CJ Fortuna and Andrew Goodone: Well Hung Egomaniacs
Live Review
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

CJ Fortuna and Andrew Goodone are stalwarts of the Melbourne comedy scene – with Goodone alone having 28 years’ experience under his belt.

It shows in the largely expert execution of the skits in Well Hung Egomaniacs… but despite their sterling performances, this show has the feel of a slightly-too-indulgent student revue.

For a start, no sketch show needs to be 75 minutes long – 50 per cent over its advertised running time – and this late-night offering would only benefit from trimming the fat, both in losing the weaker ideas and tightening the lengthier scenes.

Several episodes outstay their welcome: the over-emotional dad and supportive son in particular seems interminable, especially as much of it is hollered at an agonising volume sure to bring on a migrane.

Elsewhere, the old idea of a parent giving a nightmare-inducing goodnight to their son has a realistic twist, but takes forever to play out, while the jokes at the expense of stand-up itself: both via the awful Christian comedian and the hapless ‘comedy tutor’, could make their reasonably funny points a lot quicker.

Their core ideas are generally strong – though dating videos from appallingly sexist or pathetic men seems to be a throwback to an earlier time. And the penis sketch – don’t ask – is an absolute instant classic.

But generally this is a frustrating experience, with such a sluggish pace that drains the enthusiasm, even if you can appreciate the quality to their work.