US Impressionists...?
Dan Owen
the art of "impressionism" a curiously British thing? I know a few
US/Canadian comedians who *do* a handful of impressions - but it's never a
sole part of their act. I can't even think of a single US equivalent to the
liked of Rory Bremner or Allister MacGowan.
Do Americans "get" impressionists, or are the British just far too easily
pleased when a man can - effectively - talk like someone else while
delivering usually weak satirical gags?
Discuss. ;P
Dan
Tzupert
"Dan Owen" <da...@powen20.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:agnoja$2f8$1...@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
so you dont get it.
The Machine
Dan Owen <da...@powen20.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:agnoja$2f8$1...@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Just suddenly realize that I don't know a single American impressionist!
Is
> the art of "impressionism" a curiously British thing? I know a few
> US/Canadian comedians who *do* a handful of impressions - but it's never a
> sole part of their act. I can't even think of a single US equivalent to
the
> liked of Rory Bremner or Allister MacGowan.
>
> Do Americans "get" impressionists, or are the British just far too easily
> pleased when a man can - effectively - talk like someone else while
> delivering usually weak satirical gags?
A lot of American stand-up comedians do impressions as part of their acts,
don't they?
--
The Machine
Praise the Lord for atheism.
(Take out the turrets to e-mail)
GC
How about Rich Little or Frank Gorshin? Eddie Murphy used to do
impressions, too.
Farmer Alfalfa
Why didn't you pose this question to as US newsgroup where you might have
got a knowledgeable debate and a factual answer?
Or were you just looking for the answer "no".
F A
CindyLover
> Just suddenly realize that I don't know a single American impressionist!
Do you know any married ones then? ("I thank you...")
> Is
> the art of "impressionism" a curiously British thing?
If "Saturday Night Live" is any indication, no (the late great Phil
Hartman used to do the original and (comparatively) best George Bush,
and later reprised it on "The Simpsons").
> Do Americans "get" impressionists, or are the British just far too easily
> pleased when a man can - effectively - talk like someone else while
> delivering usually weak satirical gags?
Probably a bit of both, although I wouldn't say we're "far too easily
pleased" in that respect. (Then again, Roy Hudd can't do impressions
to save his life and look how long "The News Huddlines" has been
on...)
CindyLover
Ian F.
> How about Rich Little or Frank Gorshin? Eddie Murphy used to do
> impressions, too.
Sammy Davis Jnr. used to do some stunning impressions in his act.
I think it's that there are not that many dedicated impressionists per se in
the States, unlike here. Not surprising really, as the majority of famous
Merkins are so dull that there's really nothing to impersonate! ;-)
Ian
--
Andy Mabbett
<G...@mosshead0.demon.co.uk> writes
>>Just suddenly realize that I don't know a single American impressionist!
>
>How about Rich Little or Frank Gorshin? Eddie Murphy used to do
>impressions, too.
Likewise Robin Williams.
--
Andy Mabbett
"We play the game, we zap and maim, we strafe the train, we gain terrain,
with the bravery of being out of range" - R. Waters
Dan Owen
> impressions, too.
I'm not saying there are NO impressionists in America, just that the ones
you have tend not to make their living by just doing impressions. I doubt
anyone would class Dana Carvey, Eddie Murphy, Frank Gorshin, Jim Carrey, or
Billy Crystal as "impressionists". But in the UK there are many people whose
job title would be that.
I just wondered why Americans are loathe to actually be known as an
impressionist, or to have a TV show that just features impressions. In the
UK there a hundreds! Steve Coogan started out as an impressionist, as did
Chris Barrie. Then there are THE impressionists - Allister MacGowan, Ronnie
Ancona, Rory Bremner, John Culshaw, etc.
Dan
The Machine
Dan Owen <da...@powen20.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:agpmav$8u8$1...@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> I just wondered why Americans are loathe to actually be known as an
> impressionist, or to have a TV show that just features impressions. In the
> UK there a hundreds! Steve Coogan started out as an impressionist, as did
> Chris Barrie. Then there are THE impressionists - Allister MacGowan,
Ronnie
> Ancona, Rory Bremner, John Culshaw, etc.
Don't forget Kate Lawler. ;-)
--
The Machine
Praise the Lord for atheism.
(Take out the turrets to e-mail)
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Izo Mezzo
I was sitting in my big leather arm chair, watching telly and thinking
I wouldn't say Bremner was weak satirically, or MacGowan for that
matter. In fact Rory Bremner is the only reasonable political satirist
on TV at the moment. His impressions of Tony Blair and Alistair Campbell
were so realistic that the real pair thought they had a spy in their
camp.
--
Izo
I went into a sweet shop the other day
I said I want some Cadburys chocolate
Some crispy cereal,some chewy nougat,
up there.
And a Persian rug.
He said gerrout you, gerrout me sweet shop!
Izo Mezzo
I was sitting in my big leather arm chair, watching telly and thinking
>In message <FAL7ixEO$3L9...@mosshead0.demon.co.uk>, GC
><G...@mosshead0.demon.co.uk> writes
>>>Just suddenly realize that I don't know a single American impressionist!
>>
>>How about Rich Little or Frank Gorshin? Eddie Murphy used to do
>>impressions, too.
>
>Likewise Robin Williams.
Who couldn't do a Scottish accent if his tits were on fire.
Farmer Alfalfa
"Izo Mezzo" <Iz...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:oJWzHiL6...@blueyonder.co.uk...
>
> I was sitting in my big leather arm chair, watching telly and thinking
> how marvellous it would be to be a werewolf when Andy Mabbett said:
>
>
> >In message <FAL7ixEO$3L9...@mosshead0.demon.co.uk>, GC
> ><G...@mosshead0.demon.co.uk> writes
> >>>Just suddenly realize that I don't know a single American
impressionist!
> >>
> >>How about Rich Little or Frank Gorshin? Eddie Murphy used to do
> >>impressions, too.
> >
> >Likewise Robin Williams.
>
> Who couldn't do a Scottish accent if his tits were on fire.
I suspect that if my tits were on fire I might struggle with accents too -
although I would probably speak fluent Aaaaarrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhh!
F A
Farmer Alfalfa
>
> I was sitting in my big leather arm chair, watching telly and thinking
> how marvellous it would be to be a werewolf when Dan Owen said:
>
>
> >Just suddenly realize that I don't know a single American impressionist!
Is
> >the art of "impressionism" a curiously British thing? I know a few
> >US/Canadian comedians who *do* a handful of impressions - but it's never
a
> >sole part of their act. I can't even think of a single US equivalent to
the
> >liked of Rory Bremner or Allister MacGowan.
> >
> >Do Americans "get" impressionists, or are the British just far too easily
> >pleased when a man can - effectively - talk like someone else while
> >delivering usually weak satirical gags?
> >
>
> I wouldn't say Bremner was weak satirically, or MacGowan for that
> matter. In fact Rory Bremner is the only reasonable political satirist
> on TV at the moment. His impressions of Tony Blair and Alistair Campbell
> were so realistic that the real pair thought they had a spy in their
> camp.
Bremner has long been the only true political opposition this country has
actually had.
More power to him.
F A
Izo Mezzo
I was sitting in my big leather arm chair, watching telly and thinking
Yup. I love his renditions of IDS. I dunno if you saw the one were he
was rehearsing his replies to Labour statements for questions in the
house, but he kept agreeing with everything 'oh yes that's really good'
when he was supposed to be rebutting them.