Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle

Seemingly unheard of since the late nineties, say of a few Radio 4 panel show appearances, Stewart Lee is back on telly with his new six-part stand-up show, complete with his old brand of surreal and despondent observations and over-analytical ascerbic social commentary, his style virtually unchanged from the shows he would appear on with Richard Herring. The 30-minute shows are filmed in front of a small audience in a small venue, each show relating to a different theme: Financial Crisis Toilet-books Religion Comedy Television Political Correctness Each topic is barely covered with a hilarious fast-paced, original yet ...  Read the complete review

It's very good to have Stewart Lee back on the telly. I have vague memories of enjoying Fist of Fun, the series he did with Richard Herring, probably more years ago than I actually realise. Since then I've occasionally noticed him on TV in discussion, probably most notably in the fuss and nonsense surrounding Jerry Springer: the Opera, which he penned. But he's not actually had a regular slot for ages, So now he's been back, more than a few pounds heavier, and the quiff receding somewhat, but still delivering extremely funny comedy in a unique style. Each show in the series is based around a theme, and centres around a stand-up routine from Lee in front of ...  Read the complete review

Until recently, I didn't know who Stewart Lee was. I had heard of his collaborative show with fellow comedian Richard Herring, but had never stopped to watch it - nor did I realise that Lee was part responsible for writing the controversial 'Jerry Springer: the Opera', which caused a stir when it was televised in 2005. I probably wouldn't have watched Lee's new show either, entitled 'Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle', had a couple of friends not told me how funny it was. The programme is filmed in front of a small audience at an intimate venue, and takes the form of a straight-forward stand-up routine with an added twist... every so often, a comedy ...  Read the complete review

This is a six part comedy show screened on BBC2. It is a stand up routine featuring Stewart Lee on the stage with a microphone in front of a smallish audience in a venue that has an intimate feel to it. The show is recorded, not live, and every so often the stand up routine is cut away from to go to a mini sketch that features Lee and another performer(s). The sketch is to underline or to add to the gag or topic that he has just been talking about. He is 40 years old and reminds me of a stockier version of Terry Christian but with a Midlands accent. He was once voted the 41st best "stand up" ever. I'm not sure whether that is a good ...  Read the complete review

I don't usually watch television, but the return of comedian Stewart Lee to BBC 2 after an absence of almost exactly ten years is a defining event for the obsessive comedy fan. As mainstream audiences seem increasingly, tragically content to lap up the latest catch-phrases and unadventurous routines from the likes of Horne & Corden and whoever else is around (I don't know do I?), the BBC has finally been convinced to offer a platform to one of the nation's finest and highest-rated comedians, in an uncompromising show that presents stand-up comedy exactly as the fans are familiar with it. If you're accustomed to the inimitable style of Stewart Lee, that is. ...  Read the complete review