Alexei Sayles Stuff Complete Series 2 - The Memorable TV DVD Review

Alexei Sayle is one of the most instantly recognisable TV comics in his trademark agressiveness, ill fitting suit and skinhead crop, which is quite funny really when you consider that he was one of the leading members of the alternative movement of the
1980's which sought to bring down the old comedy establishment much as Punk had done to the dinosaurs of rock n roll and despite his tendancy to try and involve political comment in much of his humour his brand of surreal and subversive comedy is very funny.

This new release from Cinema Club and 2|Entertain contains the complete second series, made in 1989, the format remains the same, surreal sketches punctated by political and sometimes stupid comment from a Vespa driving Sayle. This second series contains some great moments, plenty of musical interludes (theres a couple of great songs one of which is a Disney Club style romp putting forward Alexei as the ultimate Mickey Mouse style character as well as a corker where he bemoans the fact that he wishes he had a proper job (very heavy on the irony but very amusing). The tone of the series can be judged by the sketches in which the country almost comes to its knees when their is a film critics strike (the army are called out and have to present Film 89) or the one where socialist writers George Bernard Shaw and Bertold Brecht advertise beauty products.

Sayle is also supported by a high quality group of co-horts who include Angus Deayton, Mark Williams and the very excellent Tony Millan.
Surprisingly, given the high incidence of topical humour, Stuff doesn't feel at all dated and if you only remember Sayle for his appearances as the psychotic landlord in The Young Ones then it's well worth checking out.

ANY SPECIAL FEATURES?

extras unpreviewed.