[neilt0]

It's Friday and off to see Dara O'Briain with the flatmate/bestie tonight!

Saw him last Friday. He is bloody amazing. You'll have a great time.

Did he have no material and spend the entire time doing "crowd work" (which many comedians consider to be more than hacky)?

[chrysostom]

I like Dara's seemingly off the cuff style - I get VERY bored by comedians with obviously stiff routines (McIntyre is a prime example of this, but there are many others).

On that note, I'm seeing Ross Noble on Dec 1st. Very excited.

[Tunster]

It's Friday and off to see Dara O'Briain with the flatmate/bestie tonight!

Saw him last Friday. He is bloody amazing. You'll have a great time.

Did he have no material and spend the entire time doing "crowd work" (which many comedians consider to be more than hacky)?

Well, those comedians who think it's hacky just can't do it naturally well. Dara did a section the last time I saw him in the second half doing mostly crowd work with some starter pointers which is all he needs. I like that natural side of comedy where someone can think quick on their feet.

[Nicola_Red]

In my experience of seeing him he has a lot of material, including a great surprise set piece at the end. But he does also talk to the crowd a lot. I probably see one comedian a month as part of work and I think he's one of the better ones.

[neilt0]

There's a big difference between improvisation (which I really like) and crowd work. I watched a Daria O Brain DVD and he started with crowd work. I lasted about 3 minutes before switching it off. Al Murray does it as well. HACK!

[chrysostom]

Isn't that a sign of someone who's started off doing very small gigs?

[neilt0]

Isn't that a sign of someone who's started off doing very small gigs?

It's the sign of someone who can't be bothered/isn't talented enough to write material.

As opposed to someone like Louis C.K. who writes a new act every year.

Crowd work can be very funny, but other comedians frown on relying on it, and I personally wouldn't pay to see it/watch it on DVD.

[MK Chris]

Dara O'Briain does do it and I very much enjoy the way he does it - but he doesn't rely on it, he does have some very strong material too.

[DevilsDuck]

I like Dara's seemingly off the cuff style - I get VERY bored by comedians with obviously stiff routines (McIntyre is a prime example of this, but there are many others).

I went to see Michael Mcintyre a few weeks ago, he interacts with the crowed a lot and links things he was talking about with the audience into parts of his routine. So I dont think McIntyre is a prime example

On that note, I'm seeing Ross Noble on Dec 1st. Very excited.

ooooh! I would love to see Ross Noble...I follow him on twitter...how did I miss that he was touring!

[dimtimjim]

Lee Noble > Ross Noble.

[Nicola_Red]

I've seen Ross Noble four times and I just didn't feel he was as good last time. I think he's lost a bit of that spark. I'm seeing Greg Davies for the first time next weekend, looking forward to that.

[mcmahonman]

He did do crowd work, yeah. He lampoons the "where are you from and what do you do" right at the top and every other instance of crowd work is worked into his prepared routines and makes it all hilarious, even the shit stuff the crowd come up with.

I really do think he is the best comedian going today, being both very strong in crowd work and his prepared stuff.

[daveG]

I once saw Mark Lamar doing stand up and his whole act was crowd work, it wasn't very good at all and i retired to the Bar, this was in 1993 or something Renfrew ferry Glasgow a small and intimate venue, he was followed by a young Milton Jones even more bonkers than he is now, set included bizzare songs as well, and sean lock who did a highly amuseing but completely offensive set..

lamarr NO
the rest YES

Greg Davies on the otherhand taught at the school just up the road from me in Twickenham and was a regular in the Turks Head St Margrets drinkin and doing standup

Top fella, A full on big venue live show i'm sure will be excellent

[chrysostom]

And the similarities continue; I'm seeing Ross Noble on the 6th next month.

What's the full list now?!

[Yudster]

I detest Mark Lamarr.

[a-moron]

Went to open the Funny Gif's thread, this big red screen appeared -



Of all the places I could get my PC infected, I never expected it to be here.

Christ I was watching two girls one cup yesterday and no big * off flashy red screen happened.
A big 'ol brown screen appeared but that's a different story...

[chrysostom]

It's now my ambition to get really drunk with badger.

[MK Chris]

I've seen Ross Noble four times and I just didn't feel he was as good last time. I think he's lost a bit of that spark.

His routines are such that it very much depends on what comes out of his head on the day though, aren't they - you could see him again and it would be brilliant. It also depends on the audience.

[a-moron]

It's now my ambition to get really drunk with badger.

It's obviously not Topher's.

[chrysostom]

His routines are such that it very much depends on what comes out of his head on the day though, aren't they - you could see him again and it would be brilliant. It also depends on the audience.

I saw him twice in a week (long story) and although the spine of the show was the same - the 2 performances were very different. Really excited about seeing him again (this will be my 5th time seeing him)

[Yudster]

It's now my ambition to get really drunk with badger.

I'm not very good at getting proper rolling drunk (I tend to fall asleep before that stage) but if I could, I would also want to do so with Badger. I reckon that would be a night you would be very happy not to remember.

[MadTheEddos]

I get the feeling I could drink Badger under the table. Finding out could be... interesting.

[a-moron]

It's now my ambition to get really drunk with badger.

I'm not very good at getting proper rolling drunk (I tend to fall asleep before that stage) but if I could, I would also want to do so with Badger. I reckon that would be a night you would be very happy not to remember.

I get the feeling I could drink Badger under the table. Finding out could be... interesting.

I don't do vodka and I don't do rounds.
Other than that, * it,! Why not?
Anybody ever up/down my way, you're more than welcome to regale in some tales of the badger.

Unless you're a bit *, I don't do *.

[Misfit]

went to a strip club last night. still smiling.

[neilt0]

went to a strip club last night. still smiling.

Those fellas can dance, can't they!