Lee Evans: XL Tour Live 2005

Having become the biggest comedy tour ever in the UK I had high hopes when Lee Evans' tour came onto television recently. I have enjoyed him as a performer before, finding him a nice mix of imaginative routines and physical humour. With this show though I was a bit put off by him from the early stage as his material seemed disjointed from his physical routine; the latter mainly being exaggerated actions and lots of face pulling. Meanwhile his material is a rather forced series of observations on real life, most of which are exaggerated with his movements and do somewhat smack of desperation.

He does say some funny things and at times his delivery did hit the mark but too often I just thought he was making a big deal out of nothing; for example mocking the "attempted delivery" notes made me think actually they were pretty useful, security checks at banks also was a pointless target – and it was like this several times during the show, not that insightful, more just frantic and transferring energy to the audience by nature of his delivery. His material was surprisingly crude and I didn't think he needed it all.

What surprised me once was how very structured his material was; the show I saw was from Cardiff but I reckon they could have edited between shows and I would not have noticed because it is so samey. I know this is the same with everyone (everyone tours with the same gags) but Evans' flow from one subject to another just made it very obviously rehearsed and preparing – taking the feel of spontaneity out of it. I could not help but contrast this with Eddie Izzard who I saw once live deliver line-for-line the same show I already owned on CD from San Francisco; yes it was a b*gger that I knew it all already but his delivery convinced me that he was thinking it all up as he went along. With Evans I longed for this feeling but it never came.

He is still funny and his energy is infectious but I just felt all these little niggles undermined the show as a whole and that I wasn't that impressed even if I a bit amused. Evans is a great comedian but this show isn't evidence of it and he's been better elsewhere. Fans will probably love it for obvious reasons and there is enough here to justify the casual viewer having a go, but for me personally I didn't think it was worthy of being the UK's biggest ever comedy tour.

I have to admit to not having seen much of Lee Evans prior to seeing this comedy show, but I know for sure that I'll be seeing a lot more of him now! Evans' comedy isn't particularly clever or witty, but he tells in such a way that it's hard not laugh, and once you get into his zone, the whole show becomes funny - and when you consider this is over two hours long; that's quite an achievement, Mr Evans. The show focuses on things that Evans hates, and features great sections on things like machines, airports, women, the postal service and many other annoying things are well observed, and often correct. One of the funniest things about the show is simply the way that Evans laughs at his own jokes; what he's just said somehow becomes even funnier when you hear his comedic laugh following on. Evans' look gives him a great comedy edge, as he looks like someone you could have a laugh with, and on the evidence of this show; that's certainly true. Some people may find the show a little too frantic, or maybe even too similarly structured; but if you're looking for something to watch with you're friends while you have a few drinks - you could certainly do a lot worse than this!

There's something about Mary...yes, he was good in that. But a comedian? You must be joking. I recently read that he'd given up stand up comedy and was spending more time with his family. Great for us, not sure about them. Sometimes kids are a godsend.

i as a lee evans fan found the last comment completely wrong and off putting. i went to see lee evans in Manchester first time live i have seen him and the material he used on the DVD wasn't the same at all. i find mr evans to be a comic genius when I'm feeling down i watch him and i am feeling myself again. this last DVD had me crying from start to finish call me simple if you like but if you like comedy then you will like and enjoy this latest tour he is now currently holding the world record for a stand up comedian and i bought his whole collection and enjoy each one of them and i am happy i was at the gig when it happened. completely enjoyable from start to finish and i have turned plenty of people into lee evans fans i hope to see more in the near future. mr evans i salute you you do a cracking job.

Lee Evans Was Clearly At His ABSOLUTE Best On This Show. He Had The Crowd Almost Falling Out Of Their Seats In Hysterical Laughter.

To Me, XL Tour Was The Best Show He's Done. The Funniest Joke? Easily The One About Parcelforce, This Was Clever, Witty And Very Very Precise. As Are All His Jokes.

The XL Tour Holds The Record For The Biggest Comedy Tour And You Can See Why. The Facts And Figures Are Astounding And Some Will Blow Your Mind. He Is, To Me, The Greatest Comedian And Certainly The Sweatiest To Ever Appear On Stage.

XL Tour 2005 Lived Up To The Expectations I Thought It Would. So For Gags Flying Every Minute And Unbeatable Stand Up Comedy. Buy This, You'll Laugh So Much, You'll Have To Pause The Show To Calm Down, Well At Least I Did Anyway.