Doug Stanhope – Oslo: Burning The Bridge To Nowhere
Doug opens the DVD with an introduction that basically, with beer in hand, explains what his intentions are for the following 90s minutes of gags and the presentation of it. Once that is out of the way we lead directly to the man himself taking the stage in what appears to be an abandoned warehouse with lots of folded out chairs.
It is Oslo he has come to for this show, and in a very goofy (almost Adam Sandler-like) voice he lists a few differences between their culture and his own.
From this point forth is it literally going to be very hit or miss as to whether you like the guy or not. The routine will be very familiar to those who have seen enough stand-up. The main difference is literally setting. The place looks very low key, but with that and the freehand camera work used it does make the whole thing seem that little bit more interactive. Keeping the sound to a good quality is what helps make this style of filming live and breathe on screen for you.
Standhope has had many other notable names compared to his style, or his to theirs even. And while that could be true in certain instances, it only confirms that the man lacks his own original identity. But when the majority of your set is on intoxication, politics, sex and human relations – you are hardly covering original ground.
The upside is that Stanhope for the large part remains interesting as he talks, even if to hear just what warped opinion he may have on a subject. Getting there is half the fun. So he remains funny, he just isn’t classic yet. Yet.
Steven Hurst
Standhope is also on a London run this August 2nd to September 3rd at the Leicester Square Theatre if you want to check out his routine in person.
http://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/126514521/events
Also check out a couple of routines here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b97oP708_pI&feature=related