Jimmy Carr
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{{short description|Irish-British comedian and television presenter (born 1972)}}
{{other people}}
{{Copy edit|date=February 2025|for=While I've done a basic skim to get rid of the more awkward and incorrect stuff, I think a fully copyedit and stylistic clean-up would help make this article more navigable and encyclopaedic.}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox comedian
| image = Jimmy Carr 2024.png
| caption = Carr in 2024
| birth_name = James Anthony Patrick Carr
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1972|9|15}}
| birth_place = Hounslow, London, England
| medium = {{hlist|Stand-up|television}}
| nationality = {{hlist|Ireland|United Kingdom}}
| alma_mater = Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (BA)
| active = 1997–present
| genre = {{hlist|Black comedy|blue comedy|satire}}
| subjects = {{hlist|Celebrities|current events|politics|sex}}
| domestic_partner = Karoline Copping (2001–present)
| children = 1
| website = {{URL|jimmycarr.com}}
}}
James Anthony Patrick Carr (born 15 September 1972) is an Irish-British comedian, presenter, writer and actor.{{Cite web |url=https://www.irishpost.com/entertainment/11-celebrities-never-realised-had-irish-passport-164941 |title=11 celebrities you never realised had an Irish passport |date=15 October 2021 |work=The Irish Post |access-date=12 February 2022}} He is known for his rapid-fire deadpan delivery of one-liners. He began his comedy career in 1997, and he has regularly appeared on television as the host of Channel 4 panel shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year.
Early life and education
James Anthony Patrick Carr was born on 15 September 1972,{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/10-things-about/a298925/ten-things-about-jimmy-carr/ |title=Ten Things About... Jimmy Carr |last=Fletcher |first=Alex |date=19 January 2011 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=16 February 2019}} in Hounslow, London.{{Cite web|url=http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4458/jimmycarrrl8.jpg|title=Birth record from Hounslow|date=2011-07-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728093235/http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4458/jimmycarrrl8.jpg|archive-date=2011-07-28|access-date=2021-12-18}}{{Cite news|last=Groskop|first=Viv|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2012/jun/24/profile-jimmy-carr|title=Jimmy Carr: Laughing on the other side of his face {{!}} Viv Groskop|date=2012-06-23|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-03-28|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/10-things-about/a298925/ten-things-about-jimmy-carr/|title=Ten Things About... Jimmy Carr|last=Fletcher|first=Alex|date=2011-01-19|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-28}} He is the second of three sons born to Irish parents Nora Mary (née Lawlor; 19 September 1943 – 7 September 2001){{cite web |url=http://www.bigissue.com/features/letter-to-my-younger-self/6101/jimmy-carr-interview-my-mum-showed-me-the-power-of-comedy-i |title=Jimmy Carr interview: "My mum showed me the power of comedy. I owe her everything" |author=Eamonn Forde |work=Big Issue |date=4 January 2016 |publisher=The Big Issue |access-date=9 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312054201/http://www.bigissue.com/features/letter-to-my-younger-self/6101/jimmy-carr-interview-my-mum-showed-me-the-power-of-comedy-i |archive-date=12 March 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=ONSmarriage1984&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=0&gss=angs-d&gsln=Carr&dbOnly=_F0006310%7c_F0006310_x%2c_F0005648%7c_F0005648_x&uidh=fk7&mssns0=Lawlor&pcat=BMD_MARRIAGE&fh=0&h=38484692&recoff=&ml_rpos=1 |title=England & Wales, Marriage Index, 1916-2005 |publisher=Ancestry.com}} and Patrick James "Jim" Carr (born 1945), an accountant who became the treasurer for computer company Unisys. His parents were married in 1970 and separated in 1994, never divorcing.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/corrections/jim-carr-1681527.html |title=Independent corrections |work=The Independent|date=11 May 2009 |access-date=10 March 2011 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910134814/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/corrections/jim-carr-1681527.html |archive-date=10 September 2010 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2012/jun/24/profile-jimmy-carr|title = Jimmy Carr: Laughing on the other side of his face | Viv Groskop|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 23 June 2012}}
Carr spent most of his early life in the village of Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire, where he attended Farnham Common School and Burnham Grammar School. Carr was diagnosed with dyslexia and could not read and write at his expected level until around ten or eleven years old.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roROKlZhZyo |title=Jimmy Carr: The Easiest Way To Live A Happier Life {{!}} E106 |date=2021-11-14 |last=The Diary Of A CEO |access-date=2024-08-06 |via=YouTube}} He completed sixth form at the Royal Grammar School in nearby High Wycombe.{{cite news |title=A class apart: How does this state school get so many boys into Oxbridge? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/a-class-apart-how-does-this-state-school-get-so-many-boys-into-oxbridge-396507.html |work=The Independent |date=11 October 2007 |location=London |access-date=1 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923215453/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/a-class-apart-how-does-this-state-school-get-so-many-boys-into-oxbridge-396507.html |archive-date=23 September 2017 |url-status=live }}Jimmy Carr, Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4 (Mar 2017)
In 2001, Carr's mother, Nora Mary, died of pancreatitis, at age 57. Following her death, Carr's relationship with his father became "severely strained". In 2004, his father was arrested and accused of harassing Carr and his brother Colin, but was cleared and won an apology from the Metropolitan Police.[https://pressgazette.co.uk/standard-pay-out-to-jimmy-carrs-estranged-father/ "Standard pay out to Jimmy Carr's estranged father", Press Gazette, 21 September 2006]. Retrieved 20 November 2022 In 2021, Carr said he had not spoken to his father since 2000 and had not seen him in person, with the exception of an autograph signing after a gig in 2015, where they saw each other but did not speak.{{Cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ie/entertainment/celebrity/comedian-jimmy-carr-reveals-irish-dad-is-dead-to-me/ar-AAQebx7 |title = Comedian Jimmy Carr reveals Irish dad is 'dead to me' |date=2 November 2021 |publisher=MSN|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211117055923/https://www.msn.com/en-ie/entertainment/celebrity/comedian-jimmy-carr-reveals-irish-dad-is-dead-to-me/ar-AAQebx7 |archive-date = 17 November 2021}}
Carr's parents remained in contact with their Irish relatives, and the family made frequent trips to Limerick and Kilkee. After earning four A grades at A-Level,{{Cite web |title=Postcards from Slough - Jimmy Carr |url=http://www.postcards-from-slough.co.uk/home/slough-s-famous-people/jimmy-carr/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=www.postcards-from-slough.co.uk |language=en}} Carr studied social science and political science at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He graduated with first-class honours{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2006/sep/09/comedy.thebestofbritishcomedy2 |title=Here's Jimmy! |work=The Guardian |date=9 September 2006 |location=London |access-date=23 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021111613/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2006/sep/09/comedy.thebestofbritishcomedy2 |archive-date=21 October 2017 |url-status=live }} in 1994.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/taboobuster-the-dark-side-of-jimmy-carr-1022921.html |title=Taboo-buster: the dark side of Jimmy Carr |work=The Independent |date=18 November 2008 |location=London |access-date=6 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903201521/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/taboobuster-the-dark-side-of-jimmy-carr-1022921.html |archive-date=3 September 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=Chris Harris |url=http://chrismoyles.net/soundvault/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=1672 |title=chrismoyles.net |publisher=chrismoyles.net |access-date=10 March 2011}} He went on to work in the marketing department at Shell, but took voluntary redundancy in January 2000 as he felt "miserable" there. He performed his first paid stand-up gig later that month, having done his debut pub show unpaid only the previous December. He claimed that a course in neuro-linguistic programming helped him realize how his mind was working to hold him back from following his dreams of becoming a comedian.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecoachingroom.com.au/blog/nlp-as-the-sliding-door-of-life|title = The Coaching Room's NLP as the Sliding Door of Life| date=8 August 2018 }}
Career
=Television=
==Hosting==
Carr has hosted Channel 4 game shows Distraction and Your Face or Mine?. He presented the 100s series of programmes for Channel 4: 100 Worst Pop Records, 100 Worst Britons, 100 Greatest Cartoon Characters, 100 People Who Look Most Like Jimmy Carr (a spoof) and 100 Scary Moments.
