What do John Gorman and a wrecking ball have in common? They both crash through barriers to bring a bit of chaos to our humdrum lives. John Gorman, born in 1936 in Birkenhead, England, is a multifaceted English entertainer whose antics left an indelible mark on the world of comedy and music. He's best known for his involvement in the satirical comedy group, The Scaffold, and his role in the anarchic television show Tiswas during the boisterous 1970s and 1980s in the United Kingdom. But more than just a comedian or musician, Gorman is a fearless jester, unafraid to poke where it hurts and stir the pot with his brand of slapstick humor.
John Gorman is a throwback to an era when entertainers took risks and didn't have to apologize for offending someone's precious sensibilities. While some might cringe at the daring humor that defined Gorman's career, let's be clear: this is what comedy looked like before "cancel culture" tried to sanitize it. Here are a few reasons why Gorman’s work remains legendary and how his unapologetically daring style stood the test of time.
First, Gorman wasn't just any performer. He was part of The Scaffold, a British group that effortlessly combined music, poetry, and humor to mock society's follies. They scored a UK No. 1 hit with "Lily the Pink" in 1968. Imagine that happening today! Their brand of joyously rebellious humor would have sparked endless online petitions. Yet, it was popular precisely because it jabbed at norms and traditions without hesitation.
Gorman's comedic prowess shone brightly during his time on Tiswas, a children's television show that aired in the UK in the late 1970s. It wasn't just a show; it was a chaotic circus where anything could happen, with Gorman right at the center of the whirlwind. Only a fearless performer like him could embrace such delightful anarchy. But let’s be honest, today's sanitized kids' shows would never tolerate such madness. They require a "safe space" instead of showing kids that it's perfectly okay to laugh at life's absurdity.
To truly understand John Gorman, you should know that he isn't a product of today's cautious society. He's built from a different mold—and thank goodness for that. Gorman took risks in a way today's entertainers rarely do, carving a niche that few can replicate. He wasn't afraid to challenge what was considered "appropriate." Where would such raw talent fit into today's ultra-cautious entertainment industry? Few would dare protest standards with such fervor—not unless they enjoy career suicide.
A master of timing, Gorman could incite laughter with a simple quip or a physical gag amidst chaos. It's that energy that propelled him to continue performing despite an ever-changing entertainment landscape. Even after the modern entertainment industry evolved—and not always for the better—Gorman’s early work remains a testament to the power of unfettered creative expression.
Many entertainers today are lauded for being daring or edgy, but be wary of this facade. There’s a big difference between shallow shock tactics and Gorman's skillful, insightful comedy—he was a true da Vinci of comedic performance, with the brush of absurdity and the paint of humor crafting portraits that transcended mere laughter. Gorman, with his idiosyncratic charm, was a flag bearer for satire that didn’t just amuse but invoked viewers to question ideologies.
Yet what stands out is Gorman's ability to remain a distinct, original voice in a field that often demands conformity and compromise. As societal politics shift, entertainment reflects this through filtered content. Thankfully, the 70s and 80s weren't as sensitive. In those times, comedians weren't labeled "problematic" for rattling cages; they were celebrated. That's precisely why John Gorman remains unforgettable.
Gorman's career is a fascinating case study for anyone interested in how entertainment has evolved—or devolved, depending on your perspective. While we may not see another like him soon, perhaps that’s because of the self-imposed shackles society's placed on expression. But then again, that’s what makes Gorman and entertainers of his ilk timeless gems in a sea of dime-a-dozen performers.
Those who dismiss Gorman as a relic of a bygone era miss the beauty and significance of being provocatively entertaining. The genius of unfiltered humor shouldn’t be underestimated—it’s a critical genre, and Gorman was one of its stalwarts. Here's hoping future generations won't just discover John Gorman but will learn something from his fearless approach to entertainment. Like him or not, he's proof that humor can be a rather potent antidote to the mundane.