The end of Coogan's run?
If you'd asked me in 1996 to name my favourite band, it
would have been simple - Oasis. Favourite comedian?
Just as easy - Steve
Coogan.
So, imagine my delight as two of my teenage heroes appeared in the
same week at one stunning new venue. On Wednesday, it was a
swaggering Liam Gallagher and his less mobile big brother, while
last night it was Mr Coogan and his full spectrum of comedy
characters.
Both acts hail from the north west, began their careers in humble
surroundings and have had their fair share of personal perils.
Fifteen years or so later, I found one truly delivered, the other a
disappointment.
As Alan Partridge laboured through a sketch about Thomas More and
his role in the reformation, a large part of me wished it was
midweek again and I was singing along to Slide Away. It simply
wasn't very funny, and I was a bit gutted.
The Gallaghers, on the other hand, exceeded expectations. Liam hit
the mark with his vocals almost without fail and Noel was a picture
of professionalism despite three fractured ribs restricting his
movement.
The comedy of many Coogan characters - whether it's Partridge,
Saxondale or the Calfs - lies in their delusions about their own
abilities or social standing, each dreaming of ambitions that for
many of us are ultimately underwhelming. Unfortunately on this
occasion, the comedy itself was underwhelming.
In fairness, the show started well, as Pauline sang her way through
a song about the Marriott
Hotel, where she's guaranteed to meet 'stars' such
as Katona or Chantelle. Paul was also on form, fiddling his
benefits and doing a decent impression of Stephen Hawking as
he rolled around in a wheelchair with a 'broken' leg. It
was no Rock & Roll Star, but it was decent.
At the interval, everyone was content and, not unreasonably,
expected him to up the ante in the second half with his star turn,
Partridge. By this same point on Wednesday, we'd been treated
to a rousing rendition of Masterplan, so I was expectant.
The opening blasts of Partridge were funny enough - he belittled a
few people, namedropped celebrity friends like Monty Don and made a
decent Michael Jackson quip.
However, five minutes into the Thomas More routine, hecklers in the
crowd were shouting "this is sh**e Steve" - and it was
hard to disagree with them. Perhaps the joke didn't translate
well live on stage, maybe he's taken it to a different level,
or maybe Coogan has just got complacent.
After a string of Hollywood roles alongside the likes of Ben
Stiller, it's possible that Coogan doesn't get excited
about playing the UK any more - despite the wonderful surroundings
of the Echo Arena. He
finished on an explicitly titled song, mainly about his personal
life, which was funny if only for shock value and a four-letter
word spelled out in umbrellas.
But it wasn't enough. Oasis are touring the country with enough
songs to fill three nights at every venue but it seems Steve Coogan
has taken the decision to tour before finding the fresh quality
material to showcase when he gets there.
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