So, it's Christmas. Well, nearly. It's hard to tell when it starts these days, as its now been Christmas in my local Tesco for at least three months. Nonetheless, it's the time of year when we expect to give a little and receive a little more, and as such I've taken it upon myself to do the following things:
1. Compile a list of suggestions for gifts, be they obvious or niche.
2. Actually start using this blog.
3. Stop calling turtles "tuttles", as this causes confusion and reflects an innate lack of respect for shell-bearing reptiles.
So, let's kick this off with a few suggestions for the stand-up fans!
Here's a list of up-coming and classic stand-up DVDs that are worth a look, along with links to the cheapest available copy I could find online. Hopefully this helps, It's sole purpose is to suggest gifts for those who aren't always as easy to buy for. As a stand-up obsessive, I've received multiple copies of a comic's latest tape or show, and felt it was worth including some older shows in order to subvert this tendency to splurge on high-priced Holiday market DVDs.
In an attempt to have my cake, eat it and rub it in your face, I've also taken the liberty of including several new DVDs for the Holiday market, as it's undeniable that many adore these acts. I've omitted several of the bigger names as I (rather arrogantly) don't actually find them at all funny. Whilst this is obviously not necessarily reflective of your tastes, I'm the one who has to watch these joke-spitting gigglenauts go on their racist tirades and misogynist diatribes and as such, I refuse to promote them or their material. However, in yet another attempt to maintain something resembling balance, I'll conclude the post with links to the 'Top 100 Stand-Up Shows' and the Play.com 'Latest Stand-Up' for your perusal. Many of the names below will invariably appear on these lists, along with the hundreds of acts I either haven't seen or would not personally recommend.
(NEW)
1. +Eddie Izzard - Force Majeure £9.99 @ Play.com
2. Greg Davies - The Back of My Mum's Head £10.00 (w/ Free Shipping in UK) @ Amazon
3. Jimmy Carr - Laughing and Joking £12.50 @ Play.com
4. Adam Hills - Happyism £9.99 @ Play.com
5. Sean Lock - Purple Van Man £14.00 @ Amazon
6. Alan Davies - Life is Pain £10.00 @ Amazon
7. Bill Bailey - Qualmpeddler £10.00 @ Amazon
8. Jack Dee - So What? £10.99 @ Play.com
9. +Russell Brand - Messiah Complex £9.99 @ Amazon
10. Ross Noble - £9.99 @ Play.com
(Classics)
1. Bill Hicks - Relentless £8.68 @ Amazon
2. +Eddie Izzard - Dress To Kill £6.76 @ Amazon
3. Ricky Gervais - Animals £3.01 @ Play.com
4. Dave Allen - Best Of £4.78 @ Play.com
5. David Mitchell & Robert Webb - The Two Faces of Mitchell and Webb £3.47 @ Play.com
6. Steve Coogan - Live 'N' Lewd / The Man Who Thinks He's It £6.72 @ Play.com
7. Ross Noble - Fizzy Logic £17.99 @ Amazon
8. Rowan Atkinson - Live £16.99 @ Amazon (2008 Re-release) / £9.27 @ Amazon (Original 1992 staging, US import)
9. Louis C.K. - Shameless £8.72 @ Amazon (US import)
10. Richard Pryor - Live In Concert £9.50 @ Amazon (incl. Stir Crazy bonus disc)
11. George Carlin - You Are All Diseased £9.06 @ Play.com
Additional links:
Amazon's 100 Best-selling stand-up shows.
Play.com's 'New Stand-up Comedy' section.
EDIT: Added several names to 'Classics'. This section of the suggestions is based solely on my own preferences, however I've aimed to only recommend those which I've seen and would consider worthy of multiple viewings. With taste put aside, I'd like to think these are all comedians who can offer you something more than a few cheap laughs, be that a moral message or an alternative insight in to political process!
Also added links to listings for those interested in reading beyond my recommendations.
Any comments welcomed, I'd love to hear your views on these acts and any recommendations you might have, thus I might research them and add to this list as the holidays approach!
