Review by Steve Bennett

In Caesars Palace, Las Vegas – the venue that normally houses Celine Dion and Elton John – Jerry Seinfeld has nothing to prove. He has the number one movie in the country, Bee Movie, and is the richest comedian in the world. He could easily just do nothing, something he notes during this hour-long masterclass in comedy.

The real joy in Seinfeld’s material comes from his playing with language, acute and genuinely hilarious observations, delightful flights of fancy and random thoughts. He exceeded all expectations.

His hour (on the dot, with no encore) was new material; delightful routines about traditional observational topics: mobile phones, his parents and being one, and a simply sublime segment on how there's not much difference between something being great and something that sucks.

For an equivalent UK act, his material and popularity can only really be likened Peter Kay, who has a similar line in ‘have you ever noticed?’ routines. But the brilliance of Seinfeld’s mind shines through, continually creating polished new material and putting Kay in the shadows.

The audience can't help but love him. Bounding on stage to a standing ovation, Seinfeld could do a fairly dull set and still get a rapturous response. It's a testament to him that he still gives it his all, simply for the love of comedy.

He is masterful at playing the everyman. For someone whose life is so far removed from that of his audience, he makes you think he's just like you. Unlike our own Ricky Gervias, the only passing mention that he isn’t is greeted by whoops of delight. ‘Everyone's life sucks, even mine sucks… although it probably doesn't suck quite as much as yours.’

His delivery is the key to his comedy. His use of voices, intonation and pacing turn what could be classed as fairly standard material into something wonderful. Dealing in a modest yet hilarious way with the over-excited American audience who randomly shout his name, he is nothing short of genius.

I have to admit the main reason I went to this show as part of The Comedy Festival in Vegas was simply to be able to say that I’d him. I was expecting a mediocre show, but instead saw why his name stands at the top of the pile of comedy greats.

Now if only he'd leave Caesars Palace and bring a show to the UK, so we, too, could have a chance to witness this Roman god of comedy….

Reviewed by:Chris Cox
Las Vegas, November 2007

Review date: 1 Jan 2007
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett