Dave Allen

Nickatilynx · 03-12-2005

Comedian Dave Allen dies aged 68

Allen was famed for his dry routines
Irish comedian Dave Allen, famed for his TV routines as he perched on a stool with drink and cigarette in hand, has died in his sleep aged 68.
He was most famous for his TV shows Tonight With Dave Allen and Dave Allen at Large, which featured his satires on topics including religion.

Allen got his first break on a BBC talent show in 1959, and toured with the Beatles in the UK and France.

He died in his sleep on Thursday night at his west London home.

He leaves a wife, Karin, and three children.

He was the original grumpy old man - he had so much anger and that was where he got his energy from

Writer Ian Davidson

Comics including Eddie Izzard, Barry Cryer and Dylan Moran were among those who paid tribute to Allen's comedic talents and originality.

The BBC's head of comedy Jon Plowman called Allen a "wonderful comedian" who would be sadly missed.

"That extraordinary relaxed style with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other as he buttonholed us with wonderful jokes and stories is the image that we shall remember," he told the BBC News website.

"He was a groundbreaker in many ways, particularly in the jokes and sketches that had a go at religion - something that certainly came from his growing up in Ireland that was sometimes quite tough for its day."

Mr Plowman added that Allen "tried to show the hypocrisies of the world as well as its funny side".

'Sense of absurd'

And writer Ian Davidson, who worked for 10 years with Allen, told the BBC News website: "He had so much anger, especially against the priesthood, and that was where he got his energy. He also had such a keen sense of the absurd."

"He was terrific to work with - whenever we visited him the first thing on his mind was making us lunch."

Mr Davidson paid tribute to Allen's ability to spin out stories on stage.

"I always enjoyed the tales about how he lost part of his finger - he never told them the same way," he said, adding: "I could always tell they were lies."

Allen retired from performing in 1999

Allen's first UK TV series was ITV's Tonight With Dave Allen, although he had become well-known through his guest spots on BBC One's The Val Doonican Show.

It was followed by Dave Allen At Large for the BBC, in which he developed his familiar themes of debunking religious rituals - inspired by his strict Catholic upbringing.

During the 1980s he moved onto an eponymous show simply featuring Allen with his trademark stool and glass of whiskey. One of his routines led to questions being asked in the House of Commons about his strong language.

It led to a 1991 stage show, An Evening With Dave Allen, and a series for ITV in 1993. His last performance came in 1999, when he recorded a rare interview for BBC Radio 4.

He remained protective of his material, refusing to allow it to be rebroadcast while he was alive.

Offers of work had continued to come in, and he was considering a project scheduled for later this year when he died.

************************************************** *****

Most Americans won't know who he is , but he was funny as Hell.

I saw his live show in the early 90s..it was brilliant.

He always finished with...

"Good night , and may your God go with you"

RIP

Trev · 03-12-2005

He was truely a comic genious and I spent many a night laughing my ass off at him.

A genuine class act and a tough act to follow!

chodadog · 03-12-2005

"Thank God i'm an atheist"

Lee · 03-12-2005

Oh shit that sucks

I remember going to watch him in London in the early 90's was a great show.

Come to think of it, i have a dvd of his somewhere, might have to dig that out and pay hommage to the guy over a bottle of Jamesons

Trev · 03-12-2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee@Mar 12 2005, 10:03 PM
Oh shit that sucks

I remember going to watch him in London in the early 90's was a great show.

Come to think of it, i have a dvd of his somewhere, might have to dig that out and pay hommage to the guy over a bottle of Jamesons

The only way.

Newton · 03-12-2005

Dave Allen R.I.P - You were a true comic genius and a cynical bastard, may your glass be ever full and your cigarette always lit.

03-12-2005	#2
Trev Cunty Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,150	He was truely a comic genious and I spent many a night laughing my ass off at him. A genuine class act and a tough act to follow! __________________ Sucks to be you.

03-12-2005	#6
Newton It's always business, never personal! The POWER of radio Oprano Radio Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: On a golf course Posts: 4,916	Dave Allen R.I.P - You were a true comic genius and a cynical bastard, may your glass be ever full and your cigarette always lit. __________________ Poser Bush in a mix-up over his hi-tech gizmo - ICLOD

03-12-2005	#1
Nickatilynx Banned Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 15,115	Comedian Dave Allen dies aged 68 Allen was famed for his dry routines Irish comedian Dave Allen, famed for his TV routines as he perched on a stool with drink and cigarette in hand, has died in his sleep aged 68. He was most famous for his TV shows Tonight With Dave Allen and Dave Allen at Large, which featured his satires on topics including religion. Allen got his first break on a BBC talent show in 1959, and toured with the Beatles in the UK and France. He died in his sleep on Thursday night at his west London home. He leaves a wife, Karin, and three children. He was the original grumpy old man - he had so much anger and that was where he got his energy from Writer Ian Davidson Comics including Eddie Izzard, Barry Cryer and Dylan Moran were among those who paid tribute to Allen's comedic talents and originality. The BBC's head of comedy Jon Plowman called Allen a "wonderful comedian" who would be sadly missed. "That extraordinary relaxed style with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other as he buttonholed us with wonderful jokes and stories is the image that we shall remember," he told the BBC News website. "He was a groundbreaker in many ways, particularly in the jokes and sketches that had a go at religion - something that certainly came from his growing up in Ireland that was sometimes quite tough for its day." Mr Plowman added that Allen "tried to show the hypocrisies of the world as well as its funny side". 'Sense of absurd' And writer Ian Davidson, who worked for 10 years with Allen, told the BBC News website: "He had so much anger, especially against the priesthood, and that was where he got his energy. He also had such a keen sense of the absurd." "He was terrific to work with - whenever we visited him the first thing on his mind was making us lunch." Mr Davidson paid tribute to Allen's ability to spin out stories on stage. "I always enjoyed the tales about how he lost part of his finger - he never told them the same way," he said, adding: "I could always tell they were lies." Allen retired from performing in 1999 Allen's first UK TV series was ITV's Tonight With Dave Allen, although he had become well-known through his guest spots on BBC One's The Val Doonican Show. It was followed by Dave Allen At Large for the BBC, in which he developed his familiar themes of debunking religious rituals - inspired by his strict Catholic upbringing. During the 1980s he moved onto an eponymous show simply featuring Allen with his trademark stool and glass of whiskey. One of his routines led to questions being asked in the House of Commons about his strong language. It led to a 1991 stage show, An Evening With Dave Allen, and a series for ITV in 1993. His last performance came in 1999, when he recorded a rare interview for BBC Radio 4. He remained protective of his material, refusing to allow it to be rebroadcast while he was alive. Offers of work had continued to come in, and he was considering a project scheduled for later this year when he died. ************************************************ *** Most Americans won't know who he is , but he was funny as Hell. I saw his live show in the early 90s..it was brilliant. He always finished with... "Good night , and may your God go with you" RIP

03-12-2005	#3
chodadog Members Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 372	"Thank God i'm an atheist"

03-12-2005	#4
Lee Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 539	Oh shit that sucks I remember going to watch him in London in the early 90's was a great show. Come to think of it, i have a dvd of his somewhere, might have to dig that out and pay hommage to the guy over a bottle of Jamesons