I'VE LOST MY COMEDY!!!!

I will never know what it will be like to live in the times of true comedic genius.  Apart from Eddie Izzard, I have found it really hard to find someone almost as close to be being comparable to Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.  

Peter Cook was born in January 1937 and lived a very fruitful life.  He is considered to be the most influential man in British comedy and described by Stephen Fry as “the funniest man who ever drew breath.”  Having formed a comic partnership with Dudley Moore, in the early 60s the BBC commissioned their television show ‘Not only…But also.’  This was intended for Moore’s music but he had invited Cook to write sketches and appear with him on the show which lasted for three seasons.  In the late 60s they then starred in a few films together; The Wrong Box (1966) and Bedazzled (1967).  By the 70s their success in comedy had propelled them to form podcasts doing sketches.  They adopted the stage names Derek and Clive and it was their risqué humour that gave them more fame.  It became very popular as bootleg copies circulated in London and this gave them the impetus to create two more albums (Derek and Clive: Live, Derek and Clive: Come again and Derek and Clive: Ad Nauseam). 

Peter Cook released his autobiography entitled ‘Tragically I Was An Only Twin’.  This was released by William Cook (no relation apparently) but, sadly Peter Cook had died on January 7th 1995.

One of the best eulogies of anybody ever was given about him by Stephen Fry.  He took comedy shook it up, soaked it and then left it out to dry….and it was all funny!

Dudley Moore was born in April 1935 and also enjoyed a successful life as a comedian, actor and musician!  A very talented man fluently played the piano, very sharp with line liners and a genius in his own right.  From a troubled childhood, his parents would not show him open displays of affection and having been born with clubbed feet, he was bullied from a very young age as only his right foot responded to corrective treatment whereas his left leg – below the knee – was described as ‘withered’.  Having acquired talent on the piano he was given a scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford to study music and composition.  It was during his time there he met Peter Cook. 

His vocation saw him become very successful in Hollywood during the late 70s where he starred alongside Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase in Foul Play and the following year he landed a lead in the hit movie 10, starring Julie Andrews and Bo Derek directed by Blake Edward. 

Dudley Moore unfortunately suffered from a terminal degenerative brain disorder, known as progressive supranuclear palsy.  He died on 27^th March 2002.  His last words were “I can hear the music all around me.”  There is not much one can say about that except – what a beautiful thing to hear before you depart. 

Many iconic comedians have voiced their influences and many prominent ones have mentioned Peter Cook and Dudley Moore such as; John Cleese, Stephen Fry and Michael Palin and many more. 

Although they are no longer providing the world with the greatest humour, their comedy lives on as timeless cult classics that requires and acquired taste.  It is almost like unconditional respect that those who listen to and enjoy Derek and Clive have between each other. 

Here is a favourite sketch by Derek and Clive.  I do hope you enjoy. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTifRi3qDkU 

Lucky old angels, lucky old heaven indeed.  You have inherited comedy legends.

Much love,

Jackson L.