American's First Time Reacting to "Al Murray VS Americans"

[@secretarchivesofthevatican]

He's not drunk. He's playing a character, an opinionated pub landlord. The beer he drinks is non-alcoholic. He has a degree in History - he's a very educated man! His accent is a London working class accent.

[@chrislawley6801]

Are you sure it is non alcoholic as I see him as very intelligent guy able to be professional after a couple of beers 🤔

[@uingaeoc3905]

@@chrislawley6801 I think that Equity and Public Performance Rules do not allow consumption of booze on stage.

[@rossshepherd9836]

@@chrislawley6801, I think it used to be, but not anymore.

[@jennetscarborough5145]

@@uingaeoc3905 not arguing with you here, as I don't know much about it, but I have seen a lot of bands drinking on stage, and I don't see why the rule would apply to one, but not the other.

[@folksinger2100]

He is a distant relation to William Makepeace Thackeray

[@juliewilson167]

He is from London. The 'pub landlord' is just a comedy persona . He is also a very knowledgeable historian and has written numerous books.

[@alan-]

And his persona's accent is working-class London.

[@nigelhyde279]

Al Murray is from the Buckinghamshire countryside, the pub landlord persona is from London.

[@stewartbristow846]

@@alan- So eat your heart out, Dick van Dyke!

[@russellbradley454]

He studied English at Oxford University.

[@ayethein7681]

You had it right; 'Yore 'beautiful people' is the Brit equivalent of 'Bless yore heart". Even both have yore in which is probably an ancient term of abuse.

[@crashnreset6987]

"It doesn't matter who comes first, when you're on your own" I'm yet to see an American get that joke ;p

[@Isleofskye]

That is because they will say they beat The Russians who went space travelling 8 years earlier:)

[@Spiklething]

@@Isleofskye Not trying to offend but *whoosh!*

[@Isleofskye]

@@Spiklething OK. Humour me,please. Explain what I missed.

[@Spiklething]

​@@Isleofskye It's not a joke about space or who got to the moon first. Its a joke about masturbation. 07:35 It takes the audience a little while to realise the joke, hence the delayed clapping. And also the reason why he shakes his wrist and says "It's been a year" as one of the other comments in this thread mentions

[@welshgit]

Ha, After also seeing this video being reacted to by many Americans, I thought exactly the same thing as that bit went over their head!

[@droom700]

Al is playing a character called ‘the pub landlord’, sounding slightly drunk and being overly opinionated is all part of the act 😂

[@Cnith]

This was key for me to understand. He annoyed me before I found out it was a character.

[@martinscott-reed5379]

Yes, Al Murray and The Pub Landlord are vastly different.

[@michaelcolbourn6719]

@@Cnith almost all comedians are playing some sort of character when they perform, even if it's just a charicuture of themselves

[@Cnith]

@@michaelcolbourn6719 I know but the characters/personas are usually a notch up from those "normal comedian"-ones, from what I've seen.

[@tonys1636]

Met many a landlord and landlady just like his character. He didn't have to travel too far (a good few pubs probably) to find the inspiration.

[@Kari_B61ex]

Al Murray's stage persona is 'The Pub Landlord'. He's actually a very intelligent man, he read Modern History at Oxford.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Al isn't the character he portrays in his shows. He attended a private boarding school and is an Oxford graduate. He hails from a family of Scottish landowners and European minor nobility. His father was a Luit Colonel and his grandfather a knighted diplomat. That his stage presence is convincing as an East end London pub landlord simply exemplifies how good an actor and comic he is.

[@nickpotts3913]

You forgot the bit where he and his chums were lined up like a toast rack in the dorm, by the prefects. He cut his teeth the hard way.