Since 2005, Carr has presented the comedy panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats. The show aired on Channel 4 until 2016, when it moved to More4. It later went to E4. Since 2012, Carr has also presented over 150 episodes of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, a combination of his panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats and daytime quiz show Countdown.
In April 2010, Carr hosted the first British version of a comedy roast show, Channel 4's A Comedy Roast. On 6 May 2010, he was a co-host of Channel 4's Alternative Election Night, with David Mitchell, Lauren Laverne and Charlie Brooker. He joined the three presenters again for 10 O'Clock Live, a Channel 4 comedy current-affairs show, which started airing in January 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/10-oclock-live |title=10 O'Clock Live |access-date=10 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106162931/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/10-oclock-live |archive-date=6 January 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/temp/top-comic-jimmy-carr-for-inec-27411131.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616050918/http://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/temp/top-comic-jimmy-carr-for-inec-27411131.html |archive-date=16 June 2013 |title=Top comic Jimmy Carr for INEC |work=Irish Independent |date=14 September 2011 |access-date=20 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}
In 2014 and 2015, Carr guest-presented two episodes of Sunday Night at the Palladium on ITV.{{Cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/peter-kay-pulls-out-itv-4181242 |title=Peter Kay pulls out of ITV show following snubs from ABBA and the Rolling Stones |last=Methven |first=Nicola |date=7 September 2014 |work=mirror |access-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019215620/http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/peter-kay-pulls-out-itv-4181242 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |url-status=live }} In 2018, he presented American comedy panel show The Fix on Netflix. From 2018 to 2020, Carr hosted the Comedy Central series Roast Battle. From 2021 he has hosted the Channel 4 quiz show I Literally Just Told You.
In March 2025, he hosted the first series of LOL: Last One Laughing UK with Roisin Conaty, which starred Sara Pascoe, Bob Mortimer, Lou Sanders, Rob Beckett, Judi Love, Joe Wilkinson, Joe Lycett, Daisy May Cooper & Harriet Kemsley{{cite web | url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/jimmy-carr-last-one-laughing-comedians-exclusive-newsupdate/ | title=Jimmy Carr on Last One Laughing: 'Comedians are weirdly competitive' | Radio Times }}
==Guest appearances==
Carr contributed sketches to Channel 4 topical comedy TV programme The 11 O'Clock Show and has appeared on panel shows A League of Their Own and QI. During a guest appearance on the BBC motoring show Top Gear, Carr set a new celebrity test track lap record on the 'Star in a Reasonably Priced Car' segment.{{Cite web |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top-gear-chats-cars-jimmy-carr |title=Top Gear chats cars with Jimmy Carr |website=topgear.com |date=3 January 2014 |language=en |access-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019164922/https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top-gear-chats-cars-jimmy-carr |archive-date=19 October 2017 |url-status=live }} He was described as "the worst driver we've ever had" and "the luckiest man alive" by Top Gear{{'s}} test driver the Stig.{{Cite news |url=http://www.motoringbox.com/cars/entertainment/top-gear/episode-guides/series-5/series-5-episode-4/ |title=Top Gear: Series 5, Episode 4 |date=14 November 2004 |work=MotoringBox |access-date=14 February 2018 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083613/http://www.motoringbox.com/cars/entertainment/top-gear/episode-guides/series-5/series-5-episode-4/ |archive-date=15 February 2018 |url-status=live }}
Carr has appeared as a contestant on celebrity editions of Deal or No Deal{{cite web |url=http://www.dealornodeal.co.uk/jimmy-carr-faces-the-banker-on-celebrity-deal-or-no-deal/ |title=Jimmy Carr faces The Banker on Celebrity Deal or No Deal |date=22 August 2016 |website=Deal or No Deal |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106174542/http://www.dealornodeal.co.uk/jimmy-carr-faces-the-banker-on-celebrity-deal-or-no-deal/ |archive-date=6 January 2018 |url-status=live }} (won £750 for Helen & Douglas House), The Chase (won £1,000 for Variety Club), Benchmark{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a670536/jimmy-carr-takes-on-joey-essex-in-channel-4s-celebrity-benchmark/ |title=Jimmy Carr vs Joey Essex on Celeb Benchmark |first=Tom |last=Eames |date=25 September 2015 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206192534/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a670536/jimmy-carr-takes-on-joey-essex-in-channel-4s-celebrity-benchmark/ |archive-date=6 December 2018 |url-status=live }} (won £1,000 for Elton John AIDS Foundation), Tipping Point{{cite web |url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week42/tipping-point-lucky-stars |title=Tipping Point: Lucky Stars Episode 1 |website=Press Centre |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106174243/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week42/tipping-point-lucky-stars |archive-date=6 January 2018 |url-status=live }} (won £7,000 for Blue Cross), Catchphrase, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, winning £1,000.
Carr was a guest presenter for one edition of Have I Got News for You;{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/hignfy/episodes/26/4/|title=Have I Got News For You Series 26, Episode 4|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}} in 2007 he joined Ian Hislop's team in the edition of the show chaired by Ann Widdecombe, with whom he "flirted" outrageously. Later in the episode, Widdecombe stated, "I don't think I shall return to this programme."{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/apr/06/have-i-got-news-for-you-women-hit-back-against-too-modest-claims|title=Have I Got News For You: women hit back against 'too modest' claims|date=6 April 2018|website=The Guardian}}
=Radio=
In January 2006, Carr made a joke on Radio 4's Loose Ends, the punchline of which implied that Gypsy women stank.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk_news/story/0,3604,1677955,00.html |title=BBC apologises for joke about Gypsy women on radio show |date=5 January 2006 |publisher=Guardian Unlimited |location=London |first=Duncan |last=Campbell |access-date=6 May 2010}} The BBC issued an apology, but Carr refused to apologize and continued to use the joke. He appeared in two episodes of the radio series of Flight of the Conchords in 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.bbcshop.com/Comedy/Flight-of-the-Conchords-The-Directors-Cut/invt/9781408409459 |title=Flight of the Conchords: The Director's Cut at BBC Shop |publisher=BBCShop.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091116125712/http://www.bbcshop.com/Comedy/Flight-of-the-Conchords-The-Directors-Cut/invt/9781408409459 |archive-date=16 November 2009 |access-date=26 July 2018}}
Carr has appeared on BBC Radio 4's Museum of Curiosity a total of seven times since 2011. He was the Museum Curator (in his five appearances in 2012) and a guest on the 2018 Annual Stock Take Christmas special, alongside Lee Mack, Jo Brand and Sally Philips.{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |title=Jimmy Carr |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/jimmy_carr/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}
= Podcasts =
Carr's podcast appearances go back to at least 2010 with a one-off podcast called Jimmy Carr and Frankie Boyle: Meet the Comedians.{{Cite web |title=Meet the Comedian: Jimmy Carr on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/meet-the-comedian-jimmy-carr/id404910683 |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=Apple Podcasts |date=16 November 2010 |language=en-AU}} Carr's podcast appearances ramped up significantly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with recent appearances during this period including The Betoota Advocate Podcast, You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes, The Comedian's Comedian, The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast, and Dane Baptiste Questions Everything.{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Carr podcast appearances and mentions {{!}} Ivy.fm |url=https://ivy.fm/tag/jimmy-carr |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=ivy.fm |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Podcasts |url=https://www.jimmycarr.com/podcasts/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=Jimmy Carr |language=en-US}}
=Stand-up comedy=
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Carr performs stand-up tours continuously over most of the course of the year, originally taking only five weeks off between them. During his Terribly Funny Tour (which began pre COVID lockdown and ended April 2024) he wrote his next tour by trying out new material in every gig.{{cite interview |last=Carr |first=Jimmy |interviewer=Melanie Sykes |interviewer2=Des O'Connor |title=The Paul O'Grady Show |publisher=Channel 4 |date=3 November 2008}} As a result of this Jimmy Carr Laughs Funny{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Carr // Laughs Funny // Live Tour |url=https://www.jimmycarr.com/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Jimmy Carr |language=en-GB}} started 17 April 2024.
