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.
Brighton Argus
Brighton Argus
Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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World Without End, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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John Robins, Comedian
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
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Rubyshoes, Twitter