Lenny's Britain, Tuesday 9pm, BBC1
Posted by Amanda Vlietstra
Has Lenny Henry got some kind of hold over BBC bigwigs? I’ve wondered this for quite a while, because it’s a total mystery to me why they keep commissioning him for shows that inevitably bomb. Does anyone remember Chef!? Nope, thought not. And that was some of his best work. Let’s draw a veil over Lenny Henry In Pieces...
The thing about Lenny is, he’s just not funny. His skit mainly revolves round doing a comedy West Midlands and/or West Indian accent, and/or shouting a lot, which is amusing for about five minutes. If you’re five. And while it’s great he does all that sterling work for Comic Relief, it’s just a sign of the BBC’s inexplicable devotion to him that they keep roping him in as compere – instead of giving the job to a comedian the “yoof” have actually heard of, like David Walliams or Ricky Gervais.
Anyway, on Lenny’s Britain tonight, he travels the UK to find out what makes people laugh – and god knows, he could use the advice – starting off with his hometown of Dudley. Another thing about Lenny is, he finds everything funny. Yeah, that figures! Still, I’ll be watching Lenny’s Britain tonight (with muted sound, so his inevitable loud belly-laughing as tumbleweed breezes dolefully across my television screen doesn’t make me stab my hapless boyfriend with a biro) just to see if it’s as bad as I anticipate. I’m sure he’s a lovely guy, but I’d rather go to a Phil Collins concert than one of his stand-up gigs. Yup, it’s that bad.
I missed the Blackpool one of Lennys Britain and really wanted to watch it..does anyone know if its repeated?
thanks.
Posted by: Dave Morgan | 27 June 2007 at 09:56
Sadly it seems his best days were with The Black & White Minstrels, back in the 1970's But one mustn't mention such programmes now. Good luck to you Lenny, it's a living.
Posted by: Tim Taylor | 15 June 2007 at 09:43
I have not seen Lenny Henry,s new series and doubt very much that i will, the last time i did see him he had become very racial with his views and look at the down trodden "black" jokes we see from American comedians.Iam no racist by that comment but being anti-white does help fuel the racist debate? his work with RND is comendable and whilst he expects us all to help contribute monies to this, i dont know where he his coming from. Brilliant in Tiswas-needs to find a new day job
Posted by: paul marsh | 15 June 2007 at 09:25
Whats wrong with the chuckle brothers?
Posted by: ceb | 13 June 2007 at 19:00
I watched Lennys Britain last night and thought it was brillant and really funny the way he re actswith the people the programme was really entertaining keep up the good work.
Posted by: michael ling | 13 June 2007 at 16:13
Wooah! So Lenny Henry is obviously not your Cup of Tea. I think you got the wrong idea abount this programme, It's not about Lenny as a Stand Up Comic, It was about the humour of people he meets. You may think his humour is a bit dated and not cutting edge, but Lenny is a genuinly warm person who brings out the best in people he meets. As such I feel he was ideal for this role.
Posted by: Richard Peake | 13 June 2007 at 16:11
I defy anyone to laugh at anything Lenny Henry (or the Chuckle Brothers) says or does. This desperate man must have really called in the favours on this one - if you like him watch this because it may well be the last opportunity before Lenny finally pulls out and lives full time off of Dawns chocolate ads.
Posted by: Keith Raven | 13 June 2007 at 16:00
Lenny Henry had his day in the 80's with 3 of a kind.
It's about time the BBC realized this & stopped wasting licence payers money on this has-been.
Posted by: James Gray | 13 June 2007 at 14:02