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Sins of Humour

Billy Connolly sparked outrage when he joked about Ken Bigley, the hostage since murdered in Iraq, during his stand-up act. But couldn’t it be argued that a real comedian has to take risks to be a radical critic of society, a wise man as well as a wise guy? by Stewart Lee

DURING the Edinburgh Fringe Festival a few years ago, a cab driver asked me who my favourite stand-ups were. I mentioned Billy Connolly among the usual international top 10. The cab driver explained that he hated Billy Connolly because he was “too English”. I didn’t know what this meant exactly. Was it perhaps that Connolly had given money away to charity, rarely ate shortbread, and was no longer an alcoholic? Whatever, I understood being “too English” was not a good thing.

Nevertheless, “too English” or not, Connolly remains one of my favourite comics, though as a stand-up comedian myself, and also as the son of a Scottish man I have never met, perhaps I see in Connolly some kind of idealised father figure, and would forgive him anything. Either way, even in the light of recent events, we Scots should be proud of Connolly and rally around him in his hour of need.

If the tabloids are to be believed...

In the past week, Connolly has committed an even worse crime than being “too English”. Two inopportune comments about the Iraq hostage Ken Bigley have incurred the wrath of both his audience and a far more important group, namely journalists and opinion-formers who weren’t actually at the Hammersmith Apollo gig where the outrage occurred. The assumed funniness or non-funniness of Connolly’s comments is, of course, further complicated by the subsequent execution of Ken Bigley himself, adding an especially bleak coda to a previously not especially significant story that would perhaps otherwise have blown over.

Remember, it is not Billy Connolly’s fault that Ken Bigley is dead. Don’t make the Big Yin the receptacle for your misplaced anger. Given that we went into Iraq in defiance of UN regulations, international opinion and common sense, to transfer blame to a stand-up comedian while Blair and Bush remain in power, even when the WMD excuse has been entirely discredited and the subsequent liberation of Iraq so terribly mismanaged, is patently absurd. When writing comedy about real events, whether serious or trivial, there is an inherent risk of those same events overtaking you.

Comedian's risks

In 1999, my one-time double-act partner Richard Herring and I filmed a dozen sketches for BBC2 in which Rod Hull kept suffering fatal accidents due to having a false arm permanently wrapped around his Emu puppet. Three days before the first one was due to be broadcast, Rod Hull fell off a roof while adjusting a TV aerial and died. Luckily we had time to re-edit the show to avoid sullying the memory of a comedian we both greatly admired, and looking like we were chasing an adolescent notion of deliberate bad taste, but it was a close thing. Admittedly, Ken Bigley’s beheading is more significant than Rod Hull’s sudden and unexpected expiry, but it is important not to judge Connolly’s comments in the light of Friday’s news.

Before pontificating on the rights and wrongs of what Connolly may or may not have said, let’s remember what a special comedy case Scotland’s best stand-up comedian actually is. Many comedians feign spontaneity. The actor, comedian and transvestite Eddie Izzard is a master of it, and one cannot help but be impressed by the way he makes tried and tested material sound as if it had literally just occurred to him. Personally, I like prepared material and have a huge admiration for the beautifully constructed routines of Victoria Wood, Reginald D Hunter or Glasgow’s own Arnold Brown. But I also love seeing comics caught in the actual act of creation, and Connolly is one of a very small sub-section of stand-ups, including Ross Noble and Johnny Vegas, who will actually go on stage with no specific idea of what they are about to do. I doubt any of the above even owns a pencil, let alone a word processor. But this often ill-prepared spontaneity is both Connolly’s major strength, in that you genuinely feel caught in a once-in-a-lifetime experience when watching him, and his major weakness, in that his stand-up shows are all far too long, lack any shape or structure and, as with the Ken Bigley lines, sometimes charge headlong into complex areas that might have required more preparation.

Apparently, the Bigley material was a bit Connolly had been toying with on previous nights during his London run. Whenever I am working up a new routine, especially if it involves controversial subjects, I try it out in small venues, within the context of new-material nights. I have a piece at the moment wherein I hold the crisp advertiser and footballer Gary Lineker accountable for the deaths of hundreds of obese children, and chased the idea around from many directions before it settled into an acceptable shape that drew disgust and laughs in equal measure, rather than just appalling everyone. But as a relative unknown with a sustainable and small cult following, I have the luxury of anonymity denied to Billy Connolly. Nothing I say will make the news. Nevertheless, I don’t believe that the literally thousands of fabulous hours of stand-up that Connolly has generated out of thin air are compromised or undermined by this one apparent error. And, arguably, the Bigley lines were not an error at all, but actually an essential part of what comedy is for.

