Comments on: Dave Allen: The World’s Greatest Sitdown Comedian

By: Mark Morey

Mark Morey — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:12:06 +0000

Thanks for the memory. I *loved* DAVE ALLEN AT LARGE back in the day and was surprised that they showed it on PBS in Dallas and even Oklahoma. I wonder if the same folks would show it today. Progress. SHOUT! or somebody should issue a box set…too dated, I suppose.

By: jackhynes

jackhynes — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:20:49 +0000

Cheers for that David. Great clips!

By: sfslim

sfslim — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:57:00 +0000

KTEH was also responsible for getting me properly hooked on Doctor Who (circa Tom Baker) and The Prisoner as well. “If it wasn't for PBS” indeed.

By: sfslim

sfslim — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:55:33 +0000

You're most welcome John!

My only regret with this post is that I was only able to find a few of his videos online, and most of those being from his later career, after he'd quit smoking and began walking around onstage, rather than sit - blasphemy!

I've ordered the Amazon DVD I linked to in the post. Hopefully it contains more of his classic work, those incredibly intimate stories which, even when they weren't all that funny, still left you feeling like you'd been let in on some incredible secret from the slyest old rogue in the pub. That was his genius.

By: sfslim

sfslim — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:49:46 +0000

You're not alone. Along with Dr. Seuss, Monty Python and my stepfather's George Carlin records, Allen was one of the primary forces behind my having growing up a free-thinker and fearless iconoclast, something for which I'll forever be grateful.

By: David Calkins

David Calkins — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:55:57 +0000

OMG. I loved David Allen. ALways one of my favorite shows - after Carol Burnett and Dean Martin.

No wonder I grew up as I did.

FYI, you tube posts have been pulled, but here are some good ones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6f6M4e1n4s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vku_fKAioUw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umwITgqxfRg

By: queensissy

queensissy — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:19:49 +0000

I second the thanks, Aaron! I was trying to describe him to some people a while ago, but had forgotten his name, and was stuck with, “He would sit in this chair and smoke cigarettes and was missing part of a finger… you don't remember this guy?”

By: Patrik

Patrik — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:44:55 +0000

Oh man – I used to watch Dave Allen on the BBC when I was a kid, growing up in Belgium. Great comedy indeed!

By: sfslim

sfslim — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:26:30 +0000

Thanks for the comment, cha0tic. That sums up Dave's appeal nicely: “My Dad, a Vicar, loved The Dave Allen Show.”

By: cha0tic

cha0tic — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:35:58 +0000

Thanks for the reminder. My Dad, a Vicar, loved The Dave Allen Show.

By: vinnie

vinnie — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:19:43 +0000

I think it was on KTEH channel 54 in the 70s
Monty Python being on channel 9
Benny Hill on 2

Benny hill used to play Dave Allen in some of his skits.

Good times....

Mam O man if it wasn't for PBS

By: John Law

John Law — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:38:48 +0000

I never heard of this guy before; where was i? I spewed milk out of my nostrils while watching his “father, son & the holy ghost” routine. Laughed out loud. As a former altar boy, I thank you for introducing me to Allen.