Stewart Lee - "On Not Writing"

Stand-up comedian Stewart Lee (an Honorary Fellow & alumnus of St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford) delivers a talk to students that he originally gave at 'A Celebration of Writing at the Hall', a day of talks, discussions and readings by alumni, current students and tutors at St Edmund Hall (www.seh.ox.ac.uk).
Stewart discusses the fantasy that stand-up comedy is spontaneous rather than written, and describes the evolution of stand-up over the last few decades. His talk takes in a wide range of subjects from the first app he ever came across to a discussion of the value of culture in society.
For further info, see the St Edmund Hall Writers' Directory (www.seh.ox.ac.uk/about-college...) and join in discussions on the Hall Writers' Forum (forum.seh.ox.ac.uk/index.php).

[@bumgardenerkreme1044]

The fourth wall as a performance convention in which an invisible, imagined wall separates actors from the audience has let itself go.

[@charlesalan5999]

And BK gets 14 likes......!

[@sarahp871]

Whilst I think the comparison joke has…. The fourth wall post when read properly - as opposed to…. Is well thought through. congratulations! Your cheque will not be in the post as I can’t find the button on the you tube.

[@fergusobrien9337]

👏

[@eridgeboy]

Convoluted posts evoking Brechtian alienation that lull the reader into a false yet somehow uneasy sense of security before delivering a punchline comprised of a rehashed version of an old catchphrase have........

[@davidcanning7236]

He’s giving it to us straight

[@Jesse__H]

Like a pear cider ...

[@dargosian]

@@Jesse__H Made from 100% pear...

[@johnredmond1318]

Like a pear cider-made out of 100% pears!

[@AA-hg5fk]

@Midnight Son unnecessary apostrophe.

[@nnnnsaakadamanas218]

@@AA-hg5fk unnecessary unnecessary apostrophe

[@TheDaddyO44]

The more Stewart Lee 'lets himself go' the better he gets, middle-age has given him a lot more to say. The last few years have seen him really hit his stride imo, no one makes me laugh more

[@ivorbigonee]

TheDaddyO44 carpet remnant world is him at his very best. doubt he will top that.

[@TheDaddyO44]

+Chris “cd” D Couldn't agree more :) For example his routine about the Ukips (Ep 2 'England', series 3 of Comedy Vehicle) is not only hilarious and brilliantly delivered, but quite profound. It's a million miles ahead of the likes of Michael McIntyre 'spoonfeeding you his warm diarrhea'!!!

[@OzzRondo]

ivorbigonee I know this comment is 2 years old, but I've been to his current Content Provider tour, and can confirm he's topped CRW

[@Littlehickish]

One more expensive medical emergency and I think he’ll *really* hit his stride

[@Littlehickish]

TheDaddyO44 I saw content provider live and I’ve seen bits of CRW, but I think I prefer CRW (cp is still amazing tho)

[@jpjapers]

Unfortunately due to government funding cuts, Darlington Arts center had to be closed and was derelict for a few years before it was sold off and turned into apartments. The staircase Stewart is referring to also used to have a classroom on it where we used to do our music 'listening' lessons as the sixth form college is next door and they shared spaces. Spent many hours sat waiting for lessons in that corridor looking at the posters. Its a great loss to the town and was an incredible hub of creativity.

[@biggusdickus5986]

Yeah.. But..Darlington.?

[@realBarronTrump]

@@biggusdickus5986Head

[@markdrury4287]

Tory cuts! 😆

[@chiroptush1127]

Its the level of commitment ,actual research and amazing detail that defines everything he does ! Whatever he does or say you can bet it’s going to be complete!

[@sfincione2000]

It's really wonderful to just listen to Stewart Lee describe the beauty of the comedic art-form. He's extremely eloquent and thoughtful.

[@9yearoldUmar]

Yes...but he’s not funny in real life

[@artphong9908]

Still haven't forgiven him for promoting the Johnson government.

[@biseinerheult78]

@@artphong9908 he did what?

[@graypaul4]

@@artphong9908 how so?

[@artphong9908]

@@graypaul4 I'm under the impression he was a furious Corbyn critic, HIGNFY and Twitter, part of the Corbyn pile-on. Can't find examples now, hope I'm not wrong.

