Stewart Lee comedy vehicle - Season 2

Rjd2

Returns tonight on BBC @ 11.20 after Newsnight.


Didn't see a thread, so heads up for all.
Armando Iannucci shall be a part of this show as well.


Anyways here is a review to whet your appetite...

I'd imagine watching this at home would be incredibly tedious.'
That's Stewart Lee's own verdict on the second series of his Comedy Vehicle. It comes in the second episode, during an apparently interminable conversation he has with a fictitious estate agent that turns into a running meta-commentary on the progress of the show. ‘Unbearable’ is another description that crops up; ‘problematic’ another.
Lee takes self-criticism to new levels. Not only is his stand-up strewn with references to how acutely aware he is that his languid, repetitive delivery style will be anathema to many, but the routine is interspersed with snippets of awkward interviews with Armando Iannucci, mordantly interrogating him over his inaccessibility and lack of actual jokes.
Iannuci is the headmasterly voice of reason, asking: ‘You're not going to go on about crisps for the whole ****ing show are you?’ Lee is the schoolboy, trying to be belligerent, but knowing he’s been caught out.
These tense Frost/Nixon-style exchanges, shot in stark monochrome, were hidden ‘red-button’ extras on the first series; here they form a more integral part of the show’s fabric – adding extra judgmental layers to Lee’s relentless self-analysis.
It’s not the only change. Budget cuts have expelled most of the sketches, although both the first two episodes – at least – feature a closing film to tie up various threads, with Lee taking centre stage. But the more intense focus on the stand-up is to be welcomed.
The show has also moved to a later transmission time after Newsnight ‘so we don't have to compete against actual entertainment,’ as Lee dryly notes. It will make little difference. Those in awe of his dense, alternative stand-up will seek him out whatever the timeslot – but it’s always going to be a hard sell to recruit more casual viewers.
This is the antithesis of the big shiny-floor stand-up shows like Michael McIntryre’s Comedy Roadshow. Atmospherically shot in the more intimate confines of Mildmay Working Men’s Club in North London, the Comedy Vehcile recreates the more alternative feel of the best ‘above-a-pub’ style clubs, rather than the neon-soaked glitz of an arena tour. Which again means, as if the point needs underlining, that it’s not for everyone.
During that imaginary estate agent dialogue, Lee morosely points out that 300,000 people turned off during a similarly drawn-out piece of futility about rappers in series one. Like the doorman of an exclusive club, he takes satisfaction in dispelling those who don’t live up to his exacting standards; though doing so brings him no joy, just affirmation of a futile existence.
The first episode, going out tomorrow night, revolves around charity – a multi-threaded yarn that starts and ends with his grandfather living in a strange nest on an unvarying diet. Along the way, he slips in the C-word with rare artistry and takes a perfectly-aimed shot at the nastiness underpinning Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights, while exposing all the inner workings of his stand-up. The second episode is titled London, and contrasts family life in the capital – including the lengths to which parents go to get school places for their children – with the tedium of living in the countryside.
They are extended routines which Lee worked though in live shows in the second half of last year, and the thought and artistry that goes into both writing and performance should shame any soundbite comedian tossing out easy gags on panel shows. They will always be more famous than Lee, but the perceived ‘difficulty’ of Lee’s approach is what makes these half-hour jewels of stand-up so richly rewarding.
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle returns to BBC Two at 11.20pm on Wednesday May 4.

http://www.chortle.co.uk/features/2011/05/03/13211/tedious._problematic._brilliant

One more interview, Fist Of Fun DVD on it way, and some thoughts on C4.

Stewart Lee ('Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle')


It was with some glee (and no little surprise) that we at DS welcomed the news that Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle had been given a second series. He may have been proclaimed the 41st Best Stand-Up Ever in 2007, but we'd struggle to name many comics we'd rather see on stage than him. Before his show returns tonight, we spoke to Stewart about his new late-night TV slot, why Channel 4 are "moronic cynics" and the long-awaited DVD release of his and Richard Herring's '90s classic Fist of Fun.

How do you feel about doing a second series?
"I didn't think it would be recommissioned... and it was recommissioned specifically to try to carve out an exciting new territory for comedy - 11.20pm after Newsnight on a weekday. The feeling being that my show is unlikely to snag casual viewers but that a hardcore of people will follow it."

Are you okay with the new slot?
"I'm relieved of the obligation to make any concessions in terms of the style of it. It's much more like the stuff I do live - the routines are longer and there are less jokes! Also there's been an across-the-board 30% budget cut to most comedy programmes... the sketches were what had to give. There isn't as much filmed stuff, but to be honest, being in the later slot and not needing to sugar the pill, they might have gone anyway."