[@DruncanUK]

More Al Murray? Ok. sure. "Nations of the world" is another of his best...and it's on KZbin. "Countries we've conquered" is another good one where he also shows off his incredible knowledge of history too. (He has a degree in History from Oxford University)

[@IanDarley]

He is playing a character 'The Pub Landlord' a stereotypical over patriotic self opinionated man, that has died in four consecutive pub fires (for tax purposes) 😃. He is actually a very well-spoken and intelligent Oxford history graduate and nothing like his stage character.

[@enemde3025]

He had a TV programme called TIME GENTLEMEN PLEASE where he plays the pub landlord...as on stage. Try to watch it. Al was born in STEWKLEY, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE in England. He is a very intelligent history buff. " As ugly as a stump " I love that. I'm going to use that from now on.

[@spacefanatic]

Al Murray has a degree in history from Oxford University. He does not speak in real life like he does when he does the pub landlord. I also think the beer is non alcoholic.

[@dylanblue2271]

He's an Oxford-educated well-spoken guy playing the character of a working-class, Southern pub landlord who believe in British exceptionalism etc. There's plenty of people like the character he's playing in England.

[@johnhull1955]

When he starts his shows, he talks to the audience about 6 or 8 people remembers their names and jobs, and incorporates them in to the show, hence the guy he spoke to was a musician.

[@mosthaunted2]

We can take insults as much as we give them, What annoys us is when people get our History completely wrong.

[@germanmechanic8591]

Al, it‘s you?😅

[@mervgagen4458]

Al Murry is one of the, if not the top, history academics from Oxford University. He speaks several languages. His accent is ~ East London,ish, among other things he has a profound knowledge WWII history. Whatever you see on stage, including his persona, is an act through and through. If you ever get a chance to see him live, I highly recommend it. His wit and comic talents are unbounded; so long as you understand British satirical humour. BTW, I notice your title is MidWest Americans. As it happens my daughter lives and works in Kansas. Just sayin'. Thanks for the post.

[@Britishshadow]

‘It doesn’t matter who comes first when your on your own’ classic British word play joke.

[@davebirch1976]

Double entendres are the mainstay of British humour 😆

[@petermicklethwaite6281]

Al Murray is an Oxford University Historian. He is acting. He doesn't have a pub. He speaks very posh.

[@ruthfoley2580]

The stereotype of a British pub landlord is a brash, ignorant know it all with a heart of gold. That's what he's playing to. As for being drunk, well no. He's topping up his drink whilst not actually drinking much of it. Also his accent is deliberately thick & very Southern.

[@britbazza3568]

Al isn't actually pissed, this is the character "the pub landlord" basically it's a piss take on all publicans they have an opinion on everything. As well as drinking too much in general. Basically all is acting in this role Al has actually made some other programs on a more serious note. He has excellent knowledge of world history and makes programmes and written books on history

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

I mean, basically 😄

[@richt71]

Al Murray has the bar as part of him being a pub landlord stage theme. The beer is low alcohol I heard him say. He's from Buckinghamshire/London.

[@mbxyz89]

Newton 'invented' (dicovered) gravity in 1666. He's sober and a Oxford University history graduate. He specialises in military history programmes on t.v. Bless their hearts...

[@daveofyorkshire301]

He's an Oxford educated historian playing a part... The Pub Landlord. Watch his TV show...

[@ianbasson8367]

Most reactors miss the line, doesn’t matter who come first when you’re on your own, or do not understand its sexual,context. His line after, it’s been a year is the giveaway. Al Murray is a very well educated man studying history at Oxford. He certainly would not have been drunk on stage. He portrays here a typical pub landlord from London.

[@TheSorub]

i love the way a lot of American's reacting to this act not just these loverly ladies think that beers is the worst form of sin and that one mouthful will reduce you to a bumbling acholic!

[@legend9335]

That is because God will punish them.

[@TheSorub]

@@legend9335 hehe priority's beer bad firearms good!

