokes will often laugh so much at a punch that the topper is lost. The twist has to be hot on the tail or it doesn't work. I've been at live recordings and then watched the thing on DVD and laughed at lines I (and everyone else) utterly missed at the time. Many thanks for taking the trouble to upload this. It is very much appreciated.
I stalked this guy around the CAST / New Variety Alternative Cabaret Circuit in London in the mid-80s. This slide show was one of the most daringly audacious and risky acts on daring and risks bills. Always hilarious and always had me in stitches. I hear he's just decided to retire after 40 years. Famous in Ireland!
I remember seeing this when it was on and laughing hysterically at it. As soon as I saw the screen shot for this vid I said "This poor bastard.....no arms!" Thanks so much for putting this up, I used to love Friday/Saturday Night Live.
I remember watching this when it aired on Channel 4. Used to be on late enough to get home in time from the pub. This particular night I'd taken ma and dad out to the local. Got a couple of bottles of takeout and told them about this Irish comic they should watch, other than Brendan Grace, and they, being Irish themselves in unison said, "Irish is he? I bet he's no Brendan Grace!" So, after they both, along with myself, pished ourselves laughing, turned to me and no word of a lie, my ma said, "That Brendan Grace, sure he isn't even as funny as Brendan Grace!" 😂
same here, haven't seen it since original broadcast. a friend posted a picture of 4 owlets on f/b and i instantly felt compelled to search 'friday night live' & 'owls' and the EXACT piece of footage i wanted was here. sir/madam, you have achieved the ultimate in 'on demand' ! i salute you for it. (and mr mcaleer, you are a truly memorable comic)
This is smart, some may not see it but it is. You could go up on stage with anything thats already funny to laugh at and the gags become effortless no matter how juvenile. I like it
I remember seeing this in 84 or 85. I was quite amazed by the guy's confidence. To purposefully lose the audience for the first 3:40 of a 7:27 set and get them back was totally novel. I had never seen a stand up who would choose to do that. Now there still only 2 or 3 other people with that kind of skill and confidence, some 30+ years later. The timing of the break out is superb. The audience all knew the line is on it's way so holding off for 14 seconds and changing rhythm was and still is something few can manage.
I've realized that people expecting jokes will often laugh so much at a punch that the topper is lost. The twist has to be hot on the tail or it doesn't work. I've been at live recordings and then watched the thing on DVD and laughed at lines I (and everyone else) utterly missed at the time.
Many thanks for taking the trouble to upload this. It is very much appreciated.
Kevin McAleer makes you appreciate the value of time.
I stalked this guy around the CAST / New Variety Alternative Cabaret Circuit in London in the mid-80s. This slide show was one of the most daringly audacious and risky acts on daring and risks bills. Always hilarious and always had me in stitches.
I hear he's just decided to retire after 40 years.
Famous in Ireland!
I remember seeing this when it was on and laughing hysterically at it.
As soon as I saw the screen shot for this vid I said "This poor bastard.....no arms!"
Thanks so much for putting this up, I used to love Friday/Saturday Night Live.
Saw him do this again on stage last year. 5 mins of laughter from the audience before he said a word. Genius.
People were easily amused in the 90s.
I remember watching this when it aired on Channel 4. Used to be on late enough to get home in time from the pub. This particular night I'd taken ma and dad out to the local. Got a couple of bottles of takeout and told them about this Irish comic they should watch, other than Brendan Grace, and they, being Irish themselves in unison said, "Irish is he? I bet he's no Brendan Grace!"
So, after they both, along with myself, pished ourselves laughing, turned to me and no word of a lie, my ma said, "That Brendan Grace, sure he isn't even as funny as Brendan Grace!" 😂
same here, haven't seen it since original broadcast.
a friend posted a picture of 4 owlets on f/b and i instantly felt compelled to search 'friday night live' & 'owls' and the EXACT piece of footage i wanted was here.
sir/madam, you have achieved the ultimate in 'on demand' ! i salute you for it.
(and mr mcaleer, you are a truly memorable comic)
One of the bravest performances ever. Love it!
Thank you - i haven't seen this since the night it was on and i always remember it as being really funny. "You take four normal people" etc ....
Have to admire how he holds his nerve. Brilliant
This is utter genius.
He's the big one.
The first minute or so is just a terrific lesson to all comedians.
oh man this guy totally preempted the internet!
Hi Stewart Lee❤️
Oh my god. This is the internet.
Remember seeing this 30 years ago. We thought it was hilarious then, seems tame now, but was different back in the day.
A genius. McAleers brand of the surreal preempted even Eddie Izzard
This is smart, some may not see it but it is. You could go up on stage with anything thats already funny to laugh at and the gags become effortless no matter how juvenile. I like it
right so yall are sayin its not as funny now but this guy is my neighbour and he hates it too lol
@themontrenese
lmao! this is weirdly funny :L
This is one of the least funny sketches I have ever seen.
yeah really didn't get this either...
Yeah. Not very funny.
I found it hilarious
Roy Chubby Brown makes this guy look like an amateur. smh
janguv88 stewart lee is never wrong