James Acaster: Hecklers Welcome

James Acaster in my opinion is one of the UK's most unique, underrated and one of the wittiest comedians of the 2000s.

However this special... is possibly one of the worst stand up specials EVER to the point I think I laughed once compared to the "belly laughter" normally provided by James. I watched it twice as I could see front row audience laughing but on second watch noted this was recorded over 2 days. And it was quite clear the second audience were arms folded, straight faced. Where as the main one used were laughing just for the sake of their love for Acaster.

The other issue with this is you come with an expectation/hope based on his 'house rules' that it will be amusing from the audience interaction. However this is very minimal and have to wonder how much was cut out especially in the choppy bits of editing.

Like another reviewer said (but should have give it 10). If this is your first experience with James, watch his other shows.

But unfortunately this show sinks just like the great ship did when it left the dock so fabulously as James also enters so....

If you guys are just finding James from this special, you must find more. He has a collection of specials on Netflix, a comedy special on Vimeo (one of the funniest I've ever seen), and is on a complete series of Taskmaster (free on YouTube). This special is a bit disjointed, irregular, and post-modern. This is due to James having done this for a while. His previous routines (in the previous specials) are more "normal," but James is generally far from normal.

In "Hecklers Welcome", James has fully detached himself from his "Repertoire" days and he seems fully liberated (or fully on his way). I could not imagine this being my introduction to James, but, again, if it is, please seek more. Then, after consuming the other content come back here to this special. I don't hope that I'm implying that you must view James's other material first, but this material is enhanced by the viewing of his previous material. Parasocially, I am so proud of where James has ended up in his career and, while I hope selfishly that he continues doing stand-up, I would understand him hanging up the microphone.

James is one of the best comedians to do it, and, like a brilliant comet, may not be around forever. So, we must relish in his brilliance while we can.

Seeing a comedian make reference to 'hate speech' is a very strange concept to me. James does this in his opening credit. I wonder whose definition he uses and whether he will cancel himself in future when the culture inevitably shifts?

Anyway,

This show was safe, broad and luke warm. Made for corporate television and people who enjoy 'wacky' gags without needing to think too much. An absolute guarantee he gets booked on the same luke-warm BBC panel shows for years to come.

Take a look at his target demographic and those in the audience and it all starts to make sense.

Uninteresting, beige and overdone premises and concepts. It's no wonder you rarely see James in the mix with the best of the best, who aren't worried at all about hurt feelings and go for funny first.

Easily the worst stand up I've ever seen.

Had to turn it off.

How can someone who's very funny on a panel show be so bad at delivering a stand up show.

Absolute disaster, and ever funnier that he is berating other comedians when this is all he has to deliver, and also gives a nod to Nish Kumar as someone who go he thinks is funny is just comical for all the wrong reasons.

I would spend me time doing anything to else than watching this.

Despite being hilarious on panel shows, seems Acaster is just the comedy version of the chubby bloke from the Kaiser Chiefs. Some middle of the road nonsense man.

Heckler's Welcome provides a glimpse into one of James Acaster's greatest stand up tours, showcasing some of his strongest material and showing that he's grown as a comedian and celebrity.

For any budding comedian, Heckler's welcome is perhaps a masterclass of how to talk about real feelings (some of which aren't innately hilarious) without brining the vibe down.

My main criticism of Hecklers Welcome is the same thing that made the live show great. Hecklers Welcome is a more interactive experience than most stand up shows, the show gave an opportunity to get involved, and literally have a say in how the show plays out, and be part of the joke. Watching the prerecorded show places the viewer on the outside looking in, we're not part of the joke anymore so the thing that was so joyous about the show is now missing. It somewhat reminded me of sleep paralysis, being so eager to speak or be involved but being held down by an invisible barrier.

While this criticism may seem damning, the show is still among the best James Acaster content out there and was a very enjoyable watch.