I went to see him on Saturday at the MEN, I thought he was funny. Very little re-use of previous material rather than a few references, I'm not sure where this 'he always uses the same act' has come from, at least 99% of what was done the other night was certainly new to me. I think the conclusion comes from the fact that it is the same observational style that he has consistently used, but to me it's simple - if you didn't like it before, you still won't. If you do, then you will again. Not much needs to be said other than that.
Personally, he's one of my favourite comedians, although he has slipped down the list in recent years, and I was happy to be able to see him live, and I had a good time. The naysayers on this thread can think I'm an idiot or some kind of mass media hype-swallower, but I don't really care. If I think he's funny that's enough for me. The comments about him being moneygrabbing are slightly laughable - I highly doubt he's physically pressed said DVDs into your hands and forced you to hand over your money? I say slightly because the amount of DVD's he's released do give credence to the idea that he has 'sold out', but that doesn't change me finding him funny.
As far as his shows go, I personally have liked everything he's done bar the shite with Geraldine, even though I thought the parody itself was quite funny I thought the character was fucking appalling. Phoenix Nights and That Peter Kay Thing were definitely two of the best comedy series made in my view. Max and Paddy may not be to everyone's taste, and it was certainly more 'mainstream' than his previous efforts, but I still found it funny.
As far as on the chatshows go, yeah, the routine is a bit tiresome, but I've personally not seen him regurgitate material on there with the exception of the two-finger thing - and to be fair it's hardly like all his acts are based around that. It's a 30-second part of his act that he uses because of a reaction to it. I have seen countless comedians do this.
Can't comment on him as a person really, am unhappy with his attitude towards Spikey and Fitzmaurice. I am a big fan of Dave Spikey in particular and think at least some of the greatness of Phoenix Nights came from them all rather than just Kay himself, whatever his ego may say.
As far as the other comedians mentioned here, it's made me laugh that one or two posters are claiming McIntyre and Manford are 'great' or 'very good' when they operate on the same style, and personally speaking, aren't half as good. McIntyre especially is one of the least funny people I've ever seen, making very boring observations, he just seems to be the golden boy at the moment rather like Kay was himself not too many years ago. As for Manford, to me he is essentially a Peter Kay tribute act with a Manchester accent. That's true 'ripping off' in my eyes.
As for Gervais...wow. Not remotely funny in my book, I don't get it I'm afraid.
But hey, that'll be because I'm a fucking idiot, no doubt.