His first five minutes of stand-up (unpaid) was at an Islington pub, the Tut 'n' Shive, in December 1999.{{Cite web |date=2008-11-18 |title=Taboo-buster: the dark side of Jimmy Carr |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/taboobuster-the-dark-side-of-jimmy-carr-1022921.html |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=The Independent |language=en}} From 2000 to 2003, he started appearing regularly, around London, at Up The Creek,{{Cite web |date=2000-09-27 |title=Listings |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6456538.listings/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=News Shopper |language=en}} The Banana Cabaret{{Cite web |date=2001-11-16 |title=Comedy |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6386668.comedy/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=News Shopper |language=en}} and The Bearcat Comedy Club.{{Cite web |date=2003-01-16 |title=Rudi at the Bearcat |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6273024.rudi-at-the-bearcat/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=News Shopper |language=en}}
His first really successful show was a revue at the Café Royal, as a part of the 2001 Edinburgh Fringe.{{Cite web |date=2001-08-03 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2001 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2001_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} Titled Rubbernecker, it also featured Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Robin Ince.{{Cite news |last=Logan |first=Brian |date=2009-12-09 |title=Review of the decade: Comedy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/dec/09/review-of-the-decade-comedy |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
In 2004, he threatened to sue Jim Davidson for using a joke that Carr considered his own.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3539246.stm |title=Stand-ups square up over fat joke |date=5 August 2004 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=23 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320222754/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3539246.stm |archive-date=20 March 2007 |url-status=live }} The matter was dropped when it became apparent that the joke in question was an old one used for decades by many different comedians. He toured the country with his show A Public Display of Affection, starting on 9 April 2005 at the Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury and ending on 14 January 2006 at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End. He also appeared at the EICC during the Edinburgh Festival in August 2005 with his Off The Telly show.
In August 2006, he commenced the tour Gag Reflex, for which he won the 2006 British Comedy Award for "Best Live Stand-Up". He released his third DVD, Jimmy Carr: Comedian, in November 2007. In 2003, he was listed in the Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy. In 2007, a poll on the Channel 4 website for 100 Greatest Stand-Ups, Jimmy Carr was 12th. A national tour commenced in autumn 2007 named Repeat Offender, beginning at the Edinburgh Festival.
On 3 February 2007, Carr's performance in front of 50 people in London was broadcast simultaneously on the virtual platform Second Life.{{cite news |title=Second Life gig for comedian Carr |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6227869.stm |access-date=8 February 2022 |publisher=BBC News |date=3 January 2007}}
His Rapier Wit tour opened on 20 August 2009 eight shows at the Edinburgh Festival before touring the UK. He released a DVD entitled Jimmy Carr: Telling Jokes on 2 November 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0028N6MZO |title=Telling Jokes |publisher=Amazon |access-date=10 March 2011}} Also on 5 and 6 July 2009, Carr was the warm up act for Las Vegas band the Killers at their DVD record gigs (Live from the Royal Albert Hall).{{Cite web |title=2009 |url=https://gigs-r-us.tripod.com/id301.html |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=gigs-r-us.tripod.com}}
In October 2009, Carr received criticism from Sunday tabloid newspapers for a joke he made about British soldiers who had lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying the UK would have a strong team in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6427618/Anger-over-Jimmy-Carrs-joke-about-war-amputees.html |title=Anger over Jimmy Carr's joke about war amputees |date=25 October 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |author=Staff |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620202824/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6427618/Anger-over-Jimmy-Carrs-joke-about-war-amputees.html |archive-date=20 June 2012 |url-status=live }} Carr defended his own joke as "totally acceptable" in an interview with The Guardian.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/nov/05/jimmy-carr-paralympics-joke |title=Jimmy Carr: 'I thought my Paralympics joke was totally acceptable' |date=5 November 2009 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |author=Stephen Moss |access-date=24 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002180613/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/nov/05/jimmy-carr-paralympics-joke |archive-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=live }} He had met with staff and patients at the rehabilitation centre, Headley Court, in March 2009.{{Cite web |date=2009-03-04 |title=Jimmy Carr Visits Headley Court |url=https://bff.org.uk/gallery/jimmy-carr-visits-headley-court-2/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=The British Forces Foundation}}
Carr's sixth Live DVD, Jimmy Carr: Making People Laugh, was released on 8 November 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/-/2350/1617/-/12041707/Jimmy-Carr-Making-People-Laugh/Product.html?searchtype=genre |title=Jimmy Carr: Making People Laugh |publisher=Play.com |access-date=10 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209045608/http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/-/2350/1617/-/12041707/Jimmy-Carr-Making-People-Laugh/Product.html?searchtype=genre |archive-date=9 February 2014 }} Carr's 2010–11 tour, entitled Laughter Therapy, started with a run at the Edinburgh Festival before touring the UK.{{cite web |url=http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/7992/Jimmy_Carr.html |title=Ents24: Jimmy Carr |publisher=Ents24.com |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104092045/http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/7992/Jimmy_Carr.html |archive-date=4 January 2011 |url-status=live }}
Carr was criticised in November 2011 for a joke about the Variety Club's Sunshine coaches, which offer holidays for children with Down syndrome. The charity and Down Syndrome Education International condemned the joke. Carr defended himself by saying nothing should be off limits.{{cite news |title=Jimmy Carr defends joke about handicapped children |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8916298/Jimmy-Carr-defends-joke-about-handicapped-children.html |access-date=8 February 2022 |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=25 November 2011}}
A Guardian profile in 2012 said: "In terms of reach and earning power... one of the nation's most popular stand-up comedians... in his ability to pull in crowds which generate millions in tour and DVD sales..." and as "the undisputed king of deadpan one-liners...".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2012/jun/24/profile-jimmy-carr |title=Jimmy Carr: Laughing on the other side of his face |last=Groskop |first=Vic |work=The Guardian |date=23 June 2012 |access-date=12 February 2022}}
Carr released the Jimmy Carr: Laughing and Joking DVD on 18 November 2013.{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |title=Jimmy Carr - Laughing And Joking DVD |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/jimmy_carr_laughing_and_joking/shop/3557/dvd/ |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}
In June 2019, Carr was criticised for the content of his touring show Terribly Funny. Among the controversial jokes were jokes about dwarves, fat women and female genital mutilation.{{cite news |last1=Logan |first1=Brian |date=16 June 2019 |title=Jimmy Carr review – a relentless wallow in grubbiness |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jimmy-carr-standup-tour-abortion-dwarf-joke-backlash-criticism-a8968486.html |url-status=live |department=Culture |work=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204080126/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/jun/16/jimmy-carr-review-rose-theatre-kingston |archive-date=4 December 2019 |access-date=15 July 2020 }} Carr was also criticised by charity Little People UK (co-founded by actor Warwick Davis), accusing him of prejudice for an "offensive" abortion joke he made about people with dwarfism.{{cite news |last1=Petter |first1=Olivia |date=21 June 2019 |title=Jimmy Carr faces backlash over 'abortion dwarf' joke |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jimmy-carr-standup-tour-abortion-dwarf-joke-backlash-criticism-a8968486.html |url-status=live |department=Indy/Life |work=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622153418/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jimmy-carr-standup-tour-abortion-dwarf-joke-backlash-criticism-a8968486.html |archive-date=22 June 2019 |access-date=15 July 2020 }}{{cite news |last1=Mercer |first1=David |date=21 June 2019 |title=Jimmy Carr criticised by Little People charity for 'offensive' dwarf joke |url=https://news.sky.com/story/jimmy-carr-criticised-by-little-people-charity-for-offensive-dwarf-joke-11746124 |url-status=live |department=Entertainment |work=Sky News |publisher=Sky Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622172412/https://news.sky.com/story/jimmy-carr-criticised-by-little-people-charity-for-offensive-dwarf-joke-11746124 |archive-date=22 June 2019 |access-date=15 July 2020 }}
On 17 April 2024, the Netflix recording of Carr's Terribly Funny 2.0 tour was released as Natural Born Killer. The one hour special attained a Top 10 spot in 29 countries.{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Carr: Natural Born Killer • FlixPatrol |url=https://flixpatrol.com/title/jimmy-carr-natural-born-killer/ |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=FlixPatrol |language=en}} In the week 15–21 April 2024 Netflix listed the show as being 8th in the global Top 10 (in the category TV, English) with 2.3 million viewing hours.{{Cite web |title=Top 10 TV Shows on Netflix Right Now |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/top10/tv?week=2024-04-21 |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=www.netflix.com}}{{Cite web |last=Hailu |first=Selome |date=2024-04-23 |title=Netflix Top 10: 'Baby Reindeer' Leads TV Chart, 'Rebel Moon — Part Two' Debuts as Most-Watched Title |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/netflix-top-10-streaming-ratings-1235697082/ |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
In September and October 2024, Carr joined Australian comedian Jim Jefferies for a number of joint gigs, slotted between dates for Jefferies's own tour, in Canada. Their shows were billed as The Charm Offensive Tour.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ae2v8mGSbc |title=The Charm Offensive Tour with #JimmyCarr & #JimJefferies is coming to Canada - tickets Friday! |language=en |access-date=2024-05-01 |via=www.youtube.com}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-02 |title=Jim Jefferies, Jimmy Carr to co-headline Victoria show, Oct. 26 |url=https://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/jim-jefferies-jimmy-carr-will-co-headline-tour-coming-to-victoria-in-october-8690087 |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=Times Colonist |language=en}}
== Edinburgh ==
The Edinburgh Festival / Fringe{{Cite web |title=edinburgh_festival_fringe Publisher Publications |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Issuu |language=en}} is an annual arts festival, in Scotland, that has been a showcase for comedians since at least the 1970s. Carr has often said how important the Fringe is to anyone that wants to get into comedy, and that he is "a performer at night but during the day I'm a punter and have conversations with people about what show they liked and what they didn’t."{{Cite web |last=Dailyrecord.co.uk |date=2012-05-31 |title=Jimmy Carr Interview |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/jimmy-carr-interview-856937 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}
Carr has said that he first went up to Edinburgh around 2000 to “see what it was about”. Although he would eventually go on to return each year as a paid stand-up comic, he initially had to resort to trying to save money by sleeping in his car (a Rover 75) or on the floor of somewhere that other comedians had rented.
