The Funniest British Stand-Up Comedy

Jerry Sadowitz: Total Abuse Show
      1988 | U.K. | Laughs: 3.5 (Smirk) | imdb: 5.0
      

I had to skip through much of the first part because Jerry spoke too fast for me and I have a hard time with his Scottish accent — and that's coming from someone who spent two months in Glasgow (Jerry's town) a year earlier and thought he was doing pretty well understanding the locals.

Because of the "accent gap" it's hard to give the set a fair review, but if Scottish accents are no mystery to you, then I feel confident that this is a show you shouldn't miss, if only because it is utterly original, for its time anyway.

As the set progresses, Jerry's delivery settles to a more manageable pace. He uses so many props that it becomes funny in itself. He's also unashamedly "in your face", with great success. Part of the set relies on magic tricks. (Last viewed: November 2018)

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Russell Brand: Messiah Complex
      2013 | U.K. | Laughs: 3.0 | imdb: 7.3
      

I enjoyed Russell Brand in Get Him to the Greek but hadn't seen him in another context until this show. For me, it was similar to listening to a kid who is quite bright (but not that bright) excitedly share his latest views. The kid may make you break out a smile, but if you've had a chance to entertain all sorts of ideas over your long life, the kid's ideas are probably not that interesting. Russell is not a kid, of course, but that's a way to describe what watching the first twenty minutes of the show. I walked away at that point, so I can't comment on the overall performance, but for the intended audience, this is probably a fine show. (Last viewed: May 2014)

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John Cleese: The Alimony Tour
      2011 | U.K. | Laughs: 3.0 | imdb: 7.2
      

As a John Cleese fan, I found this set just watchable, and only out of interest in John Cleese. Aided by slides and video clips, Cleese navigates through episodes of his life and career, episodes which include a costly divorce that forced him out of retirement—the show's premise. There were a few chuckles, but overall this is not a great piece of stand-up. Unless you have a rabid interest in John Cleese, you can safely skip it. (Last viewed: May 2012)

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Stewart Lee: Carpet Remnant World
      2012 | U.K. | Laughs: 3.0 | imdb: 8.6
      

While this show doesn't rank very high for pure laughs, it gave me a lot of pleasure. I had read that Stewart Lee is "a comedian's comedian", and as a large consumer of stand-up comedy I enjoyed how he weaves comments about that art into the show. In parallel to the apparent thread of the routine, Stewart deconstructs his own performance, which often serves as a greater comedic device than the "plain jokes".

The show was at least half an hour too long for my taste, a taste that I don't mind apologizing for. This was my first encounter with Stewart Lee. I'll be excited to discover more of his material. (Last viewed: August 2018)

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Stewart Lee: Stand-Up Comedian
      2005 | U.K. | Laughs: 3.0 (Watch Once) | imdb: 8.5
      

Even though this set is about half an hour too long for my taste and only gave me a few chuckles, I'm glad I didn't miss it as it was stimulating and I enjoyed it. Apart from his trademark deconstruction of his own act, Stewart compares himself to Jesus and brushes on entertaining themes such as Americans in their natural habitat, Eddie Izzard's fake improv, and Princess Diana's achievement of underachievement. (Last viewed: September 2018)

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Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra
      2009 | U.K. | Laughs: 2.5 (Light-Hearted) | imdb: 7.7
      

This is not a traditional stand-up set, but rather a humorous musical tour (with some elements of stand-up) with the full support of the BBC concert orchestra. Those who are familiar with Bill's material will recognize many of his humorous songs, whose recycling is not always enhanced by the orchestral backing. The funniest part was the very end of the show, when Bill and the orchestra compete for who will play the final measures.

For those who are familiar with Bill's earlier material there is not much else to laugh at—but there is lots to smile at, and this is still a fun and worthwhile performance. If nothing else, the idea of having Bill (the epitome of "casual" in past days) in charge of an orchestra in full pomp—and in a grandiose setting—is a delicious premise, and the contrast created thus is the only humor this show needs. (Last viewed: January 2014)

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Stewart Lee: 41st Best Stand-Up Ever!
      2008 | U.K. | Laughs: 1.8 (Chuckle) | imdb: 8.4
      

