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The Alexei Sayle Podcast

Started by Endicott, December 01, 2020, 09:38:16 PM

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Mobbd

That's great, the, thanks very much. Especially for the Arena film, which I wouldn't have found any time soon.

I've seen all that other telly work but it's precisely what I should revisit. And I am yet to listen to Imaginary Sandwich Bar, so I'll make a beeline for it. Thanks again.

Funnily enough, I read Thatcher Stole my Trousers shortly after it came out. There's a great passage in it that I've been meaning to post to the "is self-improvement a conservative value" thread.

Mobbd

Quote from: Mobbd on January 06, 2021, 12:28:52 PM
Funnily enough, I read Thatcher Stole my Trousers shortly after it came out. There's a great passage in it that I've been meaning to post to the "is self-improvement a conservative value" thread.

Plop: https://www.cookdandbombd.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,84124.msg4425957.html#msg4425957

SpiderChrist

Quote from: Mobbd on January 06, 2021, 11:53:16 AM
He didn't quite engage with it did he? Not sure why. If its any consolation, your question made me laugh. Others will like it too.

Aw. Cheers.

Pink Gregory

Anyone here read his novel Overtaken?

I felt that the short stories in Barcelona Plates are closer to him comic voice, but it's really rather good if a bit mid 2000s, but that's going to happen.

olliebean

Quote from: Mobbd on January 06, 2021, 11:32:55 AM
Episode 3 is no good (but that's not Alexei's fault: to his credit, all episodes have been quite different so far and he's said that he's trying to find out what works and what doesn't) but this is generally great. Love it in fact. Looking forward to more.

Episode 3 (the one with Marshall & Renwick) is great. Episode 4 feels a bit like filler, though. I'd sooner he just let himself talk about whatever's on his mind, like in the first two, than focus too much on the listener questions, especially if they're as poor as some of the ones in this episode.

Mobbd

Quote from: olliebean on January 06, 2021, 03:44:26 PM
Episode 3 (the one with Marshall & Renwick) is great. Episode 4 feels a bit like filler, though. I'd sooner he just let himself talk about whatever's on his mind, like in the first two, than focus too much on the listener questions, especially if they're as poor as some of the ones in this episode.

It didn't really work for me. Their insight was pretty limited and it didn't make up for the chore of being patient with the sound quality (not their fault, but y'know). I was curious about Whoops Apocalypse (supposedly the object of the episode) but they took ages getting onto it and didn't have much to say when they did. Their anecdotes about TV production were a snore and their attempts at wit (or maybe just at being cheerful or something) were old-hat and lily-livered. Nice of them to turn up though.

SpiderChrist

Quote from: olliebean on January 06, 2021, 03:44:26 PM
Episode 3 (the one with Marshall & Renwick) is great. Episode 4 feels a bit like filler, though. I'd sooner he just let himself talk about whatever's on his mind, like in the first two, than focus too much on the listener questions, especially if they're as poor as some of the ones in this episode.

Aw. Cheers.

olliebean

Quote from: SpiderChrist on January 06, 2021, 04:25:22 PM
Aw. Cheers.

It wasn't your question I was thinking of. I quite enjoyed the awkward pause when Alexei didn't realise the question had finished.

SpiderChrist


sutin


Ballad of Ballard Berkley

Quote from: sutin on January 06, 2021, 05:30:43 PM
He's on this week's RHLSTP.

Listening to it now. Herring clearly doesn't agree with all the entirely correct things Sayle has to say about Corbyn and Starmer.

Pink Gregory

Of course.  No surprises there.  Grown up opposition eh Rich.


frajer

Quote from: Pink Gregory on January 06, 2021, 06:41:18 PM
Of course.  No surprises there.  Grown up opposition eh Rich.

Was looking forward to popping this on after hearing Sayle's lovely passionate socialism on his own pod, but not sure I can take Herring's centrist dad equivocating, which sounds like it's out in full effect?

EOLAN

Quote from: frajer on January 06, 2021, 08:37:17 PM
Was looking forward to popping this on after hearing Sayle's lovely passionate socialism on his own pod, but not sure I can take Herring's centrist dad equivocating, which sounds like it's out in full effect?