[@pikricky]

I love watching Americans react to this video,some of you realise it's just his British humour and some take it personally but it's only an act,he's a very well educated historian from London and a very funny man,I've watched the reaction to this video lots of times and laugh at the reaction as well as AL every time,at the start of Al's Pub Landlord show he interacts with the front row of the audience and gets name and occupations from them and uses that info throughout his act,obviously the guy Steve he is talking to told him he is a musician,hence the God Save The Queen reference

[@barriehull7076]

Steve Jones of the sex pistols.

[@jono.pom-downunder]

Steve is a pianist in a band, NO Al is not sloshed he drinks 0% beer 🍺 on stage.

[@shellyberry5206]

What makes it more awesome is all of it is off the cuff...anyone he picked out could of been from anywhere in the world...just happens to been American..and then has to route around in his head for his American facts/jokes/history etc he has stored and comes up with this utter gem ...he's a very smart guy got to admire it tbh

[@mikeh5431]

Well done ladies! You ‘nearly’ understood him

[@TheClairem75]

Al’s great great great grandfather was William Makepeace Thackeray who wrote the novel Vanity Fair

[@alecspeight5200]

The British equivalent of "Bless your heart" is simply "Bless" The two phrases have exactly the same connotations 😊

[@barriehull7076]

Why do they say bless your cotton socks? 'Bless their cotton socks' It comes not from the cotton material, but from George Edward Lynch Cotton. In 1858 as Bishop of Calcutta, Mr Cotton created schools for Eurasian children. As part of his philanthropy, he ordered dozens of pairs of socks to be sent over for the children, blessing them on arrival

[@robertcreighton4635]

Al Murray very funny guy. Shame he doesn't appear on uk TV much any more

[@bethcushway458]

He's on TV all the time!

[@robertcreighton4635]

@@bethcushway458 probably not the tv channels glad to hear he's still entertaining people

[@sidscrote7570]

Brilliant man, his real voice is nothing like his stage persona. He did an excellent series about Germany, and had me in tears, when he visited a family run " butt plug" factory, I kid you not !!!! LOL.

[@tomarmstrong5244]

He talks in a cockney accent, from London.

[@jacquelinepearson2288]

Another great Al Murray video is "how global finance works". He does various accents in this one - really funny.

[@marycarver1542]

He adopts a cockney accent ! He is not drunk, he is acting like an old fashion British pub landlord, they always had strong views on everything, he is extremely knowledgeable and clever !

[@johnps65]

Great to see you both enjoying Al Murray's Pub Landlord character. He's hilarious and very clever too. Always has me in Stitches 😂

[@raycope2086]

It's lovely seeing two sisters riffing off each other with such obvious affection and humour, and just plain old enjoying to be with each other. Well done girls. I wish you rainbows.

[@zenadavis6069]

You thought he was actually drunk?? Aw bless you sweethearts ❤️

[@bigglesace1626]

He's just done a small tour with up to date material, saw it the other week. Excellent character.

[@MetalMonkey]

6:05 He obviously spoke to Steve earlier in the show and found out he was a musician. Remember that this is just a clip from the show.

[@wellreally5854]

Enjoyed this, looking forward to seeing you react to more Al Murray please 😊

[@scousemouse9715]

You didn't get the joke of ' Its doesn't matter who 'Comes' first when you're on your own. Its been a year', and shakes his hand.

[@dogstaraycliffe]

I went to see Al Murray on his last tour and there were times I could hardly breathe because I was laughing that much 🔥🐻

[@carolineskipper6976]

Th fort time I saw Al Murray not being this 'Pub Landlord' character it was quite a shock! He is well spoken, calm and very intelligent. As others have said he is very highly educated. This is a character he puts on, gently mocking our rather boozy type of patriotism.

[@nigelbrigstock19]

You two are lovely. Great to see you both watching al Murray. Fabulous live. 🇬🇧

[@maxmoore9955]

He's playing a character a Pub Landlord, he's actually got a degree in History, he's very clever. I'd recommend his take on How the Financial system works. Brilliant 👏

[@beriandavies2111]

Al Murray, a totally different person when he's not the 'pub landlord'. You'd probably walk right by him in the street as he grows his hair out and sometimes sports a beard in between his tours. The shaved head is all part of the act. A great reaction from you both, you had me in stitches.