What was Chris Morris's input as script editor?
"He really helped fix a particular problem. I noticed reviews saying that I was arrogant and condescending. I thought, 'That's interesting because it doesn't feel like that live'. In the room I'm able to fabricate some kind of struggle whereby the gig isn't quite working. I'm a lower-status character, so when you criticise someone you don't do it from a position of authority or strength - it doesn't seem arrogant."

How did Chris fix that on screen?
"I wanted some sort of device that would lower my status or make me appear to be under pressure. I spent days on end talking to Chris about different ideas to get that to work. We ended up with Armando Iannucci interviewing me throughout the series in a hostile way - criticising all the material and my role in the programme. That's cut in with all the stand-up and it works really well."

Did Chris write any material for the show?
"There was a bit I was trying to write about observational comedy, and I wanted things that sounded like things you get in an observational, mainstream set that are slightly wrong. Chris came up with this brilliant line about how when you go to the dentist there's always a fish tank, and in the fish tank there's always a tiny statue of Napoleon. It's the sort of thing that sounds like it's nearly true but isn't."

You said some people thought you were arrogant in the first series...
"I realised that lots of things people were criticising me for were things that I had actually set out to do. It made me realise that on some level I was on the right track. The tone of the new series is slightly reactive - trying to do more of the things that people hated. Not out of wilful perversity, but because the fact that they'd identified them meant that I probably hadn't done them enough. Sometimes things look a mistake, but if you do it much more then people have to accept that you've done it by choice - like improvised music. This series I've decided to push all the things that are irksome about it to people a bit further, so that they realise it's a choice - and it's their choice then to go with it or not."

What do you think about the impact of forums and the internet on comedy?
"I know that when the second series wasn't going to be commissioned there was a website with a petition for it. I don't know how much difference that makes. I don't know if broadcasters should take any notice of that. They're dealing with huge budgets and really those budgets shouldn't be held hostage to the fact that it's quite easy to get 10,000 people to vote for something."

Does online criticism affect you?
"I think it takes a lot of self-control to not look at what people are saying when you've got a new thing out. I don't think it influences content so much. Also, it's not something I have a direct contact with - I don't blog and I don't do Twitter."

Why not?
"I don't really want anyone to know who I am. If people know things about you then they won't buy into stuff as much. I wrote a thing in The Guardian about the royal wedding and it looks like someone mad has written it. But if you know that I'm not mad and I have a family, you wouldn't buy into it as much... And I don't think it works as well for me as it does for Richard Herring. His work as a comedian is indivisible from his life - to a point where I sometimes wonder if he lives his life in a deliberately mad way to try and generate material!"

Richard told us that you were considering putting out Fist of Fun and TMWRNJ together...
"Oh, he's done it, he's sorted it out. Basically the BBC didn't want to put out Fist of Fun commercially, because they didn't think it would sell anything. But then they wouldn't let us have it either, because they said it hadn't recouped its value. He's managed to buy the first series or both series of Fist of Fun off them for 15 grand. So we've gone three ways on it. Me, Rich and Chris Evans who runs [independent DVD firm] Go Faster Stripe. Of course we can sell them after gigs and I don't think it should be too difficult to make the money back."

Are you excited about that?
"I think it's quite important for Richard's self-esteem. He's done much better than me financially in his life, he co-wrote Al Murray's sitcom, but I don't think he's had the critical acclaim that I've had. Weirdly I'd be much happier with the money and no critical acclaim! I think he feels he did something really good in Fist of Fun and it's never had the credit it deserved. I think it's really important for him to get it out there. I'm really happy for him that that's happening. I'm slightly ambivalent about it. I really liked the first series. I feel with the second series we were encouraged to make a number of artistically ill-advised compromises."

When will it be coming out?
"We'll film a load of extras for it... I think it might be next year - we've got an idea about doing a one-off gig to launch it."

Richard blamed Channel 4 for the recent Frankie Boyle controversy, what are your thoughts on Boyle as a comedian?
"He writes good jokes, but they don't seem to have a consistent point of view. When some of the things he said are explained in certain terms, that point of view is then contradicted by another joke. It's hard to justify them, because they don't add up to a coherent world view. I think the other problem Frankie has is that Channel 4 are defending him and we know that Channel 4 is run by opportunistic, moronic cynics."

Go on...
"It's on Channel 4, so why would you trust it? It's true, isn't it? When people from Channel 4 say 'It's an example of the absurd, what Frankie's done', it isn't. They don't know anything. He and his writers come up with really great gags. In the mouth of someone else and in a different context, that thing about Katie Price's son might have read entirely differently. The problem is that Frankie's a high-status figure. Whereas if [Jerry] Sadowitz was doing it, it would read totally differently. Sadowitz is like a rat who's disenfranchised by the world. It would also read differently if it wasn't on Channel 4 - because Channel 4's just ugly and stupid on the whole... It's all about context."

http://www.digitalspy.ie/tv/interviews/a317723/stewart-lee-stewart-lees-comedy-vehicle.html

mike65

Strange time slot, was shown 10 pm last time, which is usually when BBC2 screens its comedy during the week. So they are not hopeful of decent ratings yet they commissioned a series anyway.

