British Comedian John Oliver, known for his appearances on The Daily Show, does a stand-up comedy appearance in New York City.

CRITIQUE

John Oliver – Terrifying Times is a 56-minute long stand-up routine that apparently originally aired on Comedy Central; this version is a little longer than that version, and has its few dirty words now unbeeped.  The result is a sometimes-amusing take on America and the world that is okay of its type.

Oliver is best known for his appearances on The Daily Show (several of which are included here in the extras) and he is an intelligent, likable performer.  But the comedy here is really rather straightforward; he talks about American excess, about religion, and imperialism and a host of other topics, and like most stand-up performances there are some bits that are funnier than others, or which will hit some people as more amusing than others will find them.

Oliver is also joined on stage at several points by his colleague Andy Zaltzman, playing a professor sitting at a desk; the two obviously have a history of working together, and they riff off each other well.  Oliver also has slides playing behind him, though this was probably more effective for those there; he also makes use of sound, from clips of George W. Bush speaking to excerpts from ‘80s power ballads that he uses for one routine.

Ultimately the biggest problem with this is that it is a DVD version of the kind of routine that usually turns up on Comedy Central most nights, from one comedian or another.  But these who have become fans of Oliver from his other work may want to seek this DVD out, particularly because the extras are pretty solid.

THE VIDEO

John Oliver – Terrifying Times is presented in widescreen.  It’s essentially just a guy on a stage, and the picture is good enough for that.

THE AUDIO

John Oliver – Terrifying Times is presented in English 5.1 Dolby Surround.  Dialogue, music and sound effects come through clear. 

THE EXTRAS

There are four humorous appearances by Oliver from The Daily Show, totaling 18 minutes, which are actually often funnier than anything in the stand-up.

John at the UCB Theater in New York is a 29-minute bit in which Oliver is rehearsing on stage for a different comedy show; essentially it’s just more stand-up, and some of it is amusing.

John and Andy On is a 9-minute collection of bits in which Oliver and Andy Zaltzman riff on a variety of subjects, apparently for a radio show.

Comedy Central Quickies consists of a segment each from The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and Reno 911, to promote those series.

FINAL THOUGHT

Some amusing bits, but it might help to go in knowing and liking Oliver’s work.