Review: Jimmy Carr is a Just for Laughs regular with good reason (Includes first-hand account)

A 20-plus-year comedy career is more than enough time to experiment with various types of humour, determine one’s skills and discover what makes audiences chuckle. Thus, going to a veteran’s stand-up comedy hour is nearly a guaranteed fun night out filled with laughter provided by a well-developed talent — assuming of course you share the entertainer’s sense of humour. “Jimmy Carr: Funny Business” didn’t disappoint in the least, delivering a night of absolute enjoyment at Just for Laughs.

Before the show even begins, the large screen at the back of the stage announces that anyone desiring to heckle the comedian should first evaluate how funny they are and then submit their comment via Twitter. And after a few more humorous title cards, it eventually counts down to Carr‘s appearance. His routine has a noticeable trajectory of increasingly racy jokes, gradually moving from lighter personal observations to commentary on his own legal issues to gags that purposely crossover into politically incorrect territory, including an impersonation that will undoubtedly make you feel bad for laughing even though you won’t be able to help it.

Carr has never been afraid to test the waters with a slightly off-colour joke and then follow it up with something that definitely goes too far but is nonetheless hilarious. He also enjoys interacting with the audience, although he probably received some of the best unexpected responses at this show as two young women in the front row regaled him with the story of their friendship which began with one woman stalking the other. He also probably ruined a mother and son’s relationship by coaxing too much information from the former regarding her personal grooming.

To mix things up a little, Carr takes an atypically sophisticated seat behind the mysteriously present desk to share some jokes with supporting illustrations. There was never a dull moment or a long pause between at least a smile if not a full-out howl and in spite of ending against the wishes of many audience members, it definitely ends on a high note.

Similar Posts

  • Review: Halloween horror comes in a couple of flavours in California (Includes first-hand account)

    When most people are bitten by the travel bug, their journeys take them to exotic countries and foreign landscapes. But a few years ago I got a slightly more specific sightseeing itch to visit various amusement parks across North America and more specifically ride some of the biggest rollercoasters they had to offer. I’ve shared some of these experiences here on Digital Journal, but this year I decided to modify my adventure-seeking expedition in search of a different adrenaline rush. So I travelled to California to check out a couple of the most popular Halloween destinations for those brave enough to enter: Knott’s Scary Farm and Universal Studio Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights.

  • Review: Fan Expo is the home of celebrities & disorganization (Includes first-hand account)

    First, a few facts. In its 24th year, Fan Expo is the third largest fan convention in North America. The yearly attendance average is 140,000. Celebrities such as William Shatner, Norman Reedus and Stan Lee have returned to the event multiple times. Kevin Smith hosted a live podcast a few years ago and the con has presented cast reunions for the original Degrassi, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Student Bodies and most recently, Back to the Future. On paper, this is one of the greatest fan conventions on the continent… unfortunately, that’s not always the impression on the ground.

  • Review: Emo Philips doesn’t go for easy laughs at Montreal comedy fest (Includes first-hand account)

    There are undoubtedly different types of comedy that appeal to different people. Some have more limited audiences than others, whether it’s because of unshared politics, a distaste for raunchy humour or jokes that require too much thought. While there are comedians that integrate all of these styles, Emo Philips leans towards the latter, much like Andy Kaufman. Playing a darkened, small venue at Montreal’s Just for Laughs comedy festival, the audience often found themselves mulling over a joke as he transitioned to the next.

  • ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ is a little off-key

    Although female-driven comedies are becoming less of a rarity, their quality still varies considerably. This is not a reflection of the talent available, but rather the material being produced. It’s been shown these movies, when made well, can turn a significant profit at the box office. Capitalizing on the popularity of the TV show Glee, producers greenlit the first Pitch Perfect, which had a bit of a Mean Girls tone with an awesome soundtrack. It was a huge hit and developed a loyal fan following, making the arrival of Pitch Perfect 2 a done deal. But the question at the back of everyone’s mind is, “Can it live up to the first movie.”