Much-loved classic British comedian Ronnie Corbett (above left) has hit out at modern comedians. Famous for his TV partnership with Ronnie Barker (above right), Ronnie has become a television favourite and still appears on TV today. Ronnie, who turns 80 in December, has said that modern comedians are too interesting in shocking audiences, swearing and trying to be too clever. Earlier this year, Ronnie refused to appear in some modern British comedies, saying that he's not going to join the crowd to 'eff and blind'. This refusal has caused Corbett to be considered a 'has-been'.
Ronnie says: 'They walk on, stand at the microphone, deliver and walk off again'. He has also said that he thinks modern comedians are genuinely not funny.
Recently, Ronnie has had cameo appearances in Ricky Gervais' Extras and Little Britain, but his refusal to swear is making it harder for him to find work than in his heyday.
Ronnie lives with his wife of 45 years, Anne, in East Lothian. He features in the new film Burke and Hare alongside Andy Serkis and Simon Pegg.
FROM GEORGE SIBSHAW'S POINT OF VIEW:
Personally, I agree with Ronnie. I think that the quality of comedy has deteriorated and is nowhere near to the standards of classic British sitcoms of the '60s and '70s. I still, though, do agree that some modern comedy can be quite funny, for example Harry Hill's TV Burp, which Ronnie had a minor appearance on, which does not contain any bad language. Also, I would recommend Ladies of Letters (below, with Anne Reid and Maureen Lipman), Outnumbered (starring Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner) and The Vicar of Dibley (with Dawn French), which ended in 2007, to those who loved classic comedy.
George Sibshaw, head of Comedy Corner UK .
