Alan Carr: Difference between revisions
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Carr moved to [[Manchester]] after a string of dead-end jobs in his hometown of Northampton seeking a better life and with aspirations of becoming a comedian. He moved into a house full of activity in [[Chorlton-cum-Hardy]] after which he moved to [[Stretford]]; which he cites as an inspiration for his comedic work. Carr gained a degree in BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Studies, graduating with a [[British undergraduate degree classification#Upper second-class honours|2:1]] from [[Middlesex University]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://alumni.mdx.ac.uk/Page.aspx?pid=222&srcid=287 | title = Prestigious Alumni | accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/gamesandbooks/Interview-Alan-Carrarticle-384576-details/article.html | title = Interview: Alan Carr | date = 2008-10-08 | accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref> |
Carr moved to [[Manchester]] after a string of dead-end jobs in his hometown of Northampton seeking a better life and with aspirations of becoming a comedian. He moved into a house full of activity in [[Chorlton-cum-Hardy]] after which he moved to [[Stretford]]; which he cites as an inspiration for his comedic work. Carr gained a degree in BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Studies, graduating with a [[British undergraduate degree classification#Upper second-class honours|2:1]] from [[Middlesex University]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://alumni.mdx.ac.uk/Page.aspx?pid=222&srcid=287 | title = Prestigious Alumni | accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/gamesandbooks/Interview-Alan-Carrarticle-384576-details/article.html | title = Interview: Alan Carr | date = 2008-10-08 | accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref> |
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Alan has admitted that he would like to turn straight and has considered making his own programme on this. ''Citation needed.'' |
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Despite being openly gay and famously camp, he doesn't consider his sexuality to be a focal part of his act, once saying that "I just think gay people need to get over themselves. Just because you're gay and on the telly doesn't mean you're a role model. I'm just a comedian. That's all I am. ... What am I meant to do? Do I go down the [[Julian Clary]] route and talk about [[fisting]] and [[poppers]]? I don't talk about being gay and I think what better equality for gays than that?".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2008/apr/13/comedy.television |
Despite being openly gay and famously camp, he doesn't consider his sexuality to be a focal part of his act, once saying that "I just think gay people need to get over themselves. Just because you're gay and on the telly doesn't mean you're a role model. I'm just a comedian. That's all I am. ... What am I meant to do? Do I go down the [[Julian Clary]] route and talk about [[fisting]] and [[poppers]]? I don't talk about being gay and I think what better equality for gays than that?".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2008/apr/13/comedy.television |
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Revision as of 11:18, 2 February 2010
| Alan Carr | |
|---|---|
 Alan Carr at The British Comedy Awards 2007 | |
| Born | 14 June 1976 Weymouth, Dorset, UK |
| Medium | Radio, stand-up, television |
| Nationality | British |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Genres | Observational comedy |
| Subject(s) | Everyday life, innuendo |
| Notable works and roles | The Sunday Night Project Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong Alan Carr: Chatty Man |
| Website | http://www.alancarr.net/ |
Alan Graham Carr (born 14 June 1976) is an English stand-up comedian and media personality, known for his deliberately camp demeanour and self-deprecating humour.
Personal life
Carr was born in Weymouth, Dorset, and grew up in Northampton where he went to Weston Favell School. His father is former Northampton Town and Nuneaton Borough F.C. manager Graham Carr.[1]
Carr moved to Manchester after a string of dead-end jobs in his hometown of Northampton seeking a better life and with aspirations of becoming a comedian. He moved into a house full of activity in Chorlton-cum-Hardy after which he moved to Stretford; which he cites as an inspiration for his comedic work. Carr gained a degree in BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Studies, graduating with a 2:1 from Middlesex University.[2][3]
Alan has admitted that he would like to turn straight and has considered making his own programme on this. Citation needed.
Despite being openly gay and famously camp, he doesn't consider his sexuality to be a focal part of his act, once saying that "I just think gay people need to get over themselves. Just because you're gay and on the telly doesn't mean you're a role model. I'm just a comedian. That's all I am. ... What am I meant to do? Do I go down the Julian Clary route and talk about fisting and poppers? I don't talk about being gay and I think what better equality for gays than that?".[4]
On 21 September 2006, Carr and entertainer Lionel Blair helped save a man who was about to fall from a pier in Blackpool. The man was holding on by his fingertips, but the two men managed to pull him to safety.[5]
Television
He is currently presenting Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong and Alan Carr: Chatty Man.
Carr makes regular guest appearances on game shows and panel shows. These include FAQ U, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Countdown's dictionary corner and Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
He also featured as a panellist on Channel 4's Big Fat Anniversary Quiz, which celebrated the channel's 25th anniversary.[6], and has been interviewed as a guest in various shows including Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and Tubridy Tonight with Ryan Tubridy.[7]
In 2008 Carr fronted his own TV gameshow, Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong. The show included guests such as Davina McCall, Louis Walsh and Chris Moyles, and premiered on Channel 4 on 1 February 2008.[8][9] A second series began in October 2008 in a new format where the contestants are two teams of celebrities.
He co hosted the Sunday Night Project for 3 years from 2006 - 2009 with Justin Lee Collins until the show ended in February 2009.
Carr recalled his days growing up in Northampton when interviewed for the BBC 2 series The Comedy Map of Britain.
He appeared in episode one of series 11 of Top Gear on BBC 2, with Justin Lee Collins, in the Reasonably Priced Car.[10]
Carr landed a £3m chat show deal with Channel 4; the programme, entitled Alan Carr: Chatty Man, which began on June 14, 2009.[11][12]
On Red Nose Day 2009 he co-presented Comic Relief on BBC One as well as appearing on Comic Relief Does The Apprentice during which he was subsequently fired from the boys team. He also appeared in the spoof of Mamma Mia, mimicking Colin Firth.
Radio
Carr made his radio presenting debut on Christmas Day 2007 for BBC Radio 2 as part of their Festive Highlights, with the show Alan Carr's Christmas Box.[13] He also filled in on BBC 6Music on 16 February and 14 June 2008 for Adam and Joe and co-presented The Russell Brand Show on 4 October 2008. He also presented Alan Carr's Comedy Outings for BBC Radio 2 in 2008. On 25 April 2009, Carr began hosting Going Out With Alan Carr, a new show for BBC Radio 2, in conjunction with Emma Forbes. The show airs every Saturday evening from 6pm-8pm.[14]
Performance
Carr performs stand-up regularly, on tour and on television. He has been featured in three Edinburgh shows and in 2007 he toured throughout the UK, which was followed by a DVD entitled "Tooth Fairy Live". Carr had his own monthly show in a Manchester comedy club and he has toured nationwide, supporting other acts.[15] He has performed at the Apollo Theatre in London, which was televised for the BBC1 series 'Live At The Apollo', and has been featured in the Royal Variety Performance.
Carr has appeared and performed at many festivals, including the Reading and Leeds Festivals, Latitude Festival, the Kilkenny Comedy Festival and Live Earth, where he welcomed musical acts David Gray and Damien Rice on stage. He has performed stand-up internationally, including an appearance at the Montreal 'Just For Laughs' festival.[7]
On 4 September 2009, Carr switched-on the world famous Illuminations in Blackpool along with JLS.
