Not really a gig, more an endurance test. This might sound curmudgeonly but last night's starry mirthathon for Great Ormond Street Hospital featuring 21 comedians pushed tolerance levels to the max.
Some were great, some OK, some downright bizarre.
Anyone for Chris Moyles doing a Freddie Mercury impression? Me neither.
It began hilariously, with Alan Carr flying in on a wire and getting stuck as Dara O'Briain started his set. The biggest names went on early, pre-funny fatigue. Michael McIntyre was on floppy-fringed form, explaining that when his agent asked him if he wanted to be on Britain's Got Talent he thought he meant as a contestant. Lee Evans animatedly moaned about parmesan resembling "essence of sick". Later Jason Manford outgagged John Bishop in a battle of the Northerners subplot.
Of the next generation Kevin Bridges stood out, brilliantly equating changing phone tariffs with footballers changing teams. Jon Richardson's fussiness deserved more time, as did sourpuss Jack Dee. Jonathan Ross, recently mistaken for the Go Compare man, should have donated some of his. Best line? Easily Sean Lock suggesting that the ash cloud was actually caused by Ryan Giggs burning newspapers.
Screening on C4 on June 10.
Channel 4's Comedy Gala
O2 Arena
SE10
