
Jen Brister’s The Optimist to be released as a stand-up special
First as 'pay what you want'... then for free
Jen Brister’s latest stand-up show The Optimist is to be put out as a special next month.
The hour-long release will be available on the website of 800 Pound Gorilla Media on a ‘name your own price’ basis from November 21. It will also include a free digital audio version of Brister’s previous special, Under Privilege.
The Optimist will then be available for free via the production company’s YouTube account from December 14. The channel already hosts many free stand-up specials including shows from Harriet Kemsley, Damien Power, Dane Baptiste and Sean McLoughlin.
In The Optimist, which toured to more than 80 venues in autumn 2022 and spring this year, Brister talks about middle-age teaching her that optimism does not come naturally to her.
It covers a camping trip with her walkie-talkie-wielding twins, being bewildered by the vagina-candle-flogging wellness pioneer Gwyneth Paltrow and becoming an evangelical sea swimmer much to the chagrin of her friends.
A precious stand-up show Meaningless can be streamed on Next Up, while another she also recorded the half-hour special Waves, about wild swimming, for a half-hour Radio 4 that can be streamed on BBC Sounds.
As well as her stand-up work, Brister’s comedy memoir, The Other Mother was published by Square Peg in 2019. She was also the co-writer, alongside Rosie Jones, of the 10-minute comedy short. Past Caring. which aired on Sy Arts earlier this year.
» Jen Brister: The Optimist review
Published: 26 Oct 2023