Sayle by far the most passionate in their exchanges. Herring just largely letting him talk and not arguing back much.

Anyone who speaks Spanish  know what Sayle said about Tom Watson at the start?

SpiderChrist

Quote from: EOLAN on January 06, 2021, 10:46:26 PM
Anyone who speaks Spanish  know what Sayle said about Tom Watson at the start?

My limited knowledge of Spanish suggests he called him a cunt again.

the

Quote from: SpiderChrist on January 07, 2021, 03:36:40 AMMy limited knowledge of Spanish suggests he called him a cunt again.

I don't know any Spanish at all, but even I got that far with the translation :)

Mobbd

Quote from: frajer on January 06, 2021, 08:37:17 PM
Was looking forward to popping this on after hearing Sayle%u2019s lovely passionate socialism on his own pod, but not sure I can take Herring%u2019s centrist dad equivocating, which sounds like it%u2019s out in full effect?

I wouldn't say to full effect exactly. The politics chat is confined to a ten-minute chunk about two thirds of the way through. Herring says something vague about "not agreeing with everything" Alexie says but Alexei doesn't quite pick up on it.

I don't think either of them were really interested in talking politics in this chat: Herring was probably frightened of insulting a godfather of comedy or being slammed by a better-informed political thinker; while Alexei was mainly just there to plug his podcast. Moreover, Alexei probably isn't familiar with Herring's feeble anti-Corbyn mumblings.

frajer

Ta folks.

I find Herring hit and miss these days but in the RHLSTPs when he gets onto politics he becomes actively irritating in his beigeness. I suppose he is friends with Emma Kennedy though so he could be far bloody worse.

Mobbd

Quote from: frajer on January 07, 2021, 05:35:14 PM
Ta folks.

I find Herring hit and miss these days but in the RHLSTPs when he gets onto politics he becomes actively irritating in his beigeness. I suppose he is friends with Emma Kennedy though so he could be far bloody worse.

I have long loved Richard Herring and I will always be there for his stuff. Always! But I know what you mean about his being hit-and-miss these days and I was saddened by his anti-Corbyn stance. I do see where he was coming from (wanting to be reasonable and to leave the room when there was so much shouting going on) but he zigged when he should have zagged. Corbyn was the business. I remember when Herring said on Collings and Herrin that he'd stopped voting Labour under Blair and had taken to voting Green (I'd done the same and felt on the same page as him). It's not that your favourite comedians have to have the same beliefs as you. It was just nice when I thought we had a politics in common.

None of this is Herring's fault, but I find the Zoom incarnation of RHLSTP barely watchable. I'm just so tired of seeing people at desks or in front of green screens, with variable sound quality, inexplicably stopping to eat and drink. Not blaming anyone at all for the format (needs must), but I just can't stand it.

I get the desire (though it's perhaps a bit egotistic) to want to provide new content for people in lockdown (an 'entertaining the troops' sort of attitude) but we do still have thousands of hours of high-quality pre-pandemic stuff to enjoy or re-enjoy on Netflix and whatnot, not to mention books and music.

I also don't think I share his idea that his outsider art productions (snooker, stone clearing) are up to much and his Ally and Herring thing has been off the rails for ages. I do wonder what he thinks of the 2,000 views he gets for these rather than the 200,000 hey used to get.

Still love him though. We'll always have the vintage RHLSTP to enjoy and all of his other old stuff. And he'll do good stuff again, I've little doubt.

Anyway, sorry, this thread is about Alexei Sayle!

olliebean

Another bike ride video due at 8pm tonight.

easytarget

Quote from: Pink Gregory on January 06, 2021, 03:41:44 PM
Anyone here read his novel Overtaken?

I felt that the short stories in Barcelona Plates are closer to him comic voice, but it's really rather good if a bit mid 2000s, but that's going to happen.
I've read his three proper novels and his short stories. While I don't remember any specific details* (not a knock on him, I just read them ages ago), I definitely preferred the short stories.

