A Thought of One's Own

Being a student is, generally speaking, a pretty high stress experience. A lot of students use drinking and partying as a relief, and your author does too, it's true, but I find a cheaper method of relaxation is a bit of good comedy. 


Thus, I was rather pleased when Russell Howard's Good News started up again a couple of weeks ago. I think the talent in his show is the combination of the speed at which he makes the jokes and the fact that he never goes back over the same ground (which would be pretty pointless on a  news show) save for a couple of his own 'meme' type things. It's also great that you can see he enjoys his own jokes; sometimes he has to stop talking just to laugh. Plus he showcases lesser known comedic talent on his 'Extra' show which means you get to see a lot more of British Comedy than just your standard Lee Mack and Dara O'Brien. 


But of course, I am a law student and I think one of my favourite shows of all time is the little known Fox show Boston Legal. Running for just five seasons as a spin-off of another American legal drama, the show stars William Shatner (Cptn James Tiberius Kirk, to most, although a bit chubbier these days) and James Spader (the evil best friend in Pretty in Pink, now also known for the American version of The Office) as a pair of ageing, shameless lawyers in a Boston law firm. The show has some great characters, and the perfect moment in season 2 where William Shatner makes a joke about 'cling-ons' is precious. Definitely worth checking out, and even though it's American it's not too bad for Criminal Law revision. 


Then there's always live comedy. I have to admit, I don't get out much to live shows, and when I do they're usually book signings and occasionally plays (review of RSC's Twelfth Night coming up soon) but there's something quite nice about actually being in the room with your comedian, especially if you're in the front row and have the chance to actually interact with them, assuming you don't get embarrassed too easily.