Is it just me who thinks this audience is awful? He's still getting laughs because he is that good, but a lot seems to go over their heads. For example, "the man said I'm in oil" should be getting a laugh as we already know the punchline but this audience needs the work done for them.
@ThatLiamNewman Yeah, maybe most of them were new to Lee's stuff, or had been dragged there by a friend.
Hopefully now though, he's built up that much of a cult following, that most of his audience will get him.
That said though, he's quite contrary. He once said something along the lines of...he didnt want to become so successful, that there was nothing in the audience to push back from. Thus running the risk of becoming complacent and losing his edge.
@ThatLiamNewman That's not the audience being awful, that's just the way he was handling them. It's what Stewart Lee does best, I think, gather up the audience and make a certain tension grow which makes the laughter at the punchline all the better.
I agree, it's a very heady piece of comedy and very watchable. Stewarts' frustration with cheap humour and easy laughs drives him to these sorts of extremes. He notices that this slightly vapid audience find the sardine quip quite funny, so he drills into them over and over again for his own catharsis and to pull apart the simple shit joke until absurdity.
I am a fan, but dragging stuff out that long is basically taking the piss. If he went on stage and was silent for 50 minutes his hardcore devotees would lap it up.
@retread01 I am an admirer of Stewart Lee's comedy, but I wouldn't describe myself as partisan. [validation] However, 50 minutes of silence from S. Lee would be better than 50 minutes of predictable material from nearly every other comedian. There's nothing overly wrong with most mainstream comedians: I like them. Lee is just 'better at the craft.'
For the record - as far as I know the allegation that Tom O'Connor ran off with a teenage prostitute is for comedy effect only and not based on fact. If I'm right about that, Lee has been pretty tough on O'Connor.
I'm from Liverpool and I do stand-up and I can say quite confidently alot of Scousers are sentimental and easy to offend. I do a bit comparing the general atmosphere of Liverpool, Manchester and London, in the latter two the audiences happily laughed at me making fun of them, yet in my own home town people actually got incredibly offended that I suggested scousers are very emotional (both happy and sad/defensive), which proved my point, comics are weary of Liverpool crowds for a reason.
Interesting, Alexei Sayle has spoken likewise, as you probably know. But some other non-Scouse comics have come to the opposite conclusion. Ed Byrne claimed once that one of the the biggest laughs he has ever had was in your city. The joke was about John Lennon Airport being appropriately named as it was the first place he fucked off to when he got a bit of money.
Yes but Liverpool is something like 45 per cent irish descent so they love the irish there. Manchester and salford are similar. especially if you're irish AND catholic
@9e0r9i3 Liverpool's Irish descent is far closer to 100% in that more than 9 in 10 Scouser's can lay claim to Irish ancestry.
As much as Liverpool is hardly replete with significant stand-ups these days, it doesn't do to forget that the art was more or less crafted in the city in the late 19th and early 20th century.
I may be wrong, but I do believe that the comedic monogloues from top-ranking authors were chisled down and made into more accessible comedy within the city confines.
True I'm not calling 100% of liverpudlians are soft-skinned nutters but from my own experience and that of others I think the stereotype holds some water.
Personally, I think you get a mix wherever you go. But it is certainly true that Liverpool likes to think that it has a greater sense of community than most major cities, which is probably what fuels your experiences. I can imagine also that your audience might be more 'salt of the earth' than Byrne's, and would probably take offence to jokes on local pride quicker, especially from 'one of their own'.
People from Liverpool tend to be very sentimental about things, like when Iraqi insurgents killed that guy from Liverpool and the city went into mourning for about a month. It was described by the Spectator magazine as "wallowing in misery." More proof that observation is the highest form of controversy.
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bit disappointed in him. respected him first time around. the "dont make me ang lee" joke. but same style again and again is a bit repetitive. excuse the pun. now it seems he is a bit out of material maybe.
