I won’t be doing this for every year (probably just a couple of the early ones) but I was collecting interesting little snippets of information, pertinent to what was technically Jimmy’s 2nd year in comedy (although he’d only put his toe in the water December 1998).
Rather than repeat the details, within all of the 1999 gig posts, this is some background on the UK Comedy scene for this year (venues, comics, TV and Radio).
Circuit Comedians 1999
Who was on the UK Comedy Circuit (more info on that here) in 1999? As I find newspaper ads for Jimmy’s gigs there are usually others, on the same page, for other comedians and venues. This list will end up a little long, but it builds a history of people he probably would have been hanging out with, watching each other’s acts, car sharing – that sort of thing.
There will be a lot more – but these are just the ones that I can confirm 100%
TV Shows, Radio and venues further down the page.
People that Jimmy has worked with, in TV are marked **TV** (use the search box to find the shows). And TV indicator is a comedian that appears / has appeared on TV, but I’m not aware of them being on the same shows as Jimmy.
- Addy Borgh (Addy van der Borgh)
- Alan Francis
- Alfie Joey
- Alison Cannon
- Alistair McGowan – **TV**
- Alun Cochrane – **TV**
- Andre Vincent
- Andrew (Andy) Zaltzman – **TV**
- Andy Linden
- Andy Parsons – TV
- Angi MacEvoy
- Anthony Topazio
- Anvil Springsteen
- Arj Barker
- Barry Castagnola
- Belinda Merriman
- Brendan Riley
- Chris Hawkins
- Dan Antopolski
- Dave Gorman – **TV**
- Dave Parton
- David O’Doherty – **TV**
- Donald Mack
- Dylan Tisdale
- Ed Byrne – **TV**
- Eddie Strange
- Francesca Martinez- TV
- Gavin Webster
- Geoff Whiting
- Graeme Casey
- Graham Alexander
- Greg Burns
- Greg Rogers
- Harvey Oliver
- Howard Read
- Ian McKenzie
- Ian Salt
- Ian Stacey
- Ian Stone
- Jack Russell
- James Dowdswell
- James Holmes
- Jeff Baker
- Jeremy Engler
- Jimmy Carr – TV
- John Radoux
- Jonathan Paler
- Jonny Reggazoli
- Josie Long – **TV**
- Juliet Cowan
- Justin Rozenholtz
- Kevin Day
- Kevin Flanagan
- Laurie Crowther
- Lawry Lewin
- Lee Mack – **TV**
- Lee Molloy
- Lucy Baler
- Mark Alen
- Mark Crosby
- Mark Down
- Mark Hurst
- Mark Maier
- Matthew Hardy
- Matthew Wallers
- Mike Wilmot- **TV**
- Miles Crawford
- Micky Flanagan – **TV**
- Neil Long
- Nick Wilty
- Pam Ford
- Paul B. Edwards
- Paul Gapper
- Paul Rogan
- Paul Sinha – TV
- Paul Thorne
- Paul Zerdin
- Peter Kay – TV
- Peter Tennant
- Pete Wylie
- Rich Hall – **TV**
- Richard (Richie) Long
- Rick Ridley
- Rick Smallwood
- Rob Hitchmough
- Robbie Pointer
- Robin Banks
- Rudi Lickwood
- Russell Howard – **TV**
- Russell Peters – **TV**
- Sally Holloway
- Sean Meo
- Seb Pope
- Shappi Khorsandi (Shaparak Khorsandi) **TV**
- Shaun Pye – **TV** (as a writer – here)
- Shelagh Martin
- Simon Clayton
- Simon Evans
- Spencer Brown
- Stanley Rimmer
- Steve Best
- Steve Bowditch
- Steve Day
- Steve Morrison
- Steve Riley
- Stewart Lee – TV
- Stuart Lloyd
- Teresa Hellen
- Tom Nicholls
- Trevor Lock
With such as Russell Peters and Mike Wilmot (both Canadians) this refers to JFL on Canadian TV. And Shaun Pye writes for Big Fat Quiz shows (plus all kinds of other UK TV shows).
Comedy TV and Radio in 1999
Accidentally found this Comedy.co.uk page (here) with a list of the TV / Radio comedy shows that were broadcast this year. On that page the show names click through to full details (rather them me add tons of links).
