Des Bishop
Encyclopedia
Des Bishop (born 12 November 1975) is an Irish
comedian and was brought up in New York
. He is now primarily based in Ireland
, after moving to County Wexford
in 1990 at the age of 14.
Bishop's comedy has since grappled with social issues, such as poverty. In 2000, Bishop was diagnosed with testicular cancer
- rather than shy away from this subject, Des went on to turn his experiences into comedy material.
, Kevin Gildea and Barry Murphy. It was here that Bishop honed his act.
Bishop first reached a TV audience in early 2000, after appearing on Don't Feed the Gondolas
, a news based topical TV show. He later had to pull out of this show due to personal reasons.
Bishop created a "hip-hopera
" called "RAP ÉIRE" along with Arthur Riordan. "Rap Éire" was a satire following the story of an ambitious American who finds himself mixed up with a group of political types during the throes of early Celtic Tiger fervour. The show had two runs - firstly in the Project Arts centre in February 2001 and afterwards in the Andrews Lane Theatre the following summer. Bishop performed every night of the first run while receiving radiotherapy for testicular Cancer (the original premier date for the play at the Dublin Fringe Festival 2000 had to be cancelled as a result of the original diagnosis of cancer).
Bishop appeared in the 2002 film, In America
, in which he played a high stockbroker rapping in the back of a NYC taxi cab.
He reached a broader audience after his TV show The Des Bishop Work Experience screened on RTÉ Two
in 2004. The show featured him attempting to survive for one month working a minimum wage
job in various parts of Ireland. During the series, he worked at Abrakebabra
, Waterford
; The Aqua-dome, Tralee; Superquinn
, Dundalk
; and the Central Hotel, Dublin.
A more recent TV show, named Joy in the Hood
, featured him travelling to impoverished areas of Ireland's major cities and mentoring local people in stand-up comedy.
Bishop and Riordan co-wrote "Shooting Gallery", their second collaboration. This had a short run in Dublin in 2005.
in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of the New York City
borough of Queens
. At the age of 16, he began school at St Peter's College, Wexford
in Ireland. He later re-sat his Leaving Certificate at Blackrock College
, Dublin. He has a degree in English and History from University College Cork.
Des' brother Aidan is now a working comedian in Ireland. Both are involved in running the International Comedy Club.
He is first cousins with Laura Martin who is married to Ardal O Hanlon.
His father died from lung cancer in February 2011.
premiered in 2008. It deals with Des trying to learn Irish
to a standard sufficient to perform an entire standup act through the language. He later used his Irish to sing the Gaeilge version of the song Jump Around
called Léim Thart
The DVD of his live show Tongues and The DVD of the series In the Name of the Fada were released 14/11/08
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
comedian and was brought up in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He is now primarily based in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, after moving to County Wexford
County Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
in 1990 at the age of 14.
Approach to Comedy
Bishop's comedy was originally heavily based on his observation of Irish society, supported by his talent for impersonating the regional variations of the Irish accent. His website says "Des has developed a unique style of observational comedy, most critical of his adopted home in Ireland and the America he left behind.".Bishop's comedy has since grappled with social issues, such as poverty. In 2000, Bishop was diagnosed with testicular cancer
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system.In the United States, between 7,500 and 8,000 diagnoses of testicular cancer are made each year. In the UK, approximately 2,000 men are diagnosed each year. Over his lifetime, a man's risk of...
- rather than shy away from this subject, Des went on to turn his experiences into comedy material.
Life & career
Des has worked as a comic in Ireland since the late 1990s. He began hosting shows at the International Comedy Cellar - a venue set up by Irish comics such as Ardal O'HanlonArdal O'Hanlon
Ardal O'Hanlon is an Irish comedian and actor, best known for his roles in television sitcoms as Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted and George Sunday in My Hero.-Early life:...
, Kevin Gildea and Barry Murphy. It was here that Bishop honed his act.
Bishop first reached a TV audience in early 2000, after appearing on Don't Feed the Gondolas
Don't Feed The Gondolas
Don't Feed the Gondolas is an Irish comedy panel show, similar in format to the BBC's Have I Got News For You and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, that ran for four series on Network 2 between 1997 and 2001...
, a news based topical TV show. He later had to pull out of this show due to personal reasons.
Bishop created a "hip-hopera
Hip-Hopera
Hip-Hopera is the debut album by Volume 10, released on March 1, 1994 through RCA Records. Production was handled by a variety of producers, most notably The Baka Boyz, Cut Chemist and a pre-Sugar Ray DJ Homicide....
