I went to see a stand-up

[Alock1]

A thread for us to talk about all those funny men and unfunny women (according to @Randall Flagg) that we've seen live.

Making this in advance as I'm off to watch Simon Amstell soon. Anybody seen him live?

Saw Josh Widdicombe not too long ago and it was great. I actually thought he was just alright/not particularly funny previously after seeing him on TV and once at the O2 for Channel 4s Comedy Gala. But yeah, it was really impressive - though it was one of those shows where the audience interaction just seemed to offer up the best possible outcomes.

 

[Rado_N]

Going to see Jimmy Carr in April.

 

[Rooney in Paris]

Stop making shit threads Locka.

 

[Hoof the ball]

Am I the only one who generally finds that our own comedians are overrated? I've tried watching Carr and McIntyre but in typical British fashion, it just sounds contrived.

Louis C.K. on the other hand. His self-deprecating act is incredible to watch.

 

[Randall Flagg]

wut?

 

[sizzling sausages]

Going to see Jimmy Carr in April.

I was never really the biggest fan of him but got roped into going to one of his shows recently and really enjoyed it. Was laughing throughout.

 

[Rado_N]

I was never really the biggest fan of him but got roped into going to one of his shows recently and really enjoyed it. Was laughing throughout.

His stand-up is better than his TV stuff.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Saw Josh Widdicombe not too long ago and it was great. I actually thought he was just alright/not particularly funny previously after seeing him on TV and once at the O2 for Channel 4s Comedy Gala. But yeah, it was really impressive - though it was one of those shows where the audience interaction just seemed to offer up the best possible outcomes.

The same material when sat in a live audience seems much much more funny than watching it on TV. I've seen a few stand-ups over the years and it's always been much funnier than watching them on telly.

 

[Alock1]

Yeah for sure. I almost replied the same thing to the comment about seeing Jimmy Carr.

Though I saw Kevin Bridges and it was mostly great but he had a 10 minute struggle due to an incredibly annoyingly heckler and seemed to lose his way. The moments stuck with me since.

 

[Gorefest]

His stand-up is better than his TV stuff.

Last time I went to his show, his stand-up -was- his tv stuff. He does a tour and then subsequently you can hear those exact same jokes all through the year on various media outlets (8 of 10 cats, QI, etc). Still good fun though, but I guess that is the downside for formulaic comedians like Carr and other one-liner specialists. I personally prefer going to stand-up shows of comedians that are genuinely witty and quick, making each show different and new instead of hearing the same lines. Guys like Dara O' Briain are amazing at that, nice bit of audience participation without getting nasty or demeaning.

 

[Amethyst]

Making this in advance as I'm off to watch Simon Amstell soon. Anybody seen him live?

Yeah, about 5 years ago. He was pretty good, preferred him on Buzzcocks though where his humour was more dry rather than self deprecating.

 

[Rado_N]

Last time I went to his show, his stand-up -was- his tv stuff. He does a tour and then subsequently you can hear those exact same jokes all through the year on various media outlets (8 of 10 cats, QI, etc). Still good fun though, but I guess that is the downside for formulaic comedians like Carr and other one-liner specialists. I personally prefer going to stand-up shows of comedians that are genuinely witty and quick, making each show different and new instead of hearing the same lines. Guys like Dara O' Briain are amazing at that, nice bit of audience participation without getting nasty or demeaning.

Yea I know what you're saying, I'd love to be able to see Louis CK or Bill Burr live, for example, but I'm still looking forward to seeing Carr.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yea I know what you're saying, I'd love to be able to see Louis CK or Bill Burr live, for example, but I'm still looking forward to seeing Carr.

That's on my bucket list.

 

[Alock1]

That's on my bucket list.

Same here. I listened to his interview with Mark Maron a few weeks ago (it got voted best podcast episode ever by some site if you haven't heard it) and he mentioned working over here and how sometimes we can give him a hard time. I didn't realise he ever performed over here.

 

[Alock1]

Yeah, about 5 years ago. He was pretty good, preferred him on Buzzcocks though where his humour was more dry rather than self deprecating.

Yeah I thought the same when I saw some of his stand up on TV. Still, looking forward to it.

We should keep an eye on what's on around Manchester/Leeds and head to one with @Annihilate Now!

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Same here. I listened to his interview with Mark Maron a few weeks ago (it got voted best podcast episode ever by some site if you haven't heard it) and he mentioned working over here and how sometimes we can give him a hard time. I didn't realise he ever performed over here.

I've listened to the Mark Maron podcast a few times but am not a fan. He's far too fond of the sound of his own voice.

