: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:17 am  

I saw Rich Hall live and he was very funny. Very quick-witted, making up songs on the piano about members of the audience.

I've also seen Lee Mack, who I thought was average.

A surprise highlight for me was Lenny Henry. I saw him because my partner wanted to and actually really really enjoyed his show. Very good.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:24 am  

Izzard was the greatest a few years back. Frank Skinner and Bill Bailey very good also.

The worst I've seen (given their profiles) have been Jo Brand and Phill Jupitus.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:29 am  

I saw Steve Coogan live at the Lyceum in London when he was at his peak, he was hilarious and did all his usual characters like Alan Partridge, Paul and Pauline Calf, Tony Ferrino and Duncan Thickett etc. Apparently his latest tour isn`t going down very well though.

Peter Kay used to be funny until he got stuck for new material so he then started re-hashing all his old stuff until it had been flogged to death, his best effort at some new material was Geraldine which was embarrassing. Don`t buy his latest dvd called Peter Kay "Special K" as its just re hashed old material and the dvd looks like its been put together by a 5 year old doing a school project.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:31 am  

Frankie Boyle was excellent Live, easily the best part of his act is when he rips the audience to shreds. I recall shouting at my wife when she was on the phone booking tickets, just miming in the background 'At the back, the back, THE BACK you daft cow !'. I wouldn't sit anwhere near the front at his gigs. As mentioned above, if your an avid Mock The Week fan, you do lose something at the gig, you know the punchlines and when others are rolling around, you feel a bit cheated. He also does a very short act, sends his warm up out for a good hour.

In terms of value for money, Jason Manford was exceptional. He did 3 Hours on stage, no warm up act, and afterwards if you wanted pics/sigs etc, and he just came across a really good bloke, very humble and a 'man of the people' kind of thing. His act is good too, very funny, and he's clean so if your taking Mums & Dads your fine, as oppose to say Frankie Boyle, who sometimes even for someone like me has you thinking "Is that okay? Eek.."

Went to see Rhod Gilbert the other week at The Lowry, left a little let down, he was very funny like, every comedian is really, but there was just something missing really, can't put my finger on it, he's quite a quirky guy, fidgity on stage like, he's not very polished. But well worth a watch one or two gags that just blew me away.

Been to see Lee Evans 3 times, he's a bit of a legend isn't he ? In that camp with Coogan now I think, it's all about the £££'s. They wheel themselves out for another tour, but you've seen it all before really, without being cruel but they've kind of passed their sell by date, although they still are very funny people.

I didn't really enjoy Russell Howard, but the Wife did, I just don't really like him. Michael McIntrye was hilarious, I think he'll be massive over the next couple of years, people don't seem to mention him but I think he's great. I like the Toff thing that he plays on, I find him quite endearing really. I'd also be lying if I didn't mention my Lee Mack gig at Runcorn, he may be on crap sitcoms etc, but I think he's one of my favourite stand up comedians, his delivery & randomness strike a chord with me.

In our house, a 'Gig' is a comedy gig see, we don't really do music gigs, so we get about a bit.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:31 am  

paul tonkinson is brilliant,going back a few years archie kelly(kenny senior,phoenix nights) was very funny when in the guise of jonny"good times" valencio.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:39 am  

JWP wrote:

I'd also be lying if I didn't mention my Lee Mack gig at Runcorn, he may be on crap sitcoms etc, but I think he's one of my favourite stand up comedians, his delivery & randomness strike a chord with me.

Did you really think so? I also saw Lee Mack in Runcorn, at the Brindley, and thought he was average. I saw much funnier at my university comedy club.

Which, incidentally, is where I saw Adam Hills, Aussie comedian - very very funny. Had me laughing so much my ribs hurt. This was quite a few years ago now, did a tour called the Big Red Fire Engine tour. Started with lots of jokes about disability, the kind that make you laugh but cringe at the same time, then revealed he only had one leg. Also told a very funny story about the inspiration for his tour title about an Aussie firefighter he got up on stage once.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:44 am  

Rugbychick™ wrote:

Did you really think so? I also saw Lee Mack in Runcorn, at the Brindley, and thought he was average. I saw much funnier at my university comedy club.

Which, incidentally, is where I saw Adam Hills, Aussie comedian - very very funny. Had me laughing so much my ribs hurt. This was quite a few years ago now, did a tour called the Big Red Fire Engine tour. Started with lots of jokes about disability, the kind that make you laugh but cringe at the same time, then revealed he only had one leg. Also told a very funny story about the inspiration for his tour title about an Aussie firefighter he got up on stage once.

Yeah, honest. You'd agree with my missus, she just didn't get him at all, just like 'What are you laughing at ?' and I was in bulk. I thought he was quite childish, and that suits me down to the ground. I like other comedians don't get me wrong who have 'clever' jokes, or risque stuff, but he was what I wanted him to be, just if you like 'a bit daft'.

On the risque front, Jimmy Carr is like that, I've never been to see him, but I have a DVD of his, and nothing is off limits like. Your looking at each other thinking "Is it okay to laugh ?", No, no, she's shaking her head, I'll shake mine too otherwise we might argue & not have sex, bad Jimmy, bad Jimmy, too far.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:45 am  

I Have only been to see Dave Spikey (which I don't remember too well...) but after watching shows like "Live at the Apollo", I would say that Michael Macintyre was the best IMO.

I'm going to see Russell Howard at the Apollo in June aswell, but hoping to see Michael Macintyre aswell...

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:48 am  

Rugbychick™ wrote:

Which, incidentally, is where I saw Adam Hills, Aussie comedian - very very funny. Had me laughing so much my ribs hurt. This was quite a few years ago now, did a tour called the Big Red Fire Engine tour. Started with lots of jokes about disability, the kind that make you laugh but cringe at the same time, then revealed he only had one leg. Also told a very funny story about the inspiration for his tour title about an Aussie firefighter he got up on stage once.

Sorry, just seen this. Is he the guy who took his leg off on Mock The Week, the 'velcro' leg. If it's him, he's extremely funny.

: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:48 am  

smug roberts is well funny, catch him at frog and bucket in manc every now and then well worth it