The August 2001 two-week stint, with Rubbernecker, was Carr’s first Fringe appearance, with his name in the official programme and his first mention on the Comedy site Chortle.{{Cite web |date=2001-08-03 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2001 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2001_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Rubbernecker : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/shows/edinburgh_fringe_2001/r/276/_rubbernecker |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=www.chortle.co.uk |language=en}}
In 2002, although this was Carr’s second entry (in one of the festival’s programmes) this was his first solo show: Bare Faced Ambition. This was the year that he received a nomination for what was then known as the Perrier Award.
The poster and programme billed him as "England’s answer to Emo Philips",{{Cite web |date=2002-08-09 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2002 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2002_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2012-04-10 |title=Jimmy's joke guarantee pays off |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/jimmys-joke-guarantee-pays-off-7381958.html |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} and he performed in the Dining Room of the Gilded Balloon from 2 to 26 August.
By the time of 2003’s Festival,{{Cite web |date=2003-08-08 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2003 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2003_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} the now 30-year-old Carr had built a larger fan base through touring, several appearances at Montreal’s Just For Laughs and numerous TV appearances (including co-hosting Your Face Or Mine). This enabled him to move his shows to the larger venue of the Pleasance Courtyard, but the Festival’s rules (on TV appearances) meant that he was judged to now be a “star” and therefore could not be nominated for the 2003 Perrier Award.{{Cite news |last=Merritt |first=Stephanie |date=2003-08-16 |title=Groomed for success |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2003/aug/17/features.review87 |access-date=2024-02-29 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}
He performed for 25 nights between 30 July and 25 August 2003. On August 21 and 22nd, he participated in Comedy Gala 2003 in aid of Waverley Care.
Edinburgh 2004{{Cite web |date=2004-08-06 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2004 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2004_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} followed on from another hit TV show (Distraction); this tour show was called Public Display of Affection. This meant another move up (in venue size) with six shows at the EICC (which had a 1,200-seat capacity at that time).{{Cite web |date=2004-08-22 |title=Jimmy Carr: Public Display of Affection, International Conference |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/jimmy-carr-public-display-of-affection-international-conference-centre-edinburgh-557542.html |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=The Independent |language=en}}
2005 was Carr’s fifth Fringe and he again arrived with all-new material. This show was called Off The Telly, and, returning to the EICC, he performed eight shows.{{Cite web |date=2005-08-05 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2005 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2005_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}
Material for the new tour, named Gag Reflex, had been tried out at a WIP (Work in progress) gig at the Hen and Chickens on August 5, 2006. Trial of the new material continued in Edinburgh across six nights, from August 17, at the EICC.{{Cite web |date=2006-08-04 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2006 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2006_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}
Carr only managed to fit in a brief appearance at the 2007 Fringe on August 21.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-26 |title=2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2007_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} Held at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, it was a regular Fringe fund raiser, headed by Alan Carr, for Waverley Care. He was still writing material for his planned Repeat Offender tour, as evidenced by him using a clipboard on stage.{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Carr Fringe Festival Review - The Skinny |url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/edinburgh-fringe/fest-magazine/jimmy-carr-review |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=www.theskinny.co.uk |language=en}}
Previously, The Guardian had been reasonably positive in relation to reviews of comedians headlining at the Fringe; however, articles from 2007 declared that "household names were drowning out more pioneering art".{{Citation |title=The Guardian |date=2024-02-29 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Guardian&oldid=1210982943 |access-date=2024-02-29 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=SHECKYmagazine {{!}} Too much standup at Edinburgh |url=https://sheckymagazine.com/2007/08/too-much-standup-at-edinburgh/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=sheckymagazine.com}}
The 2008 Edinburgh programme{{Cite web |date=2008-08-08 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2008 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2008_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} never listed dates or a venue for Carr’s shows this year; this was possibly because his attendance was confirmed after printing. His presence (and the unveiling of his Joke Technician tour) was, however, mentioned in The Independent{{Cite web |date=2008-11-18 |title=Taboo-buster: the dark side of Jimmy Carr |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/taboobuster-the-dark-side-of-jimmy-carr-1022921.html |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=The Independent |language=en}} and also Chortle.{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Carr: Joke Technician : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/shows/edinburgh_fringe_2008/j/16026/jimmy_carr:_joke_technician |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=www.chortle.co.uk |language=en}}
Edinburgh 2009{{Cite web |date=2009-08-07 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2009 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/edinburgh_festival_fringe_programme_2009 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} saw Carr return for what is billed as his "eighth solo show", thereby confirming his seventh attendance in 2008. He returned to the EICC with his new show, Rapier Wit, for eight nights spanning 20 to 30 August.
He also attended the Edinburgh International Television Festival to be a Judge on a Britain’s Got Talent spoof (called TV’s Got Talent{{Cite news |last=Plunkett |first=John |date=2009-08-28 |title=TV's Got Talent: the judges' verdict |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2009/aug/28/tvs-got-talent-edinburgh-tv-festival |access-date=2024-02-29 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}) alongside Amanda Holden and Louis Walsh.
Edinburgh 2010{{Cite web |date=2010-08-06 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2010 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2010_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} sees Carr debut his new show, Laughter Therapy, a few days after the end of his Rapier Wit tour. He was back at the EICC for eight nights.{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |title=Jimmy Carr: Laughter Therapy |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2010/jimmy_carr_laughter_therapy/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}
Although he performed a number of gigs in Scotland, during 2011, Carr never made it to that year’s Festival. At Edinburgh 2012, he was back to perform his new show, Gagging Order, with six nights at the EICC.{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |title=Jimmy Carr: Gagging Order |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2012/jimmy_carr/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}
2014 saw Carr return for his 11th solo Edinburgh show,{{Cite web |date=2014-08-08 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2014 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2014_fringe_programme |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} called Funny Business. Based once again at the EICC he played four nights{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |title=Jimmy Carr - Funny Business |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2014/jimmy_carr/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}} in what would appear to be his last Fringe appearance (with a comedy show).
