Stand-up Comedy
Discussion
V8covin said:
I haven't been for a couple of years but most comics I've seen do their own introductions and 2 halves either side of an interval without a support act....more money for them I guess
Milton Jones was interesting for that. He did 15-20 mins first as his grandad, then had another guy on, then came back for his main set. Andy Parsons and Robin Ince were exactly as you describe though.
foliedouce said:
I went to see Dave Chapelle last week at Hammersmith Apollo (or whatever they call it now), haven’t laughed so much in years.
It’s great that in this woke age we live in, he hasn’t been cancelled.
Defo recommended to non woke / easily offended LGBT community.
Was it the same set as Closer on Netflix? It’s great that in this woke age we live in, he hasn’t been cancelled.
Defo recommended to non woke / easily offended LGBT community.
I used to go to our local comedy club and seen several comics. Some excellent (Tim Vine, Andy Parsons, Ed Byrne), some average (Russell Howard, Robert Llewellyn) and some bloody awful (Craig Charles and most female comics).
I have yet to see a female comedienne who has made me laugh. They seem to follow the same format; crap men, periods, crap men, too much swearing for effect, crap men.
I have yet to see a female comedienne who has made me laugh. They seem to follow the same format; crap men, periods, crap men, too much swearing for effect, crap men.
Dave Chappelle is an amazing storyteller. He's certainly the best currently and seen as the GOAT by many. I hope to see him live at least once before he retires.
The last comedian I saw live was Jim Jefferies in December 2019. He's toned it down a bit since his early stuff, but going mainstream in the US has made him a bit too... liberal? His TV show called Legit, although filmed some years ago, just has to be seen - he acts out some of his early standup material but pulls it off well.
As well as the Fringe in Edinburgh, on the lead up to it some do warm-ups in York. I don't know if they had one in 2020 due to COVID, but a few years ago I went to see Jerry Sadowitz. If you love offensive comedy he doesn't pull any punches. At a small venue, it does make you feel part of something rather than just watching it. Comparable to the front row at bigger venues perhaps.
I've also seen Frankie Boyle three times, but years apart. I like his humour, but if you see him too often he can be repetitive.
I've been to see many others over the years, some big names and plenty that I can't even remember. Offensive comedy is my favourite "genre", but it is just that - comedy. Wherever you sit on the political spectrum we should never ban it. I'll pipe down before I go off at a tangent. Any other offensive comedians that anyone can recommend?
The last comedian I saw live was Jim Jefferies in December 2019. He's toned it down a bit since his early stuff, but going mainstream in the US has made him a bit too... liberal? His TV show called Legit, although filmed some years ago, just has to be seen - he acts out some of his early standup material but pulls it off well.
As well as the Fringe in Edinburgh, on the lead up to it some do warm-ups in York. I don't know if they had one in 2020 due to COVID, but a few years ago I went to see Jerry Sadowitz. If you love offensive comedy he doesn't pull any punches. At a small venue, it does make you feel part of something rather than just watching it. Comparable to the front row at bigger venues perhaps.
I've also seen Frankie Boyle three times, but years apart. I like his humour, but if you see him too often he can be repetitive.
I've been to see many others over the years, some big names and plenty that I can't even remember. Offensive comedy is my favourite "genre", but it is just that - comedy. Wherever you sit on the political spectrum we should never ban it. I'll pipe down before I go off at a tangent. Any other offensive comedians that anyone can recommend?
foliedouce said:
I went to see Dave Chapelle last week at Hammersmith Apollo (or whatever they call it now), haven’t laughed so much in years.
It’s great that in this woke age we live in, he hasn’t been cancelled.
Defo recommended to non woke / easily offended LGBT community.
It’s great that in this woke age we live in, he hasn’t been cancelled.
Defo recommended to non woke / easily offended LGBT community.
GCH said:
More recently, fortunate to have seen people like Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Che, Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle in miniscule (like 100 people or less) venues
Michael Che and Dave Chappelle are two I'd love to see live, I had no idea Dave was playing in the UK at all, need to get some notifications setup!Have seen Reg D Hunter 3 times now, first time many years ago he was supported by Steve Hughes which was the first I'd heard of him, that was a great combo. The most recent time I saw him was in Northampton, and a remarkably drunk woman in the audience was shouting some very confused b
ks that nobody really understood, so Reg had them raise the lights back up and quite rightly told her to get out 
Only seen on Netflix sadly, but Anthony Jeselnik is also excellent.
Joey Deacon said:
Tend to go to the Comedy Store in Leicester Square every few months and always have a good time. We went to a charity gig there before COVID and Russell Kane was on and he was amazing.
I do seriously wonder with the whole Cancel Culture/Woke movement going on how long it will be before all comedy is socially unacceptable, as at the end of the day it is taking the mickey out of someone.