" called "RAP ÉIRE" along with Arthur Riordan. "Rap Éire" was a satire following the story of an ambitious American who finds himself mixed up with a group of political types during the throes of early Celtic Tiger fervour. The show had two runs - firstly in the Project Arts centre in February 2001 and afterwards in the Andrews Lane Theatre the following summer. Bishop performed every night of the first run while receiving radiotherapy for testicular Cancer (the original premier date for the play at the Dublin Fringe Festival 2000 had to be cancelled as a result of the original diagnosis of cancer).
Bishop appeared in the 2002 film, In America
In America
In America is a 2003 drama film directed by Jim Sheridan. The semi-autobiographical screenplay by Sheridan and his daughters Naomi and Kirsten focuses on an immigrant Irish family's efforts to survive in New York City, as seen through the eyes of the elder daughter.The film was nominated for three...
, in which he played a high stockbroker rapping in the back of a NYC taxi cab.
He reached a broader audience after his TV show The Des Bishop Work Experience screened on RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
in 2004. The show featured him attempting to survive for one month working a minimum wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
job in various parts of Ireland. During the series, he worked at Abrakebabra
Abrakebabra
Abrakebabra is an Irish fast food restaurant franchise chain owned by Abrakebabra Investments, established in 1982.When the first Abrakebabra restaurant was opened in Rathmines in Dublin, it attracted a young market because of its late opening hours and novel menu including kebabs and taco fries.In...
, Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
; The Aqua-dome, Tralee; Superquinn
Superquinn
Superquinn is an Irish supermarket chain. Until 2005, the company was entirely privately held by the Quinn family. It is now a subsidiary of Select Retail Holdings Limited....
, Dundalk
Dundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
; and the Central Hotel, Dublin.
A more recent TV show, named Joy in the Hood
Joy in the Hood
Joy in the Hood is an Irish comedy series featuring Des Bishop. Aired in 2005 on Ireland's channel RTÉ Two as a part of its Monday-night comedy slot, it showed Bishop's antics as he travelled to impoverished areas of Ireland, such as Ballymun in Dublin, Southill in Limerick and Knocknaheeny in Cork...
, featured him travelling to impoverished areas of Ireland's major cities and mentoring local people in stand-up comedy.
Bishop and Riordan co-wrote "Shooting Gallery", their second collaboration. This had a short run in Dublin in 2005.
Personal & Family
Bishop attended St. Francis Preparatory SchoolSt. Francis Preparatory School
St. Francis Preparatory School, commonly known as St. Francis Prep, is a private, independent Catholic college preparatory school in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens. It is the largest non-diocesan Catholic high school in the United States. St. Francis is run by...
in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
borough of Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
. At the age of 16, he began school at St Peter's College, Wexford
St Peter's College, Wexford
St Peter's College, Wexford is an Irish secondary school and former seminary located in Summerhill, overlooking Wexford town. It is a single sex school for male pupils. Currently its school population is approximately 700. The current principal is Mr. Patrick Quigley and the current vice-principal...
in Ireland. He later re-sat his Leaving Certificate at Blackrock College
Blackrock College
Blackrock College is a Catholic voluntary secondary school for boys aged 14–18, located in Williamstown, Blackrock, County Dublin, Ireland. The College was founded by French missionaries in 1860, to act as a school and civil service training centre. Set in of grounds, it has an illustrious...
, Dublin. He has a degree in English and History from University College Cork.
Des' brother Aidan is now a working comedian in Ireland. Both are involved in running the International Comedy Club.
He is first cousins with Laura Martin who is married to Ardal O Hanlon.
His father died from lung cancer in February 2011.
Irish Language
Des's TV show, In the Name of the FadaIn the Name of the Fada
In the Name of the Fada was a show that aired on RTÉ from 13 March to 17 April 2008, documenting Irish-American comedian Des Bishop and his pursuit of fluency in the Irish language. The show was a 6-part mini-series in which Bishop spends a year living in Tír an Fhia, which is one of many Gaeltacht...
premiered in 2008. It deals with Des trying to learn Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
to a standard sufficient to perform an entire standup act through the language. He later used his Irish to sing the Gaeilge version of the song Jump Around
Jump Around
"Jump Around" is the title of a song by the band House of Pain, produced by DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill. This song became a hit in 1992, reaching Number 3 in the USA. A 1993 re-release of the song in the UK, where the original had been a minor hit, peaked at Number 8. On VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of...
called Léim Thart
The DVD of his live show Tongues and The DVD of the series In the Name of the Fada were released 14/11/08
DVDs
- Des Bishop - Live At Vicar Street (2005)
- Des Bishop - Live (2005)
- Des Bishop - Fitting In (2006)
- Des Bishop - Tongues (2007)
- Des Bishop - Desfunctional (2009)