Simon Brodkin
Encyclopedia
Simon Brodkin is a British
comedian who performs on the stand-up circuit and in comedy television
series. He is best known for playing a character called Lee Nelson, but also performs as other comedy characters
. Performing solo stand-up since 2004 (or earlier), he has also written for and appeared on the television shows Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder
in 2009, and Lee Nelson's Well Good Show
in 2010.
in 2001. He relinquished his GMC
registration in January 2007. Brodkin performed his first solo show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2006, titled Simon Brodkin: Everyone But Himself.
In his Lee Nelson stand-up
routine, Brodkin's character typically interacts with his audience, telling them about his life, asking them questions, then replying with witty and often mocking responses that reflect his world view, his own ignorance or his own stereotypically antisocial attitudes. His act is peppered with slang words
.
Brodkin also performs a selection of other characters, the most successful of which has been Jason Bent ("110% Bent"), a stereotypically unintelligent premiership footballer with a "chavvy" hairstyle and a working-class Merseyside accent of sorts. Other characters have included sleazy and incompetent Dr. Bob, and an upper class "trustafarian" called Hugo.
on BBC One
.
In 2005, Brodkin appeared as Nelson in three episodes of Channel 4
's The Morning After Show.
In 2007, Brodkin wrote for and appeared on Al Murray
's ITV1
prime time sketch show Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder
, where he appeared playing his characters of Jason Bent and Lee Nelson, as well as alongside Murray in sketches about Mobile phone shop assistants.
In 2008, Brodkin appeared as Dr. Omprakash and Nelson in the BBC Three
comedy show The Wall
.
In 2011, Brodkin appeared as Nelson in the 28 January episode of ITV
's Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford and in Heat 3 of Let's Dance for Comic Relief
on BBC One.
He also appeared as Lee Nelson in BBC One
's Live at the Apollo Series seven, episode two, alongside Sean Lock and Ed Byrne
on Friday, 11 Nov 2011.
to write his own show for BBC Three
. Titled Lee Nelson's Well Good Show
, it was broadcast from 10 June 2010 on BBC Three in the 22.30 slot. It features Brodkin in character in a studio setting, but also features television sketches of his other characters.
The show was commissioned for a second series, which aired on 25 August 2011.
In reviewing his Nelson stand-up character in 2009, James Kettle of The Guardian
stated that, in comparison to Matt Lucas
's aggressive Vicky Pollard
, and Catherine Tate
's Lauren Cooper
, Brodkin's portrayal has "a three-dimensional personality" and is a "gentler, more likeable soul, with a dopily comprehensive lack of self-awareness", and that in playing the 'chav
', "no one's done it quite like Simon Brodkin".
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
comedian who performs on the stand-up circuit and in comedy television
Television comedy
Television comedy had a presence from the earliest days of broadcasting. Among the earliest BBC television programmes in the 1930s was Starlight, which offered a series of guests from the music hall era — singers and comedians amongst them...
series. He is best known for playing a character called Lee Nelson, but also performs as other comedy characters
Character comedy
Character comedy is a method/genre used by some comedians. In character comedy the comedian performs as though he was a character created by him/her...
. Performing solo stand-up since 2004 (or earlier), he has also written for and appeared on the television shows Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder
Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder
Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder is a British sketch show starring comedian Al Murray. The multi character aspect of the show was a departure from Murray's previous television comedy work, as the sole character The Pub Landlord. The first series ran from 27 February to 12 April 2009,...
in 2009, and Lee Nelson's Well Good Show
Lee Nelson's Well Good Show
Lee Nelson's Well Good Show is a British comedy sketch show, written and presented by Simon Brodkin, and produced by Avalon Television for BBC Three. It features Brodkin hosting a studio based show as his comedy character Lee Nelson, a happy-go-lucky chav, and also features television sketches of...
in 2010.
Stand-up
Brodkin is a former medical doctor who qualified from Manchester UniversityUniversity of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
in 2001. He relinquished his GMC
General Medical Council
The General Medical Council registers and regulates doctors practising in the United Kingdom. It has the power to revoke or restrict a doctor's registration if it deems them unfit to practise...
registration in January 2007. Brodkin performed his first solo show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2006, titled Simon Brodkin: Everyone But Himself.
In his Lee Nelson stand-up
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
routine, Brodkin's character typically interacts with his audience, telling them about his life, asking them questions, then replying with witty and often mocking responses that reflect his world view, his own ignorance or his own stereotypically antisocial attitudes. His act is peppered with slang words
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
.
Brodkin also performs a selection of other characters, the most successful of which has been Jason Bent ("110% Bent"), a stereotypically unintelligent premiership footballer with a "chavvy" hairstyle and a working-class Merseyside accent of sorts. Other characters have included sleazy and incompetent Dr. Bob, and an upper class "trustafarian" called Hugo.
