COMPARISONS can be a real problem. We all do it, reviewers particularly.
There’s something in our make-up that makes us compelled to relate one thing to another from the past.
Take Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle on BBC2 last night.
Every preview, every interview has banged on about it being the “new Dave Allen show”. Even Mr Lee has brought up the subject.
And let’s face it, it would never live up to that billing. Dave Allen was a comic genius, an exceptional talent.
But that doesn’t make the new series a failure. Far from it – it’s one of the most welcome new comedy shows for quite some time.
As he proved as half of Lee and Herring, Stewart Lee is a fine, eloquent observer of the banality of modern life.
True, some of the sketches thrown in to break up monologues are a bit hit and miss, but you can forgive the odd duff attempt when there is genuine quality around.
It’s just a shame the hype has been so overblown. It was never going to fulfill such great expectations.
Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
Frankie Boyle, Comedian
Frankie Boyle, Comedian
Gwaites, Digitalspy
Gwaites, Digitalspy
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John Robins, Comedian
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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12dgdgdgdgdgdg, Youtube
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Clampdown59, Twitter.
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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Idrie, Youtube
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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A D Ward, Twitter
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Brighton Argus
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Mearecate, Youtube
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Fowkes81, Twitter
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Aiden Hearn, Twitter
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Bosco239, youtube
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Wharto15, Twitter
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com