In August 2017, Carr returned for a different kind of Edinburgh Festival: the Edinburgh International Television Festival. He interviewed Comedy Central President, Kent Alterman, in an on-stage Q&A session in front of industry staff.{{Cite web |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=2017-08-24 |title=Comedy Central's Kent Alterman On Jesting In The Age Of Trump – Edinburgh |url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/comedy-central-kent-alterman-donald-trump-president-show-edinburgh-1202155737/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Citation |title=Jimmy Carr Interviews Comedy Central's Kent Alterman {{!}} Gamechangers {{!}} EITF 2017 | date=31 August 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKtgiJBHSMM |access-date=2024-02-29 |language=en}}
After a 10 year absence Carr returned for his 12th solo show (Laughs Funny), in August 2024. He described the Festival as being "where it all began" {{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Jimmy |date=9 August 2024 |title=Jimmy Carr announces his return to Edinburgh |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C-avVS2Nzw9/?hl=en }} and performed 5 shows, across 3 nights, at the Edinburgh Playhouse.
== America ==
In the final months of his Terribly Funny 2.0 tour, Carr made several trips to the USA.{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Carr Promises To Be "Terribly Funny" On New US Tour – 800 Pound Gorilla |url=https://800poundgorillamedia.com/blogs/the-laugh-button/jimmy-carr-terribly-funny-tour-dates-tickets |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=800poundgorillamedia.com|date=6 October 2023 }} Each trip consisted of around a week, criss-crossing the country. 2023 saw these mini tours in October, November{{Cite web |last=Lin |first=Sarah Belle |date=2023-08-07 |title=New York Comedy Festival announces expansion, lineup to include Dave Attell, Bill Burr, Nicole Byer, Jimmy Carr, Margaret Cho, and more {{!}} amNewYork |url=https://www.amny.com/entertainment/new-york-comedy-festival-announces-expansion-lineup-to-include-dave-attell-bill-burr-nicole-byer-jimmy-carr-margaret-cho-and-more/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.amny.com |language=en-US}} and December. He also toured in March and April 2024; this last trip ended up consisting of new material, under the tour name Laughs Funny.
=== American TV ===
Early support was shown by Conan O'Brien, and Carr appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien twice in 2002,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyR1YCNYm3k |title=Jimmy Carr on Late Night October 9, 2002 |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.youtube.com}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP10sJiT_HA |title=Conan O'Brien 'Jimmy Carr (Stand-up) 12/27/2002 |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.youtube.com}} twice in 2006,{{Citation |title=Late Night With Conan O' Brien - 2006 |date=2006 |url=http://archive.org/details/late-night-with-conan-o-brien-2006 |access-date=2024-04-17}} and then again in 2007,{{Citation |title=Late Night With Conan O' Brien - 2007 |date=2007 |url=http://archive.org/details/late-night-with-conan-o-brien-2007 |access-date=2024-04-17}} 2008{{Citation |title=Late Night With Conan O' Brien - 2008 |date=2008 |url=http://archive.org/details/late-night-with-conan-o-brien-2008 |access-date=2024-04-17}} and 2009{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.episodate.com/tv-show/the-tonight-show-with-conan-o-brien |title=The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien |date=2009-06-02 |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.episodate.com}} (that last appearance being on the renamed The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien). Appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno were 2003{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw6j9wqD7Yg |title=Jimmy Carr On The Jay Leno Show |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.youtube.com}} and 2005;{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw6j9wqD7Yg |title=Jimmy Carr On The JAY LENO Show |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.youtube.com}} The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon was 2016,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9zEsVkLC30 |title=Jimmy Carr Stand-Up |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.youtube.com}} 2018,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDnKhOGcg7A |title=Jimmy Carr Introduces Jimmy to His Lucky Charms and Baileys Christmas Tradition |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.youtube.com}} 2019,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYp_piXdqJs |title=Jimmy Carr Stand-Up |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.youtube.com}} and 2024;{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJf0eO53BlY |title=Jimmy Carr Stand-Up: Gender Reveals, Getting Cancelled {{!}} The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon |date=2024-05-10 |last=The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon |access-date=2024-05-19 |via=YouTube}} and there was an additional appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden 2016.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwBITscRcGs |title=Jimmy Carr Has a One-of-a-Kind Laugh |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.youtube.com}}
His first venture into making TV shows in the US was The Strategic Humour Initiative (hosted by Sir David Frost) back in 2003. It was a joint UK–USA–Canada production, and Carr was chosen to be the UK comedian. Only 1 episode was made.{{Cite web |date=2003-10-16 |title=Chilly reception for Frost's TV humour |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1444312/Chilly-reception-for-Frosts-TV-humour.html |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}}
2005 saw Carr hosting 12 episodes{{Citation |last=FremantleMedia |title=Distraction US Season 1 (January 18, 2005 - April 5, 2005) Incomplete |date=2005-01-18 |url=http://archive.org/details/distraction-us-season-1-january-18-2005-april-5-2005-incomplete |access-date=2024-04-17}} of the American version of the shock gameshow Distraction (which he had hosted in the UK). A second US series (14 episodes{{Citation |last=FremantleMedia |title=Distraction US Season 2 (January 10, 2006 - April 11, 2006) Complete |date=2006-01-10 |url=http://archive.org/details/distraction-us-season-2-january-10-2006-april-11-2006-complete |access-date=2024-04-17}}) was commissioned in 2006.{{Cite web |title=Breaking News - Comedy Central Orders Second Season of Hit Game Show "Distraction" {{!}} TheFutonCritic.com |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/08/18/comedy-central-orders-second-season-of-hit-game-show-distraction-19062/20050818comedycentral01 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.thefutoncritic.com}}
Comedy Central (US) made two episodes of Comedy Central Presents: Jimmy Carr in 2005{{Cite web |date=2005-01-14 |title=Jimmy Carr - Comedy Central Presents (Season 9, Episode 3) - Apple TV |url=https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/jimmy-carr/umc.cmc.6oxs0eatwmwrxefbsmng6ymtg?showId=umc.cmc.6mnohyawr1tcht3pu1dd5s6x2 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Apple TV |language=en-US}} and 2009.{{Cite web |date=2009-03-06 |title=Jimmy Carr – Comedy Central Presents (Season 13, Episode 17) - Apple TV (CA) |url=https://tv.apple.com/ca/episode/jimmy-carr/umc.cmc.3km3o5g937941yi0ot02og8?showId=umc.cmc.6mnohyawr1tcht3pu1dd5s6x2 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Apple TV |language=en-CA}}
Netflix produced 10 episodes of The Fix in 2018, hosted by Carr. It was an attempt to export the UK panel show format to America, and, although still available on Netflix,{{Cite web |title=Watch The Fix {{!}} Netflix Official Site |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/80216124 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.netflix.com |language=en}} no further episodes have been made.
Carr was the first British comedian{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Steve |title=Jimmy Carr signs Netflix deal : News 2015 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/11/09/23552/jimmy_carr_signs_netflix_deal |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.chortle.co.uk |language=en}} to get a Netflix stand-up special, with his show Funny Business{{Cite web |title=Watch Jimmy Carr: Funny Business {{!}} Netflix Official Site |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/80076467 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.netflix.com |language=en}} (March 2016).
=American stand-up=
Because of the frequency of his trips and his workaholic nature,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6H46mcHVUA |title=Jimmy Carr {{!}} Blocks Podcast w/ Neal Brennan |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.youtube.com}} Carr collaborates with American comedians in various ways. Neal Brennan credits him with the idea for his Blocks podcast, and Jeffery Ross frequently invites him to be part of his Roast events (the most famous of which is probably The Roast of Rob Lowe{{Cite web |author=T. H. R. Staff |date=2016-09-05 |title=Rob Lowe Roast: 25 of the Most Shocking Jokes (Not All Were Aimed at Ann Coulter) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/rob-lowe-roast-best-jokes-925834/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}). Across two nights of the 2022 Netflix is a Joke Festival.{{Cite web |title=Watch The Best of Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival {{!}} Netflix Official Site |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81607740 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.netflix.com |language=en}} Carr was a support act for Dave Chappelle at the Hollywood Bowl (April 30{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Steve |title=Dave Chappelle attacked on stage : News 2022 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2022/05/04/50715/dave_chappelle_attacked_on_stage |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.chortle.co.uk |language=en}} and May 3, 2022,{{Cite magazine |date=2022-05-04 |title=Before Dave Chappelle Got Assaulted, He Hosted a Very Strange Night of Stand-Up |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/05/before-dave-chappelle-got-assaulted-he-hosted-a-very-strange-night-of-stand-up |access-date=2024-04-17 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}} the show where Chappelle was attacked on stage).
