If only Noel had done his Amy Winehouse material at the festival

Dave - which is the name that UK TV G2 is living under as part of a witness protection programme - has been at the Edinburgh Festival in order to present an award for "the funniest joke of the festival". Surely Dave should be presenting an award for the funniest joke of last year's festival, but then present it again, and again, and again?

It's gone with a topical gag about Amy Winehouse. This might seem odd, as you might think that a topical joke will date very, very quickly indeed and it would be pointless to try and preserve it for posterity. But if you do think that, then, clearly, you're not in Dave's target audience.

Zoe Lyons' gag was this:

"I can't believe Amy Winehouse self-harms. She's so irritating she must be able to find someone to do it for her.

If that was the best joke told at the whole of Edinburgh, you have to feel sorry for people who bought tickets to other shows. They must be feeling as distraught as a Chinese company taking delivery of six thousand Liu Xiang: Champion tshirts.

Actually, it clearly wasn't the best joke at the festival, as Lyons' gag when she picked up the award was better:

"I am absolutely delighted to have won the award. I know self-harming is not funny but it's just a joke, so I'm not going to beat myself up about it."

[Thanks to Michael M for the link]