Lee Mack: Going Out Live

Lee Mack is evidence that the evolution tree of comedy is truly a multi faceted organism. While the alternative scene of the 1990s was twisting comedy into a surreal, post-modern exercise in outsider art, Mack kept the dream alive: loud, fast, traditional one liner chicanery.

Much like his twee BBC One sitcom Not Going Out, this live DVD is old fashioned cheekiness with an abundance of lukewarm wordplay stirred up by machine gun delivery, never missing a beat. Going Out Live brings a whole new meaning to the term “gag reflex.”

In his attempts to fill the overly vast space of the Hammersmith Apollo, Mack paces hurriedly up and down the stage like a man desperate for the gents. Respect to him, he's as energetic as he is hard working, but you find yourself wishing he'd stand still and calm down once in a while.

He's more in his element when sat on a panel taking pot shots at the poshos. As a stand-up, his act is a little dated, but this is scarcely a concern outside the realms of contemporary critical acclaim. Ideal for the comedy layman and an interesting time capsule for the connoisseur.



Released on DVD on 22nd November 2010 by Anchor Bay.

> Buy the DVD on Amazon.

Reviewed by Mike Stephenson.