*Except for "The Pies" graffiti on the bridge over the East Lancs in Overtaken

frajer

Quote from: easytarget on January 10, 2021, 05:06:00 PM
I've read his three proper novels and his short stories. While I don't remember any specific details* (not a knock on him, I just read them ages ago), I definitely preferred the short stories.

I read Sayle's short story collections years ago as well, must be over a decade now (christ) and enjoyed them a lot too.

The one that really sticks in my mind is the OAP who becomes a hitman. Won't say more in case anyone fancies a read, but it unfolds brilliantly.

tribalfusion

Quote from: Mobbd on January 07, 2021, 04:18:02 PM
I wouldn't say to full effect exactly. The politics chat is confined to a ten-minute chunk about two thirds of the way through. Herring says something vague about "not agreeing with everything" Alexie says but Alexei doesn't quite pick up on it.

I don't think either of them were really interested in talking politics in this chat: Herring was probably frightened of insulting a godfather of comedy or being slammed by a better-informed political thinker; while Alexei was mainly just there to plug his podcast. Moreover, Alexei probably isn't familiar with Herring's feeble anti-Corbyn mumblings.


There's a bit more about politics at the end at around 1 hour and 3 minutes in and it's absolute trash from Herring.  I had a hard time listening to the interview due to Herring whom I actually like(d) in some regards. Just very sad to hear him with his 'blame on all sides' nonsense and wanting to make the left out to be problematic.

How many times did Herring say 'I don't agree with everything you say/believe but'? Rich never bothers to say that for any centrist or right wing hacks.

Pink Gregory

Right, that's because he actually agrees with them.  Either that or he has that liberal affliction of being in what he considers the centre and therefore above politics and a member of the 'grown-ups in the room'.

It's completed soured Herring for me because he used to be someone who I considered to have at least some insight, which fed so much into his comedy.  I can't really resolve his comic immaturity, pedantry and knowing ridiculousness with liberal centrism, and that's a shame.

frajer

Finally got round to listening to this one last night. Would have to agree that Herring comes across poorly, not just for his mealy-mouthed handling of the politics side, but also it was quite a boring interview in general.

I think partly it's the Zoom set-up but chiefly the questions he was asking seemed to go nowhere and as a result Sayle didn't seem engaged. Felt like overhearing a pub catch-up between two old friends who didn't have a huge amount to say to each other.

I also think because it has been so refreshing to hear Sayle's savage and eloquent passion on his own pod, it was even more disappointing to hear Herring park his arse so firmly on the fence. "I think on some level we're all to blame" should not be a phrase uttered in seriousness during the current shitshow this country's suffering.

Pink Gregory

Hoping he goes on the Adam Buxton pod at some point.  I know comedians interviewing comedians is beyond hack at this point, but Buckles is a better interviewer and I always find Alexei entertaining.

Cold Meat Platter

The conversation between Alexei and Stewart Lee about his "Thatcher Stole My Trousers" book is worth a look if anyone hasn't seen it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkOvwsyBMDc

Had to switch off the Herring one after a couple of minutes, wasn't in the mood for him at all.

tribalfusion

Quote from: Pink Gregory on January 11, 2021, 07:10:20 AM
Right, that's because he actually agrees with them.  Either that or he has that liberal affliction of being in what he considers the centre and therefore above politics and a member of the 'grown-ups in the room'.

It's completed soured Herring for me because he used to be someone who I considered to have at least some insight, which fed so much into his comedy.  I can't really resolve his comic immaturity, pedantry and knowing ridiculousness with liberal centrism, and that's a shame.

Sure, I think Herring does mostly agree with the centrists and if Sayle weren't famous and 'important' Herring would take more of his usual cheap shots where this is concerned.

I too am completely soured on Herring and think he's mostly a hack these days. The nerve and idiocy required to say 'we are all responsible' is breathtaking.

Maybe it would be more interesting to think of other comedians who might be better suited to engage Sayle in intelligent conversation like Rob Newman and Mark Thomas or people like Lee Camp or Ted Alexandro from the US.

Are there any younger left comedians (younger than those I mentioned) people on here would like to see interact with Sayle etc?

Cold Meat Platter

New podcast with Stewart Lee out now. About an hour and twenty mins.