Dara O Briain - This Is the Show [Live] [DVD]

I don't think this is his best DVD, but even when he's not hitting the heights he's still a 5 star performer. Why isn't it his best? Partly that's the audience, not there was anything wrong with them, but the interaction with them is merely average. However when you're recording a DVD you must pray that you get a good audience because it makes such a difference. I've always thought his interaction with the audience is the best and funniest part of his shows, but on this occasion it doesn't take off in the way that it often does. One example - the banter with the 14 year old in this audience is clearly nothing like as funny as the 16 year old "electricianologist" captured on the "Talks Funny" DVD.Incidentally if you've never seen Dara chatting to the "electricianologist" then buy that DVD now - it's worth it for that section alone.There's also one bit that is I think a mistake. We have that section where he asks members of the audience what they do for a living and that's the starting point for a conversation. Normally he's incredibly good at this, but here he tells the audience that they can make up what they like, he's not bothered whether it's true or not. One member of the audience duly obliges by saying he's a brain surgeon and he once took some spanners out of someones head. Perhaps it's just me, but that struck me as silly rather than funny. The great thing about the Solero man and the oil man from Reading on the "Talks Funny" DVD is that they're true stories, and funnier for being based on reality.Well worth buying, but nevertheless not his best.

Christmas 2010 ended up being a pretty poor one for stand up comedy. Some of the heavy hitters came out swinging and missing.Thankfully, this DVD/performace saved it from being a total disaster!Dara has a natural talen for fan interaction and tying it all up seamlessly into his pre-written material.This show is always fun, never offensive and just brilliant from start to end.It is a real credit to his charm and natural ability that he spends so much time talking to the audience and it never feels like a drag. He takes the mic out of people but he never treads into making them feel uncomfortable, its all like good banter with friends. And I think this is one of his greatest qualities as a comic, he is friendly.The material its self is sharp and well observed. He spends some time on topics, such as family and kids, that dont always register with me. This doesnt stop it from being hilarious.Overall, the shining moment in Daras career so far and a stand up dvd that must be added to the collection.

Its good, but not my favourite show of Dara's, bit cruder in places than I like

I bought this DVD for my sister's christmas present after seeing it at a friend's house. My whole family sat down on Boxing day evening to watch it (armed with turkey sandwiches of course!) and had great fun watching Dara, who is quickly becoming our favourite comedian.I like to call it "safe comedy". What I mean by that, is that the only major obscenities are swear words, instead of all the sex gags which other comedians plan routines around. This means that it is safe to watch with parents, and no one has to shift uncomfortably or get up to get a drink to avoid any embarrassment!We thought the ending was wonderful, and our favourite bit about Dara's comedy, is that he plays on a theme through the whole show. The whole show has to be seen to enjoy the end, and that isnt a hardship!

I've made a point of going to see lots of stand up comedy in the last 18 months. For me, Dara O'Briain was the best of all of them. I laughed until my sides ached - he is spot on.When people say "This guy is brilliant, I have seen him twenty three times" I always think that says more about them than it does about the performer, and I have to fight the impulse to say to these people "get away from me, you're a freak"But I have got tickets to see him again in October. I have become that freak.In my defence, I have never done it before and promise to never do it again.But he is THAT good.

Dara O'Briain is one of my favorite comedians. I love the way he involves the audience and the speed with which he is able to turn, their replies into funny repartey is impressive. It also means that each show is different. It is an adult show but it is suitable for, and will appeal to, wide range of ages. He is very versatile and not above putting himself down so it is easy to identify with the situations that he puts an amusing spin on I think I will still find this dvd funny years down the line. When you are looking for something to make you smile and feel better this dvd certainly fits the bill

Comedy is so subjective with each having their personal preferences that it is impossible to say for certain whether individuals will enjoy a particular comedian.I defy anyone, however, to resist this latest recording of Dara on his recent tour. I had the good luck to see him live and this offering loses little for the viewer in its transformation to Bluray. Intelligent quick fire banter with the audience (never sit in the front row at a live show!) mixed with hugely enjoyable meanderings into any and all aspects of modern life, you can watch this without feeling uncomfortable and indeed, my main criticism is that it ends all too soon.On a boring technical level, the Bluray gives the expected excellent sound and video quality.If you buy one comedy Bluray for Christmas, I would strongly suggest this one.

Dara O'Brian is a master of his craft. I've seen a few stand-up comedy DVDs in which the comedian has tried a bit of audience interaction and often I've felt that you kind of probably had to be there, but with O'Brian it works and it's funny. In fact the whole set works brilliantly. I laughed from start to finish, which sadly isn't always the case with some of the stand-up DVDs I've seen recently. Plenty of swearing, as you might expect with a 15 certificate, but I think it's worth mentioning as I know some people don't like it.