During this festival, Carr slotted in one of his own tour gigs, at the Palace Theatre,{{Cite web |title=Netflix Is A Joke Fest - Jimmy Carr - Palace Theatre Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA - Tickets, information, reviews |url=https://www.los-angeles-theatre.com/shows/palace-theatre-los-angeles/netflix-is-a-joke-fest-jimmy-carr/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.los-angeles-theatre.com}} and also performed at the Hollywood Palladium as a part of the line-up for Bill Burr Presents Friends Who Kill,{{Cite web |title=Watch Bill Burr Presents: Friends Who Kill {{!}} Netflix Official Site |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81222748 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.netflix.com |language=en}} which was filmed for another Netflix Special.
As a member of the Netflix comedy roster, he was also invited to a celebratory brunch at the home of Netflix co-CEO, Ted Sanderos.{{Cite web |last=Netflix |date=2 May 2022 |title=Netflix is a Joke Festival: Brunch |url=https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-is-a-joke-the-festival-day-four |website=Netflix}}
The Comedy Store opened in Los Angeles in 1972 and has been a popular venue for stand-up comedians ever since.{{Cite web |title=The Comedy Store |url=https://thecomedystore.com/history/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The Comedy Store |language=en-US}} Carr has been performing there for many years and is one of a small number of British comedians that are listed as alumni{{Cite web |title=Paid Regulars |url=https://thecomedystore.com/alumni/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The Comedy Store |language=en-US}} and, in 2018, was given the honour of having his name painted on one of the club's walls.{{Cite web |last=The Comedy Store |date=30 July 2018 |title=The Comedy Store on X |url=https://twitter.com/TheComedyStore/status/1024063268732555266 |website=Twitter / X}}
Since 2015, Carr has made several appearances on the US live comedy show Kill Tony.{{Cite web |title=Search Results for "jimmy carr" – DEATHSQUAD |url=https://www.deathsquad.tv/?s=jimmy+carr |access-date=2024-04-17 |language=en-US}}
2024 once again saw Netflix host Netflix is a Joke Fest, in Los Angeles (May 2–12). Carr posted (on X) that he had performed two gigs in the UK on May 3{{Cite tweet |number=1786518823249568019 |user=jimmycarr |title=I'm at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft tonight. I'll be heading to Hollywood this week for the Netflix is a Joke festival. If you're in the area there are lots of great shows to see 👉🏼 https://netflixisajokefest.com |first=Jimmy |last=Carr}} and then performed at the Outside Joke event, at the Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, on May 4.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-05 |title=Jimmy Carr performs onstage during attend Netflix Is A Joke Festival:... |url=https://www.gettyimages.es/detail/fotograf%C3%ADa-de-noticias/jimmy-carr-performs-onstage-during-attend-fotograf%C3%ADa-de-noticias/2151503253 |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Getty Images |language=es}}
On May 5, Carr attended the Netflix special live stream of the Roast of Tom Brady.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-06 |title=Stars arrive for Netflix Is A Joke Fest's 'The Greatest Roast Of All Time: Tom Brady' |url=https://thelistwire.usatoday.com/lists/stars-arrive-for-netflix-is-a-joke-fests-the-greatest-roast-of-all-time-tom-brady/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=List Wire |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNQehqCnxVo |title=I'm having a blast at the @netflixisajoke festival in LA. #netflix #standupcomedy #funny |language=en |access-date=2024-05-08 |via=www.youtube.com}}
=American charities=
Carr is a supporter of the Bob Woodruff Foundation (a non-profit that supports post-9/11-impacted service members, veterans, and their families). On 5 November 2018,{{Cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |date=2018-11-06 |title=Stand Up for Heroes 2018: The 8 Best Things We Saw |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/stand-up-for-heroes-2018-bruce-springsteen-eric-church-jon-stewart-752327/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} he was on the bill of the 12th Annual Stand Up for Heroes event at Madison Square Gardens and again, for the 17th event, on 6 November 2023,{{Cite web |date=6 November 2023 |title=17th Annual Stand Up for Heroes, Presented by the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the New York Comedy Festival, Returns to New York |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230906214829/en/17th-Annual-Stand-Up-for-Heroes-Presented-by-the-Bob-Woodruff-Foundation-and-the-New-York-Comedy-Festival-Returns-to-New-York |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=Businesswire}} at the Lincoln Center.
Carr was one of the British comics{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Carr joins Amnesty International's The Secret Policeman's Ball {{!}} Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/jimmy-carr-joins-amnesty-internationals-secret-policemans-ball |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.channel4.com}} supporting Amnesty International at the 2012 Secret Policeman's Ball in New York.{{Cite web |last=L4LM |date=2012-03-16 |title=Amnesty International Secret Policemans Ball |url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/amnesty-international-secret-policemans-ball/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=L4LM |language=en-US}}
=Books=
In 2006, the book The Naked Jape: Uncovering the Hidden World of Jokes, on the history and theory of joke-telling, by Carr and Lucy Greeves, was published by Penguin.{{cite news |last1=Robshaw |first1=Brandon |title=The Naked Jape, by Jimmy Carr & Lucy Greeves |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-naked-jape-by-jimmy-carr-lucy-greeves-760036.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-naked-jape-by-jimmy-carr-lucy-greeves-760036.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=8 February 2022 |work=The Independent |date=25 November 2007}}
Before & Laughter, a memoir and self-help book authored by Carr, was published by Quercus in December 2021.{{cite news |title=Before & Laughter by Jimmy Carr and 8 Deaths by Mark Watson |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/books/2021/12/22/49909/before_%26_laughter_by_jimmy_carr_and_8_deaths_by_mark_watson |access-date=8 February 2022 |publisher=Chortle |date=22 December 2021}}
Controversies
{{Criticism section|date=April 2025}}
=2011 Amputee joke=
At the Manchester Apollo in 2011, Carr joked that war injuries had a positive side. "You can say what you like about these servicemen amputees from Iraq and Afghanistan," he said, "but we're going to have a fucking good Paralympics team in 2012."
The Prime Minister's office condemned the joke. Newspapers and radio stations phoned the mothers of soldiers maimed in battle, recited the joke, then reported their outraged reactions. Carr contended that it was a good joke.{{Cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/74912824/jimmy-carr-talks-religion-war-and-ribald-jokes-before-his-nz-tour |title=Jimmy Carr talks religion, war and ribald jokes before his NZ tour |author=Grant Smithies |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=10 December 2015 |access-date=22 September 2018}}
=2012 Tax avoidance=
In June 2012, Carr's involvement in an alleged K2 tax avoidance scheme came to light after an investigation by The Times.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jun/19/tax-scheme-jimmy-carr-hmrc |title=Tax avoidance scheme used by Jimmy Carr investigated by HMRC |newspaper=The Guardian |date=19 June 2012 |access-date=19 June 2012 |location=London |first=Shiv |last=Malik |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909063828/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jun/19/tax-scheme-jimmy-carr-hmrc |archive-date=9 September 2013 |url-status=live }} The scheme is understood to involve UK earners "quitting" their job and signing new employment contracts with offshore shell companies based in the low-tax jurisdiction of Jersey. Prime Minister David Cameron said: "People work hard, they pay their taxes, they save up to go to one of his shows. They buy the tickets. He is taking the money from those tickets and he, as far as I can see, is putting all of that into some very dodgy tax-avoiding schemes."{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18521468 |title=Jimmy Carr tax affairs 'morally wrong' – Cameron |publisher=BBC News |date=20 June 2012 |access-date=20 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620200035/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18521468 |archive-date=20 June 2012 |url-status=live }} Carr subsequently pulled out of the scheme, apologising for "a terrible error of judgement".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18532886 |title=Profile: Jimmy Carr |publisher=BBC News |date=21 June 2012 |access-date=20 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510175954/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18532886 |archive-date=10 May 2013 |url-status=live }}
Viewing figures of the episode of his topical show 8 out of 10 Cats, recorded on the day of his apology and broadcast the following day, almost doubled compared with the previous week.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18569728 |publisher=BBC News |title=Jimmy Carr: Tax row sees Channel 4 ratings soar |date=24 June 2012 |access-date=25 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624183819/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18569728 |archive-date=24 June 2012 |url-status=live }} Earlier in 2012, during the second series of Channel 4's satirical news programme 10 O'Clock Live, Carr had lampooned people who avoid paying their taxes. A sketch from the show, in which he poked fun at the 1% tax rate of Barclays Bank and described tax lawyers as being "aggressive" and "amoral", was regarded as having "come back to haunt him".
