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Waves of Laughter

Episode 3 of 3

Revealing the business behind comedy. Investigating the rigours of what is acknowledged as the toughest job in comedy - entertaining those on board cruise ships.

The world of cruising has certainly changed since Sid James and Kenneth Williams decided to Carry On Cruising. Now mammoth vessels carrying 4000 passengers traverse the globe - and that captive audience is in need of constant entertainment. If the role of the Cruising Comedian once carried a certain amount of stigma, these days there are fortunes to be won by the jokers who can master the particular skills required to keep their floating audience rolling on waves of laughter.

This film follows the fortunes of Jimmy O - a virgin water-borne comic, as he makes his very first cruise, and tries to learn the ropes in a hurry when he is thrown in at the deep end. And we hear from old hands like Nicholas Parsons and Tom O'Connor who've managed to steer a course through the dangerous waters of comedy at sea - acknowledged by all who've tried it as the toughest job in comedy.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 23 Feb 2013 23:30

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Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Eddie Mair
Participant Nicholas Parsons
Participant Tom O'Connor

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