[@JackCarter15]

I could listen to Stew talk about comedy all day.

[@World_Yourz]

How man I was bored

[@aarondavies603]

Love this interview, beautifully human, open and honest.

[@hostarius4141]

Dan Abnett and Stewart Lee, by coincidence my favourite examples of the things they are. Top blokes.

[@SpookyLuvCookie]

I've watched this several times. So brave to unpick this stuff. Oh, our Stu ... gotta love him. and fun too. thanks for the brain food.

[@MortimerDuke83]

Marc Walton I was going to write some words but I'll just agree with you instead #perfect

[@robrob9250]

Stu? Is this not Morrissey?

[@arsebiscuits560]

If it is he's let himself go Is Ali Campbell?

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

The Space Battleship "Yamato" has let itself go.

[@harryhume]

Jesus I could listen to Stewart for hours. Tell me once more about these pint size Ninjas.

[@superman00001]

Stewart is so impressively knowledgable and fluent. Really good to hear him speaking like this, away from his stage shows.

[@BrianReffinSmith152]

The best, funniest comedian of the last 50 years at least. Utter genius.

[@AngryOscillator]

Who doesn't want to know who's on a toilet and where? I came to this video because I love Stewart Lee, I watched it from the viewpoint of an aspiring musician and I leave with a clearer view of the direction I'm stumbling in. "Many are prepared to suffer for their art; few are prepared to learn how to draw"

[@leeroyescu]

I realized I enjoy his style in a way that's like enjoying that Ansel Adams picture of the Grand Tetons: the subject's alright, but the real satisfaction's in the dynamic range. Astonishing how one could think they're looking at some snapshot when what they're witnessing is more like a master craftsman stretching out the medium.

[@AldGregg]

Honestly, this is so important. His views are learned, they can be argued but he has a lot to say from his own personal experience and research. I gather, from his vast knowledge, that we were always progressing, humanity was moving. Social media came along and really fu3ked everything up. I stand by this. I mean it...

[@andydredge2476]

Very smart man, enjoyed his comedy in the nineties, the curious orange was brilliant!

[@OiOiOi333]

Funnily enough I remember reading Stewart Lee locked himself in his flat for 6 whole months watching back to back Monty Python, the whole experience only came to an end when he let himself go.

[@vandolmatzis8146]

I have just discovered this guy and let myself go.

[@fingalcrom]

Fascinating and absorbing. I have always had massive respect for Stewart Lee but I have even more now due to his candid and articulate way of unpicking a very personal process. One I will watch again and be sharing. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@kobalt77]

what a wonderful comment.

[@physicsmonkey2]

Stewart Lee, what a boss.

[@realBarronTrump]

This is brilliant. Stew is a national treasure who's material ages like fine wine.

[@norfolknchance657]

whose

[@finncullen]

Or 100% pear cider

[@markbrown10084]

Really enjoyed this, despite not being a graduate or knowing many of the references Stewart uses. It's a joy to be entertained and educated at the same time. I'm unsure if you'll see these comments Stewart, but if you do, thank you! I look forward to seeing your next tour.

[@ElMufro]

Excellent talk, Stewart Lee rocks my world

[@mauricecoffey9519]

An hour of my life incredibly well spent.

[@jocksterDJ]

I am and always will be impressed by this mans genius. There is no comedian out there previously or even presently that manages to hold your hand, take you on a completely random journey and places you never imagined being funny and still holds your attention throughout. He's not only clever, hes challenging, self deprecating and clearly a cut above some of the moronic comments on here.

[@johnpanter9714]

Penis

[@kobalt77]

well said Sir.

[@Jordannadroj20]

Norm Macdonald

[@0228christian]

@@Jordannadroj20 Norm and Stew are my two favorite comedians for exactly this reason. They play opposite characters to achieve similar results (Norm plays the dumbest guy in the room and Stew plays the smartest).

[@Jordannadroj20]

@@0228christian That's exactly it

[@kindelschmutz]

Being clever and being elitist aren't mutually inclusive. He's a much-needed antidote to the Michael McIntyre school of prancing, observational bollocks. Lee describes his comedy as sometimes being overly clever as a device to appear self-conscious - "smug" even - 20 minutes into this video. It's all part of the act. He's obviously a very humble human being and not part of any elitist Oxbridge favouritism. I see huge optimism in his so-called bitterness.