[@perryedwards4746]

he's not drunk! he's playing a part! he's being a pub landlord from the 70's jeeeeezz

[@davidclarke2513]

Because he plays the part of a pub landlord

[@chrisgregson5706]

Brits love to take the piss (Mickey) out of each other. Its actually a sign of affection. Look up Reginald D Hunter take on it as a brilliant American comedian talking about his UK friends. It sometimes doesn't work with Americans as they take it too factually. But when it does, it's lovely.

[@kevinty7]

Not sure you can take ownership of ‘bless your heart’ definitely a British phrase, well done ladies, enjoyed that👍🏽👍🏽

[@dougsheehan3585]

Al Murray is a wonderfully complex performer. This character he plays, The Pub Landlord, is a stereotypical English pub/bar owner, who is very nationalist, misogynistic, homophobic, very rightwing/conservative. So while here he has some very funny material on how Britain is better than the US, he's also mocking people in Britain who genuinely think like that. The high point of that was when he stood for parliament in 2015. In character he stood for the Free United Kingdom Party (FUKP) running directly against Nigel Farage of the ultra conservative/nationalist UKIP. One of his slogans was, most politicans offer you the moon on a stick, I offer you a British moon on a British stick.

[@wam-yx1vs]

Speaking as a Brit, the question the girl on the right would be asked is “where the fuck are your eyebrows?”

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

That reference to Issac Newton is pure genius. I've got no time for anyone who doesn't get it

[@avmavm777]

He has a working class London accent. He doesn’t sound drunk to me! I think that’s just the accent you are hearing

[@nic.25]

The Pub Landlord is not drunk, It's part of his act.

[@BrianMac2601]

He wasn't drunk, it's just a character. He's a historian, not as much money in that so that's where the stereotypical southern pub landlord comes in. History is a passion, comedy is a pay day.

[@AnubisX1]

Al Murray is from the Buckinghamshire countryside, the pub landlord and drunk persona is from London(the beer is non-alcoholic 9 times out of 10). He has an honorary degree (Hon MA) by the University of Bedfordshire and an honorary Doctor of Social Science (PhD) by the University of Wolverhampton and graduated from Oxford with a degree in History. His pub landlord accent is london working class.

[@stevenlagoe7808]

Re: 'Bless his/her heart'. We sometimes say that in the UK as well. A variation we use is 'cotton socks'. As in, 'She's not the brightest star in the sky, bless her cotton socks!' 😁

[@lawts1240]

Coming from a Brit, girls are great. Willing to embrace our very quirky humour and laugh along (even if you don’t always understand the jokes) FYI, we love some of your comedians too and I like to think that our humour is often something that can unite us as nations.

[@deeanderson1558]

Yes not drunk at all its an act. We drink over here, Hes very smart and doesn't sound like this in reality.

[@Nigel-Webb]

Please react to “Women Know Your Limits” Harry Enfield - legendary & hilarious!

[@petersymonds4975]

Ladies. Al Murray, otherwise known as the Pub Landlord, i.e. manager of a public house, comes from a village in Buckinghamshire about 90 minutes from London. He acts as though he’s been drinking but has an Oxford degree in Modern History. He has done some excellent TV programmes on WWII. He was also a drummer in the band Evangelista.

[@JimWalsh-rl5dj]

AL Murray has a first in History from Oxford, he knows what he istalking about. Sloshed, drunk on stage never. He used to be called the Pub Landlord

[@nickgrazier3373]

Al Murray is actually a very intelligent man he started off with a programme with his character called the Pub Landlord which he is carrying on here live on stage. His reference to gravity being invented here was reference to Sir Isaac Newton and his falling apples!

