James Acaster: Repertoire

The scope of these specials is defiantly something to be amazed by. The first three shows are loosely connected, with the final show, Recap, linking them all. It's an interesting idea and allows for intricate call backs and helps create some jokes that wouldn't have been possible either.

Each special stands up on it's own (however Recap will be less impactful if you've not seen the previous) and within it, there are plenty of absurd observations and enactments. The only stipulation is that if you're a fan of James Acaster you may have heard quite a few of these segments on various panel shows. There's still a ton of stuff you won't have seen and lots of the stuff you would have heard is more confidently delivered here, but that is something to consider.

As an aside, a common topic with US vs UK comedy is that US comedy is just jokes where as UK comedy tries to also have a narrative, which leads to US comedy being much more joke and laugh oriented, but perhaps not as personal. UK comedy has more of an arc so feels more like a 'complete' piece of standup (rather than a series of funny 'bits') and this seems like the perfect example of this. It's all connected but only uses that to elevate the comedy. Well worth a watch.

***Hints of jokes, but no punchlines spoiled***

I found James' special on Netflix, randomly browsing. I had no expectations and was equally prepared to be surprised or disappointed.

Instead - I found myself thoroughly entertained by a master storyteller who manages to fuse the mundane and absurd so well that you almost it.

Elements such as jury duty, retail strategies for honey, and kitchen mirrors were used to deliver delightful chuckles at the sheer idiocy of we humans.

My favorite bit was the existential ponderings triggered by a visit to the dentist. Bravo James.

This is a fellow to keep an eye on.

This is more of a performance piece than what is traditionally a "stand-up" comedy routine...well, four routines. Highly intelligent, written with precision and masterfully acted, James Acaster reinvents the genre and gives a radically new take on the stand-up. While it's wide-ranging, it all seems to be of a piece and each episode could stand alone, but there are references to what's come before that invite the audience to join in the joke. The persona Acaster gives is someone who may be a little dim, but his ponderings--sometimes with one sentence or sometimes a lengthy story--sharply illustrate today's modern culture. He/she will recognize situations if not necessarily brand names (Pret a Manger) or the finer details of Brexit. Eschewing what's typically become a ribald forum for shocking the audience, this (these pieces) are at a much higher plain using language to unmask the viewer rather than berate us with the obvious. Thoroughly entertaining and fresh.

According to a comic friend of mine. James Acaster is known as the comedian that comedians would pay to watch. His "Repertoire" series on Neflix is akin to performance art. It is intricately yet seamlessly crafted. It follows to say that the devil is in the detail, and that Mr Acaster beguiles and bedazzles Lucifer into submission. Comedy is subjective, so all are welcome to disagree. However as a wise man... or woman once said "shut up! My opinion is well better than yours!"

Well I just finished all the episodes and they weave together masterfully. Each episode i thought he is working his way up my list of favorite comedians with Bill Burr, Pete Holmes, Brian Regan, and Andy Woodhul. By the final episode and seeing that he just did a 4-5 hour comedy special the all wove together... fantastic. So damn funny.