Oh to be there (Live at the Apollo)

Member Name: LisaW82

Product:	Live at the Apollo
Date:	07/06/09 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The best comedians out there

Disadvantages: It should have more than 6 episodes per series

Live at the Apollo is a BBC1 show, filmed at London's Hammersmith Apollo, the home of UK comedy for most performers, that features some of the best comedians on the circuit today. There have been a number of series' of the show now and I see no reason, due to the popularity and sell out crowds, for the BBC not to commission another series later this year.

The format of the show is one of the good things about it, as chances are you are going to like at least one of the 2 or 3 comedians that will play in each of the hour long shows. Usually, the main star of each show will host it and close it with some maybe lesser known names in between. This latest series has seen many up and coming comedians share the stage with legends like Jack Dee and Lenny Henry, along with sharing the stage with current stars like Frankie Boyle and the best comedian around at the moment Michael McIntyre. The show where Michael hosts and does around 30 minutes is just superb and sure to have the belly laughs flowing. It certainly did in my house. Having said that, the line ups are good enough every week to prompt the odd belly laugh on a weekly basis.

The venue itself always seems to lend itself to comedy due to the way it is laid out and feels quite intimate as well as being large. You usually get the odd celebrity at these gigs too and you could be forgiven for thinking you were looking at an "audience with" crowd at times. These celebrities do get picked on from time to time to hilarious effect, particularly in one of the older series' where Michael McIntyre singled out rugby player Matt Dawson for some dancing ribbing.

My only real gripe with the show lies with the BBC and the producers really as I do feel that perhaps the series needs to go on for more than 6 episodes per series. There are so many good comedians out there that this would easily be achievable.

Live at the Apollo has quickly become one of my favourite shows and it is sure to continue that way for the foreseeable future.

Summary: The pinnacle of British stand up comedy viewing