Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Has old fashionned slapstick died?

(59 Posts)
Tiswasfan82 Sun 12-Apr-26 16:48:51

Can anyone help - do you recall the tv shows such as Tiswas or Noels HouseParty where a pie in the face or a seat in the gunge tank caused a chuckle on a Saturday night? Has the humor in everything these days gone?

TerriBull Mon 20-Apr-26 09:00:49

I don't generally find slapstick that funny, it's probably why it appeals to children it's anything but subtle. It's different when it's performative and occasionally it can be hilarious, Michael Crawford for example. I don't like to see unsuspecting people being filmed where they get hurt. Although I do like animal antics,of course not where they get hurt though. Usually cats trouncing dogs.

However, having said that I've laughed out loud recently at seeing a seeing a robot or two fall apart under duress, there's a element of enjoying a bit of human revenge in such a scenario.

petra Sun 19-Apr-26 17:40:41

mae13

BlueBelle

sodapop

I'm not a fan of slapstick either, apart from pantomime I never found it funny. Couldn't stand Norman Wisdom.

I couldn’t stand Norman wisdom either sodapop never found him remotely funny
I ve seen people curl up with laughter at watching him but I was always left po faced

I believe Norman Wisdom films were amazingly popular in Albania. And the 'Carry On' series of films.

Hmmmmmm.......

The Albanians make awful racist videos of Roma families.
They love them 😥

ixion Sun 19-Apr-26 17:24:28

Indeed, LauraNorderr - hence the success of the Argy Bar.
🐪🍺

Wit, good observational humour and no reliance on old fashioned slapstick.
I'm pleased to say.

LauraNorderr Sun 19-Apr-26 16:47:29

Has old fashioned slapstick died?
I certainly hope so. Always thought it stupid, irritating and not one bit funny.
As others have said, I prefer wit. Good observational humour is best imo.

hollysteers Sun 19-Apr-26 16:23:58

I used to watch Laurel and Hardy films with the DC and we all loved them. I still like them, but not Charlie Chaplin.

MT62 Sun 19-Apr-26 16:17:41

I am glad I am not the only one that doesn’t find these comedies amusing.
I did however find the James Cordon sketch of David Beckham really hilarious, some artist who’s created a statue of him with the most enormously long arms, big chin & massive behind. David was nearly crying, say that he looked like ‘stretch Armstrong’ 😂

Sarahr Sun 19-Apr-26 15:34:04

I don't think fun is allowed nowadays. It would be construed as abuse.

Eloethan Wed 15-Apr-26 14:48:17

I love that children's nativity choir film. Like you, petra it always makes me laugh. On top of the little girl's "enthusiastic" rendering, the reactions of Joseph are very funny too, with shades of Michael Crawford's mannerisms thrown in (MC copied his son's mannerisms for Some Mothers do Have Em).

Visgir1 Wed 15-Apr-26 14:45:40

As a small child it's funny but by the time your about 8... Nope not funny.
Never saw the point of Clowns either, falling over their shoes, foam in the face and such like.
Humour from a bygone era.

SueEH Wed 15-Apr-26 14:29:23

Philomena Punk is Philomena Cunk.. who is actually Diane Morgan. And yes, she’s brilliant in Motherland.
Slapstick does nothing for me.

TheWeirdoAgain60 Tue 14-Apr-26 08:40:28

I love slapstick. The Three Stooges were great!

I never liked panto or Norman Wisdom.

TheWeirdoAgain60 Tue 14-Apr-26 08:38:03

I well remember those and the humour, I died laughing!

The phantom flange flinger! Mr Blobby!

SpinDriftCoastal Tue 14-Apr-26 08:35:58

Oh, dear, guilty as charged! I love slapstick, pantomime, music hall, mother in law jokes, The Good Old Days. They remind me of the very happy days of my childhood when the adults around me roared with laughter and left their serious side at home.

Oreo Mon 13-Apr-26 23:28:26

I like a certain amount, I think Laurel and Hardy were great and a few Charlie Chaplin films were genius.

Bazza Mon 13-Apr-26 18:39:09

I share your loathing of pantomime suzie, I was taken once as a child and decided then it was definitely not for me!

Suzieque66 Mon 13-Apr-26 17:37:48

I absolutely hate Pantomime ... Its just rubbish performed by people who think its funny to not know the lines of their play ... kids screaming and people throwing popcorn everywhere ! Never again ...

Bazza Mon 13-Apr-26 16:09:32

No, I’m not a slapstick fan either, being left cold by Laurel and Hardy, but I do remember being amused by Norman Wisdom, and in later life Some Mother’s which I guess was slapstick.

AuntieE Mon 13-Apr-26 15:33:16

I have never found slapstick, blue jokes, mother-in-law jokes and so on funny, so if slapstick is on the decline or dead, I am not worried in the least.

Sago Mon 13-Apr-26 10:45:01

I hope so.

Gardenersdelight2 Mon 13-Apr-26 10:26:13

Watch Justin's house on cbeebies definitely slapstick

mae13 Mon 13-Apr-26 10:15:48

BlueBelle

sodapop

I'm not a fan of slapstick either, apart from pantomime I never found it funny. Couldn't stand Norman Wisdom.

I couldn’t stand Norman wisdom either sodapop never found him remotely funny
I ve seen people curl up with laughter at watching him but I was always left po faced

I believe Norman Wisdom films were amazingly popular in Albania. And the 'Carry On' series of films.

Hmmmmmm.......

Jackiest Mon 13-Apr-26 08:47:58

Hope so as I never liked slapstick.

Gingster Mon 13-Apr-26 07:49:00

Slapstick, ! No thanks.
Love Motherland and Amandaland.

Not keen on Pantos either. Irritating and longwinded.!
‘Oh yes they are’ 🥱😴

Luckygirl3 Mon 13-Apr-26 07:40:06

National Theatre's One Man Two Guvners with James Corden is full of slapstick, physical and verbal. To be recommended. Can be rented from NT At Home.
I used to live Brian Rix.

LOUISA1523 Mon 13-Apr-26 07:19:48

crazyH

No Petra - haven’t watched Motherland

Shes hilarious in'Mandy'