Set List: Stand Up Without a Net

Series one, episode two
‘Asking a comedian to improvise an entire stand-up set is like asking a magician to do actual magic.’ So say the creators of this fully improvised stand-up show of which this, the second episode, doesn’t disappoint.

Comedy purists will love the pared-back nature of it – watching comedians in a dingy club, their fear palpable, sweating as they think on their feet. You’ll gain a new admiration for comics too, as it exposes the finely-honed craft of a performer’s routine. As Rufus Hound sagely comments: ‘As long as you’re hilarious, nothing can go wrong.’ No pressure, then.

This week, American comedian Eddie Pepitone goes first, creating skits by responding to subject matter posted on a screen behind him. He doesn’t fare too badly, though quick-witted Matt Kirshen, who follows him, nails it. Luckily, he’s on before Robin Williams, who’s such a presence and a pro that he’d captivate an audience of wild baboons. Expect to see the likes of Drew Carey and Ross Noble in upcoming shows.