Jimmy Carr - Gag Reflex.

Had a large curry before heading out with Dave to see Jimmy Carr Live.

Here is the review (draft) i've written for the Badger (sussex uni student paper).

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As the name might suggest “gag reflex” is looking to push the boundaries of human morality to the point where an instinctive reaction occurs, his gags pushing one to the point of gagging. He lays down the rules early on; “you can’t laugh and then go oooh – make up your mind and stick to it”. Either way he is happy so long as he gets a reaction.

He proclaims gleefully that the ideal audience would be “lacking a moral compass” but if that were the case he would be denied the reaction he craves - the gag reflex when he pushes in that extra inch and the audience chokes on his creative juices. Continuing that image, three or four times during the gig he mimed sucking on a cock, perhaps encouraged by his location and the easy laugh – It did it for me.

Despite not winning my unreserved acclaim (we all know he wants it) I did enjoy the evening and certainly had a good laugh. His versions of responses to agony aunt letters were hilarious and typically unsympathetic. He opened up this part of the show to advising the audience on their various shouted out problems. This is really where Jimmy Carr excels, breaking from his overly calculating, immaculately timed and flawlessly rehearsed script he engages the audience in quick-witted original conversation. One man asked the best way to propose to his girlfriend, she was present and soon the two of them were up on the stage (he had clearly planned this and had brought a ring). While he was able to nimbly hop up onto the stage she had to waddle round and entered from backstage – later Carr asked her if she was pregnant, alas no. Should anyone care; Sarah did agree to marry Dean.

The audience participation was of a relatively low calibre, with Carr frequently pointing out the obvious “you sound retarded”, this was in fact valid and wasn’t just a ‘get out’ put-down to a heckler. The few who did heckle well enabled Carr to retort with wit and flair, although with too great an emphasis on the cliché “your mum” style responses, this banter spawned some of the most enjoyable parts of the evening.