What a gem, still so valid after many years. Rest in peace, John Bird, who knows you and Fortune may be laughing together somewhere in the great hereafter
Too True, and thats what makes their work, timeless. Virtually ALL satire, and mimicry has disappeared from out TV screens, and in my opinion, it is deliberate .
I loved their show and this segment was the very best part of it where each week they took turns to be George Parr. a representative of their topical subject of the week. Thanks for posting, it reminds us just how good those two were. together. They run rings around modern day political comedians.
I was deeply sad to learn of John Bird's death today, yet so thankful. His humour brightened my life, made it richer, and shone a light of truth on British politics and establishment icons. I was thrilled to see him on stage with Eleanor Bron not many years ago. May he rest in peace.
as it goes, the Johns would improvise these duologues. They'd have a couple of ideas of where to start, then the cameras would roll. This here just highlights the depth of their understanding of the British (mainly English) people, the politics of the island, and comedy..
What is so fine about this "interview" is the performance rather than the content. The squirming and weaving of the "politician" is so much the real thing that I am reminded of the state of politics in 2023.
@@kotobm1148 I don’t hate foreigners, I don’t even know why I am bothering to reply to this garbage. I know, you made yours comment so I will give a comment about you. You are a paedophile. How’s that princess.
Weren't most of these dialogues recorded as part of the main, Rory Bremner satire series? I have most of the Bird & Forune QA sessions on a USB stick. They make for amazing listening - just as good as those in 'Yes Minister'.
Nearly thirty years old and could have been made yesterday - I don't whether to applaud their talent or despair at the persistence of prejudice and ignorance.
"In fact the European Court of Human Rights has got nothing to do with the EU does it?" "Well that doesn't alter my argument" "Why not?" "Nothing alters my argument" The last 3 years in a nutshell
This is classic and an utterly hilarious means to a better understanding of the ridiculously parochial mindset that has triumphed in a truly sinister way by the takeover of our parliament. We must boot this truly disgusting aspect of our national character out for good.
i HAVE A COUPLE OF THEIR CD'S, WHICH ARE GREAT ON LONG CAR JOURNEYS, BUT I PREFER TO SEE THEIR WONDERFUL RANGE OF FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, WHICH UNDER SCORE THE VERY REALISTIC CHARACTER'S THEY PORTRAY.
Welcome to Conservative Party policy 2019. We are living in a real life Monty Python sketch, and with Trump in America the Lunatics have truly taken over the Asylum now.
Bremner, Bird and Fortune was made by Channel 4 from the end of 1992 onward. Rory and the two Johns left the BBC in 1992 for Channel 4, as they felt they could not go as far as they wished on the BBC with their own style of satire.
British people know from long experience that Europe throws up dictators, who seek to conquer Europe, and our role has traditionally been to create the alliance that breaks the dictator. Simple, really. Sad to see John gone - a National treasure. .
summersevening if you really do want to understand then I'll try to explain. It's not the money we pay to the EU, we pay similar in our foreign aid budget. It's not EU immigration, we need an influx of people and always have done. That said then I'd prefer those people came from within the EU than from elsewhere. It's the loss of control and the high handed manner of the EU. Our laws are now mostly made in Europe, our courts are over ruled by Europe. Right now the EU is deciding if they should suspend Poland's rights within the bloc because Poland refuses to take African migrants, how's that for a master/slave relationship? When's it our turn to be treated in this way? The very fact the EU has the legal right and will to punish a member country in that way means I want us to leave. Then there's the EU ambition to be a country to rival the USA. This is why they have a flag and an anthem. Sooner or later all EU member countries will be downgraded to a similar level as a US state. Why do you think they refer to countries as member states? The process is already underway. EU army, navy and airforce are all on the way. Meanwhile the steady erosion of members government powers continues. I could go on a lot more but this is not the place. Suffice it to say, I believe the UK is better leading it's own destiny. We're certainly worth more than being just another state in a vast new country.
Forlorn Dream You're horrified that we could be the next superpower, as American power fades, so you'd rather be abjectly poor, and have no say in anything. Genius. You know we lost almost no cases in the EU courts? And mostly those were stopping the current PM from removing people's human rights. Which is clearly terrible, because tories love torture, and you too should be forced to enjoy it at the hands of the government. If we weren't sovereign, we couldn't have voted to leave. Which, like the economy, rather ruins your argument.
