The Very Best Of Friday Night Live

Initially billed as a late-eighties version of the hugely successful US comedy superstar launch pad Saturday Night Live, this Brit effort was the big break in the careers of some of the nineties’ biggest comedy names.

Hosted by a pre-sellout Ben Elton at the very peak of his once-formidable satirical powers, FNL hasn’t aged particularly well (a lot of the political humour is lost as governments have been swept away), but sheer quantity and occasional real quality of stand-up still wins through.

Regular appearances from the likes of Harry Enfield, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and first sightings for Jo Brand and Lee Evans are standout performances amongst the myriad hotly-tipped at the time but not destined for lasting fame also rans. FNL is notable for the first screen appearances of Enfield’s massive catchphrase-spouting characters Stavros the kebab shop owner and boastful plasterer Loadsamoney. Though Loadsamoney is pretty annoying nowadays (not even in a funny way), Stavros is comedy gold: obviously a racist stereotype, but presented with warmth and intelligence and an often hilariously blunt knack for malapropisms.

On the whole, the set's a bit hit or miss, but there are enough entertaining routines by stars on their ascent to justify repeated viewings, especially so if you grew up in the 80s and fancy some nostalgia.

Released on DVD on 2nd June 2008 by Network.

Written by Nick Aldwinckle.