Mock The Week is one of the TV panel gameshows that came at the tail end of the panel comedy trend. The fad started with Have I Got News For You, followed quickly by They Think Its All Over opening the doors for many other pretenders to the throne. MTW though has staying power and this is mainly thanks to contributions by this man, Andy Parsons.
Looking like Yul Brynner’s younger brother with a delivery that is Alan Whicker-esque in style, Parsons is one of our best hopes for British stand-up. New to many his routine is constructed around observations, starting with the audience himself. Parsons had recorded the auditorium as it filled up and treats us to some of the more bizarre moments adding an excellent improvised commentary. He is soon onto his trademark satirical mode hitting some necessary targets such as Bankers, Teachers and Peter Mandelson.
From here on in Andy slides from subject to subject with an air of authority and intelligence. Don’t buy this if you’re after cheap laughs, Andy is a consummate performer and his material is acidic but with depth. He does get the odd cheap laugh, such as when chatting about crank phone calls but hey, who can blame him? His routine on Sat Nav gadgets is inspired and when talking about the British population Andy is almost so close to the truth you just can’t help but agree with what he’s saying. One of the strongest live DVD’s I’ve seen in a long time this is one release for to lovers of high quality stand-up.
Extras:
Live At The Apollo – Parson’s thirteen-minute routine from the popular TV series has the funny man in a more hyper mood, delivering gags at a faster rate than the main feature. A very humorous extra that’s well worth checking out.
Britain’s Got Idiots Including Internal Monologue – A smart extra, this has Andy commenting on his own performance, a sort of commentary track but packed with extra gags as his comments on what’s happening are very good.
How Not To Re-Do A Joke – This out-take shows that even the most consummate professional stand-up can get his routine wrong. It leads him to deliver some excellent discourse with the audience and a pay-off that brings the gag full circle.
The Unbearable Malt Chocolateness Of Extras – Not saying as this is a very original extra for a comedy disc!