Eh? neither of these is technically material, its him breaking down how truly ridiculous these situations are, he does a bit about how Del Boy falling through the open bar is British people's favourite comedic moment in a similar fashion, showing how truly bland and simple it is. Its certainly not a safe tactic for doing stand-up, it takes balls to basically play chicken with the audience.
People from Liverpool tend to be very sentimental about things, like when Iraqi insurgents killed that guy from Liverpool and the city went into mourning for about a month. It was described by the Spectator magazine as "wallowing in misery." More proof that observation is the highest form of controversy.
well apparently it is! nevermind im sure u can find jim davidson clips here somewhere or perhaps some amusing sketch involving clowns turning around too quickly with ladders on there shoulders, catching their colleagues unaware with hilarious consequences.
The repetition is in and of itself funny - which was the thesis behind Stu's 10-year old Boy Who Cried Wolf sketch. I agree. The repetition is in and of itself funny - which was the thesis behind Stu's 10-year old Boy Who Cried Wolf sketch. I agree.
I've watched this half a dozen times and the Tom O'Connor stuff is amazing. How he builds and builds on that one silly joke, making it finally seem utterly the most crass joke ever delivered. I think Stew has a lot of resentment and anger to work through :)
I sort of disagree...it is often said that the stand-up circuit leaves you dead on your feet sooner rather than later...even if someone else is doing your jokes...so to go on and on and still be so funny in the craft of stand up (rather than do sitcom, acting etc) takes some doing. I just think he is so funny, clever wit that makes you think as well as laugh...but mostly laugh!
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He is very funny but,his obvious intelligence gets in the way of him being very successful.
I hope he can drop the chip and realise that to tell it like it is and remain honest will always be better than just repeating things for comic affect.
"I hope he can drop the chip and realise that to tell it like it is and remain honest will always be better than just repeating things for comic affect."
I'm not sure what you mean - tell it like it is? - he's a comedian, and frankly one of the best there is. It's a testament to his skill that he can use repetition so well. His delivery is a joy to watch when he's working well, although to be fair he has his off nights.
I guess like everything, it's a question of different taste. I thought the repetition was brilliant and I was laughing right to the end.
Ultimately I suppose none of us can really say something a performer does is good/bad unless they deliver some material and are greated with silence. Otherwise it's just a case of "well, some people like it, but not me".
Nevertheless, that doesn't stop me from saying things like "Russell Brand is the worst comedian alive" for instance :)
I'm a huge Stewart Lee fan and totally agree with fedupx5900's statement. However, being uber pedantic I've noticed one error in the sardines routine. The line "Tom O Conner has answered every question" does not quite fit the scenario because in it T o C was actually questioning an answer not answering a question.
lol true, i didnt really feel bad for joe pasqale, but stewart lee is the titan heavyweight of british comedy (even ricky gervais has acknowledged that stew is king), his punchlines consist of a total deconstruction of absolutely everything discussed up until that point.
joe pasqale's idea of a punchline consists of having to keep that squeaky voice even when doing interviews
That's going to be my new ice-breaker at parties; "How do you want to be stored when you're dead?" And if they say "In oil" I can say "Are you a sardine?". Thanks Stew!
Like lightning out of a gun.
Fuck I love Stewart Lee.
Draakur 1 month ago
"He come out Stew..."
nothingnesswithouten 9 months ago
No comedian has better joke delivery than Stewart Lee.
joemegson94 11 months ago 2
Is it just me who thinks this audience is awful? He's still getting laughs because he is that good, but a lot seems to go over their heads. For example, "the man said I'm in oil" should be getting a laugh as we already know the punchline but this audience needs the work done for them.
Might just be my opinion.
ThatLiamNewman 11 months ago 2
@ThatLiamNewman Yeah, maybe most of them were new to Lee's stuff, or had been dragged there by a friend.
Hopefully now though, he's built up that much of a cult following, that most of his audience will get him.