DSSlocksmiths 'because Tories love torture'. You lost any remaining credibility at that point. I gave you reasons which I consider valid and you responded with nonsense. Ultimately it doesn't matter though as common sense prevailed, we won and we're leaving. Suck on those lemons all you like.
....I'd vote for #brexit if this was the debate. Such intelligence in comedy is non existing today....yet the point about a European army......macron and Merkel clearly took this as a good idea.
What a gem, still so valid after many years. Rest in peace, John Bird, who knows you and Fortune may be laughing together somewhere in the great hereafter
Revisiting, after the sad news of John Bird's passing. I had forgotten how brilliant they were. Thank you gentlemen.
John Major was PM when Bird and Fortune made this and it's still painfully accurate today.
Too True, and thats what makes their work, timeless. Virtually ALL satire, and mimicry has disappeared from out TV screens, and in my opinion, it is deliberate .
Spot on! Such a shame that so far there are no satirical successors to these brilliant fellows.
I loved their show and this segment was the very best part of it where each week they took turns to be George Parr. a representative of their topical subject of the week. Thanks for posting, it reminds us just how good those two were. together. They run rings around modern day political comedians.
I was deeply sad to learn of John Bird's death today, yet so thankful. His humour brightened my life, made it richer, and shone a light of truth on British politics and establishment icons. I was thrilled to see him on stage with Eleanor Bron not many years ago. May he rest in peace.
If only John Fortune were alive to see where we are now. Sometimes art really is prescient...
This should be required viewing for every person in the UK.
Twenty years on, how much has changed...
1969Wilus a
To make this sketch relevant for today, all you'd need to do is change the Prime Minister's name.
Indeed - one might say: Plus ça change... plus c’est la même chose :p
When political comedy was intelligent and good-written by people that know politics.
"Well written"
@@PastTenseofBanana brilliant
@@PastTenseofBanana "*who know politics"
as it goes, the Johns would improvise these duologues. They'd have a couple of ideas of where to start, then the cameras would roll. This here just highlights the depth of their understanding of the British (mainly English) people, the politics of the island, and comedy..
AND, HAVE AN AXE TO GRIND.
God I miss these two... I actually remember this one...
Almost 30 years old and nothing changes!
What is so fine about this "interview" is the performance rather than the content. The squirming and weaving of the "politician" is so much the real thing that I am reminded of the state of politics in 2023.
Never ages…..as hilarious today (and current) as it was when aired. Brilliant…….so sadly missed. 😢
John and John. Stirring it up somewhere... 👍
God help us all in the UK - what was once satire has is now the viewpoint of the British Government, pretty much.
AND WHAT---VIEW IS THAT ???
If they hated.them they would let hundreds of thousands in
@@kotobm1148 I don’t hate foreigners, I don’t even know why I am bothering to reply to this garbage. I know, you made yours comment so I will give a comment about you. You are a paedophile. How’s that princess.
Oh grow up shithead....
@Nick Thompson oh little Nick nick let’s not be rude...try a reasoned opinion not a bratty response
These guys are on fire!
This is timeless - Jonathan Swift's 'A Modest Proposal' comes to mind.
Only if people had actually started eating babies after Swift published it
How on earth did he do an impression of Boris before Boris even knew he was Boris
PRICK GUARDIAN READER IE. NO BRAINS.
@@MrDaiseymay I confess, I can read, which I assume is beyond your good self
If one removed the canned laughter it could nearly pass as serious political discourse.
Conversely, all political discourse should have mandatory canned laughter.
delete "nearly"? :-D
Weren't most of these dialogues recorded as part of the main, Rory Bremner satire series? I have most of the Bird & Forune QA sessions on a USB stick. They make for amazing listening - just as good as those in 'Yes Minister'.
They were part of Rory's show Alan . Very enjoyable.
I'm not sure that is canned laughter, weren't these sketches filmed with a live audience?
Amazing. This is an interview with a Brexiter, decades before Brexit existed!
John Bird is a fantastic actor.
Nearly thirty years old and could have been made yesterday - I don't whether to applaud their talent or despair at the persistence of prejudice and ignorance.
Awesome! Thanks for posting :)
2:59 - John Fortune just manages not to break character here and laugh.