OT.I do seriously wonder with the whole Cancel Culture/Woke movement going on how long it will be before all comedy is socially unacceptable, as at the end of the day it is taking the mickey out of someone.
Your mention of the Comedy Store brought back wonderful memories of the original Comedy Store on Dean St. back in 1979/80.
The show would begin at midnight on a Saturday because there was a strip club in the building that closed at 11 so they needed to get those punters out.
Everybody who became a Somebody in the 'Alternative' scene started there. French and Saunders, Edmonson & Mayall, Nigel Planer, I could go on.
Alexie Sayle was compare. He began to carry a gong on to stage and the "Beat the gong" idea developed. If the boos and cat calls from the stoned, drunk and generally unruly crowd got to what Sayle believed to be an appropriate level he'd bang his gong and the act had to leave the stage.Only the good survived, most lasted less than a minute.
It was a vicious game. Each and every week, poor old Andy de la Tour would hardly set foot in front of the audience before he got gonged off. But, the next Saturday he'd be there, giving it another go.
The best set at the Club that I saw by far was Robin Williams. He was in London to promote his film Popeye and came along to see some mates.
He ended up on stage and did an hour solely riffing about the microphone stand and the silver foil draping that backed the tiny stage.
It was an hour of genius that I'll never forget.
Eventually, the club outgrew its poky little home and moved to larger, more theatre-like premises. I stoped going as for me it lost its intimate, "our little secret" feeling.
Great days.
Edited by Blib on Thursday 28th October 09:06
Edited by Blib on Thursday 28th October 09:07
Favourites I've seen have been Romesh Ranganthan, Paul Chowdhury and very recently Rob Beckett.
Rob Beckett was absolutely brilliant.
Was fortune to see Billy Connolly on his last tour with my (Glaswegian ) Mum. She loved every minute of it.
I never really seem to notice the alerts / updates to find out about upcoming tours and end up finding out last minute and paying over the odds.
Not many female comedians I find funny either as another poster had said but I do find Ellie Taylor quite funny, and very easy on the eye.
Rob Beckett was absolutely brilliant.
Was fortune to see Billy Connolly on his last tour with my (Glaswegian ) Mum. She loved every minute of it.
I never really seem to notice the alerts / updates to find out about upcoming tours and end up finding out last minute and paying over the odds.
Not many female comedians I find funny either as another poster had said but I do find Ellie Taylor quite funny, and very easy on the eye.
SturdyHSV said:
foliedouce said:
I went to see Dave Chapelle last week at Hammersmith Apollo (or whatever they call it now), haven’t laughed so much in years.
It’s great that in this woke age we live in, he hasn’t been cancelled.
Defo recommended to non woke / easily offended LGBT community.
It’s great that in this woke age we live in, he hasn’t been cancelled.
Defo recommended to non woke / easily offended LGBT community.
GCH said:
More recently, fortunate to have seen people like Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Che, Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle in miniscule (like 100 people or less) venues
Michael Che and Dave Chappelle are two I'd love to see live, I had no idea Dave was playing in the UK at all, need to get some notifications setup!Have seen Reg D Hunter 3 times now, first time many years ago he was supported by Steve Hughes which was the first I'd heard of him, that was a great combo. The most recent time I saw him was in Northampton, and a remarkably drunk woman in the audience was shouting some very confused b
ks that nobody really understood, so Reg had them raise the lights back up and quite rightly told her to get out Only seen on Netflix sadly, but Anthony Jeselnik is also excellent.
The last one I went to was Chris Rock when he did his Never Scared tour here.
LHB said:
I’ve seen Russell Howard at the Royal Albert Hall which was absolutely brilliant and Micky Flanagan in Birmingham which was good. Can’t wait to go to more now they’re back on!
I really want to see James Acaster live, he’s by far my favourite comedian. His two live shows you can buy on Vimeo for a tenner are very funny.
Russell Howard at the Royal Albert Hall was excellent! Really love seeing stuff there.I really want to see James Acaster live, he’s by far my favourite comedian. His two live shows you can buy on Vimeo for a tenner are very funny.
Acaster's last tour (Cold Lasagne, I Hate Myself) was great, but odd. We went to see it in Birmingham and he was great for 60mins, then lost his rag with a heckler in the crowd and just walked off stage. A mate went to gig the day before and said it was almost like he was looking for a "fight" to get himself off stage too at that one. His Netflix special Repertoire is so so good though.
Few more I've seen:
Greg Davies (every tour to date - always excellent)
Peter Kay (family friendly comedy but very good)
Sarah Millican (absolute dirt, big fan of her)
Jack Whitehall (better than expected)
Currently have tickets to see Ed Gamble and Sarah Millican next year. Have seen Ed supporting Greg Davies and he was great so very much looking forward to seeing him again.
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