If you’ve seen recent episodes of 8 Out Of 10 Cats you’ll know life has changed in the world of comedian Jon Richardson. He made his name for being a fastidious man on the edge of OCD, with a worldview which he seems to believe is misanthropic but is closer to constantly disappointed optimism and he’s also known for being perennially single.
However now he’s not just got himself a girlfriend, he’s engaged and will probably be getting married soon. His stand-up show Nidiot is largely based around the story of how he decided to take stock of his life to become a happier person, as well as how he met and started dating his fiancée.
It’s a lot of fun, with Jon on fine form. The frustration with the world hasn’t completely left him, nor has his curious assumption that the way he looks at the world is incredibly unusual, when in reality it’s not that weird at all. It’s an oddly endearing trait which could be annoying but is actually very effective. After all, we all think we’re a bit odd in certain ways, and it’s always nice to know it’s not just us (and that what we think is weird isn’t really).
He’s a funny man who’s extremely good at telling stories and making you laugh. While some comics are very different when you see them on mainstream TV to how they are on stage, Richardson is exactly the same. He’s also good at maintaining a balance that ensures he doesn’t outstay his welcome and you’re more than happy to listen to him prattling on about the small and large annoyances of life, from drunk people on trains to the potential disastrousness of being ill on holiday.
Overall Verdict: Despite the changes in his life and the fact he’s now happy rather than the miserable sod he always insisted he was, Richardson is still very funny as he takes you through the latest developments in his life.
Reviewer: Tim Isaac