The Times: Comedian Paul Black on his most memorable Scottish gig (October 2, 2024)

Paul Black: I need to say sorry to anyone who ever gave me a job​

The comedian on avoiding doing anything hard at all costs, his Smiths obsession and stealing his earliest memory from his sister​

What has been your most memorable Scottish gig?
We’re gonna have to separate the artist from the art here: it has to be when I saw Morrissey for the first time. I had been obsessed with the Smiths throughout my teens and had made it my whole identity, so it felt like a big deal. I went to see Johnny Marr when I was 18 too and that was maybe even better because I didn’t have to live in shame of being there.

Paul Black: I need to say sorry to anyone who ever gave me a job

The comedian on avoiding doing anything hard at all costs, his Smiths obsession and stealing his earliest memory from his sister

www.thetimes.com

 

[mabuk]

"We’re gonna have to separate the artist from the art here:" sees Morrissey perform as an artist, feels shame. Maybe try harder at that separating thing?

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Where is the steel, the resolve, the backbone and balls to say what you think? So many people are so worried about what everyone thinks. Don't they get tired of it? Of the sheer fakery and futility of projecting a false image, or trying to escape scathe-free from every interaction with the press or in general?

you reply ….

Didn't Paul Black do exactly that? He spoke his mind about his feelings towards Morrissey. What you're actually taking issue with is the fact that his views conflict with your uncompromising devotion to your fallen hero. But I agree with you: so many people who post here ARE worried about what everyone thinks of their so-called idol. Don't you get tired of it?

No Paul Black did not do that.

I don't think I've missed his point. Morrissey speaking his mind: steely, brave, condoned. His critics speaking theirs: weak, spineless, condemned.

You still don’t seem to understand or are even making any attempt to understand @ACTON ‘s point ( and correct me if I’m wrong Acton) is that those criticizing Morrissey ( the one portrayed by the media) don’t need to be ‘steely, brave’ have balls, etc to speak their mind.

 

[TheSmiths_1985]

I don’t even think this plank knows why the art should be separated from the artist. I don’t think a lot of the people who say similar things do, either. That’s just the narrative that surrounds Morrissey now. He’s gone right wing, and he’s a bit of a racist. That’s why the apologists/fan-girls on here (and on twitter) are wasting their time. You’re not going to change that narrative.

He could take steps to sort it out himself, with a few unambiguous statements and a high-profile interview or two. But he doesn’t. You have to wonder why.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Then maybe these folks need to separate the media’s narrative from the artist that is Morrissey.

 

[Angelito]

I don’t even think this plank knows why the art should be separated from the artist. I don’t think a lot of the people who say similar things do, either. That’s just the narrative that surrounds Morrissey now. He’s gone right wing, and he’s a bit of a racist. That’s why the apologists/fan-girls on here (and on twitter) are wasting their time. You’re not going to change that narrative.

He could take steps to sort it out himself, with a few unambiguous statements and a high-profile interview or two. But he doesn’t. You have to wonder why.

I actually take Morrissey at his word when he wrote:

All of the rumors
Keeping me grounded
I never said, I never said that they were
Completely unfounded
And all those lies
Written lies, twisted lies
Well, they weren't lies
They weren't lies

 

[Anonymous]

Acton and those like him smear anyone who speaks out against Morrissey, but they too are entitled to their beliefs and opinions. What I think y'all get butt-hurt about is that there's so many, and that the list keeps growing. If it soothes you to deem them sheeple, so be it. But the fact of the matter is that many people genuinely find Morrissey's political leanings and inflammatory remarks reprehensible.

Yeah, it's weird seeing how butthurt and triggered certain posters are every time this happens (which is currently at least once a week). Interviewed celebs are allowed their own opinions, and they allowed to think Morrissey is a piece of s**** without having to justify this is a 500 word essay, whether you agree with them or not.

Maybe - just maybe - the linking factor on why this keeps happening isn't some vast, shadowy, conspiracy by the 'mainstream media', but the fact that Morrissey has repeatedly said some very inflammatory things in his career, made a pig's ear in ever trying to clear up some of those 'foot-in-mouth' moments up (for the record, he has never clarified that the 'Chinese are a subspecies' comment was only in relation to animal welfare, or that he only supported For Britain because of their animal rights stance).

