| AUCKLAND: Fred Timpkin, account clerk and resident office funny man, has taken the unusual step of suing TVNZ and TV3 for reducing his popularity amongst his co-workers. Timpkin contends that the networks by failing to provide sufficient new material to maintain his status as office wild card have caused him undue stress and suffering.
Timpkin, 39, was renowned for his ability to induce fits of laughter from co-works with his zany pranks and gags. "The 80s was probably my hay day" Timpkin fondly remembers "gathered round the water-cooler, I would have my co-workers in hysterics with my lackadaisical pranks and jibes." "I might get them started with a few lines from The Young Ones, do my best Vivian impersonation, and then Bang! "now for something completely different" I'd say and jump straight into the famous John Cleese goosestep. Admittedly the walk wasn't performed quite as good as Cleese, but I would add my own little touches, like repeating, "I know nothing" in a funny German accent." "I used to have gags so funny you could put a cod piece on them and call them Rowan Atkinson. But now, well what have I got to work with? Just Shoot Me? Don't even take me there Chandler!" According to Mr Timpkin this lack of material has put a serious dent in his reputation and has forced him to pay an unhealthy amount of attention to his work. "The not being funny thing I can handle, but the 8 hours of actual work each day, that's worse than sitting through re-runs of Suddenly Susan. Someone has got to pay!"  |
| Slide in popularity attributed to crap TV |
Thursday, 01 November 2001 12:00