This is interesting as it helps pinpoint a few of Jimmy’s contemporaries that were already making it on TV. There are probably more than I’ve pulled out but I didn’t fancy opening every page.
Use the search box to find individual comedians by their name.
- 11 O’clock show – Jimmy would later feature in sketches in 2000 (here).
- 40 Years of Freddie Starr – not a contemporary but one of the “old guard” in the twilight of his career.
- A History of Alternative Comedy – just to name the people featured that Jimmy has worked with – Jo Brand, Alan Davies, Clive Anderson.
- Ali G’s Alternative Christmas Message – starring Sacha Baron Cohen.
- Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression – starring Alistair McGowan and Ronnia Ancona.
- Armstrong & Miller – starring Alexander Armstrong, Ben Miller and Sarah Alexander.
- Bang, Bang, It’s Reeves and Mortimer – starring Vic Reeves (aka Jim Moir), Bob Mortimer, Charlie Higson and Matt Lucas.
- Blankety Blank – In 1999 was hosted by Lily Savage (Paul O’Grady) who was someone that Jimmy supplied additional material for in the early days (here). Jimmy’s first Blankety appearance wasn’t until 2020 (here).
- British Comedy Awards – hosted by Jonathan Ross. For Jimmy’s attendance / nominations, over the years, see here.
- Comic Relief – just to pick a few names out – Zoe Ball, Johnny Vaughan, Griff Rhys Jones, Julian Clary, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Graham Norton, Angus Deayton, Phill Jupitus, Chris Evans.
- Commercial Breakdown – the 1999 host was Jo Brand and Jimmy took over the role in 2008 (here).
- Gimme Gimme Gimme – starring Kathy Burke.
- Harry Hill
- Have I Got News For You – starring Angus Deayton, Paul Merton and Ian Hislop. Jimmy’s first appearance was 2003 (here).
- Jack Dee Live in London
- Jason Byrne is Twiggy No Branch
- Jim Davidson – A Bit Further – staring Jim Davidson. In 1999 Jimmy did some charity gigs for British troops with Jim (here).
- Jim Davidson – A Bit Further still – see previous.
- Jonathan Creek – starring Alan Davies.
- Ladies and Gentleman Jo Brand
- Lee Evans Live From The West End
- Mark Lamarr Leaving the 20th Century
- Mel and Sue’s Comedy Breakdown (Radio) – starring Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
- Nevermind The Buzzcocks – in 1999 the host was Mark Lamarr and Captains were Phill Jupitus and Sean Hughes. Jimmy made appearances in 2003 and 2004 (here).
- Room 101 – in 1999 was hosted by Paul Merton. Jimmy appeared on it in 2018 (here).
- Sean Lock: 15 Storeys High (Radio)
- Sean Lock’s 15 Minutes of Misery (Radio)
- Smack The Pony – featured Doon Mackichan, Fiona Allen, Sally Philips, Sarah Alexander, Amanda Holden
- So Graham Norton
- Spaced – featured Simon Pegg, Jessica Hynes, Nick Frost and Bill Bailey.
- The Adam and Joe Show – starring Adam Buxton
- The Comedy Network – featured Boothby Graffoe, Jim Tavaré, Stewart Lee, Jenny Éclair and Adam Bloom
- The Jim Tavaré Show – Jimmy appeared with him a number of times (here).
- This Morning With Richard Not Judy – starring Richard Madeley.
Venues
Which Venues were in play in 1999? Full address details are on UK Comedy Circuit (here). The ones that I have confirmed that Jimmy played at are indicated **JC** – use search box for details of gigs.
More to follow.
- Aquarium, Tottenham Court Road – **JC**
- Club Fandango, Elliot Street, Plymouth – **JC**
- Comic Comedy Club, Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith – **JC**
- Hotspots Comedy Club, The Academy, Cleveland Road, Uxbridge – **JC**
- Orange Tree Pub, Richmond – **JC**
- The Beck Theatre, Hayes
- The Cricketers, Fairfields, South Kingston
- The Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh – **JC**
- The Grange Tavern, Ealing – **JC**
- The Turk’s Head, Winchester Road, St Margarets – **JC**
- Unicorn, Bois Moor Road, Chesham – **JC**