“Al Murray Live at the Palladium” DVD Review

I’ve always had a problem with Al Murray’s Pub Landlord character. It’s to do with the fact that it is such a well-presented character, with all the preposterous notions, the rampant nationalism, the championing of beer-swilling, that I find it attracts an audience who appear to have bought into the Pub Landlord’s world a little too fully.

Al Murray is a masterful stand-up comedian, he knows his audience and how to play with them. For anyone looking for a master-class in how to handle such a large crowd, this DVD is a must. From the outset Murray dominates the stage, pacing around it either to find an audience member to talk to, or to pull another pint from the bar set-up on stage.

His jokes are based firmly in the Pub Landlord world, and cover such topics as; why life is a series of endless, relentless disappointments; how we need to Bring Back Shame; why British bands are the best in the world; what women really want; and why personal standards of behaviour are now at an all-time low.

If you are a fan of this character this is a must, if you are new to him it is still recommended as it shows Al Murray at his best.

DVD Extras – Not amazing, but fairly interesting as we get a look at the week running-up to the Palladium show.