In February 2018, Carr appeared on Room 101, where he talked about the controversy. Though he admitted that what he did was wrong, he said there was some level of hypocrisy in the comments that Cameron had made about him in 2012, stating that members of Cameron's family and Queen Elizabeth II had subsequently been mentioned in the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers tax evasion scandals. Carr said that the law should become clearer by eliminating any loopholes, instead of leaving it up to individuals to decide what is morally right.{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/tax-cheat-jimmy-carr-calls-11896308 |title=Jimmy Carr say legal loopholes that let him avoid tax should be closed |last=Jefferies |first=Mark |date=22 January 2018 |website=Mirror Online |access-date=1 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302050122/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/tax-cheat-jimmy-carr-calls-11896308 |archive-date=2 March 2018 |url-status=live }} Carr continues to reference the scandal in his performances and public appearances{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Roisin |date=27 December 2020 |title=Jimmy Carr makes tax avoidance joke on Big Fat Quiz of the Year |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jimmy-carr-tax-avoidance-trump-bfqoty-b1779253.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jimmy-carr-tax-avoidance-trump-bfqoty-b1779253.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |access-date=24 May 2022 |website=The Independent}} and takes heckles on the subject with good humour, including responding to a heckle on the subject by saying: "There's two shows: One at 7, one at 9:30. One for me, one for them.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PLVeXLqzJSw?feature=share |title=Does Jimmy Still Dodge Taxes? #jimmycarr #britishcomedy #standupcomedy #hecklers |language=en |access-date=2025-03-25 |via=www.youtube.com}}
=2021 Holocaust joke=
In a stand-up comedy performance released as a Christmas 2021 Netflix special titled His Dark Material, Carr joked:
{{blockquote|When people talk about the Holocaust, they talk about the tragedy and horror of 6 million Jewish lives being lost to the Nazi war machine. But they never mention the thousands of Gypsies that were killed by the Nazis. No one ever wants to talk about that, because no one ever wants to talk about the positives.}}
During the show, Carr defended his joke, saying that it had the educational value of raising awareness about groups who suffered genocide in the Holocaust. The show had been released in December 2021 without comment on the joke but received widespread attention the following February after a clip was posted and shared online. He was condemned by the Auschwitz Memorial, Hope not Hate{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-60261876|title=Jimmy Carr sparks fury with Holocaust routine in Netflix special|date=4 February 2022|publisher=BBC News}} and The Traveller Movement, who called anti-Romani prejudice the "last acceptable form of racism" in the UK.{{cite news |last1=Samuelson |first1=Kate |title=Jimmy Carr-Gypsies row: an end to the 'last acceptable racism' in UK? |url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/society/955691/jimmy-carr-gypsies-holocaust-joke-racism |access-date=14 February 2022 |work=The Week UK |date=8 February 2022}} He also faced criticism from British politicians, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Nadine Dorries, the culture secretary.{{Cite web|last=Bagwell|first=Matt|date=2022-02-07|title=Boris Johnson Condemns Jimmy Carr's 'Unacceptable' Joke About The Holocaust|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/boris-johnson-jimmy-carr-response-netflix-joke-holocaust_uk_62011ad8e4b0f8a1b8473da4|access-date=2022-02-07|website=HuffPost UK}} The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust said they were "absolutely appalled" and "horrified", and they described Carr's joke as "abhorrent".{{Cite web|url=https://www.hmd.org.uk/statement-on-jimmy-carrs-remarks-about-roma-people/|title=Statement on Jimmy Carr's remarks about Roma genocide|last=Marks-Woldman|first=Olivia|date=4 February 2022|publisher=Holocaust Memorial Day Trust}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/jimmy-carr-netflix-roma-comedy-jewish-b2007982.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/jimmy-carr-netflix-roma-comedy-jewish-b2007982.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Jimmy Carr faces backlash over 'disturbing' Holocaust joke about Travellers|last=Harrison|first=Ellie|date=4 February 2022|work=The Independent}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/feb/04/jimmy-carr-condemned-for-joke-about-gypsies-in-netflix-special|title=Jimmy Carr condemned for 'abhorrent' Holocaust joke about Roma people|last=Khomami|first=Nadia|date=4 February 2022|work=The Guardian}} Despite the criticism, Carr stood by the joke.{{Cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/im-going-down-swinging-jimmy-carr-responds-to-holocaust-joke-controversy-at-gig-12535231|title='I'm going down swinging': Jimmy Carr responds to Holocaust joke controversy at gig|date=7 February 2022|work=Sky News|access-date=8 February 2022}}
=2025 Israel event at British Museum=
In May 2025, Carr attended an event celebrating Israel's Independence Day. This event was held during the Israel–Gaza war and was criticised by pro-Palestine activists, who urge a a boycott of Israeli events due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.{{cite news |title=British Museum slammed for secret Israel Independence Day event |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/british-museum-slammed-secret-israel-independence-day-event |access-date=22 May 2025 |work=The New Arab |date=16 May 2025}}{{cite news |title=Pro-Palestinian campaigners call for Jimmy Carr shows to be cancelled after secret Israel event |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/campaigners-protest-jimmy-carr-shows-after-israel-event |access-date=22 May 2025 |work=The New Arab |date=18 May 2025}}
Personal life
File:Jimmy Carr, 2015-04-13 3 (crop).jpg
In 1998, Carr was 26 years old and had what he calls "an early midlife crisis" during which he lost his Catholic faith.{{cite news |author=Brian Logan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/jun/22/will-jimmy-carrs-career-survive?newsfeed=true |title=Will Jimmy Carr's career survive the tax avoidance |work=The Guardian |date=22 June 2012 |access-date=20 May 2013 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002173117/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/jun/22/will-jimmy-carrs-career-survive?newsfeed=true |archive-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=live }} He has since made comments critical of organised religion. In 2015, he said: "As for being a Christian, yes, it seems ridiculous now, but I genuinely believed there was a big man in the sky who could grant wishes. Writers like Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins helped change my view, but I don't go on stage banging on about being an atheist... I'm just a guy who tells jokes." He has stated that he underwent a lot of psychotherapy (specifically neuro-linguistic programming) at the time of his crisis in order to help him cope with his loss of faith, and that he is qualified as a therapist.BBC Radio 4, The Museum of Curiosity, Season 4, episode 1, broadcast 3 October 2011.
