Stewart Lee: Content Provider (2018 TV Special) User Reviews

Stick with it - the second half is hilarious

[Jeremy_Urquhart · 8/10 · 31 January 2021]

Definitely my favourite Stewart Lee special of the three I've watched so far.

He goes nuts in the second half and turns into some kind of gloriously awkward performance art where I was almost in tears laughing.

The first half had me worried for a while, as there were many similarities to another special of his, Carpet Remnant World, but it things get brought home in the final stretch.

The weird mockumentary interludes were pretty amusing too.

Maybe I'm starting to "get" Stewart Lee, or maybe I'm just laughing at the broadest stuff, I don't know 😅

I can say, though, that parts of this would make up the funniest standup in years- maybe since I discovered Bo Burnham in all honesty.

The best stand-up comedian you will ever see.

[barryjames-mc · 10/10 · 23 March 2019]

The cliche is true, if you get Stewart Lee, if you actually see what an incredible mind/talent he is, you cannot fully enjoy other stand-ups. If this is your first viewing of Stewart Lee, I envy you because you have so much of the old stuff to go back and discover. This show is fantastic, it ticks all the right boxes for any Stewart Lee fans, I would be hard pushed to find a favourite amongst his back catalogue, each set has something unique to offer, even if some of the quirks of his stage "persona" become familiar to you, that's what's so good about it. Highly recommended. Any Stewart Lee fan knows that already, the elitist liberal elite are a lucky bunch indeed.

Familiar but very funny and well-constructed

[bob the moo · 27 August 2018]

Like many people, I've seen Stewart Lee's brand of intelligent self-deconstructive comedy done across a range of his shows, and essentially it is very similar in terms of what it does. Content Provider is no different and indeed contains the same 'interview' interludes as his recent BBC2 show did (albeit this time with Alan Moore in the Chris Morris place). Despite this, it continues to work well because it is the action of a well created character, but built on different material and approach each time. The idea of 2 hours of him berating his audience for not being smart enough, did make me wonder if I would like it, but it is how it is done, not that it is done again, that works. It is consistently funny throughout.

Here and there it drags on a bit - for effect I'm sure, but the Howard impersonation and the 1930's S&M bits all felt like they didn't need to be as long as they were. Hard to begrudge though, since mostly there is payoff to be had. It is a well-worn path at this point, and I'm not sure which of the groups in his audience I fall into, but Content Provider is another example of the quality of the comedian in how he works the crowd, and works within very strong and cleverly written material.

Stewart Lee has let himself go

[louiseodonnell-55132 · 10/10 · 6 January 2022]

I was lucky enough to see this live. Not in Southend where this was filmed but in London where many metropolitan liberal elite people live. Watching Stewart Lee will increase your metropolitan liberal eliteness no end.

Stewart Lee is an intellectual powerhouse of a comedian. He plays with the audience in a masterful, arrogant and mischievous way to great comic effect. It's like being tickled with a big brain but less slimy.

Unparalleled.

He has, however, let himself go.

Best show in his career (so far)

[mikegatto-115-115608 · 10/10 · 18 August 2021]

I love Stewart Lee. This was the third time I'd seen him live. Somehow topping the previous shows.

If you'd prefer a funnier comedian...

[PurpleProseOfCairo · 3/10 · 4 January 2020]

A crushing disappointment after years of the funniest stand-up in the history of entertainment. Look at the other reviews for in-depth, chin-stroking analyses of this show - I'll just say it was dull, mean and the product of someone who feels old and tired. He certainly looks it - his weight has ballooned and he does not look healthy or happy in any way. There is more physicality in this show than we have seen from him previously - gurning, silly voices, running around, and a very unattractive sequence when his trousers fall down and he carries on for several minutes without acknowledging it (I realise that's the "joke" - it doesn't mean it was funny). There are more of the psychoanalysis cutaways - this time condcuted by comic book writer Alan Moore, also a difficult and unappealing watch. Stewart has produced a huge repertoire of funny, thought-provoking work in the past - I hope he can rediscover the inspiration and the edge to do so again.

A show of 2 halves

[iamtigerjames · 25 October 2018]

I have seen a lot of Lee's previous work, and I'll start this review by saying this show is not a good introduction. Sure, all the trademarks of his style are present, but the first half fails to pack the subversive left hooks and introspection that his previous two shows (Carpet Remnant World, If You'd Prefer a Milder Comedian...) offer. Instead, it serves almost solely as a solid foundation to build on in the second half. Carpet Remnant World is honestly the best 2 hours of stand-up I have ever watched. If you're a newbie, I would recommend watching that first.

In the second half, Lee goes for the jugular on how the shift in media consumption has had a negative impact on society. This second hour is Stew at his finest, with the strongest ending in any of his shows. It serves its purpose as both a gag and a profound statement on how people have become absorbed in social media culture. Not many comedians can make you laugh in the moment, yet make you reflect on life afterwards. This is why Lee is the best comedian working today.

pandering

[dreamerbeing-86401 · 4/10 · 31 August 2021]

He panders to audience who laughs at his jokes by making them feel intelligent and tells people who doesn't laugh they don't understands his brilliance more than few times in first half. Forced my self to watch it for 50 mins. Saying same sentence 10 times and getting laugh from same people who are proud to understand the joke but doesn't care if its funny. I totally agree with his description of the show ''pretentious metatextual self-aware shit''. Are you the type of person feels good for getting the joke that you think others doesn't. Well this is for you. Very british. (sorry for bad english)