That said though, he's quite contrary. He once said something along the lines of...he didnt want to become so successful, that there was nothing in the audience to push back from. Thus running the risk of becoming complacent and losing his edge.
comanchio1976 10 months ago
@ThatLiamNewman ...cont, That sort of integrity is quite rare I'd say.
comanchio1976 10 months ago
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Cavelcade 6 months ago
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@ThatLiamNewman That's not the audience being awful, that's just the way he was handling them. It's what Stewart Lee does best, I think, gather up the audience and make a certain tension grow which makes the laughter at the punchline all the better.
Cavelcade 6 months ago
The look on the womans face at 1:53 is priceless. You can see the thoughts going around her head.
"I don't get it? This isnt funny...".
Clearly she would be better off going to see someone like Alan Carr. This humour is just going over her head.
Infact, if you are that woman, please contact me so I can explain how and why you should not have been at this gig.
jamesthemod 1 year ago 4
@jamesthemod Exactly!
Fiasco6Radio6Show6 1 year ago
@jamesthemod
I agree, it's a very heady piece of comedy and very watchable. Stewarts' frustration with cheap humour and easy laughs drives him to these sorts of extremes. He notices that this slightly vapid audience find the sardine quip quite funny, so he drills into them over and over again for his own catharsis and to pull apart the simple shit joke until absurdity.
billhicks8 10 months ago
I am a fan, but dragging stuff out that long is basically taking the piss. If he went on stage and was silent for 50 minutes his hardcore devotees would lap it up.
retread01 1 year ago
@retread01 I am an admirer of Stewart Lee's comedy, but I wouldn't describe myself as partisan. [validation] However, 50 minutes of silence from S. Lee would be better than 50 minutes of predictable material from nearly every other comedian. There's nothing overly wrong with most mainstream comedians: I like them. Lee is just 'better at the craft.'
draconianTL 10 months ago
@draconianTL What about Manning as in Bernard? Lee learned everything he knows from the master.
TheySuggestedOranges 1 month ago
@retread01 Thats already been done.... by Andy Kauffman. Needless to say, it was hillarious.
hufclufc 9 months ago
10 people are in oil. Which begs the question: are they sardines?
ska2808 1 year ago 4
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WUTagain 1 year ago
please leave the mic stand alone
smjltd 1 year ago
10 people like Tom O'Conner
leave12 1 year ago
@leave12 No 10 people are sardines
Omegian14 1 year ago
A very skilled craftsman.
TeddyRuck 1 year ago 2
this is brilliant. too good for that woman in row 1 to understand
LiamJohnNewman 1 year ago
1:54 woman on the left totally unimpressed :)
chrisofnottingham 1 year ago
His delivery on the 41st Best Standup Ever was a lot better than on here.
Bibliofish 1 year ago
He come out Stew
69monstermunch 1 year ago 8
iget that the repetition was supposed to be funny but it pissed me off
ThePyroNympho 2 years ago
He may be the 41st best stand up ever but there's no one better.
tonofpoo 2 years ago 5
omg thats hilarious! right at the point, after the astonishing build up, about connors tabloid sexual scandal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! brilliant! lol
naughtyboymessiah 2 years ago
quick like a bullet outta hole..
awesomefrankrapid 2 years ago 3
i'm in oil
ThomString 2 years ago 10
are you a sardine?
GlassPike 2 years ago 5
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No! Stew's girlfriend, who unfortunately stinks of sardines.
kaya2112 2 years ago
Woman at 1:55...Stu's mother?
Kristoffee 2 years ago
i love how he just goes on about it for about 2 minutes, great
mushroomfat 2 years ago 3
@mushroomfat This is the edited version!
hufclufc 9 months ago
That was great. Unfortunately the woman on the left at 1.55 didn't think so.
gextvedde 2 years ago 3
I know, what a miserable cunt.
TheNorthernScum 2 years ago 2
She looks like a torn-faced twat.