[@Slechy_Lesh]

9:55

[@JohnPreston888]

Spot on! I can't believe that McIntyre has been getting away with "spoon-feeding his warm diarrhoea" for so long. And "antidote" is such an apt description. When I first heard Stewart Lee voice the oblique derision, having long been bemused by the incredible success of "prancing, observational bollocks", I mentally punched the air and shouted "YES!"

[@CottonDrifting]

For anyone who's interested, "you can't step in the same river twice", isn't a zen saying, it's Heraclitus. (i.e. Greek).

[@Koreviking]

Max White it is Zen in essence, not in origin.

[@Johnconno]

@@Koreviking Actually it's a quote from Heart of Darkness by Conrad.

[@kenhutley971]

@@Johnconno Where did Conrad get it from? It's probably one of those universal 'thingys'.

[@Johnconno]

@@kenhutley971 Conrad thought it up and then wrote it down. No Zen. No Greeks. No Thingys. The End. (Beautiful Friend) ; )

[@kenhutley971]

@@Johnconno I am in awe sir, of your certainty. You knew Joseph well then? ( ;

[@LoStDaRkAnGeL]

This is great- thank you for uploading and sharing.

[@DanielOlivierArgyle]

"On Not Writing", which is accidentally verbose. Love this Man!

[@tommoyser3058]

Fantastic to see that this online now - I watched it at the event where this was filmed and in an earlier form at the previous writing event. Excellent both times, and I'm glad I can now share a link to it instead of enthusiastically misquoting it to my friends. I'd recommend Dan Abnett's talk from the same day as well. In answer to the comments below, the audience were fascinated, enthusiastic and much louder than you can hear on that recording (probably because only Stewart was mic'd!)

[@plasmatorproducer]

Really fascinating, love when he reads that he's 44 then realsises he's actually 45 now! Gonna have to watch that economics episode of Comedy Vehicle now!

[@whyisdokken]

That was wonderful, I'll be referring to this a very lot.

[@notstewartlee2933]

Marvelous. Simply marvelous.

[@ericjourdain892]

What a wonderful history piece by a master! I envy the only guy in the audience who seems to get it, no doubt he had the time of his life...

[@muggedinmadrid]

thanks! this looks great; looking forward to watching it.

[@johnboro64]

I really enjoy listening to him talk, as much as I do his comedy, which is meant with full respect. His intelligence is so tangible, fascinating man

[@guitarreilly]

this was absolutely fantastic, brilliant upload

[@jonhowell1000]

I was convinced,that he was pretending to read his old speach,in fact memorised the whole thing,just acted reading out!!!!And laughed lots through out,turned out he was reading ,Facinating suff cheers kid.

[@mattyb1607]

As someone from Doncaster I would have loved to have seen you from that time, but I do see your point. There are some of us with the same ideas questioning society and norms that you speak of, but so many people from my hometown are happy to just get along without any issue

[@hesmanification]

GENIUS

[@BrokenSpirals]

28 years old! Yesss!

[@rabbitss11]

A really good lecture with a good insight into contemporary culture, there's not enough of this.

[@beakfordflappering4647]

the cultural insight was huis weakest game... where as his artistic one was birlliant. his cultural "insights" seem saomewhat standard left wing tho liberal, partyline. and therefore how i dont agree with his otherwise valid and somewhat important comedy

[@cahillgreg]

@@beakfordflappering4647 Shush now

[@farmbrough]

Wonderful to have an insight into his writing process. He's also quite insightful about the history of comedy too. I've always favoured writers as comedians from Beyond The Fringe through to Python, the Young Ones and Mitchell and Webb (for example).

[@brokenstyx]

thank you for posting!

[@LlewynDaviesTheThird]

Tough crowd !

[@AndrewWilsonStooshie]

I'm watching this yet another 10 years later

[@gillanbowd1]

good call. i really really enjoyed watching that. i've been a fan for years and even i was somewhat cautious when i saw how long it was, however, loved it

[@PeppyOoze]

Brilliant . . . a masterclass this.

