One of the UK’s most successful comedians Jimmy Carr talks comedy, career, controversy and consistency.
Known for his razor-sharp wit, deadpan delivery and distinctive laugh, Jimmy Carr has become a staple on television screens and in comedy venues, weaving dark humour and one-liners into a successful career that has reached a quarter of a century in years.
From Cambridge University to the Comedy Stage, Carr has become a natural born killer in the world of laughs.
Strangely, his journey into comedy began after his education at Cambridge University, where he studied political science, eventually leading him to the comedy hall.
Jimmy Carr says: “A lot of my degree was politics and sociology and studying Michel Foucault, Medusa, Leotard, etc., which I channel into my comedy specials.” That was really taking off in the 1990s when I was at university and now it’s being quoted all over the place – we’ve got cultural Marxism everywhere!
“You’ve got the left almost leaving economics behind which is especially strange given that money is so important in the modern world, and the right leaving pretty much everything else behind!
“There’s comedy in there alright!”
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Academic Intelligence and a Natural Talent for a Laugh
The Hounslow-born Carr himself was bestowed with academic intelligence, yet in the passages of education it was his ability to raise a smile that ultimately painted a career path.
“I never really liked the tag of the class clown because it’s a one-dimensional slur – it makes it sound like you were arsing about while everyone else was trying to work, and doesn’t imply you have much else about you. But it’s made me a multi-millionaire,” he quips, “so class clown it is! I guess that’s the hallmark of a true Netflix special!”
Rise to Fame: Stand-Up and Television Success
The reputation for repartee led Jimmy Carr into his stand-up comedy debut in 2000, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the UK scene. His TV breakthrough came as co-presenter with Jung Sarpong on E4’s Your Face or Mine in 2002, then Distraction, both in the UK and the USA; before the funnyman found a niche across a variety of popular panel shows, including 8 Out of 10 Cats (and its spinoff, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown) Have I Got News for You and, more recently, I Can See Your Voice.
Pushing Boundaries in Comedy
Now 51, Carr’s sharp comedy is often characterised by its boundary-pushing nature – and that’s no mean feat given the clamour for comedians to be cancelled.
His jokes frequently touch on taboo subjects, have often stirred controversy, yet have attracted praise for their cleverness and boldness, making him a staple in the comedy video scene. It means that despite the occasional backlash, Carr has maintained a loyal fanbase and continues to sell out theatres worldwide, making him a brand synonymous with laughs.
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The Art of Stand-Up: Carr’s Philosophy on Comedy
“I don’t see why stand-up comedy is any different to people who say things that they want in everyday life,” he says.
“There are some who like to self-censor and there are those who do the opposite, however when you go to see a stand-up comedian there’s a free and easy, almost cathartic attitude to it. Some in the audience wouldn’t even swear in public, but they love to laugh at someone who does it on stage!
“When those offended at comedians realise they’re just jokes to try to stave off all the badness going on in the world, will they forgive us? Probably not!” he says, launching into his trademark girthy laugh.
The Case for Comedy in Education
Jimmy Carr remains unperturbed. After all, this isn’t someone who shoots a gag from the hip for a quick laugh. He is a master of research, delivery and the maximisation of comedic effect.
In fact, Carr feels humour is so important that it should be taught in schools. “It’s about public speaking, confidence, research, writing down and ordering your thoughts, communication, hearing your own voice. I would be a huge advocate for comedy being placed into the curriculum… although perhaps leave some of my gags out of it!”
Jimmy Carr is currently touring the UK, with a few August engagements in Edinburgh at the Fringe Festival and a host of hoot-worthy theatre dates, all leading up to his next Netflix special in 2024.
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