Have you seen Louis and Seinfield on the "comedians who go for coffee" video series? It's great.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

My experience of stand up comedy is that it's nearly always good live, because you're pissed and laughing is a social thing.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

My experience of stand up comedy is that it's nearly always good live, because you're pissed and laughing is a social thing.

I don't think you even need to be pissed but you're spot on about laughter being a social thing. Being in a big crowd seems to make it easier to laugh and the more you laugh the funnier stuff seems.

 

[Alock1]

I've listened to the Mark Maron podcast a few times but am not a fan. He's far too fond of the sound of his own voice.

Have you seen Louis and Seinfield on the "comedians who go for coffee" video series? It's great.

I tried three more episodes after and didn't enjoy them at all but I really enjoyed the interview with Louis. It's like an hr and a half long and they discuss all sorts of shit. There's an added layer too as they use to be friends who grew apart and have some frustrations with eachother.

I haven't seen it no. Is it on youtube? I'll take a look, cheers.

 

[Leg-End]

Bill Burr is probably my favourite right now and his material is only improving, If I ever get the chance to see old Billy red face in the UK I'm there.

 

[Sylar]

Am I the only one who generally finds that our own comedians are overrated? I've tried watching Carr and McIntyre but in typical British fashion, it just sounds contrived.

Louis C.K. on the other hand. His self-deprecating act is incredible to watch.

Im not a huge fan of British comedians. I dont find many of them funny. Most rely on antics or props or movements rather than telling a good joke.

 

[b82REZ]

Not technically a stand up but saw Phoenix Nights live last week. It's just fan service but I Ioved it.

 

[Cheesy]

Going to see Kevin Bridges in October, really looking forward to it.

 

[Stobzilla]

Stewart Lee, Richard Herring and Andrew O'Neill are my three favourites from the UK but I almost always enjoy the best American stand-ups more.

 

[Cheesy]

I was never really the biggest fan of him but got roped into going to one of his shows recently and really enjoyed it. Was laughing throughout.

I think he's capable of being genuinely funny and observant sometimes, but then occasionally ventures into just being too offensive for the sake of shocking people. A bit like Frankie Boyle.

He can be very good sometimes too though.

 

[Redlambs]

Stand up is always funny, people who won't go to see someone just because they are on tv just miss out.

I saw Noel fielding last year and it was far more entertaining than I expected. Next up we have tickets for Jimmy Carr and Katherine Ryan.

 

[Phurry]

In recent times I've seen Jimmy Carr twice, Dara O'Briain twice, Jon Richardson, Greg Davies and a few others. They were all pretty decent.
Longer ago I saw Lee Hurst a couple of times (the bald guy who was one of the original panel on They Think It's All Over), Rob Newman & David Baddiel at Wembley arena, Mark Thomas.

 

[sizzling sausages]

I think he's capable of being genuinely funny and observant sometimes, but then occasionally ventures into just being too offensive for the sake of shocking people. A bit like Frankie Boyle.

He can be very good sometimes too though.

I kinda like some offensive stuff tbh, although there wasn't really anything like that from him in the show I saw.

 

[Phurry]

I think he's capable of being genuinely funny and observant sometimes, but then occasionally ventures into just being too offensive for the sake of shocking people. A bit like Frankie Boyle.

He can be very good sometimes too though.

Especially when you're watching a dvd of one of his shows and realise that the person he's giving grief to in the audience is your former aunt...

 

[Cheesy]

I kinda like some offensive stuff tbh, although there wasn't really anything like that from him in the show I saw.

I don't mind a good bit of offence myself; sometimes it's enjoyable and he can do it well, although he occasionally kind of steps over the line into just being offensive without really being particularly funny.

 

[Ivor Ballokov]

I went to a Simon Amstell gig about 5/6 years ago and it was a bit depressing, it was funny but at times felt like a cry for help.

Coming up I have Stewart Lee and Dave Gorman tickets, seen both before but looking forward to it.

 

[Sweet Square]

I went to a Simon Amstell gig about 5/6 years ago and it was a bit depressing, it was funny but at times felt like a cry for help.

Coming up I have Stewart Lee and Dave Gorman tickets, seen both before but looking forward to it.

Haven't seen Amstell live but enjoyed his stand up on telly but agree that at times it seemed way to personal.

 

[Flying_Heckfish]

Echo sentiments above. Don't really like traditional UK standup but Stewart Lee is good. Prefer Louis CK and Doug Stanhope personally.

 

[Chorley1974]

The best I've seen is Steve Coogan "The Man Who Thinks He's It".