FaxanaduJohn 2 years ago
She didn't get the joke, she only has Sardines with Tomato Sauce.
Dcvictorious 2 years ago 8
I have been to Lisbon and I think I missed the Sardine
CHANNELOMD 2 years ago 4
are you a sardine?
GuffNubbin 2 years ago 9
stewart lee is one of the best comedians ever.
methogonzo 2 years ago 9
41st best ever I think you will find! :D Tho I actually think he's better than that!
UnofflCollingsHerrin 2 years ago
yeah.
methogonzo 2 years ago
'A stopped clock is right 2 times a day' Withnail And I!
Oli3TB76 2 years ago 7
It's great when he goes on and on about the same thing to beat the point till it's weak!
alexxyz456 2 years ago 13
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He really makes me laugh ! Only thing that I don't like is the whole repetition thing he does - he ALWAYS does it. Me no likey !!!
Scottishcarly 2 years ago
For the record - as far as I know the allegation that Tom O'Connor ran off with a teenage prostitute is for comedy effect only and not based on fact. If I'm right about that, Lee has been pretty tough on O'Connor.
Mallards do enjoy a bit of rape, though.
jcdiddy 2 years ago 3
Tom O'Connor retracted the writs he had on the newspapers that said this in 1988... So there's never been a denial.
bornhuman2 2 years ago
I'm from Liverpool and I do stand-up and I can say quite confidently alot of Scousers are sentimental and easy to offend. I do a bit comparing the general atmosphere of Liverpool, Manchester and London, in the latter two the audiences happily laughed at me making fun of them, yet in my own home town people actually got incredibly offended that I suggested scousers are very emotional (both happy and sad/defensive), which proved my point, comics are weary of Liverpool crowds for a reason.
JapeUK 2 years ago 2
Interesting, Alexei Sayle has spoken likewise, as you probably know. But some other non-Scouse comics have come to the opposite conclusion. Ed Byrne claimed once that one of the the biggest laughs he has ever had was in your city. The joke was about John Lennon Airport being appropriately named as it was the first place he fucked off to when he got a bit of money.
kisbie 2 years ago
Yes but Liverpool is something like 45 per cent irish descent so they love the irish there. Manchester and salford are similar. especially if you're irish AND catholic
9e0r9i3 2 years ago
@9e0r9i3 Liverpool's Irish descent is far closer to 100% in that more than 9 in 10 Scouser's can lay claim to Irish ancestry.
As much as Liverpool is hardly replete with significant stand-ups these days, it doesn't do to forget that the art was more or less crafted in the city in the late 19th and early 20th century.
I may be wrong, but I do believe that the comedic monogloues from top-ranking authors were chisled down and made into more accessible comedy within the city confines.
owenhunt 1 year ago
True I'm not calling 100% of liverpudlians are soft-skinned nutters but from my own experience and that of others I think the stereotype holds some water.
JapeUK 2 years ago
Personally, I think you get a mix wherever you go. But it is certainly true that Liverpool likes to think that it has a greater sense of community than most major cities, which is probably what fuels your experiences. I can imagine also that your audience might be more 'salt of the earth' than Byrne's, and would probably take offence to jokes on local pride quicker, especially from 'one of their own'.
kisbie 2 years ago
People from Liverpool tend to be very sentimental about things, like when Iraqi insurgents killed that guy from Liverpool and the city went into mourning for about a month. It was described by the Spectator magazine as "wallowing in misery." More proof that observation is the highest form of controversy.
An outright lie, you fool.
Fowlersboot 2 years ago
Morrissey?
ELSORD83 2 years ago
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bit disappointed in him. respected him first time around. the "dont make me ang lee" joke. but same style again and again is a bit repetitive. excuse the pun. now it seems he is a bit out of material maybe.
yousahil 2 years ago
Eh? neither of these is technically material, its him breaking down how truly ridiculous these situations are, he does a bit about how Del Boy falling through the open bar is British people's favourite comedic moment in a similar fashion, showing how truly bland and simple it is. Its certainly not a safe tactic for doing stand-up, it takes balls to basically play chicken with the audience.