Controversy
In December 2008 Carr, when accepting his award for Best Entertainment Personality at the British Comedy Awards, dedicated it to Karen Matthews, who had very recently been found guilty of kidnapping Shannon Matthews, her own daughter. Carr was quoted by BBC News as stating: "I should dedicate this award to her [Karen]. She would be my dream guest. I think she's a gay icon. People like a bit of rough, don't they?"[16]
Shahid Malik, MP for Matthews' constituency of Dewsbury described Carr as "sick and insensitive". Alan Carr subsequently apologised for his comments, saying "I realise what I said was insensitive and I am very sorry for any offence caused".[17] On his own website he added: "For those of you who have enjoyed my comedy and seen my act over the last seven years you all would have got used to my tongue in cheek style and near the knuckle observations. Last night at the Comedy Awards [...] I was being ironic, these aren't my real sentiments obviously".[18]
Filmography
| Year | Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Today With Des and Mel | Himself |
| 2005 | Law of the Playground | Himself |
| Richard & Judy | Himself | |
| 2006 | Countdown | Himself |
| FAQ U | Himself | |
| 2006-2009 | Friday/Sunday Night Project | Host |
| 2007-2008 | Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong | Host |
| 2007 | Big Fat Anniversary Quiz | Himself |
| 8 Out Of 10 Cats | Himself | |
| 2007,2008 | Never Mind The Buzzcocks | Contenstant |
| 2007,2008 | The Graham Norton Show | Guest |
| 2008 | Live at the Apollo | Himself |
| 2007,2008,2009 | The Paul O'Grady Show | Guest |
| 2008 | Friday Night with Jonathan Ross | Guest |
| GMTV | Guest | |
| Later With Jools Holland | Guest | |
| This Morning | Guest | |
| T4 | Guest | |
| Pride of Britain Awards | Himself | |
| 2009 | Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live | Himself |
| Top Gear | Himself | |
| Comic Relief | Himself | |
| Nativity | A Critic | |
| Alan Carr: Chatty Man | Host | |
| 2010 | Friday Night With Jonathan Ross | Guest |
DVD releases
- Alan Carr Tooth Fairy Live (2007)
- The Friday Night Project Unleashed (2007)
- Alan Carr: Now That's What I Call A Ding Dong (2008)
- The Sunday Late Night Project. (2009)
Awards
- 2001 The BBC Best New Stand Up
- 2006 Best In Show — Sheffield Comedy Festival
- 2006 The Golden Rose of Montreaux for Best Entertainment Show for The Friday Night Project
- 2006 LAFTA's Funniest Double Act (with Justin Lee Collins)
- 2006 LAFTA's Funniest Entertainment Show for The Friday Night Project 2005
- 2007 British Comedy Award for Best Live Stand Up
- 2007 Cosmopolitan Celebrity Men Of The Year (with Justin Lee Collins)
- 2007 LAFTA's Funniest Double Act (with Justin Lee Collins)
- 2008 British Comedy Award for Best Entertainment Personality
- 2009 Television and Radio Industries Club 'Personality of the Year' Award
- 2009 Royal Television Society Entertainment Performance of the Year
- 2009 Heat's Funniest Book of 2009
Book
In 2008, Alan Carr released an autobiography, Look Who It Is! published by HarperCollins Publishers.
References
- ^ "'I couldn't be cool if I tried'". The Guardian. 20 November 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
- ^ "Prestigious Alumni". Retrieved 2009-01-18.
- ^ "Interview: Alan Carr". 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
- ^ Day, Elizabeth. "Elizabeth Day meets award-winning comedian Alan Carr - Stage - The Observer". The Observer. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
- ^ "Entertainers in pier rescue drama". BBC News. 2006-09-21. Retrieved 2007-04-29.
- ^ "The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz", DigiGuide, 2 November 2007, retrieved 2008-01-31
- ^ a b "Biography". AlanCarr.net. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "I couldn't be cool if I tried", The Guardian, 20 November 2007, retrieved 2008-01-31
- ^ "Take Part!". Retrieved 2008-01-31.
{{cite web}}: line feed character in|title=at position 5 (help) - ^ "Top Gear". On The Box. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ Alan Carr 'lands C4 chat show deal'
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Alan Carr's Christmas Box", BBC Radio 2, retrieved 2008-02-01
- ^ Going Out With Alan Carr
- ^ Stallard, P (2005), "Alan Carr", Pediatric rehabilitation, 8 (1): 29–31, ISSN 1363-8491, PMID 15799133, retrieved 2008-01-31
{{citation}}: More than one of|periodical=and|journal=specified (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Carr sorry over comedy award dedication Digital Spy. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2008
- ^ "Comedian sorry for Matthews joke". BBC News. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ Apologies All Round. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2008.