Comedy and social criticism

There are jokes to be made about the Ken Bigley situation. The sickest, stupidest, and most inexcusable ones are already being made by you, the public, privately, to each other, drunk in bars or via e-mails at work, while you simultaneously maintain a high moral tone in judging a professional comedian’s attempt to cover the same ground in a more intelligent and responsible fashion. And you know it. Cast the first stone, I dare you. The best Ken Bigley jokes, like Chris Morris’s Brass Eye paedophilia special, tell us something about our own hypocrisy and that of the newsgathering services we put our trust in. I believe that Connolly’s lines, as reported in the press, allude to both these areas. In opining, “Perhaps I shouldn’t be saying this ... aren’t you the same as me, don’t you wish they would just get on with it?”, Connolly is referencing our inability to stick with a story, and the media’s self-sustaining interest in spinning one out. Afghanistan is still a wreck, but we rarely see it reported any more. It’s old, boring news. And global tragedies that unfold over years, rather than days, suffer a lack of public interest that aid-workers and fundraisers identify with the phrase “compassion fatigue”. The line, “What is it with him and that young Asian wife?”, I believe, deliberately addresses the fact that whenever we see an elderly British businessman on TV with a young Asian woman it’s usually in the context of a story about mail-order brides. This isn’t to suggest that the Bigleys’ marriage itself was anything but loving and genuine, but at least let us admit that an image our inherent racist suppositions have made us suspicious of is currently being represented to us as the emotive, human-interest angle in a bigger story.

Of course, Bigley’s family, Connolly’s audience, and the press have every right to be upset by these lines, but Connolly has every right to say them. Inevitably, challenging work won’t get shown. There at least appears to be some righteous moral anger behind Connolly’s comments, and an intelligence in identifying a danger area.

Hotels in the News

Amidst all the recent controversy surrounding Billy Connolly, one topic that seems to be getting overlooked is the hotel industry. With the ongoing pandemic and travel restrictions, hotels have been greatly impacted and it's essential to address their current situation.

Challenging Times for Hotels

The hospitality industry, including hotels, has faced significant challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions, lockdowns, and social distancing measures have drastically reduced the number of guests and bookings. Many hotels have been forced to close their doors temporarily or even permanently.

Hotels that are still operational are now operating at reduced capacity and implementing strict health and safety protocols to ensure the safety of guests and staff. These measures include enhanced cleaning procedures, contactless check-in and check-out, and limited access to amenities such as gyms, restaurants, and swimming pools.

Adapting to the New Normal

Hotel owners and managers are having to adapt their business models to the new normal. Many are focusing on local customers and offering staycation packages to attract guests from nearby areas. Some hotels have also turned their attention to remote workers, providing special work-from-hotel packages with comfortable workspaces and reliable internet connections.

In addition, hotels are investing in technology to enhance the guest experience and minimize contact. Mobile check-in and digital room keys are becoming more commonplace, allowing guests to bypass the front desk and access their rooms directly using their smartphones. Room service and dining options have also gone digital, with online menus and contactless delivery.

The Road to Recovery

While the hotel industry has a long road to recovery, there are signs of hope. As travel restrictions ease and vaccination rates increase, there is a growing optimism for the return of international tourism. Hotels are preparing to welcome back guests from around the world and are implementing stringent safety measures to ensure a safe and comfortable stay.

The Scottish hotel industry, in particular, can look forward to a resurgence in tourism as travelers seek to explore the country's stunning landscapes and vibrant cities. From luxury resorts to cozy bed and breakfasts, Scotland offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every traveler's taste and budget.

As we navigate these challenging times, it's important to support the hotel industry and show our appreciation for the hardworking staff who are dedicated to providing memorable experiences for guests. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a business trip, consider booking a stay at a local hotel and help contribute to the recovery of the hospitality sector.

Let us not forget the important role that hotels play in our lives - as places of relaxation, celebration, and escape. Together, we can help revive the hotel industry and create a brighter future for all.

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