Raised by tired liars

From Right Here Right Now Live

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Bristol-born Russell Howard started comedy as a teenager, making the finals of Channel 4's So You Think Your Funny? competition in 1999 in only his fifth ever gig. Two year later, he was also a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Awards.

He made his Edinburgh debut in 2002, sharing an hour-long show with fellow stand-up Matt Blaize, and returned the following year as part of the long-running Comedy Zone showcase line-up. His first solo show was in 2004, and he has returned to the Fringe every year since. In 2006, his show Wandering was nominated for the if.comedy award – and he won the Chortle award for best compere.

In 2006, he joined BBC Two's topical panel game Mock the Week as a regilar panelist. He has also made appearances on Would I Lie To You?, Live At The Apollo, Law of the Playground and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

On radio, Howard has co-hosted Radio 2's comedy show Out to Lunch with Rob Deering and appeared on the Banter and Political Animal for Radio 4. From November 2006 to July 2008, heco-hosted a Sunday morning on BBC 6 Music with Jon Richardson as his sidekick.

Original Review:

There is something very child-like about the way he holds the world in wonder, finding joy in the smallest things. He spends his life pursuing those silly moments, whether it be in the arms of a lover or by witnessing the proud actions of a pensioner, then revels in spreading that positive mojo when he retells the tales.

That childishness extends to his language, too, as he drops immature, sometimes archaic phrases into his set, adding to his natural appeal. He may be a whirlwind of goodwill, but the impressive performance doesn’t mean he hasn’t a keen skill for writing as well, with every incident described with smart, funny observations and quirky turn of phrase.

He has a keen sense of pesky mischief, but it’s always benign, never malicious. Surely no one is naturally this upbeat, but he makes a convincing case, and it’s infectious.

Just because he’s performing with cheek and likeability doesn’t dampen the sharpness of his points, such as attack on the bigoted miseries wallowing in their fearful ‘what next..?’ view of Britain. It’s like being coshed with a piece of marshmallow-coated two-by-four. But if anyone doesn’t share Howard’s infectious joie de vivre, they thoroughly deserve to be mercilessly mocked.

Not all of his lively set may stand up to such cold scrutiny – but in the moment, such things don’t matter. You are simply swept along on a tide of goodwill, and can’t help but enjoy the ride.

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I need to check out his show because I am truly fascinated how he has managed to get on the television. Mock the Week is a poor thick man's version of HIGNFY and he is easily the unfunniest person on what is a very average show. I'm so pleased to see like-minded comments on this site but astonished by those who label him a genius. I must admit it intrigues me.... is he actually just total dog pap on Mock the Week but pretty good live?

Phil D, September 2008

I've seen a lot of comedy. I always try to support new acts - but it remains a mystery why this guy hasn't been found out. I first saw this guy in a pub near the Colston Hall in Bristol in 2002. I saw him again and again in slots - I wanted to laugh. Alas, my penchant for secondary-school-juvenile humour died out with the passing of my A-levels. Weak subject matter masked with cartoonish Ainsley Harriot-esque hand gestures and inane loud twittering. I must have heard his "mother has a withered hand/short-person's material" to death. His brand of humour will appeal to young woman and newcomers to comedy. Shocking that he is classed in the Mock the Week team. A performer - most definitely; a comedian - he ain't.

only young woman and newcomer to comedy will like, September 2008

Russell just doesn't cut it for me, he cracks jokes which make me wonder, something like 'imagine walking down the street with the body of a cow and the head of a pig, wouldn't that be hilarious? people would be like wow!' then suddenly the audience cracks up with laughter and I'm sitting wondering 'what am I missing here?'

joe, September 2008

Am I watching a different Russell Howard?! This guy is just not funny. At all. In fact, it actually offends me to see him on TV with real comedians like Frankie Boyle.

Offensive, September 2008

I'm looking forward to seeing him soon.In the meantime I can giggle at the comments of the people who purport not to "get" this kind of humour. Some of them are hilarious and must be some kind of ironic contribution by witty wordsmiths.

Ben, August 2008

Perfect example of why student comedy clubs need to be regulated, to stop this kind of mediocre comedy infiltrating TV. I just don't understand how they can do it, they must have at somepoint watched some good comedy and realised that they simply are no good by comparison. Best suited to the smug Saturday afternoon Radio 2 slot, at best.

Richard, August 2008

Personally, I think he just isn't funny. I also think he's a bit too young to be with people like Dara O'Briain and too young to joke about politics on a satirical level. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but I just don't think he's that funny. He's mediocre. I remember on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, he saw a clip and commented "That's what you'd imagine Darth Vader's sperm to look like" and I was like... wtf? That killed it. How people find him funny is beyond me. I say go see a real comedian.

Not impressed, July 2008

If you like Russell Howard, go and see Jon Richardson live too. They're both superb comics.

Amy, April 2008

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