On Russell Howard's Good News

BBC Three

More Ray Peacock videos

Probably best known for the long-running, but now defunct, Peacock and Gamble Podcast he recorded with Ed Gamble, Peacock was nominated for best compere in the 2012 Chortle Awards.

Peacock & Gamble: Fringe 2012
Live Review
Pleasance Dome

It’s a good job Ray Peacock and Ed Gamble don’t want to be on telly anyway – and it is entirely their choice, of course – since TV does not have a great record of transferring big, dumb but hilarious comedians to the small screen. Three words: We. Are. Klang.

Indeed, live is the only way to properly experience this madness, and preferably alongside as many people prepared to throw themselves into the anarchic spirit as possible. It’s a good crowd tonight, for sure, even catching our ebullient hosts out by participating more than they are used to.

But they are such infectious fools, so it’s not such a great surprise. They hark back to old-school double acts where the stupid leads the stupider into bold, overplayed sketches.

There’s a real lack of cynicism in the way they throw themselves into the action. And what action there is, as they’ve chucked all manner of sketch ideas at the wall.  It ramps up the frenetic pace, meaning no joke outstays its welcome (though crap ventriloquist’s puppet Naughty Keith comes close) and they’ve always get a get-out for any situation, by just returning to one of several other running gags.

For some reason, allegedly unknown even to them, P&G have decided to set their show in a lighthouse. Truth is they are more canny than that, and it helps evoke the spirit of children’s shows such as Emu and his Pink Windmill, regressing their audience to youthful high spirits.

Silly, enthusiastic and not the brightest bulb in the lighthouse, Ray Peacock is a human Elmo, such is his innate likeability. Or, rather, an Elmo doll that now says rude things because of a mix-up at the factory. Whatever; you warm to his naivety, even when he’s misbehaving or showing off.

A newly slimline Ed Gamble, though younger, is like the older brother in the dynamic: joining in with Peacock’s high jinks, though aware that now and again they’re getting out of hand, and someone has to act all responsible and put a stop to things.

Their knockabout playfulness seems so casual, almost spontaneous, but clearly quite a lot of work has  gone into this; the action is so fast that it packs in the ideas, and proper jokes and well-practised physical business, are slipped in under the bluster.  Though when Ray tries to actually tell a joke, of course he screws it up.

There’s also something for the ladies for their very tongue-in-cheek Humour For Women section, since females need their own special-ability comedy.

To properly appreciate this full-on daft hour, always make sure you take someone special with you: your inner child.

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I recently saw him at the Leicester Comedy Festival and thought he completely smashed it. I've seen him before, doing a wicked show at LCF 2010 with Ed Gamble & a short set at Summer Sundae, the former had pretty much every member of the audience involved (My girlfriend was asked to distribute cookies to the crowd and my brother-in-law was fed a Ginsters by 'Santa Claus'). However, this was the first time I've seen a his full, 90 minute solo show. Ray commanded the room, giving off a friendly, but firm attitude. he dealt with some annoying middleaged bloke very well, managing to get new, funny material from a potentially bothersome situation. Ray has an interesting, intriguing life and he's one of the few comedians who I actually want to hear more 'real life' material from. He's well worth seeing basically.

Christopher Bate, February 2012

Saw Ray Peacock recently, not funny, unless you find audience intimidation amusing, I don't. Also professional Yorkshires are dull

Jon Perry, November 2011

His podcasts are such a big influence on my life... which is probably a bad thing. Love him. Very funny.

Milo, March 2011

He's a very funny man, very very funny .... a line up with him on it can't go far wrong.

Ni Tle, January 2011

Saw Ray lastnight at Shrewsbury. He is very very funny especial when telling of his practical jokes with his partner in crime Ed Gamble. Definitely worth a look.

William Bates, January 2011

I saw Ray headlining at the Frog and Fiddle yesterday evening. The evening was spoiled a bit by a little group of drunken-heckly types. These guys were quite intimidating in terms of their size and general demeanour and well out of place among the crowd. The other comics tried to deal with them with varying degrees of success. What was truly marvellous was that, bar one, they all bottled it when Ray came on! Ha! Ran away to the bar and did not return. The one who stayed, attempted one brief heckle...good luck.."no,no" Ray silenced him with a tiny finger wag: job done! That's class. Ray Peacock made the night work: a fine performer indeed.

Sweetcorn Jerry, November 2010

Saw him t'other evening, despite having very different opinions on some things, I thought he was a competent and entertaining compere...

Ni Tle, October 2010

I saw him in Luton. There was a confrontational and crass compere who picked on members of the audience. I then saw Ray Peacock in complete contrast. He read the room so well. Put the audience at ease and gave an inspiring performance. Thought he was a lot like Daniel Kitson.

Bob, August 2010

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