LAUGH? They thought they’d never start. It seems that some of Britain’s comedians are failing to see the funny side these days.

Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer hit out at the “stale” and old fashioned state of the current comedy scene.

The duo who are bringing their cult “quiz” show Shooting Stars back to TV screens gave The Mighty Boosh the thumbs up.

But they said new comics like Michael McIntyre – who is due to play in Bournemouth this October – would not have been out of place 20 years ago.

“I think comedy probably is a young man’s game but it’s gone a bit stale at the moment,” said Vic, 50.

Bob, also aged 50, agreed: “It doesn’t feel like there’s been that much new. I think the Mighty Boosh are quite good. But I could have been watching this new crop – Michael McIntyre and people – 20 years ago.”

The pair denied that they were cashing in by resurrecting Shooting Stars.

“It didn’t feel cynical bringing it back – there’s nothing much like it.”

Vic added: “When we were doing Vic Reeves Big Night Out they were the kind of people that were around and we came along and did something different.

“And they’re still there. There’s nothing new.”

And it seems Vic and Bob are not the only ones who think so.

Even Adrian Edmondson who helped change the face of British comedy more than 30 years ago, said he felt the whole business had become rather tedious.

“I just can’t be bothered with comedy these days,” he told the Echo in an interview last week. “I quite like bits of Russell Brand, because I think he’s genuinely funny but he’s funnier when he’s being serious and talking about what he does.

“Alan Carr just reminds me of Dick Emery – a funny voice, but where’s the joke?”

But Poole-based comedian Scott Charlton, who has been involved in the profession for more than 20 years, felt their comments were a bit harsh.

“I think [Reeves and Mortimer] are probably just looking for headlines,” he said.

“It’s a bit rich because their show has been going for about ten years now so I will look forward to watching the new series to see if they have got much in the way of new material.”

Scott started as a Butlins Redcoat and went on to support some of the biggest names in the business and is now a scriptwriter for both TV and radio.

He agreed that the market had changed though.

“It’s true that comedy has gone full circle. People don’t want to be shocked or offended anymore. You’re playing to a different audience these days.

Scott also believes that political correctness could have a lot to do with why people are no longer funny.

“But I’m really happy with where comedy is at just now – it would be nice if some of the TV producers were a little braver though.”

Tom Madge, assistant marketing manager for the BIC and Pavilion, said from their point of view, stand-up was more popular than ever.

“The first five nights of Michael McIntyre’s show sold out straight away so we included a sixth night and that sold out quickly too.

“Lee Evans also did six nights when he was here which meant he would have played to around 20,000 people at this venue.

“It proves that this style of comedy is very successful right now and a big seller for us – certainly here in Bournemouth anyway!”

A spokesman for Michael McIntyre was unavailable for comment.