As women comedians go (and I can think of a few that should), Jenny Eclair is one that should most certainly stay. She's naturally funny and that's not something you can say about many comedians these days - of any gender.
Notice I say "any" rather than "either". I'm moving with the times, folks!
But back to Jenny. I was reading an article she wrote recently in which she moaned about the fact that "unpredictable" is an adjective only ever applied to male comedians.
It appears Jenny acknowledges the existence of only two genders but don't worry - I'll have a word with her.
But back to unpredictability. Jenny doesn't like it, apparently. She thinks it's synonymous with unprofessionalism. She even goes as far as complaining about one of the most spectacularly talented comedians Britain has ever produced - Michael Barrymore.
Yes, Michael Barrymore was often unpredictable and for one simple reason: the stuff that came into his mind while he was onstage was often a damn sight funnier than the stuff in the script. It's called comedy talent. You might even call it comedy jazz. On the other hand, you might not. Whatever you call it, Barrymore had it in spades. You might even say shovels. On the other hand . . . but I digress.
Back to women. While I can't immediately think of a woman comedian with a reputation for unpredictability, I can think of one woman who tried very hard to gain such a reputation and that is Mrs Connolly - previously known as Pamela Stephenson. Oh, sorry, we were talking about comedians. I appear to have digressed again.
Back to Jenny. I always think it's a mistake for a comedian to play Hamlet. It's a mistake for a comedian ever to be serious in public unless commenting on a genuine tragedy. Comedians are here first and foremost to be funny: they're not here to change the world. The snag is that so many think they can - but very few of them ever do. And those that do don't do it by moaning.
