I used to listen to Daniel Kitson and think, ‘What’s the point in trying? | Ali Brice picks his comedy favourites

I used to listen to Daniel Kitson and think, ‘What’s the point in trying?

Ali Brice picks his comedy favourites

Edinburgh Fringe comedian Ali Brice shares his Perfect Playlist...

Harry Hill Hooves

I love Harry Hill. He was the first stand-up comedian I saw live. This show, I think, is him at his peak. It’s brilliant. I wish I could discover Harry Hill for the first time again.

Tim Key. With a String Quartet. On a Boat.

This album is perfect. The performances from everyone are great. The writing is wonderful. How the story unfolds is lovely. The poems are classic, vintage Key. It’s a beautiful piece of art.

Why on a boat?
Why a string quartet?
Why not!

If given the opportunity to make something, do it well and do it on your own terms. That has to be the way to approach comedy. It’s what I love about working with Adam Larter and the Weirdos collective.

Weirdos haven’t released an album…yet. Otherwise that would be on here.

Daniel Kitson Bootlegs

It should be noted that there are now Kitson shows available to purchase on his official website: danielkitson.com. And I don’t condone bootlegs being used for commercial gain. If they damage the artist’s revenue or income, I am against them.

However, as a young stand-up obsessive I learned about Daniel Kitson and his almost mythical stand-up abilities. All that was available at that time were some frustratingly short YouTube videos and a couple of shows on iTunes. His vast back catalogue was just lost to the sands of time. Then, I stumbled upon online forums and the world of Daniel Kitson bootlegs.

I don’t know why people had the foresight to record Kitson shows back in the day, but I’m glad they did. I have 36.5GB of Kitson recordings that more-or-less span his entire career. His shows are incredible – profound, crude, philosophical, uplifting, rude, cheeky, life-affirming, soul-destroying and more. Simply put, he is one of the best comedians ever – past, present and future – and having his back catalogue at my disposal is wonderful.

I used to listen to them and think, ‘What’s the point in trying? I’ll never be this good.’ But now I love the idea that I exist in the same group as him and all the other great comedians out there. I’m rubbing shoulders with giants. It makes me work harder.

Obviously I can’t link to any bootlegs, so a stupidly old clip of him from YouTube will have to do.

Cake

A brilliant TV show. It features a mix of live-action and animated shorts of various lengths. Some straightforward sketches, some real weird stuff, some outright hilarious, it’s thought-provoking, laugh-inducing and all-original.

It’s like a curated half hour of excellent alternative comedy. Not sure how I stumbled upon it, but it was super exciting. And Doctor Brown, Natalie Palamides and Courtney Pauroso turn up in one of the series in a recurring series of sketches, so it must be good.

PEN15

Comics Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle write and star in this excellent TV show playing versions of themselves in the year 2000 when they were at that awkward adolescent age.

Firstly, this show is hilarious. It’s rare that I laugh out loud when I watch something on my own, but this made me do it. It’s also jam-packed full of heart and explores some fairly heavy topics.

The two main characters are very much geeks, but they aren’t caricatures or cliched – sure they find themselves in extreme, almost cartoonish situations, but there’s always a truth to it. It’s just brilliant. Watch it.

While writing this perfect playlist I have just learned that there won’t be third season and that has made me quite sad.

Lad Pad

This is a criminally, critically and commercially overlooked three-part series by two of the UK’s fines comedy minds, Ali Brice and Joz Norris.

I loved making this. Then the pandemic happened, and I lost all motivation. However, I’m putting this here to inspire to make more things with my friends as that’s one of the best things you can do. Have fun with your friends and have a nice time.

• Ali Brice: I Tried To Be Funny, But You Weren't Looking is on at PBH's Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth at 4.50pm

Published: 12 Aug 2022

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