The title comes from one of the schedule-filling Best 100 Anythings Ever knocked out by Channel 4, allegedly voted for by the public, which has surpassed the achievements of previous shows in the series by providing Stew with a substitute title for his show. Originally, and it was billed at the Glasgow Comedy Festival as such, it was called March of the Mallards. Then Lee realised it was a one-gag concept, albeit a good one, and siezed upon his new-found rating. Which is also, he presumes, why last year he played in a cave and this year stages his show in a tent. An upside-down purple cow sponsored by his least favourite television channel – allowing E4 into your home is akin to having sewage sprayed in your face in his considered opinion – but a lovely billowing 323 capacity tent.
For the uninitiated, Stew’s style is immaculately measured and delivered, honed over the 20 years he has been exposing himself in Edinburgh, so to speak.
Despite his contempt for E4, currently most of his bile is reserved for the BBC, having received an unsolicited commission to produce six half hours of stand up. It was taken away as unexpectedly as it was offered, and with a baby on the way, he was forced to do panel shows such as 8 Out Of 10 Cats, which would make anyone resentful.
This year there’s more Stew on stage, and he has joined his local WeightWatchers in Stamford Hill, an experience he likens to a United Nations day out to a Hall Of Mirrors.
Clearly he is heading for the Top 10, but it is all so subjective isn’t it?
John Robins, Comedian
John Robins, Comedian
General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
Borathigh5, Youtube
Borathigh5, Youtube
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Hiewy, Youtube
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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Pudabaya, Twitter
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Jackmumf, Twitter
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Idrie, Youtube
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Tokyofist, Youtube
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Danazawa, Youtube
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Z-factor, Twitter.
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Chez, Chortle.com
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Tin Frog, Twitter
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
Brighton Argus
Brighton Argus
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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Fowkes81, Twitter
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
Richard Herring, Comedian
Richard Herring, Comedian
Mearecate, Youtube
Mearecate, Youtube
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
Robert Gavin, Twitter
Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Stuart, Chortle
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Clampdown59, Twitter.
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12dgdgdgdgdgdg, Youtube
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Funday’schild, youtube.
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Len Firewood, Twitter
Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Secretdeveloper, Youtube
Birmingham Sunday Mercury
Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Aiden Hearn, Twitter
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Wharto15, Twitter
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World Without End, Twitter
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Bosco239, youtube
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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A D Ward, Twitter
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Sam Rooney, Youtube
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com