British Humorists in mass resignation

British Humorists in mass resignation

In a surprise announcement, several of Britain's leading satirists have announced their collective resignation.

Familiar comedy faces - including Rory Bremner, John Bird, Armando Iannucci, Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Thomas and Jon Oliver - have announced that they are quitting the business. The news came in an open letter published today in several daily newspapers.

"It's been increasingly difficult for us to do our job in the face of the actions of both our own government and others. Quite frankly, the competition is too great and we have to accept that. It is with regret that we announce our resignation from the satire business in order to pursue other, more productive projects."

"Years of experience"

The letter continues, "Between us, we have 136 years of experience in the satire business but even we could not have come up with a masterpiece such as the so-called 'push for peace' during last year's Israeli war on Lebanon -the media's name for George Bush and Tony Blair's joint effort to delay a ceasefire. When you're being out-performed by what are ostensibly news providers, it's time to raise your white flag -we just hope that George Bush let's us."

'Last straw'

A source close to Bremner claimed that the comedians had been involved in private discussions for several months but that recent events had cemented their views.

'It was Blair's appointment as peace envoy to the Middle East that was the final straw,' said a friend of Jon Oliver, 'I mean, seriously, how's anyone supposed to compete with material like that? As a gag it's inspired but it's not a gag, it's reality.'

The resignation is likely to put holes in the schedules of both the BBC and Channel 4. Production was due to start on a new series of 'Bremner, Bird & Fortune' at the end of August while Marcus Brigstocke was booked to appear on Radio 4's 'The Now Show' this Friday.

Ian Hislop is believed to be unaffected by the action.

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