Unavailable for Comment, hosted by Marcus Brigstocke, is a news-based quiz and sketch show. Brigstocke, along with four comedians (different each day) create sketches, games, and general mischief from audience suggestions and from newspaper stories. TV shows such as Whose Line is it anway? and Argumental come to mind.
First off, let me say that this is a vast improvement on Brigstocke’s earlier news-based shows at the Fringe. This one has definite direction and is not merely relying on comedians (who have had no preparation time) simply winging it. The sketch format works very well and plays to the cast’s strengths - namely being funny; the laughs came plentifully and loudly in the showing I watched. Sketches featured gags such as finding a spy aboard a leaking trident submarine, as well as an absurd and funny game of ‘Who's Who?’ and a discussion on Stalin and his relation to cheesecake. Brigstocke is witty and acerbic as the host-cum-participant and also does well in moving the show through any slow patches and posing awkward, hilarious questions in a variety of newscaster guises that really challenge his guests and bring the best out of them.
A show such as this, however, lives and dies by its guests and, while I thoroughly enjoyed the show, I can’t help but feel that I might have enjoyed it more or perhaps less on a different day. It is also difficult to say much more about it, as the show will vary throughout its run and may go in many different directions. That said, I laughed a lot and if Brigstocke can keep the quality of his guests as high as it is currently, then he will have a hit show on his hands.
