41st Best Standup Ever!
The Scotsman - 21st August 2007
*****
KATE COPSTICK

E4 UDDERBELLY'S PASTURE (VENUE 300)

THE audience is packed into the purple cow tighter than Christian fundamentalists into a Jerry Springer The Opera protest group. It feels odd seeing Stewart Lee in such a rock'n'roll space, but you can't stay underground when you are the 41st Best Stand-Up Ever (according to Channel 4, so it must be true).

This year's show is something of a masterclass in comedy technique. All the Lee party tricks are there - the pauses, the deconstruction, the repetition, but that is not a criticism. Obviously (according to Channel 4, so it must be true), there are 40 other stand-ups more masterful than him, but sitting watching his show you will be hard pushed to think of who they might be.

Lee's show this year has TV executives in its sights, as well as Russell Brand and people who claim political correctness has gone too far. In a brave move into new comedic territory, Lee also turns the razor edge of his intellect upon not only his mother (a comedy fan and skilled quiltmaker) but also comedy legend Tom O'Connor.

For a lesser comedian, I could can imagine that dedicating half your set to your mum and Tom O'Connor might prove disastrous. But Lee is the 41st Best Stand Up Ever. So, of course, he makes it very, very funny. But the memory I shall take from this show is that of Lee lying in the foetal position, reliving the Funniest Moment in TV Ever (as chosen by public vote). It is at least my 41st Funniest Moment in Edinburgh Ever.

Until 27 August. Today 7.30pm