Watching John Bird and John Fortune trying not to corpse was one of the joys of watching Bremner, Bird and Fortune.
Wow, in light of BJ now being PM, our lives have become a comedy sketch.... a dangerous one
It is as if we hear Boris Johnson and his ilk talking; it is eerie. And worrisome.
How scaringly appropriate your comment is today, August 2019.
ha!
IT'S SATIRE, WHERE EVERYTHING IS GROSSLY EXAGGERATED. THEY DID THE SAME TO ALL ISSUES, BY ALL PARTY'S, WEEKLY.
@@HealthyMindProject WHAT A MISNOMER YOU HAVE. MORE LIKE THE POISONED MIND OF A GUARDIAN READING ANTi- DEMOCRATIC IDIOT.
@@HealthyMindProject TWO MORE IDIOTS, WITH SHIT FOR BRAINS.
"In fact the European Court of Human Rights has got nothing to do with the EU does it?"
"Well that doesn't alter my argument"
"Why not?"
"Nothing alters my argument"
The last 3 years in a nutshell
It’s refreshing to see a member of the Government being so frank and not dodging the question.
I do hope that they are still performing together, in heaven.
Well I imagine they are performing in heaven these days as even God needs a laugh!
As with Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, these like a good wine only improve with age.
"That doesn't alter my argument"
"Why not?"
"Nothing alters my argument"
Political discourse over the last 20 years in a nutshell.
This is absolutely brilliant and visionary comedy! Unfortunately foretelling comedy turns into sad reality....
So good to review it.
So funny, great bit of comedy.
Best sketch these guys did was the American sub prime mortgage scandal 😁😂
This is brilliant.
The true ethos of Brexit!
BULLSHIT---THIS WAS DELIBBERATELY EXAGGERATED, EVEN THEN, NO MP WOULD SAY THOSE THINGS. IT'S REAL SATIRE, PAL.
What absolute rubbish. It's called democracy. The people vote and under our system, the will of the majority prevails. Except if you are a remainer.
Hilarious, still. What memory !!!!!
This is classic and an utterly hilarious means to a better understanding of the ridiculously parochial mindset that has triumphed in a truly sinister way by the takeover of our parliament. We must boot this truly disgusting aspect of our national character out for good.
Genius! Sadly missed!! Explains this Brexit madness so succinctly!
They don't write comedy like this any more :P
So relevant!
We need this in germany!!!!!
Just as pertinent today, as in 1999 .what a shambles England has become, with career politicians ( i use the word politician in a loose sense )
this was 1996 as well.
I think Farage, Johnson, and Rees-Mogg must have been watching closely! (Missed the 'satire' part though...)
Wow this is too real
Why didn’t Sir George Parr become PM after Brexit? He's so obviously cut out for it.
i HAVE A COUPLE OF THEIR CD'S, WHICH ARE GREAT ON LONG CAR JOURNEYS, BUT I PREFER TO SEE THEIR WONDERFUL RANGE OF FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, WHICH UNDER SCORE THE VERY REALISTIC CHARACTER'S THEY PORTRAY.
Philip Croft can you please upload all their material? They are legends
boris ... or brexit in a nutshell
(anticipated by bird 22 years ago)
Sounds like david davis
Yes I thought the same ^^
English satire at its very best. Sad to hear of the passing of the most brilliant John Bird...
how prophetic ! and now we have a real life Malcolm TUCKER (?) in number ten
Great satire is indistinguishable from reality
Brilliant.
As they say satire is dead - overtaken by reality.
Absolutely brilliant! This is present day politics.
To think that this was comedy then, but is now political reality. John Bird’s character won the Brexit argument
As relevant as ever
Someone told me this was a comedy sketch - I thought it was a Tory on the campaign trail and all the laughing was people with knowledge and facts....
Is this real? Did this realy happend?
This explains both frightfully and hilariously how and why Brexit has got to this point
Oh dear! Too close to genuine Brexit footage.
Yes minister did it better. "Minister, Britan has had the same policy for atleast the last 500 years. To keep Europe divided....."
How much of this was improvisés. I cant imagine théy would have scripted all of this.
Reality outstrips Satire, again.
Yeah, because supporting an unelected body is such a great idea so long as you get to spend weeks in Tuscany with an easy exchange rate.
