Why do so many comedians scratch their heads in publicity shots?
It’s a good pose for some comics. It says “No, I don’t know what it’s all about either; this crazy, mixed-up topsy-turvy world of ours. All I can do is help you see its absurdities and we can both have a good laugh in the process”.
It doesn’t work for every comedian. Some have personas that suggest they know enough about what’s going on in the world to take the piss out of it without any of that head-scratching preamble. Frankie Boyle, Dara Ó Briain and Rory Bremner, to take a few examples whose surnames begin with B. It would look plain wrong for someone like Stephen Fry to be pictured scratching his head, his screwed-up face conveying the thought “Life, eh?!! Kyuh! I don’t know, I really don’t!”
But for others, it generally suits their stage/screen/book jacket personalities very well. Not so sure about Iannucci, mind you. A full head of hair does seem to be an advantage.
Eh? Richard Hearing has a slight problem with his herring
Ardal O’Hanlon has an itchy scalp
Lee Evans also has an itch. OK, so it’s not strictly a publicity shot.
Dylan Moran, scratching his head live on stage at the Apollo Theatre
Armando has a go but his heart’s not in it
It’s Mr Moran again! This time, the other side of his head needs a scratch.
Alan Davies mishears the photographer
The weight of all those watches holds Glenn back from a proper head scratch.
Jack Dee is such a master of the craft that he makes it look as if he’s merely resting his head. But he’s scratching it, believe me. Oh yes.
Andy Hamilton goes for the opposite-inverted head scratch. I think he pulls it off, don’t you? Not his head, obvs.
“I’ve got the itchiest head…in the world.”
That’s hardly scratching, Hardy.
“OK guys, where’s the microphone?” No wonder Jason Manford scratches his head.
It’s Simon Amstell, in perhaps one of the worst-cropped publicity shots ever. And he’s not even properly scratching his head.
Head, Simon, HEAD! That’s your neck. You’re just not trying.
This is someone called Jarred Christmas. He shouldn’t really be here. His head-scratching shows promise, but his stage name doesn’t.
The simple instruction to scratch his head leads to an existential crisis for Julian Clary.
Tiff Stevenson. Ironically, this is a JPG of TIFF. I have a TIFF of Jean-Paul Gaultier somewhere.
The lovely Alex Zane prepares to pull his head all the way off. Don’t do it, Alex.
Phil Wang isn’t so much scratching his head as making sure it’s balanced on his neck properly.
Chris doesn’t know where it’ll all end, he really doesn’t, what with one thing and another.
Am I a comedian or a presenter or both? Adrian Chiles ponders.
PJ O’Rourke is only pretending to be a bit clueless.
This is Roman Kemp, son of one of the Kemps you’ve heard of and current breakfast presenter at London’s Capital Punishment Radio
Joe Wilkinson
OK, this guy’s not a comedian. He’s the singer Jack Savoretti and he has itchus scalpus.
Also not strictly speaking a comedian. “Er, just one more thing, m’am..”
And a special mention for the guy who started it all. The consummate head-scratching professional. The head-scratcher’s head-scratcher. The head head-scratcher, etc etc.
A fine mess…on his scalp!!!!!11
And still they come…
Kieran Culkin. Trying to think of a succession joke here, but I’m no comedian. My head’s not even itchy!
He’s well worth a follow, btw.
BraveNewMalden 
Is Columbo actually scratching his head or attempting to hold an errant eye brow in place?
There is no mention of the grand-father of head-scratching comedians Stan Laurel.
Ruined the whole blog for me.
Good point. I’ll dig out a picture of the head-scratcher par excellence.
Splendid!
Although I’m not sure that Dara O Briain’s surname – strictly speaking – begins with a ‘B’. Unless you’re suggesting that his first names are ‘Dara O’ in the same way that Michael C Hall’s first names are clearly ‘Michael C’. If this is indeed what you are suggesting, I think one look at Mr O Briain’s book will convince you that you are a very silly man.
What a world, eh? Eh?
Eh?
Strictly speaking you’re right. As you would be if you were to speak kindly.
I prefer to speak strictly. It gives me a feeling of fake authority which feeds into my bogus sense of power.
I prefer women coughing https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=woman+coughing&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=RWwtVPHUGo7haqDdgrAH&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=649
Some of those women are giving good cough.