Entertainment
James Barr: ‘I was told to be less camp by radio stations – here’s how I’m fighting back’-Jordan Platt-Entertainment – Metro
(Picture: James Barr)
Queerness is at its epitome during Straight Jokes – James Barr’s five-star critically acclaimed stand-up UK tour (his very first, as a matter of fact).
‘It’s kind of a dream come true. I feel so lucky that I get to take my show on tour to some of my favourite cities. It’s also a chance to meet some of our Hits Radio listeners. I have some minor anxiety about ticket sales though, I’m not Madonna… Yet!’
First fronted at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022, the Hits Radio Breakfast presenter has taken his hour-long set to a whole new level after going through a breakup, meaning he has heaps of new material.
(Picture: James Barr)
‘Cos heartbreak may be sh*t, but James has found the silver lining: “My boyfriend and I broke up in November, so the show required a slightly awkward edit. Luckily, the jokes about my ex are funnier now, there really is truth in comedy.”
‘I get super personal. I can go to some pretty dark places when I’m writing new material. I like to start from my truth, process it, have some therapy and then turn it into something really funny.’
It’s the personal touch that makes James’ set so fun. Regardless of your sexuality, there’s elements of relatability for everyone throughout, hilariously so, too. But being so publicly open about his queer experience comes at a cost…
‘As a gay comedian, I’m often told by the entertainment industry that I’m ‘too camp’, or as one person put it on TikTok put it: ‘only tells gay jokes. Sexuality isn’t funny’.’ Which, when you check out most heterosexual comedians’ commentary – we’d beg to differ.
(Picture: James Barr)
‘Straight comedians [Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais] make loads of jokes about LGBT people, making us a victim in their punchlines and they’re celebrated with Netflix specials. It’s not fair. Straight people can get away with making gay jokes, but I can’t get away with actually being gay. So I wrote an hour of the gayest jokes ever – except they’re not gay, they’re just stories about my life, and I happen to be gay.’
‘I was a DJ at a pretty famous radio station in my 20s and my bosses and producers told me to stop describing Britney songs as ‘fierce’ and ultimately, ‘be less camp’. Straight Jokes is my fabulous reply.’
‘Ultimately, it’s an hour of jokes I wrote by testing out new material at a bunch of open mics, both in London and NYC. I wanted to perform a show that was out-and-out jokes to prove myself as a comedian. I love it so much and I can’t wait to perform it.’
You can bag yourself tickets for Straight Jokes here. It’s not to be missed.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
(Picture: James Barr)
Queerness is at its epitome during Straight Jokes – James Barr’s five-star critically acclaimed stand-up UK tour (his very first, as a matter of fact).
‘It’s kind of a dream come true. I feel so lucky that I get to take my show on tour to some of my favourite cities. It’s also a chance to meet some of our Hits Radio listeners. I have some minor anxiety about ticket sales though, I’m not Madonna… Yet!’
First fronted at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022, the Hits Radio Breakfast presenter has taken his hour-long set to a whole new level after going through a breakup, meaning he has heaps of new material.
(Picture: James Barr)
‘Cos heartbreak may be sh*t, but James has found the silver lining: “My boyfriend and I broke up in November, so the show required a slightly awkward edit. Luckily, the jokes about my ex are funnier now, there really is truth in comedy.”
‘I get super personal. I can go to some pretty dark places when I’m writing new material. I like to start from my truth, process it, have some therapy and then turn it into something really funny.’
It’s the personal touch that makes James’ set so fun. Regardless of your sexuality, there’s elements of relatability for everyone throughout, hilariously so, too. But being so publicly open about his queer experience comes at a cost…
‘As a gay comedian, I’m often told by the entertainment industry that I’m ‘too camp’, or as one person put it on TikTok put it: ‘only tells gay jokes. Sexuality isn’t funny’.’ Which, when you check out most heterosexual comedians’ commentary – we’d beg to differ.
(Picture: James Barr)
‘Straight comedians [Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais] make loads of jokes about LGBT people, making us a victim in their punchlines and they’re celebrated with Netflix specials. It’s not fair. Straight people can get away with making gay jokes, but I can’t get away with actually being gay. So I wrote an hour of the gayest jokes ever – except they’re not gay, they’re just stories about my life, and I happen to be gay.’
‘I was a DJ at a pretty famous radio station in my 20s and my bosses and producers told me to stop describing Britney songs as ‘fierce’ and ultimately, ‘be less camp’. Straight Jokes is my fabulous reply.’
‘Ultimately, it’s an hour of jokes I wrote by testing out new material at a bunch of open mics, both in London and NYC. I wanted to perform a show that was out-and-out jokes to prove myself as a comedian. I love it so much and I can’t wait to perform it.’
You can bag yourself tickets for Straight Jokes here. It’s not to be missed.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
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