Season 2 of this show sees the self-awareness spill over into sections separate from the stand-up. In breakaway moments Lee is in discussion with Armando Iannucci, who appears to be playing some form of BBC executive role. The interplay in these scenes is really well done, and the material is as bitter as it can be without being too cruel. This is an approach in the main show as well, and you are never far from the next moment where Lee addresses the audience, or has discussions with himself over how things are going. This may sound tiresome but it never got that way, and as inward looking as it was, it consistently felt genuine and funny.
The material itself is strong due to variety. The topics of the title are very loosely defined, and rather form as tight a structure as suggested. Instead the driving force is a deconstructive sense of humor which applies to others, politics, himself, and his audience. It may not deliver quotable one liners or pub-jokes, but it makes for engaging and pleasing shows – mainly because Lee is delivering something interesting, while also being funny.
It is an acquired taste – or at least I am told it is, but personally I loved the season and found it consistently funny, smart, and accessible. Worth a try because Lee is funnier and smarter than his ratings suggest.
The material itself is strong due to variety. The topics of the title are very loosely defined, and rather form as tight a structure as suggested. Instead the driving force is a deconstructive sense of humor which applies to others, politics, himself, and his audience. It may not deliver quotable one liners or pub-jokes, but it makes for engaging and pleasing shows – mainly because Lee is delivering something interesting, while also being funny.
It is an acquired taste – or at least I am told it is, but personally I loved the season and found it consistently funny, smart, and accessible. Worth a try because Lee is funnier and smarter than his ratings suggest.