[@theblastedfrench]

enjoyed this so much

[@ShoeLube]

Your description is totally accurate but that's why some of us like him. I think at some point in his long career, he thought I'm bored of telling jokes, I'm going to see if I can do a whole set on Crisps or stretch out a mediocre punchline (which everyone already knows) for ten minutes. Some how, he pulls it off. That said, he's definitely not for everyone. Sun readers for example.

[@martinburrows6844]

Got to admire the art, even if its not funny.

[@boogieeck]

Stewart Lee is much better than it is necessary to be given his typical audience.

[@Slunqmusic]

Excellent references.

[@giles749]

I didn't think that Stewart Lee would be the sort of person who comments on KZbin videos. But now I see that I am wrong. In order to gather more material for a forthcoming show, he has adopted the persona Stefan G, someone who supposedly hates his stuff and resents his Oxbridge education whilst paradoxically loving Monty Python and ignoring their Oxbridge educations. It should be a promising routine.

[@flappospammo]

i doubt he knows how to work an ipad

[@martymah9326]

George Carlin is my favorite intellectual comedian

[@bumgardenerkreme1044]

Yes but has Stefan G let himself go ?

[@newforestpixie5297]

Bumgardener Kreme I’m Stephen G and certainly have.

[@showmealltheevidence]

Totally agree with stewart lee. If im gonna watch a comedian i wanna hear him talk about his view on life like, pryor, carlin, hicks, cosby, stewart lee, and a few others.

[@0xxDenilsonx]

Love Stu.

[@lucienreeve7273]

The little "scams and tricks" he mentions were the ways that our society in the UK used to nurture artists. Now we don't and we are reaping the rewards of neglecting our culture: a devastated cultural wasteland. Such a shame. :(

[@thekidd7]

Wow I think its incredibly fearless the way that he goes for his 'peers' calling them out for using writers. I wonder if that had a backlash for him (forgive my ignorance). I used to think of comics as these scrupulous artists who were terribly jealous of their own material. But now...

[@MrJosephus3998]

If I'd had professors like this I might have finished college.

[@Rufusdos]

At least you can form a third conditional correctly.

[@cahillgreg]

You must own your failings - the shame is yours - attributing it to a convenient scapegoat is just another of your failings. Take stock, take responsibility & take back your life - best foot forward now.

[@Rufusdos]

@@cahillgreg God, you must be fun at parties.

[@DoctorFurioso]

@@cahillgreg It's in no way your "failing" if you quit school because your professors are pedagogically unsound or socially irrelevant. In reality, that's their problem.

[@johnmartinez7440]

@@Rufusdos People who type this are ironically usually not very fun at parties.

[@mindmeme3975]

GET ON WITH IT!!!

[@lesleyegg]

He doesn't mention Eddie Izzard, whose autobiog. I have just read, but he also is a stand-up who learned to write his own material and how to make the most out of it. Now he is an actor/entertainer. They are clever people. I am a snob with my stand-ups; I only want to see the ones who are smarter than I am; who say things I haven't thought myself.

[@brokenstyx]

the "let himself go" is a bit of a long-running stewart lee gag, where he talks about how comments online say things like "KD Lang's let herself go", "Morrissey's let himself go", etc.

[@nirvanasanctuary7691]

Sadly the Darlington Arts Centre has been empty for the last couple of years, it's being sold to be converted into flats. Same as the beautiful library. :-(

[@thegreatsalad]

Nirvana Sanctuary that's a shame :(

[@Tarteh]

That's what happens when you lose God. Planet of the Apes incoming.

[@rowanmorrison7022]

Please tell me you're joking. Arts centres closing are a result of government cuts, absolutely nothing to do with God. Planet of the apes is a satire on society using blind faith as a tool of oppression. That should have been obvious, it had animals in it!

[@Tarteh]

@@rowanmorrison7022 Man without acknowledgement of the divine is but an animal. It's why the devil and the evil things in religious iconography have horns, tails etc - beastly qualities. Art is about forms, forms are transcendental etc this all plays into a higher power.

[@rowanmorrison7022]

Oh I am sorry, I didn't realise you were logic challenged. Be well x

[@Pinkybum]

Every time Stewart Lee looks at his watch the audience should start asking their question again.

[@three1ne]

Great talk. Subtitles for the audiences questions would have been nice.

