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Put a gag in it! Comics take a pop at Keith Chegwin ‘for stealing jokes’
Genevieve RobertsUpdated 12:56pm on 22 Jul 2010
It's deadly serious among comedians: the tacit understanding that you do not steal someone else's joke.
But Keith Chegwin, former presenter of the Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and Cheggers Plays Pop, has been accused of breaking the "gentleman's agreement" by posting gags, including some attributed to Jack Dee and Jimmy Carr, on the internet.
This week, Chegwin's 36,000 Twitter followers have found his jokes are no laughing matter for those making a living from stand-up.
His tweet: “My auntie Marge has been ill for so long we changed her name to I can't believe she's not better',” prompted comic Simon Evans to point out that the joke had stemmed from Perrier Award-winning comedian Milton Jones.
Chegwin, 53, has also written: “I used to go to the circus to see the fat tattooed lady — now they're everywhere,” which was allegedly written by Carr.
Evans wrote: “Cheggers old chap, you are no doubt acting under good intentions, but these jokes are written by professionals. They earn their keep telling them and it's really not on just to distribute them like this, without credit.”
Comedian Ed Byrne said: “Jokes have a limited number of tells before they lose their potency.
“If you go and see a comedian and think I've heard half these jokes on Twitter', the moment is lost.”
Chegwin denied any wrongdoing. He replied to the post: “Most of the jokes are my own and some I remember from old. If ya don't like it, UNFOLLOW'.”
He then added: “For 43 yrs ppl have used my material. Get used to it Folks. Do what I do Write New stuff' x”.
Recycled Material:
I got a book on the paranormal — I didn't buy it — it just appeared.
Attributed to Paul Merton
I used to go to the circus to see the fat tattooed lady — now they're everywhere.
Attributed to Jimmy Carr
I'd love someone to call me Sir' without adding: You're making a scene'.
Attributed to The Simpsons
Reader views (3)
Why are todays comedians so flippin' precious?
In the past, far funnier, more charismatic and better known comics than the current crop of smug 'intelllectuals' , regularly had their best jokes pinched. Instead of reaching for the 'phone and calling their lawyers, either they paid their writers to come up with new gags....or they pinched a few choice woofers from their peers. And no one whinged and whined to the press about it.
That said, Keith Chegwin is not a comeidan. He is a presenter who does some after-dinner speaking.
But I take my hat off to him for giving up alcoholl all those years ago. Because as we all know, Cheggers can't be boozers.
And if any comic likes that gag and wants to steal it, be my guest...
- Jargonaut, South London, 23/07/2010 09:41
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Where's the difference between this and someone like Peter Kaye who's renowned for stealing other peoples gags?
- Bob, Cheam, 22/07/2010 15:17
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who cares? he wasn't funny he isn't funny. he never will be funny. until of course he dies. then we will mourn a comic genius. heard the one about the talentless pagiarist who got into the papers? me neither
- bob, gva ch, 22/07/2010 14:39
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