Let’s Hear It for the so Sad Jokers

By Joe Riley

Jonathan Routh has this week had the very real distinction of having the job title ‘Joker’ attached to his obituary notices.

The conspiratorial and much disguised star of Candid Camera and Nice Time – the latter launching Kenny Everett’s TV career – brought pleasure to millions during the 60s.

Then there are the other sort of jokers. The sad ones.

The agent for comedians Frankie (Mock the Week) Boyle and Jimmy Carr, featured in the Liverpool Comedy Festival, said revie wtickets were unavailable.

She didn’t want her clients “over-exposed” in case there were future times when they needed publicity.

All of which “surprised” festival organisers, who said that Carr had been most co-operative on his previous visits here.

Obviously, in this instance, more a case of jobs worth than star- ego.

Except there won’t be any future times…..

And still more showbiz nonsense this week from theatre grandee Sir Jonathan Miller (aka the Bantam of the Opera), who has criticized West End producers for obsession with celebrity (ie David Tennant and Jude Law).

As a result, Jono’s provincial productions, including Hamlet, were shunned for lack of famous names.

Ditto Old Vic old moaner Kevin Spacey, who said TV searches for West End stars had favoured musicals at the expense of drama.

The actual truth is the difference between luvvies with their heads up their a***s, left wondering why their quality shows can’t sell out, and the sloggers, who cater for public demand and display ‘house full’ notices.

In our own micro-the spian world, the difference between Tartuffe at the Playhouse and On The Ledge at the Royal Court.

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