Comedian Jordan Gray has been praised by viewers after delivering the ‘TV moment of the year’, having stunned everyone by getting naked on Friday Night Live. Watch her iconic performance here:
As part of its 40th birthday celebrations, Channel 4 aired a one-off return of the popular 80s standup show last night (Friday 21 October), with host Ben Elton welcoming rising stars and veterans of the scene to the stage.
This included transgender star Jordan Gray, who took to the keyboard in a bright pink suit as she told the audience: “This is the coolest night of my life, you’re watching me experience the coolest night of my life.”
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She then launched into a comedic song about her experiences as a transgender woman, at one point quipping: “I haven’t had a Yorkie bar in five years.”
In another part of the song, she also said she was ‘more than just a female Russell Brand’, prompting laughter from the in-studio audience.
But the best part game when Gray leapt up from the keys and ripped off her suit in one swift movement, this time being met with huge cheers and whoops.
Tweeting the clip, Queerly Radio hailed the performance as 2022’s best thing on TV, writing: “TV MOMENT OF THE YEAR! Jordan Gray (@Talldarkfriend) on the difficulties and joy of being transgender. Love this so much #FridayNightLive.”
Someone else tweeted: “I hadn’t heard of Jordan Gray until tonight. My God, she’s amazing. This is the sort of unpredictable, radical satire we need on prime time TV. Beautiful work to all! Seeing a trans woman get naked on TV is *exactly* what is needed.”
Another said: “Jordan Gray ending her song by stripping naked — and her presence on the show full stop — have given Friday Night Live a real moment.”
One other added: “Well Jordan Gray (@Talldarkfriend) was f**king hilarious, made the most of live tv and a perfect example of why Channel 4 should never be privatised.”
Of course, not all comments online were positive – not that this seemed to bother Gray, who only has gratitude to Channel 4 for allowing her to make 'comedy history'.
After seeing the reaction to her appearance on the show, she tweeted today: “Woke up this morning to the smell of burning gammon. And it is DELICIOUS. Thank you @Channel4 for letting me be a part of comedy history on #FridayNightLive.”
She also directed fans to her forthcoming show 'Is it a Bird?' at the London Palladium on 28 October.
Topics: TV and Film, LGBTQ
Jess Hardiman