» Christmas comedy DVDs round-up
Victoria Nangle has a look at a way to brighten up the skintest Christmas
I know, we’re all feeling broke after the glut of giggling that was the Magners Paramount Comedy Festival followed by the Brighton Comedy Fringe and really don’t want to have to think about Christmas yet. It’s cold, it’s wet, and we are most definitely past the point of an Indian summer. And yet off the back of this state of affairs, plus that big pocket-drainer that is Christmas heading towards us at full pelt, I have a suggestion. It’s time to go Christmas shopping.
Think about it. It makes sense to spread the cost and be organised, plus – and here’s the sneaky bit – there are loads of cool comedy DVDs just being released now that’ll suit all the multitudes of tastes of the family, and that you can watch first to help float you through this traditionally depressing time of year.
First off – the oldies but the goodies. For Dad, back from the 80s, is Dangervision – The Dangerous Brothers. This is Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson before Bottom and after The Young Ones, before crude middle age and after idealistic youth. Just where a whole load of present-wanting people think they are now. Plus it includes the sketch ‘Kinky Sex’ that was originally banned by LWT. Got to love a bit of anarchic controversy. For the more contemporary anarchist, American comedian Sarah Silverman, who describes her comic persona as “A combination of arrogant and ignorant”, has just released the DVD that made her name in the states three years ago – Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic. Not for the easily shocked as she has been mentioned in the same sentence as Lenny Bruce by more than one critic.
his star continues to rise faster than that scary contraption that leans out over the end of the pier.
For those who are still smarting from having missed out due to the sold out status of favourites at the festivals, Tim Minchin’s So F**king Rock Live came out this week, combining two of his previous sell-out shows of comedy and music. They’re ready to fly off the shelves as his star continues to rise faster than that scary contraption that leans out over the end of the pier. Next week sees the release of another sold-out show comic, Michael McIntyre, whose gentle but happy comic observations just plant a smile in your belly and let it grow.
Add to these the crowd pleaser that is Tim Vine, slinging his puns every which way in So I Said To This Bloke, and you’ve pretty much got the whole family covered, and the winter blues kept at bay pretty much up to Christmas Eve. Ho, ho, ho. I don’t care how far away it is really.