[@dustydustydusty]

some gleaningful gems, whatever that means.

[@topstep]

Great! Great! Great!

[@justinmccutcheon1760]

You extrapolate things,,,,in a way I have taken on board and made me laugh on the way. Job Done.

[@lydiawharton9325]

35:36, great advice.

[@edchocolate2407]

I used to think i wanted to be a stand-up... but the fact that i keep laughing out loud whenever the audience isnt laughing at lines that arent apparently funny leaves me thinking i should be a writer... or a fireman. Thankyou Steven Lee, ill remember this lesson.

[@DarkForcesStudio]

That was great... He should also do one on 'Not Being Funny".

[@Ian-Saxon]

I didnt even know Billy the fish had such an eloquence with words and timing

[@JobiwanKenobi1]

I'd love for Stewart Lee to do a few minutes of stand-up on this Stefan G.

[@hufclufc]

it was an informative and entertaining lecture. the fact you didn't like it says a lot more about you than it does about Stew.

[@HisLordDudeness]

Good to see Mark Kermode doing so well.

[@Slunqmusic]

Delightfully interesting. My actual comment.

[@itsgabony]

that being said he is giving really interesting speech

[@Chaeronia]

Letting yourself go has let itself go.

[@bidvision]

Looking at him from almost a decade ago I can't help thinking "Stewart Lee's made himself come".

[@DavidNPhotography]

Yes.

[@ShoeLube]

He's actually the 41st best standup.

[@thinkingsincerely7260]

41st best in based on what measure? Certainly not based on intelligence. He's much smarter than that.

[@ShoeLube]

@@thinkingsincerely7260 According to some Channel 4 poll. He's made reference to the ranking a few times and even used it to name one of his shows. I made this comment before KZbin had direct replies. It was a sarcastic dig at a hater so is out context now.

[@patrickjones7942]

And his fingers have grown back nice one terry

[@Stop_Elitists_Wars]

Stewart looks simultaneously like.. Actor Martin Shaw (The Professionals), Terry Christian (The Word) Absolute Gentleman.

[@DanGolag]

KZbin commenters are unwilling to let go.

[@sprotte6665]

+

[@rienpost3145]

Exactly. Endlessly recycling an old Lee joke is not very funny.

[@AlecChalmers]

The battleship Yamoto one did make me giggle though

[@0ceanicify]

Sort of like a pear cider then

[@roryandtheisland]

Not one minute of this made me Ang Lee

[@_.alex.-]

Dan is an excellent, EXCELLENT writer

[@brisk283]

super dooper... whooooooppppeeee.

[@davestraughan]

Saw him on the tube last year

[@apollyon1]

By "let himself go" I presume you mean "is acting naturally without pretense of an inflated ego, one which might cause someone to dye there hair and wear fashionable clothing at the expense of their credibility." In which case I can but agree with you.

[@clemmteetonball11]

If all of my lectures at (Aberystwyth) university were this good I wouldn't have let myself go drinking too much pear cider made from 100% pears.

[@rahulb.4925]

Wait! I gotta write that down

[@prnfl]

That henny youngman line is from the goodfellas

[@helenlauer9545]

God he's smart.

[@FuckFeminists]

23:23 and on is particularly poinient. All of it is. For the music industry too of course, but disheartening and refreshingly honest to hear of the current sta eof standup comedy. Im very much into standup as my future, anyone else who is should probably click on the numbers I posted.

[@uremawifenowdave]

Stan Dando poignant?

[@DrunkOnBoxWine]

That is one thing comedy can be about. That is what comedy is about for you.

[@strangepowers]

"Shakespeare - many people think he's great." Lovely.

[@patrickjones7942]

I thought Terry nutkins had passed on ..nice to see him on the telly again..surprised he hasn't brought an otter

[@amandathomson570]

I would say that creative writing should be taught. I have taken a module with the OU - (A363) as my 'free' option towards a psychology degree. I certainly observe that my writing - especially relating to structure, has improved. However, I wonder if my 'Good Essay Writing' (Redman) book was the key. We learned how to write scripts for film, radio and television. The most important learning to my mind however, happened in the forums, where we critiqued each others work.

[@alcoz1brown]

yes

[@kensvideos1]

Best jokes ever!