On dogs begging

At the 2010 Leicester Comedy Festival preview show

More Rob Rouse videos

Rob Rouse got his first break in comedy by winning the So You Think You're Funny? new act competition in 1998. As well as stand-up, he also performed as part of the Big And Daft trio with Ian Boldsworth and Jon Williams from 1997 to 2002, taking three shows to the Edinburgh Fringe. In 2002 he took his first solo show to the Fringe, and returned the following year.

His TV credits include presenting the first series of The Friday Night Project on Channel 4, the C4 sketch show Spoons, and playing Mike in the first series of he BBC3 sitcom Grown Ups.

Rob Rouse: My Family... And The Dog That Scared Jesus - Fringe 2009
Live Review

Of all the comedians performing on the Fringe, Rob Rouse is the one that I want to shake until he starts meeting his potential. It is absolutely infuriating watching an act who should be doing brilliantly, merely doing OK.

Rouse is without a doubt one of the most exuberant and likable performers on the circuit and is well respected as a club act. But when converting his energy and writing skill into an hour show he just falls short, always producing good but unspectacular shows.

The story this year revolves round Rouse’s newborn son Lenny, and the family rescue dog, the permanently aroused mongrel Ronnie. The problem is that the story, although funny, cannot be stretched to fill the hour and there are very few available opportunities for Rouse to add more jokes. Two or three stories would have been more effective than stretching one tale over the hour. Because of this the show feels padded in places with an overly long set piece about what not to call a baby and a disturbingly visual extended mime of Ronnie’s ultimate crime.

Despite the shortcomings, this is an enjoyable and entertaining hour, consistent enough to ensure you retain a smile throughout punctuated by some big laughs. Rouse’s description of the birth of his son is touching, funny, vile and so apparently unbelievable I am inclined to believe that it is completely true.

The obvious joy that permeates Rouse’s being while he regales us with the embarrassment of his first very nearly picture-perfect family Christmas shows the passion that, if harnessed and focused more effectively, could produce something incredibly special.

A pleasant hour with a great performer.Next year I hope the expectations of an amazing hour will be met.

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I saw Rob at the De Montfort Hall in the preview show for The Leicester Comedy Festival. First of all, I was sitting way back and my glasses were furred up, so I couldn't see him very well. I said to my sister, "Is this Chris Evans?" He sounds EXACTLY like Chris Evans. He was the funniest comedian on the gig. His story about a baby called Keith was a hoot, and his piece on his dog had everyone in utter stitches. Best bloke on the bill!

Aly Evans, January 2010

Corry Shaw's review is spot on. A very likeable perfomer with some top quality material and energetic delivery, but even Mr Rotweiler found the dog thing a bit too drawn out.

Dave Rotweiler, October 2009

Every time I see his ambassador shorts come on the Paramount Comedy channel I die a little inside. Possibly the most embarrassingly unfunny thing I have ever seen. I hope the rest of his act is better.

James, September 2009

Ive no idea what this chap's stand-up is like as I've never seen it. But his Paramount comedy shorts with that ambassador pillock are the most ridiculous, unfunny and embarrassing scenes Ive seen on TV for many years. If his stand-up is anything like them I shall avoid at all costs.

Roy, September 2009

My partner and I have just seen Rob Rouse at the Edinburgh Fringe. We have never laughed so much, our sides were literally aching at his visual antics about Ronnie the perverted dog and his touching yet funny account of his son Lennie coming into this world. Go see this gifted guy...you will not be disappointed.

Gabrielle, August 2009

Ignore Chortle's negative reviews of his older material; Rob's 2009 show is proper hilarious. There were at least three routines that had me crying with laughter. Anyone who gets so much good stuff out of so many dog impressions has got to be good!

Smogo, July 2009

Fantastic set last night in Coventry the highlight being his perverted dog, brilliant!

Neil, May 2009

Had the pleasure to work with Rob. He is the consummate funn man - like a real-life Roger Rabbit - always itching to scream "to beeeee!". Someone give Rob his own series, what a delightful comedian he is.

Felix, June 2008

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