JapeUK 2 years ago 7
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My dad repeats jokes if they're not funny first time round.
Tragic.
kitchenaut 2 years ago
can anyone explain the final joke about Liverpool?
Channel999 3 years ago
People from Liverpool tend to be very sentimental about things, like when Iraqi insurgents killed that guy from Liverpool and the city went into mourning for about a month. It was described by the Spectator magazine as "wallowing in misery." More proof that observation is the highest form of controversy.
steve85nn 3 years ago
apparently his most recent dvd isn't selling too well so buy it now or he wont have any more!
padraigwastaken 3 years ago 3
one of the funniest sketches ever.
jackansell 3 years ago 7
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I'm a big fan of SL but this is the worst of his clips - just not funny
ePeterRobinson 3 years ago
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aparantly saying the same thing over and over is supposed to be a joke
skinwalkerxxx 3 years ago
aparantly saying the same thing over and over is supposed to be a joke
dixniffer 3 years ago 8
well apparently it is! nevermind im sure u can find jim davidson clips here somewhere or perhaps some amusing sketch involving clowns turning around too quickly with ladders on there shoulders, catching their colleagues unaware with hilarious consequences.
hordichuck 3 years ago 17
hahahahahah, that's the funniest comment i've ever seen!!!
fuzzydoorbell 3 years ago
YES it's a bad joke but the repetition makes it funny.
attentionaddicts 3 years ago
That's part of the joke - In his full set, there is a little more to this routine in which he both justifies and makes a joke out of the repetition.
verbaluk1 3 years ago
Simply brilliant.
I know he's an atheist, but sometimes listening to Stewart Lee makes me think that there might be a God after all.
SanTelmo1981 3 years ago 3
Im in oil.
subscooby 3 years ago 8
are you a sardine?
highlandr545 3 years ago 9
The repetition is in and of itself funny - which was the thesis behind Stu's 10-year old Boy Who Cried Wolf sketch. I agree. The repetition is in and of itself funny - which was the thesis behind Stu's 10-year old Boy Who Cried Wolf sketch. I agree.
CharitableView 3 years ago 7
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this guy is totally gay
Alba12349 3 years ago
You are obviously a belligerent footballer.
robwillfixit 3 years ago 10
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english muppet
Alba12349 3 years ago
were r u from scotland by any chance
patyboy666 3 years ago
that was like the last scene in 8 mile.
he just murdered tom o'connor and liverpool - brilliant
soulcru5h 3 years ago 2
hahahah this is hilarious
gooner1804 3 years ago 6
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If I were in the audience I'd have been screaming in pain after the fourth repetition, begging him to say something funny or die.
He surely doesn't make a living out of this shite.
peeayouel 3 years ago
Oh look, an idiot. On the internet? But how?!
tdous 3 years ago 19
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Such a tiny comment, but with a bit of random punctuation you've managed to appear rambling.
Moron!!!!!!!!!!
peeayouel 3 years ago
All those exclamation marks make you look like a cunt
0thewildman0 3 years ago 27
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You copied that reply from someone else. Try thinking up your own comments.
peeayouel 3 years ago
No I didn't
0thewildman0 3 years ago 7
If he'd worked for Colemans or something,,,,,
It was amazing Stew!
:-) xxxx
lottietotty 3 years ago 5
I've watched this half a dozen times and the Tom O'Connor stuff is amazing. How he builds and builds on that one silly joke, making it finally seem utterly the most crass joke ever delivered. I think Stew has a lot of resentment and anger to work through :)
lameplanet 3 years ago 10
i agree with you 100% but i hope he never deals with his anger, i hope it fuels him for the rest of his career
soulcru5h 3 years ago 4
I sort of disagree...it is often said that the stand-up circuit leaves you dead on your feet sooner rather than later...even if someone else is doing your jokes...so to go on and on and still be so funny in the craft of stand up (rather than do sitcom, acting etc) takes some doing. I just think he is so funny, clever wit that makes you think as well as laugh...but mostly laugh!
