March 2009 Evening Standard Review
http://...com/Eveningstandard2009
Satirical bullseyes from Lewis Schaffer
By Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard 05.03.09
Jaws of victory: Lewis Schaffer
Few comedians can grab a show by the scruff of the neck quite like Lewis Schaffer. And absolutely no other comedian can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like Schaffer. The Brooklyn-born, Peckham-based stand-up admitted on stage that his previous gigs have been described as brilliant before “descending into nothingness†— a fair assessment of last night’s proceedings.
There were frequent moments when this test-flight for new material looked like soaring. During a brisk routine on the complexities of race issues following the US election, for example, he hit a number of satirical bullseyes. Elsewhere his middle-aged Jewish New Yorker schtick beautifully captured both the neuroses of Woody Allen and the infectious cadences of Jackie Mason. Yet, too often, his train of thought was thoroughly derailed and he went way off-topic.
Something interesting is clearly going on here. Schaffer undeniably has funny bones, he just lacks discipline. As delightful as it was to learn of his prostate problems, this was probably not part of the planned set. He was much better when he channelled his frustrations and angst into exploring the differences between Brits and Americans. He wants more chums, he confessed, but he has only lived here for eight years and repressed Brits take nine years to make a new friend.
Schaffer also clearly enjoys doing dark comedy when the mood takes him, tossing in the odd Holocaust grenade here and Shannon Matthews bombshell there, and seems to revel in winding up his audience to get an angry response.
It feels at times as if he is determined to sabotage his own show. He would be infinitely funnier if he provoked less and focused more, though probably a lot less fascinating.
Other views:"Arrive early to catch the London-based quick-fire wit of US stand-up Lewis Schaffer."
Evening Standard, London UK
"Wickedly smarmy."
The Hollywood Reporter, USA
"Lewis Schaffer has a unique style - he can insult you and love you in the same sentence.
[He is] the highlight of any show.... Lewis Schaffer embraces inclusion. He ogles without shame or prejudice. 'Mmm...delicious', he pants at patrons of all sexes, creeds and colors. He raises the Black Power salute, bows to the rainbow flag and asks all to 'let the love flow'. Audiences reciprocate the flowing love by laughing"
Time Out New York, USA
"Quirky, likeable and rather dry. Lewis Schaffer tells the audience they are going to like his show, whether they like it or not. And the audience loves his show"
The Independent, UK
"Lewis Schaffer is endearing in a Hughie-Green-meets-Jerry-Lewis kind of way"
The Scotsman, UK
"Wonderfully silly. Light, endearing....Lewis Schaffer is fun and sweetly malice free. Lewis Schaffer can get more laughs out of the simplest, oft-repeated phrase. Well worth catching!"
The New York Post, USA
"Delightfully self-absorbed. Schaffer, who is smooth and witty, is an inspired choice as compere"
The Melbourne Age, Australia
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