Phill Jupitus’ decision to end a decade-long hiatus from the stand-up circuit was, he tells us, inspired by a phone call from Eddie Izzard. It probably seemed like a good idea at the time.
There are plenty of jokes about Coldplay, too, most of which have been done better already and at a time when Coldplay were more worthy of mockery than they are today. It’s as if Jupitus wrote this show three years ago and didn’t get round to updating the details to something a bit more relevant. Bruno Mars and Tinie Tempah, at least, can be thankful for that.
There are moments of quality here, notably in Jupitus’ exaggerated Izzard impression. Too often, though, the humour is lost in Jupitus’ over-explanation of relatively straightforward lines and his tendency to laugh at his own jokes, hinting at a lack of faith in his own material. This is most at evidence during the laboured routines about age, which rely almost entirely on stereotypes: those in their sixties are forgetful; those past forty are lethargic; thirty-somethings like dinner parties, IKEA catalogues and, you guessed it, Coldplay.
Jupitus is evidently conscious of the perception generated by his panel show appearances and plays largely against type, however false an impression that type might be. His mood seems to border on the belligerent throughout, chiding audience members for their interjections and worrying aloud that they are leading him ‘down a comedy cul-de-sac’. In an hour of such tired material, he tends to find these unaided and with annoying regularity.
Jupitus has been away a long time and some leniency must be granted for that. However, the game has moved on in the meantime and, on this evidence, he is yet to catch up. One must hope that Izzard does not have Stan Boardman’s telephone number.
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Tags: Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Entertainment, News, phil jupitus, phill jupitus
This is what I hate about reviews. Bad comedy reviews are usually generated by someone who:
a. doesn’t know comedy inside and out.
b. has had a bad day, and is distracted, or angry, or both.
c. Has a different sense of humor than the comic they are reviewing.
d. hasn’t had sex for years.
e. is a complete twat.
f. all of the above
I am generalizing here, so don’t go getting your panties in a bunch. Phil Jupitus is more often than not a brilliant comedian. He is quick on his feet, and has mass appeal. I’ve been here at the Fringe for a month, and I’ve seen both sides. He was absolutely stellar in his impro show, Phil Jupitus Quartet. I hope Mr. Jupitus continues his return to comedy. Eddie Izzard knows what he’s doing.
And that’s what I hate about people who review reviews they disagree with. They resort to personal abuse then put in a defence mechanism to fall back on such as ‘I am generalizing here, so don’t go getting your panties in a bunch’ ………..
Phil Jupitus has never been funny regardless of what his lovey friends say.
I used to wonder why the most unfunny person in the country was chosen for the panel of Nevermind the Buzzcocks.
Being fat doesn’t make you funny.