George Foreman Grill

From his 2009 DVD

More Otis Lee Crenshaw videos

Rich Hall created this jailbird alter-ego for his Edinburgh shows in 1998, and he won the Perrier award two years later.

He was nominated for the Chortle award for best character, sketch or variety act in 2003, and for best touring comic in 2002.

Original Review:

Ten years after the character's inception, his set is now more about the music, atmospherically languorous, whisky-soaked country tracks evoking the badlands of Tennessee. Their premises might be witty, but there’s rarely more than a couple of jokes in them, for risk of spoiling the delightful music, delivered with the aid of two backing musicians.

There are more laughs in the betwixt-song banter, with potshots at commercialised country or the redneck mentality, or wry jokes about the realities of poverty. There’s not quite enough of this for my comedy sensibilities, as Otis inches ever closer to being a serious musician and away from the laughs.

The only concerted attempt against this is an ambitious improvised song about an audience patsy, which frequently goes awry –Crenshaw’s struggling and apologies becoming the joke itself.

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Kick smack for patriotism... genius.

Chris McCaffer, November 2007

Discovered Rich as Otis Lee on HBO special last week and was totally captivated. Brilliant shtick to the max. Reminiscent of Andy Kaufmann with a different twist. Made me guffaw and made me feel happy.

Jerry Lee Formean, April 2005

The character of Mr. Otis Lee Crenshaw could not possibly be improved upon by any writer working today. Hall's comedic timing is impeccable and the songs are priceless.

Keith Cline, April 2005

Really quite exceptional, he has something no other can offer. What can I say? You have to see him

Roslin, March 2005

I seen this guys show at 3am on Comedy Central. I have never laughed so much in my entire life. Great, outstanding, wild - perfect.

Kira, February 2005

The guy is a genius. I recently watched his London Not Tennessee DVD and was crying within the first five minutes, "Women call it stalking" is comedy magic for me.

Alexandra, January 2005

Saw him on Comedy Central Presents. Excellent.

Lisa, December 2004

Saw Otis and the Boys on Comedy Central today and made a huge mental note to try to see them perform in person soon. Googled the name and was floored to find out that Otis is Rich Hall's new persona. Well done, Rich.

Sheila, December 2004

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