Television
Brodkin began appearing on television in 2003, in a series of shorts entitled From Baghdad To Balham (Channel 4), playing a recently arrived Iraqi asylum seeker, and twice on Absolutely FabulousAbsolutely Fabulous
Absolutely Fabulous, also known as Ab Fab, is a British sitcom created by Jennifer Saunders, based on an original idea by her and Dawn French, and written by Saunders, who plays the leading character. It also stars Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha, along with June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks...
on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
.
In 2005, Brodkin appeared as Nelson in three episodes of Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's The Morning After Show.
In 2007, Brodkin wrote for and appeared on Al Murray
Al Murray
Alastair James Hay "Al" Murray , is a British comedian best known for his stand-up persona, The Pub Landlord, a stereotypical xenophobic public house licensee. In 2003, he was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy...
's ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
prime time sketch show Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder
Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder
Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder is a British sketch show starring comedian Al Murray. The multi character aspect of the show was a departure from Murray's previous television comedy work, as the sole character The Pub Landlord. The first series ran from 27 February to 12 April 2009,...
, where he appeared playing his characters of Jason Bent and Lee Nelson, as well as alongside Murray in sketches about Mobile phone shop assistants.
In 2008, Brodkin appeared as Dr. Omprakash and Nelson in the BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
comedy show The Wall
The Wall (TV series)
The Wall is a British comedy television programme presented by Alexa Chung and Rhys Thomas. The programme is produced by Zeppotron for BBC Three and premiered on the channel on 8 April 2008...
.
In 2011, Brodkin appeared as Nelson in the 28 January episode of ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford and in Heat 3 of Let's Dance for Comic Relief
Let's Dance for Comic Relief
Let's Dance for Comic Relief is a British television programme shown on BBC One, featuring celebrities performing famous dance routines to raise money for the charity Comic Relief. The programme is currently presented by Steve Jones and Alex Jones, who replaced previous host Claudia Winkleman in...
on BBC One.
He also appeared as Lee Nelson in BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's Live at the Apollo Series seven, episode two, alongside Sean Lock and Ed Byrne
Ed Byrne
Ed Byrne is a Perrier Award-nominated, Irish stand-up comedian, voice over artist and actor. He has presented television shows Uncut! Best Unseen Ads and Just for Laughs, and is a regular guest on various television panel games...
on Friday, 11 Nov 2011.
Lee Nelson's Well Good Show
In 2009, Brodkin was commissioned by the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
to write his own show for BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
. Titled Lee Nelson's Well Good Show
Lee Nelson's Well Good Show
Lee Nelson's Well Good Show is a British comedy sketch show, written and presented by Simon Brodkin, and produced by Avalon Television for BBC Three. It features Brodkin hosting a studio based show as his comedy character Lee Nelson, a happy-go-lucky chav, and also features television sketches of...
, it was broadcast from 10 June 2010 on BBC Three in the 22.30 slot. It features Brodkin in character in a studio setting, but also features television sketches of his other characters.
The show was commissioned for a second series, which aired on 25 August 2011.
Reception
Brodkin's performances as Lee Nelson on the live comedy circuit in the UK have been recognised with mixed reviews. Brodkin has won several competitions and awards for his work, including Brighton’s Komedia comedy competition and The Writers' Guild Award for Best Newcomer in Edinburgh for his show Everyone But Himself.In reviewing his Nelson stand-up character in 2009, James Kettle of The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
stated that, in comparison to Matt Lucas
Matt Lucas
Matthew Richard "Matt" Lucas is an English comedian, screenwriter and actor best known for his acclaimed work with David Walliams in the television show Little Britain; as well as for his portrayals of the scorekeeping baby George Dawes in the comedy panel game Shooting Stars, Tweedledee and...
's aggressive Vicky Pollard
Vicky Pollard
Vicky Pollard is a fictional character from the British comedy TV series Little Britain, which aired on BBC.Vicky Pollard is a stereotypical chav. She is a teenage mother and juvenile delinquent and is known for her inarticulate and incredibly fast speech and incessant gossip...
, and Catherine Tate
Catherine Tate
Catherine Tate is an English actress, writer, and comedian. She has won numerous awards for her work on the sketch comedy series The Catherine Tate Show as well as being nominated for an International Emmy Award and four BAFTA Awards...
's Lauren Cooper
Lauren Cooper
Dame Lauren Alesha Masheka Tanesha Felicia Jane Cooper is a fictional character in The Catherine Tate Show. Lauren is one of the show's main characters and is played by Catherine Tate...
, Brodkin's portrayal has "a three-dimensional personality" and is a "gentler, more likeable soul, with a dopily comprehensive lack of self-awareness", and that in playing the 'chav
Chav
A chav is a term that is used in the United Kingdom to describe a stereotype of teenagers and young adults from an underclass background.-Etymology:...
', "no one's done it quite like Simon Brodkin".
External links
- Simon Brodkin at Chortle.co.uk