I'll tape it, the first series was a bit mixed but did have some great sketches/monologues

Spacedog

I'll be there, with a hundred percent pair!

Rjd2

mike65 wrote: »

Strange time slot, was shown 10 pm last time, which is usually when BBC2 screens its comedy during the week. So they are not hopeful of decent ratings yet they commissioned a series anyway.

Yeah however after Bellamys People didn't get a second series due to poor ratings, I suppose we have to be grateful that it got recommisoned.

expectationlost

sorry what is it?

Rjd2

expectationlost wrote: »

sorry what is it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Lee%27s_Comedy_Vehicle

Sheela

Thanks for the post as have been keeping an eye on Armando's twitter and Stewart Lee's official website to see when this was back on - and neither mentioned it was back tonight:)

expectationlost

Rjd2 wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Lee%27s_Comedy_Vehicle

that doesn't explain what Stewart Lee comedy vehicle - Season 2 is briefly either :P

liogairmhordain

Sheela wrote: »

Thanks for the post as have been keeping an eye on Armando's twitter and Stewart Lee's official website to see when this was back on - and neither mentioned it was back tonight:)

luckily i happened to visit www.stewartlee.co.uk yesterday; it was fairly prominently highlighted; only for that i wouldn't have known
great show

Skid

Really enjoyed Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle last night.

And also, Fist of Fun is coming to DVD?

I feel like I've got The Moon on a Stick !

Ash.J.Williams

Good start to the series, laughed my ass off....loved the jokes!! ".....they were livid"

Henno30

Anyone else think it was a very different performance by him? There were a lot of stuff in his book that hinted at a distaste for a higher profile and the need to shake off a certain amount of his following. For me at least, the rambling crisps anecdote was much different to stuff like the cider or Tom O'Connor routines.

I've watched all his material countless times and it struck me very much as a parody of his own depiction in the media. His performances are so often boiled down into references to his repetition, or unconventionally overlong stories, and it seemed to me that the whole episode was a direct response to that.

By doing a routine that ticked all the boxes of the media depiction of Stewart Lee, he seemed to be showing just how ludicrously simplistic their interpretation of comedy is. All the intricacies of the art, the turns of phrase, the pacing, the call backs, the shifts in tone, were either ludicrously overblown or omitted entirely. It all felt like he was saying "this is what you say comedy is, but I'm showing you that you are wrong".

mike65

I laffed!

Clearly Lee was decontructing the whole stand-up shickt for his own amusmement but I enjoyed it as well though the most of the audience didn't quite twig the whole Mothra/Godzilla part and it went on a bit long when made visual.

Henno30

mike65 wrote: »

I laffed!

Clearly Lee was decontructing the whole stand-up shickt for his own amusmement but I enjoyed it as well though the most of the audience didn't quite twig the whole Mothra/Godzilla part and it went on a bit long when made visual.

I read around a bit for reactions and I found it strange more people hadn't commented on that. You have to admire him for it in fairness.

This is Stew's new social media strategy :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVUdUMr5G3w

mike65

Really liked this weeks, he even touched upon the later time slot (must read boards!).

Henno30

Excellent stuff last night. Paced and worked the entire set brilliantly, and he even reworked the old IRA vs Al Qaeda routine.

"Decent British terrorists. They didn't want to be British.........but they were".

Armando suggesting Sally Gunnell as Lee's favourite British person was ****ing brilliant as well.

Ash.J.Williams

Henno30 wrote: »

Excellent stuff last night. Paced and worked the entire set brilliantly, and he even reworked the old IRA vs Al Qaeda routine.

"Decent British terrorists. They didn't want to be British.........but they were".

Armando suggesting Sally Gunnell as Lee's favourite British person was ****ing brilliant as well.

yeah last nights was a master class..."are you the alternative to comedy?"

also his face when he mentions al quieda, like reacting to someone who mildy annoys you....

Rjd2

Its been a wonderful series, the conversations with Armando the undoubted highlights.:)

amacachi

Finally got around to this over the last few days. First series was damn good, second was far better. Really, really brilliant stuff.

I can see why he (was annoy about about) won [winning] Best TV Comin at the British Comedy Awards.

James T Kirk

What I love about him is that he takes the piss out of everything, including himself. :pac:

abouttobebanned

I read his autobiography. Decent but his obsession with footnotes was tedious and annoying.*










*they were on like, every page

James T Kirk

Yeah, I'd imagine his writing is fairly pretentious alright.