Impressionists have long been a staple of television comedy and entertainment. Their uncanny ability to mimic the voices and mannerisms of celebrities and public figures never fails to delight audiences. One of the most popular TV impressionists who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s was Rory Bremner.
Rory Bremner’s Early Life and Career
Rory Bremner was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1961. From an early age, he displayed a talent for mimicry and accents. He attended Wellington College where he often entertained his classmates with comedic impressions of the teachers. Bremner later studied languages at King’s College London, proving adept at picking up different accents and speech patterns.
After graduating from university, Bremner pursued a career in television. He started out doing vox pops and reports for news and magazine programs. His ability to improvise and mimic different voices made him a popular contributor. In the late 1980s, he landed his own show on Channel 4 called “Now – Something Else” where he performed sketches and impressions. The show helped launch Bremner’s TV career as an impressionist.
Teaming Up with Bird and Fortune
As Rory Bremner’s comedic star was rising, he teamed up with two other talented performers – John Bird and John Fortune. Bird and Fortune were an established satirical double act who performed parody interviews on television and radio. Bremner joined forces with them to create “Bremner, Bird and Fortune.”
The trio’s show spoofed current events, politicians, and celebrities. Bremner did many of the impressions, perfectly mimicking the voices and mannerisms of people in the news. Bird played the interviewer while Fortune switched between different comic personas during the interviews. Together, their satirical sketches poured laughter over the absurdity of politics and high society.
Some of Bremner’s most popular impressions on the show included British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and Tony Blair. He captured their speech patterns and body language in hilarious detail. Other famous impressions included Prince Charles, Rupert Murdoch, and Queen Elizabeth II. The sharp, satirical writing combined with Bremner’s first-rate impressions made the show a huge success.
Notable Sketches and Moments
One of the most famous sketches from “Bremner, Bird and Fortune” featured Bremner impersonating Tony Blair taking a call from President George W. Bush on the eve of the Iraq War in 2003. The skit satirized the cozy relationship between the American and British leaders as they discussed Iraq like two frat boys planning a party rather than world leaders sending soldiers into war.
In another memorable sketch, Bremner played Gordon Brown hosting a chat show where the guests were all different personalities of Gordon Brown. This highlighted Brown’s reputation for having a complex psyche and volatile mood swings. The Brown-on-Brown confrontation provided plenty of laughs for viewers.
Over the years, the trio produced a massive body of work that ridiculed politics and media with glee. Their sharp satire and observational comedy made them hugely popular with British audiences.
Critical Reception and Impact
“Bremner, Bird and Fortune” received widespread acclaim for its satirical sketches. Critics praised the show for blending comedy and political commentary. Bremner’s impressions were lauded as being both hilarious and accurate. Many believed the show offered penetrating insight into its subjects along with laughs. Some considered it a welcome antidote to the superficiality of mainstream media.
The show had a notable impact on public perceptions in the UK. Highlighting the absurdity and hypocrisy of politics through satire helped shape attitudes. Polls indicated the sketch where Tony Blair takes a call from George Bush significantly shifted public opinion against the Iraq War. The show demonstrated the power of satirical comedy to influence views.
Awards and Honors
Over its long run, “Bremner, Bird and Fortune” won numerous awards including:
- British Academy Television Awards – Nominated 10 times, Won 4 times
- British Comedy Awards – Nominated 8 times, Won 3 times
- International Emmy Award – Won for Comedy (2001)
- Royal Television Society Awards – Nominated 5 times, Won 3 times
- South Bank Show Award – Won for Comedy (1999, 2002)
Individually, Rory Bremner, John Bird, and John Fortune were all recognized as masters of satire and sketch comedy.
End of the Show and Post-Series Work
“Bremner, Bird and Fortune” ended its successful run in 2008 after 11 seasons and over 100 episodes. Rory Bremner has continued working in comedy and impressions. He has made several acclaimed specials and documentaries taking humorous looks at politics, history, and language.
Bird and Fortune maintained their professional partnership after the show ended. They created several programs carrying on their tradition of satirical interviews and sketch comedy. Sadly, John Fortune passed away in 2013 after battling liver disease. Bird has stated he won’t ever partner with another impressionist as a replacement for Fortune.
Although the show concluded, “Bremner, Bird and Fortune” left an indelible mark on British satire. Through razor sharp writing and brilliant impressions, they entertained audiences while offering bitingly honest takes on current events. The trio’s comedic chemistry delighted viewers for over a decade.
Conclusion
Rory Bremner established himself as one of Britain’s premier impressionists through his work on “Bremner, Bird and Fortune.” Teaming up with satirical duo John Bird and John Fortune, Bremner mimicked famous politicians, celebrities, and royals to hilarious effect. His uncanny impersonations of figures like Tony Blair, Prince Charles, and Gordon Brown allowed the show to parody and ridicule the powerful. For over a decade, the trio’s comedy blended laughter and social commentary to huge success. “Bremner, Bird and Fortune” demonstrated how great satirical comedy can capture the zeitgeist while entertaining audiences. Rory Bremner’s prodigious comedic talents were on full display during the show’s acclaimed run.