[@davidt-rex2062]

He's a really nice guy from what I hear. Smart as fuck and very funny.

[@ClassicWorld19]

So cool to see your sister! Whether it's with your 'hubby' or sister, your reactions are always enjoyable! :D (From someone from the UK) :D

[@johntaphouse5235]

i have yet to watch an american get the "it doesnt mater who comes first when you own your own" joke,.. to high brow ?

[@KGardner01010]

His stand-up act is based on being a typical older-style Pub Landlord, ladies . . . people known around the UK for being full of knowledge about anything and everything - but not always correct either - (but they always think they are)! --- He's also a very bright man himself with a history degree . . . As to his drinking, it's a part of the act, (Pub Landlord . . . always quoting their facts or figures from behind a bar usually.) - His drinks will likely be watered down somewhat, just to wet his throat here and there just as others do with bottles of water, etc . . . and as he also does a lot of off the cuff stand-up in his shows - so his being plastered wouldn't help him remember so many peoples names during them. Stand-up shows-wise, he's still out there doing his live shows and his small to large tours nearly every year though . . . (I think Steve was a musician as far as I can remember now, who he asked about the notes to God Save The Queen . . .)

[@markclayton2845]

Ron White would have to go to school for the next 5000 years to get anywhere near a comparison with Al Murray.

[@THissobeautiful]

Very funny and very smart. I first saw him on 'Time Gentlemen Please'.

[@leosmoonfish2849]

This is just a character he developed . He is meant to be the epitome of the small minded bigoted little Englander,sneering at the rest of the world and even the other countries that make up the United Kingdom. Al Murray has a degree in history from Oxford university .

[@tonys1636]

We British take the piss out of anyone ourselves included we've had centuries of practice with the French and they with us. The ultimate love/hate relationship.

[@alan-]

The guy in the audience (Steve) is a concert pianist. Al Murray spends the first half hour of the show getting to know the people in the first couple of rows and what they do for a living. He then references them throughout the rest of the show.

[@betterhalf6868]

Haha that makes more since now!

[@stewedfishproductions7959]

Yes, seen him 'live' a few times and he remembers at least a dozen + names and various details while chatting to people, which he recalls and uses all through the show...

[@ferroshus904]

I thought "Steve" was Steve Jones guitarist for the Sex Pistols, which is why Al was referring to God Save the Queen

[@michaelfoster5577]

@@ferroshus904 absolutely correct! The Sex Pistols recorded a punk spoof of God save the Queen, and it is Steve Jones.

[@scorch1968]

Dara O’Briain does the same thing… and then gives a big shout out to them at the end…

[@Korrihor]

Al Murray is closer to Larry The Cable Guy than Ron White. That's not his accent, not his personality and not even real beer. He is still touring, I saw him live in October, but he has also recently published a history book called Command, as well as running a business making drum kits and a charity that builds schools overseas I believe. He's a busy chap.

[@markwiles5397]

He is actually a very intelligent man.

[@johnharper3909]

You are right, us Brits "take the piss" about everyone,including ourselves. Glad you enjoyed Al Murray.

[@davidrichardson563]

Al Murray is as everyone else has said is playing the part of a Pub Landlord. Someone who would listen to his customers problems! He tours UK every year & can I suggest you have a look at another very funny video. 'Al Murray & Global Finance'.

[@ianroper2812]

Actually Al was born in Hammersmith, London.

[@Tijuanabill]

That bar is motorized actually; he drove it on to the stage from the street, at the start of this show.

[@robertgould1345]

He says "it's been a year" because his character's wife left him a year again. Another catchphrase of his is "I was never confused" because the Pub Landlord is deeply in the closet. There was a Pub Landlord TV series.

[@stevepage5813]

I don't think he is deeply in the closet - I think he is the total opposite to anything like being secretely gay.