SuperLemonchipchip 3 years ago
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He is very funny but,his obvious intelligence gets in the way of him being very successful.
I hope he can drop the chip and realise that to tell it like it is and remain honest will always be better than just repeating things for comic affect.
he should leave that to joe pasquale!!.
MUCH LOVE.
XXXXXXXX
KENRHY 3 years ago
"I hope he can drop the chip and realise that to tell it like it is and remain honest will always be better than just repeating things for comic affect."
I'm not sure what you mean - tell it like it is? - he's a comedian, and frankly one of the best there is. It's a testament to his skill that he can use repetition so well. His delivery is a joy to watch when he's working well, although to be fair he has his off nights.
lameplanet 3 years ago 2
i got his point about tom o'connor after the first 10 times.
after that i wanted to eat my own face.
he is at his his best when the audience are scared and they know he is too!!
the stuff he did in scotland about braveheart and peadophilles,that was scary look at him and the audience.
All the best stand ups bill hicks,denis leary etc have never been afraid to be scared!!
KENRHY 3 years ago
I guess like everything, it's a question of different taste. I thought the repetition was brilliant and I was laughing right to the end.
Ultimately I suppose none of us can really say something a performer does is good/bad unless they deliver some material and are greated with silence. Otherwise it's just a case of "well, some people like it, but not me".
Nevertheless, that doesn't stop me from saying things like "Russell Brand is the worst comedian alive" for instance :)
lameplanet 3 years ago
I tried to pitch a new game show to the tv companies but theywere having none of it it was going to be called "Lets hunt and kill Russell Brand!.
Each week we release the hounds of hell to see how far that overated,scag can go!!
Not fucking far enough me thinks.!
KENRHY 3 years ago
I'd watch that!
In fact, I'd dress up in a dog suit and audition for it :)
lameplanet 3 years ago
I'm a huge Stewart Lee fan and totally agree with fedupx5900's statement. However, being uber pedantic I've noticed one error in the sardines routine. The line "Tom O Conner has answered every question" does not quite fit the scenario because in it T o C was actually questioning an answer not answering a question.
SimonHHH 3 years ago
He can make a tiny bit of material go a hell of a long way. That is why he is a comic genius.
fedupx5900 4 years ago 47
i feel bad for any mainstream comic that gets on stewart lee's radar. I felt bad for joe pasqale until i watched this haha... poor tom o'connor.
It's a shame bernard manning isn't still alive so Stew could give him a good mauling, but alas and alack - he aint coming back.
Sou1Cru5h 4 years ago 4
You felt bad for Pasquale - why?! He was rumbled good an proper!
Nice one Tucker!
jenosw 4 years ago 2
lol true, i didnt really feel bad for joe pasqale, but stewart lee is the titan heavyweight of british comedy (even ricky gervais has acknowledged that stew is king), his punchlines consist of a total deconstruction of absolutely everything discussed up until that point.
joe pasqale's idea of a punchline consists of having to keep that squeaky voice even when doing interviews
its tragic in a way lol
Sou1Cru5h 4 years ago 6
That's going to be my new ice-breaker at parties; "How do you want to be stored when you're dead?" And if they say "In oil" I can say "Are you a sardine?". Thanks Stew!
blackdice23 4 years ago 2
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Wow that would be hilarious, I can imagine the whole party erupting in laughter at your comical genius.
sylvesterevans 4 years ago
stew rules
prowlergrig 4 years ago 11
Lee is on a whole other level.
hellcat059 4 years ago 21
genius
thinkforjoy 4 years ago 11