Very sad to hear of his death. The last time I saw him alive he was corpsing. Not surprisingly it was because he was sharing a stage with the rump of the Bonzos, on a rusty boat harboured in the docks at Bristol. Such a gleefully talented boy. See you on the other side mate; look out for me, I won’t be that long you know, not in the greater scheme of things. I hope there’s a good pub up there. See you in the snug.
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Tha is very sad news. Always made me laugh and, back in the day, he was always good value.
Photo I took of him when I saw him on the same rusty boat The Old Profanity Showboat in 2010 at Stinkfoot, I expected to see him again this year when Stinkfoot returns to that very same boat. Alas now not to be.
Sad news, a tormented soul. RIP
R.I.P.
Very sad to hear this news.
Indeed.
He seemed to have turned his life around and was putting a toe in the water about performing again.
it might just be nostalgia, but there’s a tremendous amount of affection for some of the pre-internet celebs (just some). He seemed to be everywhere in the 90s (the Spitting Image answerphone joke: “I’ll do it!”), which is something he seemed acutely aware of. He seemed to be lumped in with the Fry/Laurie posh set, but he was from a council estate, which definitely informed his attitude to money and work.
I was in my teens when Whose Line… was on; it was such a brilliant show. I’m sure if I rewatched it now, I’d feel differently, but hey: I don’t want to spoil the memory.
Rewatched Whose Line with my kids a couple of years ago and they loved it – the concept hasn’t really aged at all, it still holds up.
The fashion choices are a whole other thing, but that kind of added to the entertainment too. I’d say your memories are pretty safe if you ever decide to go back.
Agreed. It really is still funny. Clive Andersen especially.
Smug git. Can’t stand him
(I liked most of the other performers)
Bit harsh. I only said he was funny.
He’ll always be a tosser to me.
Isn’t that from a Billy Joel song?
Whose Line is great telly. The US.version is just as good if a little more manic. I think it’s been cancelled now though. Check YouTube for some great clips
The regulars Wayne Brady, Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie were inspired.
Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie were inspired. I still smile to myself at the way those two used to engage on stage in the latter episodes of the UK series, where their US perspectives on British life somehow drew out their oh-so-dry wit which just wowed with its cleverness more than in the broader comedy culture of the US series. It was like watching a long-married couple who knew each other’s tropes very well and could trust and encourage each other’s flights of fancy, yet also betray a sense of wonder at the latest expression of unfettered imagination.
Tony Slattery often seemed to be an over-eager, yet easily self-cowing presence by comparison. Delightfully quick-witted responses to other’s performances (like all of them, his asides as he engaged with the scenario being created as funny if not funnier than the lines he made up) would often be accompanied by moments of cautious reining himself in. I think it took the loving generosity of Mike McShane to give Slattery the self- confidence to throw caution to the wind, knowing that someone would be there to catch him if he ran away with an unhinged flight of fancy or just expressed whatever desperate thoughts he was having into his performance.
I’m probably reading too much into all this, but there’s a rather fine Guardian article on Tony Slattery, which talks about the generosity and camaraderie of improv:
this was an ensemble show, not a star vehicle – that may even have been part of its unique alchemy, in an art form, improv, where teamwork is key even as it’s often overwhelmed by look-at-me theatrics.
The WLIIA performers are, I think, so fondly remembered because they revealed so much of themselves on stage in a way that endeared themselves to the audience. The show said – yes you can say and do anything and you won’t be judged, but rather applauded for your spontaneity and creativity – whether those on stage, or in the audience calling out mad ideas for sketches.
I guess I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue and Just A Minute would have been long-running inspirations for WLIIA, and it’s probably no coincidence that several performers appeared on both shows, with Paul Merton being a stalwart of all three. Those and Would I Lie To You (and, of course, The Afterword) seem to continue the friendliness and mutual encouragement of WLIIA.
Tony Slattery’s life, from the outside, really does seem to have been composed of inedible highs and desperate lows, but I think his bittersweet candour through it all was a great gift to the many who enjoyed his career.
Very nice post, but Siles and Mochrie may be considered more Canadian. Both grew up here. Canadian sense of humour is a bit different
Thanks for the compliment and the correction, dai. I fussed over the edits on this for ages (well, almost 15 minutes), adding and changing bits, but still missed bits (I rather like ‘inedible’ for ‘incredible’ and like to think Tony Slattery would too).
Canadian, rather than US? That makes sense – the Canadian wry approach to North American culture has been a great gift over the years (Cohen, Mitchell, Young, etc).
Even soft drinks. I heard that as Tony Slattery tried to address his serious problems with alcohol, he would drink Canada Dry…
Apparently Paul Merton’s appearances on I’m Sorry… were swiftly curtailed when they did a “Film Club” round and he did a “Bring Me The Head Of…” gag, which he hadn’t realised was Graeme Garden’s standby line to trot out. You don’t cross Dr Garden, it seems.
There was a period of time where I was able to visit the Comedy Store in London and catch the mid week improv night, which would usually feature Andy Smart, Josie Lawrence, Neil Mullarkey, Richard Vranch and Jim Sweeney. Sometimes Tony Slattery would guest and the combination of him with Sweeney was always riotous.
Nope, you’re safe to watch it. Same as it ever was, simple idea and funny people bouncing off each other.
I’m convinced he came to our school around 1985, he was a presenter on TX, Saturday morning kids show, a feature on healthy school dinners. Was a one series only kids show, think after that it changed to No. 73 with Sandi Toksvig. Of course 40 years ago and records arent exactly that detailed for such shows but be nice to see the footage, unlikely.
not just because of that but because he was superb on TV i have always had affection for him, sad he had such demons, may he rest in peace, some repeats of his highlights on C4 would be very welcome right now. Great talent.