Talk:Daisy Donovan
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The section below is just an after-thought to the main article.
The first point before the main piece below - Daisy's Dad was a photographer and this may explain the reference to the FHM rankings. I was surprised to see that though, because I thought that she wasn't the type.
- Nothing wrong with the FHM rankings, Daisy isn't exactly a high brow entertainer, she's pretty pop culture, and the FHM rankings show that she is regarded as physically attractive by British men. Her profile isn't huge (even over here) so it's interesting she made it into FHM at all. I would add that, though she's very charming, her material was never all that funny - but generally the 11 O'Clock show wasn't very funny anyway - even Gervais wasn't particularly good on it. Magic Pickle 21:45, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
Note about the above comment - yes, it is true for some people, her humour was a bit strong and sometimes distasteful. But as stated below, it was the shear audacity of what she did with relatively elite people that was funny in a shocking kind of way. I don't usually like that type of humour myself, but it was a lot different in this case. You just had to watch it to see what she was going to get away with next.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BRITISH COMEDY SCENE
Daisy Donovan was most noted for introducing a new style of journalism to television. It was actually more of a landmark in the field of comedy rather than that of journalism. She was infamous for trying to embarrass famous people, like British politicians. She would appear as a very serious political journalist and would often say seemingly innocuous things that had a hidden meaning that was usually of the sexual kind. Or at least it seemed innocuous to the person being interviewed, because she always seemed to get away with it!
These interviews were part of the 11 O'clock Show series on Channel Four TV (UK, late 1990's). They were very shocking, because the often obscene meanings were very clear to most viewers. But the politicians must have been really dim or just saved themselves any embarrassment by pretending not to understand what was really said. Others just played along with the comedy of it. Only "Crazy Daisy" with her posh and confident nature could get away with it.
An example of one of these interviews was the one with the actress turned MP, Glenda Jackson. For instance, while discussing a possible wrongdoing by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, she asked her if she would ever "finger" Thatcher. Like all the other MP's, Jackson answered the question as best as she could in the usual diplomatic way and understood it to mean, 'would she speak against a former PM if it was necessary'.
Many other politicians, who would often be interviewed in front of the Houses of Parliament, would innocently fall victim to such statements and unwittingly admit to doing various lewd acts. Somebody in the House of Commons must have figured out what was going on and Donovan had to change her name from the Angel of Delight to the News Avenger for the next series.
Ali G later followed along with this kind of funny interview style; but it was of the sillier kind and lacked subtlety. Ali G's style, on the other hand, was very funny in its own way.
Donovan’s style and unique approach are what made her so special. She is obviously not to all tastes, often being quite vulgar & perverted in her humour. It has to be said that some of the gags were a bit of a stretch as far as top notch comedy goes, but it was a very bold idea and nobody has ever achieved anything quite like it since. Avid Merrion from Bo Selecta, although funny at times, doesn’t really achieve the same thing because he interviews just celebrities in his own controlled environment, posing and exposing himself as "The Bear". Hence, her contribution to the British comedy scene has been substantial.
Donovan did a short series called Daisy Does America, produced by Courtney Cox (from Friends). Here she interviewed various people, but had to tone things down because it was an American production.
I think, at least in a whimsical sort of way, that Daisy should top all this now and become the Royal Correspondent. She could tone things down at first and then slip in a few subtle gags that would go undetected by most of the upper crust. She's perfect for the role. She has had experience in dealing with a variety of social settings, including those of the so called higher echelons.
The important point here though is that she did something that was novel and clever, while it lasted and it would be very hard to top it again.
She has a striking personality with what appears to be wide caring eyes that would charm anybody who happened to meet her. There might be a glint of the mad genius in those eyes though and even a hint of wickedness. That seems to add to her character; but most viewers like me don't know what she's really like.
It would probably be a good idea, if anyone 'in the know' about this character, could clarify things here. I think it will be worth it, because those days are long gone when Spitting Image and Daisy Donovan really took the mickey out of well known people. In the latter case, it happened right in their presence - something that might never be achieved again.
Trivia - she had first wanted to be a fashion journalist, even styling a 14-year-old Angelina Jolie while on an internship at a newspaper: “I put her in a silver cat-suit and a bum bag. The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen".
Further note - The main picture in the article was a good one, but has been removed. If anyone has the rights to one, then please post it.
