1) Not a waste. Any talent he had was his to dispose of as he liked. He had no responsibility to the public to dispense funnies.
2) Grossly overrated. Dud is obviously better, if only for Crazy People and Arthur. The latter contains a catchphrase I’m fighting a losing battle to popularise:
In bar/pub/restaurant:
"I’m going to get another drink. Would you like another… fish?"
1., I guess, is fair enough.
As for 2., he is over-rated, but the suggestion that Dud is better is obvious balls. Dud is a fucking embarassment at times next to Pete.
Posted by: Stefan | May 10, 2004 at 11:00 AM
So wrong...
Watch the Clive Anderson programme where he did four different characters...
http://stabbers.truth.posiweb.net/stabbers/html/clive_anderson.htm
Amazing... But then you'd expect me to say that...
Posted by: Stuart Da Pato | May 10, 2004 at 11:15 AM
I just think he's overrated. His limited output has led to an overvaluation of his work. I don't really think that Dud is "better", but I find him more appealing.
Posted by: Alistair | May 10, 2004 at 11:34 AM
In what way do you find him appealing? Do you mean that you think he was a nicer person? Don't think anyone could argue with that. (especially given our close personal knowledge of the two of them ;) )
Posted by: Stefan | May 10, 2004 at 11:45 AM
Well, if there's anything I like more than flawed genius is someone who's a bit of a bum but gets surprisingly far (Hellloooo Peter Lawford!). Dud was small, had a club foot and played the pi-ahh-no. And he became a romantic lead and was briefly an enormous box office draw. Brilliant.
Posted by: Alistair | May 10, 2004 at 11:51 AM
Fair point. Pete's unlikely to warm anyone's heart. Personally though, I'd prefer a terrible cunt over a plucky heartwarmer any day.
Posted by: Stefan | May 10, 2004 at 11:51 AM
We watched Blackadder (1) last night and Pete was easily the best thing in it - though special mention to Brian "Voltan" Blessed...
Posted by: stuartdapato | May 10, 2004 at 11:57 AM
Thinking about it, my professed love of Dud is more like contempt. I'm not proud of that.
Posted by: Alistair | May 10, 2004 at 12:07 PM
Jim Davidson kicks everyone's ass ;)
Posted by: Jane | May 10, 2004 at 09:00 PM
Always with the Jim Davidson...
Posted by: Alistair | May 10, 2004 at 09:09 PM
Can you guys really consider Peter Cook overrated? Get perspective, we arent talking about Phil Jupitus or the Kumars here. Cook was a man who virtually invented making fun of previously revered authority figures, a master (and creator) of improvised comedy and someone who totally pushed the boundaries of what can be done to the absolute limit - not just with Derek & Clive but back from the start with very subtle, but filthy references on black and white TV. A major influence on modern 'alternative' comedy from Python onwards. As for Dud - dont play favourites, without eachother, neither would have been so creative or successful in what was produced. Derek without Clive wouldnt work, nor would Pete without Dud.
Posted by: Phil | January 05, 2005 at 09:29 PM