Bird was fabulous. The humour in this vid, is now out “woke” fashion. Good to see them again
An eerie prophecy of Brexit!
We shouldn’t shoot terrorists they are lovely people.
Boris Johnson to a tee!
Welcome to Conservative Party policy 2019. We are living in a real life Monty Python sketch, and with Trump in America the Lunatics have truly taken over the Asylum now.
Now they have Biden and a destroyed country, and fighting a proxy war in Ukraine.
Come back Trump PLEASE.
PLease add subtitles
A parody becomes reallity.
What ever happened to satire
It became reality.
Whilst it is very funny in itself I can't help thinking that the left were never lampooned by the bbc in the same way
Bremner, Bird and Fortune was made by Channel 4 from the end of 1992 onward. Rory and the two Johns left the BBC in 1992 for Channel 4, as they felt they could not go as far as they wished on the BBC with their own style of satire.
ua-cam.com/video/1Bq_abof4lg/v-deo.html
TBH it's chilling watching this today, because John Bird is saying exactly what Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson would say in 2016.
This bit hasn't aged very well. Europe is flooded with incompatible immigrants and their cities are burning.
Say what we mean. Impossibility in Britain
British people know from long experience
that Europe throws up dictators,
who seek to conquer Europe,
and our role has traditionally been
to create the alliance
that breaks the dictator.
Simple, really.
Sad to see John gone - a National treasure.
.
This used to be a minority view. But it seems these ideas have finally struck a chord with the electorate. Very sad.
Agreed it is all crap.. not a single gain.. the promise to NHS has imploded
John Bird could be Nigel Farage in this sketch.
Let's Get Brexit Done!!
I'm a Brexit supporter but still found this absolutely hilarious.
Forlorn Dream its brilliant & accurate - which makes me wonder why you're still supporting Brexit. Not having a go, genuinely want to understand.
summersevening if you really do want to understand then I'll try to explain.
It's not the money we pay to the EU, we pay similar in our foreign aid budget. It's not EU immigration, we need an influx of people and always have done. That said then I'd prefer those people came from within the EU than from elsewhere.
It's the loss of control and the high handed manner of the EU. Our laws are now mostly made in Europe, our courts are over ruled by Europe. Right now the EU is deciding if they should suspend Poland's rights within the bloc because Poland refuses to take African migrants, how's that for a master/slave relationship? When's it our turn to be treated in this way? The very fact the EU has the legal right and will to punish a member country in that way means I want us to leave.
Then there's the EU ambition to be a country to rival the USA. This is why they have a flag and an anthem. Sooner or later all EU member countries will be downgraded to a similar level as a US state. Why do you think they refer to countries as member states? The process is already underway. EU army, navy and airforce are all on the way. Meanwhile the steady erosion of members government powers continues.
I could go on a lot more but this is not the place. Suffice it to say, I believe the UK is better leading it's own destiny. We're certainly worth more than being just another state in a vast new country.
Forlorn Dream You're horrified that we could be the next superpower, as American power fades, so you'd rather be abjectly poor, and have no say in anything. Genius.
You know we lost almost no cases in the EU courts? And mostly those were stopping the current PM from removing people's human rights. Which is clearly terrible, because tories love torture, and you too should be forced to enjoy it at the hands of the government.
If we weren't sovereign, we couldn't have voted to leave. Which, like the economy, rather ruins your argument.
DSSlocksmiths 'because Tories love torture'. You lost any remaining credibility at that point. I gave you reasons which I consider valid and you responded with nonsense.
Ultimately it doesn't matter though as common sense prevailed, we won and we're leaving. Suck on those lemons all you like.
Forlorn Dream Enjoy your Russian masters.
rofl the Spanish throwing donkeys hahhahahaha
Make stupidity comedy again #StopBrexit
This is brilliant, I’m so glad I voted leave
Mx
This is a double-satire. NO Brexit Tory MP holds these opinions just what Rejoiners think they believe.
Brexiteers to a tee.
We used to laugh at these preposterous people , now they are in government .
....I'd vote for #brexit if this was the debate. Such intelligence in comedy is non existing today....yet the point about a European army......macron and Merkel clearly took this as a good idea.
Not their best. Too unsubtle about xenophobia.