Carr has dual British and Irish citizenship, travels on an Irish passport. He has spoken of his pride in having Irish ancestry and was presented in 2013 with a certificate of Irish heritage in his parents' home city of Limerick by the city's mayor.[https://ireland-calling.com/citizenship/jimmy-carr-irish-citizenship/ Pat Kehoe, "Comedy star Jimmy Carr speaks about his Irish heritage and dual British and Irish citizenship", Ireland Calling, 12 March 2019]. Retrieved 14 February 2022
Carr lives in North London with his Canadian partner Karoline Copping, a commissioning editor for Channel 5, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2001.{{cite news |author=Jon Bennett |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/mar/09/familyandrelationships2 |title=What I know about women |work=The Guardian |date=9 March 2008 |access-date=10 March 2011 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228003126/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/mar/09/familyandrelationships2 |archive-date=28 December 2013 |url-status=live }} Their son was born in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/jimmy-carr-son-rockefeller-name-inspiration-152103642.html|title=Jimmy Carr reveals son's unique name and its inspiration|last=Pearce|first=Tilly|date=5 October 2021|publisher=Yahoo!}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/theatre-arts/comedy/comedian-jimmy-carr-as-an-older-father-ill-never-seem-shocked-by-anything-ill-have-had-so-much-fking-botox-nothing-will-move-40907613.html|title=Jimmy Carr: 'As an older father, I'll never seem shocked by anything – I'll have had so much f**king Botox nothing will move'|last=White|first=Hilary|date=3 October 2021|website=Irish Independent}}
Awards
- Time Out Award: Best Stand Up (2002){{Cite web|title=Jimmy Carr: Funny Business|url=https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/comedy/jimmy-carr-funny-business|access-date=2021-10-20|website=Time Out Hong Kong|date=30 May 2016 |language=en}}
- Perrier Award Nomination (2002){{Cite web|title=Jimmy Carr bringing 'Best Of' world tour to NZ|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/jimmy-carr-bringing-best-of-world-tour-to-nz/MERKOVDMPPLMTGW5JTUW6VCCDM/|access-date=2021-10-20|website=The New Zealand Herald|language=en-NZ}}
- Royal Television Society Award: Best On-Screen Newcomer (2003){{Cite web|date=2012-04-11|title=Behind Jimmy Carr's wisecracks|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/behind-jimmy-carr-s-wisecracks-7188872.html|access-date=2021-10-20|work=Evening Standard|location=London|language=en}}
- LAFTA Award: Best Stand Up (2004){{Cite web|last=Ltd|first=Webwax|date=2021-10-19|title=Comedians {{!}} Jimmy Carr|url=https://thecomedyclub.co.uk/comedians/jimmy-carr|access-date=2021-10-20|website=The Comedy Club|language=en}}
- Rose D'Or Nomination: Best Presenter, Distraction (2004)
- LAFTA Award: Funniest Man (2005)
- British Comedy Award: Best Live Stand Up (2006){{Cite web|title=The British Comedy Awards – The British Comedy Awards – Winners 2006|url=https://www.britishcomedyawards.com/past-winners/2006.aspx|access-date=2021-07-23|website=britishcomedyawards.com}}
- LAFTA Award: Funniest Man (2007)
- LAFTA Award: Best Stand Up (2008){{Cite news|title=Comedian Jimmy Carr rapped for 'sick' joke about maimed soldiers|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/comedian-jimmy-carr-rapped-for-sick-joke-about-maimed-soldiers-28501148.html|access-date=2021-10-20|issn=0307-1235}}
- LAFTA Award: Loaded Legend (2011){{Cite news|date=2011-02-01|title=Jimmy Carr wins Loaded magazine's Lafta legend award|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-12338087|access-date=2021-10-20}}
Stand-up shows
class="wikitable" |
Title
!Years |
---|
Charm Offensive
| 2003–2004 |
A Public Display of Affection
| 2004–2006 |
Gag Reflex
| 2006–2007 |
Repeat Offender
| 2007–2008 |
Joke Technician
| 2008–2009 |
Rapier Wit
| 2009–2010 |
Laughter Therapy
| 2010–2011 |
Gagging Order
| 2012–2013 |
Funny Business
| 2014–2015 |
The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour
| 2016–2018 |
Terribly Funny
| 2019–2021 |
Terribly Funny 2.0
| 2022–2024 |
Laughs Funny
| 2024–2025 |
=DVD releases / Netflix specials=
class="wikitable" |
Title
!Released !Notes |
---|
Live
| 8 November 2004 | rowspan="5" | Live at London's Bloomsbury Theatre |
Stand Up
| 7 November 2005 |
Comedian
| 5 November 2007 |
In Concert
| 3 November 2008 |
Telling Jokes
| 2 November 2009 |
Making People Laugh
| 8 November 2010 | Live at Glasgow's Clyde Auditorium |
Being Funny
| 21 November 2011 | Live at Birmingham's Symphony Hall |
Laughing and Joking
| 18 November 2013 | Live at London's Hammersmith Apollo |
Funny Business
| Netflix special |
The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits
| 12 March 2019 | Netflix special |
His Dark Material
| 25 December 2021 | Netflix special |
Natural Born Killer
| Netflix special{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |date=2024-03-13 |title=Jimmy Carr's Netflix special Natural Born Killer launches 16th April |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/fyi/489/jimmy-carr-2024-netflix-special/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}} |
Filmography
=Film=
class="wikitable sortable" |
Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
---|
rowspan=3|2006
|Gary's manager | |
Confetti
|Antony | |
Stormbreaker
|John Crawford | |
2007
|Video store employee | |
2009
|Gentleman | |
2016
|The Comedian's Guide to Survival |Himself | |
TBA
|TBA |
=Television=
==Guest appearances==
{{div col |colwidth=30em}}
- QI (2003–2022)
- A League of Their Own (2010–2017)
- Deal or No Deal (2012)
- Was it Something I Said? (2013)
- Through the Keyhole (2014, 2015, 2017)
- Top Gear (2004, 2006, 2013)
- Celebrity Juice (2014–2019)
- Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (2015, 2017)
- Celebrity Squares (2015)
- Celebrity Benchmark (2015)
- Crackanory (2015)
- Virtually Famous (2016, 2017)
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2016)
- @midnight (2016)
- Chelsea (2016)
- The Chase: Celebrity Special (2012, 2019)
- Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (2016)
- The Grand Tour (2016)
- Play to the Whistle (2017)
- Catchphrase: Celebrity Special (2018)
- Room 101 (2018)
- This Is My House (2021){{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000typl|title=This Is My House|publisher=BBC|access-date=8 April 2021}}
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Celebrity Special (2021)
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Books
- 2004, Distraction Quiz Book (foreword)
- 2006, with Lucy Greeves, The Naked Jape: Uncovering the Hidden World of Jokes (UK), or Only Joking: What's So Funny About Making People Laugh (USA)
- 2020, Dear NHS: 100 Stories to Say Thank You, edited by Adam Kay (Carr contributed a story) {{Cite news |last=Sturges |first=Fiona |date=2020-07-08 |title=Dear NHS, edited by Adam Kay – celebrities say thank you |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jul/08/dear-nhs-edited-by-adam-kay-celebrities-say-thank-you |access-date=2024-04-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
- 2021, Before & Laughter: A Life-Changing Book
Discography
- = (Ed Sheeran, 2021) – backing vocals on "Visiting Hours"{{cite web |title=Jimmy Carr makes singing cameo on Sheeran's new album |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2021/0915/1246924-jimmy-carr-makes-singing-cameo-on-sheerans-new-album/ |website=rte.ie |date=15 September 2021 |access-date=29 December 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{sister project auto}}
{{portal|Comedy}}
- {{Official website|http://www.jimmycarr.com/}}
- {{IMDb name|id=0139743}}
- {{British Comedy Guide|people|jimmy_carr}}
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08gwk5g BBC Radio 4 – Jimmy Carr, Desert Island Discs, March 2017]
{{RTS Programme Award for Best On-Screen Newcomer}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carr, Jimmy}}
Category:20th-century English comedians
Category:20th-century English male actors
Category:21st-century English comedians
Category:21st-century English male actors
Category:Actors from the London Borough of Hounslow
Category:Alumni of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
Category:English game show hosts
Category:English male comedians
Category:English male film actors
Category:English people of Irish descent
Category:English stand-up comedians
Category:Comedians from Berkshire
Category:Comedians from Buckinghamshire
Category:Comedians from the London Borough of Hounslow
Category:British critics of religions
Category:Former Roman Catholics
Category:Male actors from Berkshire
Category:Male actors from Buckinghamshire
Category:Male actors from London
Category:People educated at Burnham Grammar School
Category:People educated at the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
Category:Television personalities from the London Borough of Hounslow