Jim Bowen is a Lancashire born ex Deputy Headmaster with a natural flair for comedy in his own unique style. Whilst teaching, he became involved with the local Dramatic Society thereby kindling his interest in showbusiness. In the sixties he worked as a “stand up” comedian on a part-time basis on the notorious Northern Club circuit.
The advent of Granada TV’s “The Comedians” gave Jim the opportunity to appear on National Television which prompted him to leave teaching and “have a go” in the precarious world of entertainment.
Television opportunities followed and Jim has since made numerous appearances including, of course, his “Bull’s-Eye” TV Game Show which, for many years, was regularly watched by over twelve million viewers.
Jim’s After Dinner Speeches, however, are regarded by his peers as being amongst the funniest in Britain.
Jim gives us a few minutes for his opinions of todays world and telling us a little about himself
'On getting up to speed.With todays gadjets ..
I'm not into all the MP30 what's-its and I don't know what iPods are -
I thought they were a plant what grows in the greengrocer's shop. But
this game is great. It's going back down memory lane with vigour.
If you weren't talking to you right now I'd be...
Looking out at the Lune Valley contemplating if I would go for a walk or not or reading Kenneth Horne's biography.
A phrase I use far too often is...
"Where's the cheque?"
I wish people would take more notice of...
Ill-mannered children. They should have them put down. Quickly. Our
youngsters need a lot of help. For the majority of them, it ain't
coming from the parents. Police and teachers aren't allowed to help and
as a result our children leave a lot to be desired. I have had no
experience of children like this because mine got through the hoop.
I'm good at...
Mowing the lawn. I'm a reasonably good stand-up comedian. I can talk to people nicely.
But I'm very bad at...
Trumpet playing. The biggest mistake I make with the trumpet is taking
it out of the case. I've been playing traditional jazz for 55 years. I
played in a band for 15 years. I lack skill and musical ability but
apart from that I'm excellent.
The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was...
Being employed for a second series of Bullseye. It was a surprise because I was so bad on the first.
A common misperception of me is....
Well ... I don't think they've got one because what they see is what
they get. There's no image there, there's no ego. I make no time for
deception in my life ... the little time that's left, although I am
still buying books with over 300 pages in them.
I am not a politician but...
I've never met a politician that does anything but disappoint and I've
met a few. The only one that meets up to any expectation was Cyril
Smith. He's honest - a word that should perhaps be engraved on side of
the Houses of Parliament or tattooed on their arses.
The ideal night out is ...
Going t' pub and having two or three pints of Tetley beer and maybe a packet of bacon fries.
You know me as a comedian but in truer life I'd have ...
Probably remained as a school teacher, in Accrington I retired
extremely bored and I wouldn't have a Mercedes S-class, specially built
with all the bells and whistles sitting outside my house.
The best age to be is...
Now, if you are feeling well and all your environs are comfortable.
In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:
To get through life without doing anybody any damage, if you can.
Hi John, thanks for publishing the interview for us, he is a good comic and he was good at the Bullseye Game will be looking forward to the new tv series. Regards Doris
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