So begins a new run of the stand-up comedy series, showcasing two comedians at Hammersmith's Apollo Theatre. Host Jack Dee is absent this time, with Jimmy Carr taking over as compere -- and stealing Dee's mobile phone gimmick, where members of the audience are encouraged to text in question which he humorously answers at the end...
Jimmy Carr
Carr may still be overexposed on television, but his omnipresence on panel shows (hosting 8 Out Of 10 Cats, guesting on QI, etc.) hasn't encouraged a backlash against him. Why? Well, he's a consummate stand-up performer -- blessed with enviable comic timing, exact patter, and the ability to hone gags to precision. His set here was a mix of old material available on his best-selling Live DVDs, but there was an equal amount of fresh stuff.
What I like about Carr is that you get your money's worth. His gags are usually one-liners, so even a 20-minute set is packed will more laughs than most comedians manage in an hour. Any duds are quickly forgotten about, and Carr's delight in shocking audiences with near-the-knuckle material about sick children and sex means there's a pleasant mix of gasp and giggle to his comedy.
Alan Carr
Most people only know Alan Carr from his co-presenting of The Friday Night Project, but he's actually an accomplished stand-up comic. With his podgy body, thick black glasses, receding hairline, Snagglepuss teeth, tombstone teeth, and Zippy-style voice -- Carr was perhaps destined to become a funnyman -- and he uses his unique look to his advantage.
As a gay man, his humour mines predictable territory of sexual double entendres, bitchy comments, and acidic ripostes. He's not afraid to be self-deprecating either, which makes him endearing, and he engages well with the audience. His style is very conversational and warm-hearted behind withering glares over his glasses, and his material had a surprisingly hight hit-rate. It also helped that his stand-up persona is quite new to television audiences, so while I'm sure his jokes were plundered from many live gigs, the majority of them were new to my ears...
Next Time: Jo Brand and Michael McIntyre.
19 November 2007
BBC1, 10.35 pm
