Hardeep Singh Kohli
Oran Mor
Lorraine Wilson
Three stars
If there was ever a statement of intent about what would form the heart of a show, it was the choice of Deacon Blue's Dignity as introductory music.
As it faded, even Hardeep acknowledged that it didn't particularly work, but even Deacon Blue give it at least an hour before playing it, just to warm a crowd up for participation. Consequently there was a teeny amount of tumbleweed.
Smart self-deprecation aided a quick recovery, however, as did the main thrust of the material - how brilliant Glasgow is compared to everywhere else. Now they were listening...
Hardeep is a fiercely clever guy and occasionally that can cause problems with the tone. Even he acknowledged at one point that a joke was probably too Radio 4 for this Radio 2 audience - that did get a laugh, however.
There lies the problem with someone who is successful in so many areas. The audience will have encountered him anywhere from highbrow radio to reality TV, so the liberal sprinkling of the f-word and stories about jakeys and Irn-Bru juxtaposed with a Dorothy Parker quote and his views on feminism might confuse.
The most solid material came from stories that came from real life. Taking up cycling in his forties, for example, and being deliriously happy in a relationship with a woman 20 years his junior. These, and stories about his family, brought out the best of his storytelling abilities and allowed natural observation with heart.
If this show was genuinely off-the-cuff, as Hardeep claimed, then please add a star above - if not, it has still has the foundations of a truly great hour of stand-up.
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