An Introduction to Jeremy Hardy (in no particular order)

Jeremy Hardy used to be read every week in the Guardian until he was sacked for not being funny enough in the allotted comedy space. His previous articles should be accessible. Some, however, put his dismissal down to not being enough of a Blairite. Tom Dalziel was angry, and wrote to them:

Subject: Jeremy Hardy—No laughing matter?
I felt genuinely sick to read today that Jeremy Hardy's truly outstanding column is being axed from the Guardian. For me it was by far the best thing about the paper and provided a clarity, insight and bared-soul honesty that I had all but forgotten existed in journalism. It truly was a breath of fresh air.

The reasons for Jeremy's dismissal seem a little short-sighted. While the editor might feel that he didn't fulfil his original remit (not enough jokes? I mean, what!) surely he or she must recognise that they had inadvertently found something far more worthy and profound.

I would urge them to reconsider, and to those who feel similarly I implore you to make your feelings known, if only to give the man some well-earned praise.

Yours gutted

Tom Dalziel

He can still be heard most weeks on Radio 4’s News Quiz, when a series is on.

He writes fortnightly in ES Magazine, the advertising section of the London Evening Colour Supplement.

Jaremy Hardy’s most accomplished work is probably Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation, a comedy hit on Radio 4, which may contain references to downstairs things and people’s front bottoms. Here, he waxes lyrical for half an hour about the human condition, ably assisted by his assistants, without whom the programme would come under the auspies of the BBC’s “Endless Bitter Ramblings” department. The show has even won a Sony Award, making it illegal to listen on non-Sony radios. Here is a free sample joke, as printed on the flyer for the recordings of series 3:

A man’s sperm count can be adversely affected by factors like heat, caffine and alcohol, so avoid dipping your plums in Irish coffee before sex.

Speaks to the Nation is like an encyclopaedia of modern British life, revealing deeper and deeper observations with each listening. It is currently being repeated in its entirety on BBC7.

Not content with writing marvellous programmes, he can’t resist ad-libbing a bit, as is borne out by his News Quiz appearances. To this end, he introduced, in the third series of Speaks to the Nation, the Ask Mr Hardy section, in which members of the studio audience can ask him questions relating to that evening’s lecture.

I was fortunate, in the final episode of this (third) series, to be able to Ask Mr Hardy myself (I’m the one who asks “What would make you happy?” at the end). Fame!

Blast from the past:

After the recording of the first broadcast edition of If I Ruled the World, the political panel game on BBC 2, I was told by Mr Hardy (personally, I might add) that Radio 4 had axed his show (Speaks to the Nation), because it was too rude! They offered him the 23:00 slot, but he declined! I would thus urge anyone who wants the show back to get in touch with the BBC and give them hell. Most people probably agree that his show was the funniest around, and it’s just a few prats who can't take someone saying “shit” that have got him axed. You know what radio 4 listeners are like: they all sit around in balaclavas waiting for something to write in and complain about.

Jeremy is also a regular contributor on I’m Sorry, I Haven’t a Clue, appearing in roughly two shows per series (i.e. one double recording of three). Here he is singing, accompanied by Colin Sell on Piano, as Tim Brooke-Taylor and Humph (both with accomplished recording careers) look on in astonishment/disgust:

On the more serious side, Jeremy Hardy has made a film about the Middle Eastern situation, Jeremy Hardy v The Isreali Army.

On 2002-03-12, Jeremy was the subject of Metro’s 60 second Interview, and he even mentions the site. Here it is:

Rest assured, Mr Hardy, that I do not spend very much time at all doing my web pages. Not any more, anyway. I have found better things to do with my life. Not that I regret doing these pages for a moment. Besides, if I took this page down, how else would journalists find out about you?

For more information, check out the rest of this site, and this page especially.