[@richardswinson4381]

He's an Oxford university history graduate

[@malcolmross8427]

Al Murray on nations of the World is a great one too.

[@jezfrench9435]

The insurance won't allow him to drink alcohol on stage. It's all alcohol free beer.

[@ReallyFarFarAway]

This is a played persona : the 'Pub Landlord' .. The beer consumption : not to a level of being drunk .. The accent : a Southern accent ( London ) ..

[@timberwolf5211]

Al is still touring. He was in my home town back in November. I would have gotten tickets, but it was my daughter's birthday, and we already had plans. So he's still doing stand-up, but you won't find me near the front when I do go and see him, I'm not that brave!

[@Al-Durham]

I loved the blank faces when Al said “it doesn’t matter who comes first when you’re on your own does it Neil?”

[@redscouse7056]

The name Neil comes from the Gaelic meaning champion. A great British name!

[@Jbatley1]

I could have sworn I saw a video form you guys saying you were quitting KZbin? Glad you didn’t

[@thecolourblindartist9412]

I think these girls prove Murry's point.

[@sequri]

Have a look out for his chat show, where he ‘interviews’ celebrity guests, in character. Also, Sacha Baron Cohen, as Ali G, does likewise. You can get away with so much more when you are playing a fictional character. 😎🤘

[@waynecope8164]

As far as you saying Al is a British version of a American comedian. Al studied at Oxford University the most prestigious university in the world and is very intelligent. If you want to see the British version of the comedian you mentioned. Sorry I can't remember his name. But judging from the thumbnail you showed. You need to check out an Irish comedian ( now sadly passed) by the name of Dave Allen.

[@StuartLomas]

Let me assist... The Pub Landlord is a character, it may help if you search British comedians online to see if they are straight stand up or are (although there are not many) who are a character comedian on stage. He is not drunk, do I assume if you see someone with a drink in their hand, which could be their first, they are obviously drunk? His accent is from London which is in the South East of England just a small part of Great Britain & the United Kingdom ! It's perfectly understandable you have never heard of him as the U.S. is very insular plus please supply your evidence as to your statement that the British don't like having the piss taken out of them as piss taking generally us a core tenant if British humour, would love to hear or see it.

[@daveofyorkshire301]

You're missing the double entendre, some of his jokes are layered and requires a little cultural knowledge or insight... He's not drunk, it's the character he plays, the pub landlord. He tas his own TV show as this character. Really he's a well educated Oxford historian...

[@radman8321]

Taking the piss out of people we like is part of the British culture. If a friend doesn't take the piss at all they are probably not a real friend. It's just how we roll.

[@steve3291]

Al went to Oxford and read History so he's no mug. His pub landlord character is a well-studied character that he plays.

[@justme1111]

We don't mind receiving it in fact we give to each other in a big way just for the hell of it! So we give to recieve, it's only polite 😁

[@eggy_bread8579]

We use "bless your heart" in the UK too. 😄

[@Thurgosh_OG]

But more often it's just 'Bless him' or Bless her' or even just 'Bless'.

[@eddiearthur4654]

These days, Al Murray is best known as a podcaster. He is half of a duo which does a podcast called We Have Ways, which covers the Second World War. For all of the pub landlord’s anti-Americanism, they also do a US focused feed where they discuss WW2 from a US perspective with authors and academics.

[@tony1kenobi929]

He still does stand up. I went to see him on his tour last year, was in tears of laughter all evening.

[@iain860]

You are a true Joy 💕 Turns out your sister is gorgeous too! 😮💖

[@forearthbelow]

Loved your reaction, are you twins? ANYHOW, having seen the whole show out here somewhere in YT land, Neil and our good and great American friends got off lightly, AM completely and utterly ROASTED for the rest of the show every one of his countryfolk in the audience. You missed the joke 'doesn't matter who comes first when you're on your own' [a LOT of our humour is smutty based 😂] and Steve in the front row is/was a pianist/music teacher