I fully support Morrissey's right to say whatever nonsense he wants, but he has to learn to live with the consequences.

 

[The Wild Turkey]

Shame on them for shamin' him.
Only outlaws at Moz shows now.

 

[Roman Holiday]

You still don’t seem to understand or are even making any attempt to understand @ACTON ‘s point ( and correct me if I’m wrong Acton) is that those criticizing Morrissey ( the one portrayed by the media) don’t need to be ‘steely, brave’ have balls, etc to speak their mind.

If Paul Black doesn't need to be "steely, brave, and have balls" to speak his mind, then why did ACTON make the point about lacking steeliness, bravery, and balls? A person is still speaking their mind even if they don't take flak for it.

Spinelessness is believing in something but staying quiet or dialing it back for fear of repercussion. That doesn't seem to be the case here. Black is (presumably) stating his views. Not everyone is afraid of the "woke" mob; some of them sincerely belong to it.

 

[TheSmiths_1985]

I actually take Morrissey at his word when he wrote:

All of the rumors
Keeping me grounded
I never said, I never said that they were
Completely unfounded
And all those lies
Written lies, twisted lies
Well, they weren't lies
They weren't lies

Do you also take him at his word when he called the Chinese a subspecies, said that everyone ultimately prefers their own race, that Nigel Farage would make a good PM, that For Britain are a party worthy of your vote….?

 

[gashonthenail]

This constant repetition of 'separating the artist from the art' is an indication of just how ideological society has become. This was the way people would speak in Eastern Europe before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It's the way people speak today in China or North Korea. Being at all times careful to declare publicly that your views and opinions are approved of.

 

[Orange Crush]

A comedian who separates the comedy from his "act"

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

If Paul Black doesn't need to be "steely, brave, and have balls" to speak his mind, then why did ACTON make the point about lacking steeliness, bravery, and balls? A person is still speaking their mind even if they don't take flak for it.

The point I believe was that it very easy to speak one’s mind if those thoughts will be rewarded with no repercussions to follow.

I’m not debating PB’s conscious thought process as to why he says what he says.

 

[No 27]

Shame on them for shamin' him.
Only outlaws at Moz shows now.

The sorrow of Salman Ramadan Abedi's bombing of Manchester Arena is that it wasn't a Morrissey concert.

 

[Roman Holiday]

This constant repetition of 'separating the artist from the art' is an indication of just how ideological society has become. This was the way people would speak in Eastern Europe before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It's the way people speak today in China or North Korea. Being at all times careful to declare publicly that your views and opinions are approved of.

Hasn't it always been done, though? It's not unique to totalitarian societies. Ezra Pound had Jewish admirers who made it clear they loathed his anti-Semitism; Roman Polanski films were often reviewed with a caveat of disgust about his being a fugitive from child-rape charges while remaining a talented filmmaker. Christopher Hitchens lamented the late-period conservatism of one of his favorite writers, Saul Bellow, and Martin Amis theorized that Vladimir Nabokov had an obsession with pubescent children that goes beyond just Lolita (and having read Ada, where there's a lot of it in an extremely difficult book that most people won't slog through, I'm inclined to agree). People will "separate the art from the artist" for as long as artists impress them with their talent and let them down with their views or behavior.

 

[Gray Fruit]

Ha! I just love posting these and watching everyone pile on and I'm sure the site appreciates the clicks. Sorry Paul Black, never mind the mozbots!

 

[Odbmke]

Why do so many of you go on the attack as soon as someone dares criticise MOZI?

I love so much that “Mozi” has become a thing.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

I love so much that “Mozi” has become a thing.

Yep … Mozi

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Ha! I just love posting these and watching everyone pile on and I'm sure the site appreciates the clicks. Sorry Paul Black, never mind the mozbots!

and on a Morrissey fan site of all places! who would have expected it?!

Next week it’ll be another ‘celeb’ publicly saving their ass.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

The sorrow of Salman Ramadan Abedi's bombing of Manchester Arena is that it wasn't a Morrissey concert.

You shit. The sorrow is that it happened at all.

 

[Dorothy]

Ha! I just love posting these and watching everyone pile on and I'm sure the site appreciates the clicks. Sorry Paul Black, never mind the mozbots!

Well then, what an exciting day you must have had!! Yay for you.