In this show, among other themes, Stewart talks about his mom's admiration for a stand-up comedian she once saw on a cruise ship. I found the set a little slower than the other of Stewart's that I'd seen, but in between the tedious fillers (there are several, such as the time when Steward mimes engraving a headstone) the bits when he actually talks are good. An enjoyable if occasionally dull show. (Last viewed: September 2018)

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Dara O'Briain: This Is the Show
      2010 | U.K. | Laughs: 1.8 (Don't Bother) | imdb: 8.0
      

Even though the show didn't make me laugh, it entertained me just enough that I kept watching till the end, no small feat given that it's over a hundred minutes long. The nourishment I got from the jokes was that same kind of low-grade satisfaction that comes from fast food. One aspect that kept me intrigued was the break-neck pace of the set: Dara delivers his material so fast that there's no time for you to exit. But I did find the last half hour really long.

The kind of humor Dara does here is not why I watch stand-up comedy. I always hope for something a bit stimulating, but this was more the kind of stuff I'd expect from the office clown during breaks by the water cooler. The improv bits using the audience were stronger, but I have better memories of those in Dara's previous shows.

The guy is extremely likeable, but I don't think I'll be investing another hour-and-a-half in one of his sets. (Last viewed: September 2018)

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Stewart Lee: If You Prefer a Milder Comedian, Please Ask for One
      2010 | U.K. | Laughs: 1.7 (Don't Bother) | imdb: 8.4
      

This was the fifth show of Stewart's that I watched and the one I enjoyed the least, although some bits of it did make me smile. One of my problems with it is that Stewart does a long segment about the cast of a TV show that I'd never heard about (I guess that gives away that I either don't live in the U.K. or don't watch television). Even without that, it is his worst set up to 2018. But it's still attaching, if only for the unusual and memorable parts when Stewart harangues the crowd from the balustrade then sings a song on the guitar. (Last viewed: September 2018)

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Russell Brand - Re: Birth
      2018 | U.K. | Laughs: 1.0 | imdb: 6.5
      wikipedia

Having enjoyed Get Him to the Greek, I really want to like Russell Brand's stand-up. Sadly, most of this tape bored me — I really wanted to finish it, but had to watch the final quarter at 1.3 times the regular speed in order to lessen the pain. Too bad, Russell looks like an interesting guy. (Last viewed: September 2019)

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An Audience with Victoria Wood
      1988 | U.K. | Laughs: 0.2 (Don't Bother) | imdb: 8.2
      wikipedia

I have no doubt that Victoria Wood was very clever—her rapid-fire delivery suggests an agile mind. As a performer, I found her very likeable Yet in this set (the only one of hers that I've watched) her comedy did nothing for me, although the audience were in stitches. They in fact were the most interesting part of the show: it was fascinating seeing that collection of British faces from the 1980s. Through a combination of hair-styling, dental care, plastic surgery and diet, faces seem to have come a long way since that time. I apologize for not having anything more substantial to offer about this show. (Last viewed: August 2018)

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Greg Davies: Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog (a.k.a Greg Davies Live)
      2011 | U.K. | Laughs: 0.2 (Just Awful) | imdb: 7.7
      

Greg seems to be marketed as a 'former schoolteacher'. As far as I can tell, he still aims his material at the intellect of a fifteen-year-old—or perhaps a very unsophisticated adult, which is about the same. Of course there's nothing wrong with staying young, it's just that this old dog doesn't find the same things funny as someone whose life is just starting. I gave this show fifteen minutes, trying to get at least a chuckle out of it, but having to constantly cringe at the lameness of the humor, I just had to quit. This was a surprise for a U.K. production: I've gotten more out of Canadian comedy. (Last viewed: September 2018)

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Frankie Boyle: Live
      2008 | U.K. | Laughs: 0.1 (Don't Bother) | imdb: 7.6
      

This show came highly recommended by a friend, so I was tickled. After fifteen minutes, I hadn't laughed. Paused it. Another fifteen-minute section a few days later: still no laughs. I tortured myself with this go-stop-go-stop routine a few more times over the next few months, but finally gave up. This guy is hilarious to a lot of people, but to me his humor is way off-mark.

The things I enjoyed the most were the shots of the gorgeous theatre, Frankie's ginger features and his accent, which was thoroughly understandable although markedly Scottish. These two months in Glasgow a few years back must have helped.

That's it for me with Frankie Boyle. With apologies to my buddy, I don't think I can bring myself to try another of his sets.

(Last viewed: November 2019)

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