The phrase ‘you can’t fault them for trying’ is sadly inapplicable for Stewart Lee. Once a roaring, venom-spitting demon whose cynical world view was something to behold, he seems a lacklistre shadow of his former self.
His new show sees him meander the planet with a clutch of apologetic anecdotes which are delivered with the laconic genius of Steven Wright in mind. However, it’s more reminiscent of Bagpuss after a hard day’s graft.
You find yourself willing him on to finish gags, resisting the temptation to cry out the punchline four lines before he does.
A frustrating display from someone who is much better.
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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Tokyofist, Youtube
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Pudabaya, Twitter
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Fowkes81, Twitter
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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John Robins, Comedian
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Aiden Hearn, Twitter
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Stuart, Chortle
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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A D Ward, Twitter
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Secretdeveloper, Youtube
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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Wharto15, Twitter
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Bosco239, youtube
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Danazawa, Youtube
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Visualiser1, Twitter