And I mean act pretty well.
I've heard it said that they (comedians) often make really good actors, since they are often used to doing things in one take - and sometimes spontaneously - in slightly stressful situations (i.e. live, in the case of stand-ups).
That practical consideration aside, though, what comedians do you feel have successfully transferred their skills - not necessarily permanently, though - to 'serious' acting?
Also, what particular comedy performances or moments do you feel cross over into 'proper' acting? Have any comedians been able to make you temporarily forget that that is their primary trade?
I remember some colleague of Charlie Higson's on The Fast Show commenting "My God! He can *really* act!" when called upon to do so - in certain moments of the Ted & Ralph sketches, I think. Indeed, it was the Ted & Ralph 'Christmas Special' a few years back that actually showed the acting talents of both Whitehouse and Higson quite well. I really liked that.
There was also a moment in one of the sketches in Chris Morris' 'Jam' - the one where the mansion-owning posh chap had 'gone feral' and lived permanently outdoors on their estate. In the mock interview, his 'wife' said "I still leave the door unlocked at night", to which Morris' character eventually and quietly replied "And I wish you wouldn't". It was really rather moving in a strange way. Definitely not one of the 'laugh out loud' moments of the series.
I've heard it said that they (comedians) often make really good actors, since they are often used to doing things in one take - and sometimes spontaneously - in slightly stressful situations (i.e. live, in the case of stand-ups).
That practical consideration aside, though, what comedians do you feel have successfully transferred their skills - not necessarily permanently, though - to 'serious' acting?
Also, what particular comedy performances or moments do you feel cross over into 'proper' acting? Have any comedians been able to make you temporarily forget that that is their primary trade?
I remember some colleague of Charlie Higson's on The Fast Show commenting "My God! He can *really* act!" when called upon to do so - in certain moments of the Ted & Ralph sketches, I think. Indeed, it was the Ted & Ralph 'Christmas Special' a few years back that actually showed the acting talents of both Whitehouse and Higson quite well. I really liked that.
There was also a moment in one of the sketches in Chris Morris' 'Jam' - the one where the mansion-owning posh chap had 'gone feral' and lived permanently outdoors on their estate. In the mock interview, his 'wife' said "I still leave the door unlocked at night", to which Morris' character eventually and quietly replied "And I wish you wouldn't". It was really rather moving in a strange way. Definitely not one of the 'laugh out loud' moments of the series.
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