Getting On: BBC Four comedy

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More Jo Brand videos

Jo's first job was at Dr Barnardo's home - following in the footsteps of her social worker mother.

After this, she moved to London and famously became a psychiatric nurse - the daily parade of drug addicts, alcohol abuse and the clinically depressed, giving her the sense of humour and bravado to deal with any comedy audience.

A pioneer of the alternative comedy scene, she started performing at the age of 29, in 1987, under the name The Sea Monster and it only took her two years to be able to turn pro.

Her material, about her weight and men, made here a bete noire among those who despised the rise of alternative comedy, most notably tabloid TV critic Garry Bushell.

CV

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Okay so Jo's approach may become tiresome over a full-length show. But for me she's never been anything less than sublime - confident, sarky, deliciously rude. Some of her gags I heard up to fifteen years ago and yeah, they still make me laugh! All power to Jo in what is essentially still a white-, male-dominated activity.

Michael Monkhouse, August 2010

She only makes 'I hate men' jokes or 'I'm fat' jokes that somehow involve her husband or men. Get a grip woman.

Philip Malone, July 2010

I love her but have never had a chance to see her live, but she is still brilliant wherever she goes. It's nice to see some female comedians out there!

Mastermind, November 2009

Catch her with Mark Lamar on Radio 2 now and again, lovely to listen to - no poncyness just real folk.

jb, May 2008

This comedian is an utter joy and no doubt a genius to boot. A brilliant stand-up and always performs brilliantly off the cuff on chat/quiz shows. A genuine talent who is genuinely funny and never has a point to prove. Not many comics you can say that about!

L. Norris, May 2008

Quite simply a joy. Gutsy, acerbic, always hilarious.

Michael Monkhouse, September 2007

I rarely post comments on these things but thought i would in this instance. On the negative side I agree with some of the comments on here that Jo's material is done to death and really quite tired by now. What I wanted to say though was that years ago when I was a nervous teenage performer I was performing magic in Jongleurs and Jo Brand was on also. Of all the comedians on that night she was the only one who took time to chat to me, be friendly, calm my nerves and have a banter. So, verdict...material tired, but a genuinely nice talented decent not up-her-own-arse person like so many of them.

Lee Hathaway, January 2007

Horray, Jo. Enjoy your shows - not enough good belly laughs these days

lesley young, December 2006

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