Stewart Lee lambasts organisers of 'Edinburgh Comedy God' Poll

Stewart Lee lambasts organisers of 'Edinburgh Comedy God' Poll

20 July, 2010
by: Spoonfedcomedy

The comedy veteran is furious with Awards organisers for undermining the Edinburgh Fringe.

Stewart Lee has attacked the organisers of the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for establishing a competition to find a new 'Edinburgh Comedy God', dubbing them: "Corporate Whores. Morons. Illiterates."

The respected stand-up comic has dismissed the competition (which involves the public choosing their 'Comedy God' from a list of past winners and nominees of the coveted award) as "the most shameful, inane thing I have seen in all the years I have been doing the fringe."

'Replying all' to a press release sent out by awards publicist Anna Arthur announcing the competition to industry members, Lee said: "You need to pull the plug on this now. You will ruin it for everyone. Have a heart, for God’s sake".

Awards organiser Nica Burns was quoted in the release saying: "Some 30th anniversary interactive fun – comedy punters can crown their favourite act. Upset the professional judges! Right some wrongs!”

Lee's dry response was: "“‘Some 30th anniversary interactive fun’ - says Nica Burns. How about a slide show of dying developing world children followed by a raffle."

He went on to express his disgust at how the competiton undermines the spirit of the Fringe, saying:

"Think about the logic of it for a moment. Who among those you are asking to vote has even heard of (1984 nominees) The Frank Chickens, who for all anyone under 30 knows may be the best act on the list? It is not possible for the outcome of this vote to have any credibility. How dare you proceed with this farcical, selfish idea?...You should be ashamed. Nica Burns! It’s not too late to try and change the way you will be remembered.

"There is so much good stuff you could use your corporate funding for, and instead, year in, year out, you make these crass decisions....The whole thing will blow up in your face. Then, perhaps, we will see an end to your nonsense."

Lee, who has a history with disliking polls, basing his 2007 show 41st Best Stand-Up Ever on meaningless rankings, ended his tirade saying:

"Your cynicism is breathtaking. Your Edinburgh Comedy God idea is banal. There are no comedy gods. Enjoy your Edinburgh Comedy Festival™."

Is this the 'Greatest British Rant of 20th July 2010?' Quite possibly.

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