RUSSELL HOWARD, star of BBC TWO’s Mock The Week, is to release his critically-acclaimed stand up show Dingledodies on DVD this autumn. Recorded during the twice extended tour which sold over 120,000 tickets (including three gigs at London’s Hammersmith Apollo and one at Wembley Arena), Russell Howard Live - Dingledodies will be released by 4DVD on 9th November 2009.
Packed with his trademark mix of eloquent gags and deft storytelling, Dingledodies sees RUSSELL share his observations on life’s big issues: ladies on trains, time travel, teenage parties, Charles Darwin, bags for life, awkward sex, wolf masks, and dressing up dogs. The DVD also features specially recorded extras including a Q&A with RUSSELL and alternative ending.
In the last 12 months RUSSELL HOWARD has become one of the UK’s most successful live comedians. His debut DVD, Russell Howard Live, was the fifth highest selling stand-up release of Christmas 2008 and has now sold in excess of 140,000 copies. This autumn will see RUSSELL front his own topical comedy show, Russell Howard’s Good News, on BBC Three and embark on a 10-date nationwide arena tour.
In addition to being a regular on Mock The Week (BBC Two's highest rating comedy show, which has seen viewing figures of over 5 million per week), RUSSELL has twice appeared on Live At The Apollo (BBC ONE) alongside some of the biggest names in comedy; and followed in the footsteps of AL MURRAY - THE PUB LANDLORD to become the host of Comedy Central's Edinburgh & Beyond.
ends
Russell Howard Live - Dingledodies (cert 15), £19.99, 4DVD 2009
(Running time 76 mins approx. Extras: A Bit Of A Natter - on tour fan Q&A & Alternative Ending - some young buck challenges Russell to a duel)
Release date: 9th November 2009
What the press said about Dingledodies:
“As sparkling as a tree's-worth of Christmas lights… a robust antidote to the depressive, recessionary mood of the moment … Right now, he's flying.”
Dominic Cavendish, The Daily Telegraph
“Dazzling stuff from a comedian positively bursting with thoughts.”
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard
“Probably the best of the new generation of comics. His mind is as sharp as a witch’s nose and gags flow from him with the ease and majesty of the river Nile.”
Tim Arthur, Time Out
“The Mock the Week star has joined the big league.”
Julian Hall, The Independent
For more information please contact Jenny Stewart or Dan Lloyd at Avalon Press & Publicity on 020 7598 7222 / Email: jenny.stewart@avalonuk.com / danl@avalonuk.com
WHAT THE PRESS HAVE SAID ABOUT…
RUSSELL HOWARD LIVE DVD:
“Christmas comedy DVD releases this week include Michael McIntyre, Rowan Atkinson and Dara O’Briain, which are all good, but pick of the crop must be Russell Howard. He’s the hot comic right now, selling out venues and stadiums all over the country.”
Emma Cox, The Sun
“Russell Howard is the fastest rising comedian in the country. A regular on BBC 2’s Mock The Week, he has the whiff of the eternal student about him, his comedy sweetly pinpointing all manner of human foibles… He also played to over 80,000 people on last year’s Dingledodies tour, which climaxed at Wembley Arena. Suddenly, he is rock-star big.”
Nick Duerden, Q
“The Mock the Week pin-up has moved into comedy’s premier league and this DVD shows why.”
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard
“This excitable set - full of surreal animal quips - is top.”
Jimi Famurewa, Zoo
DINGLEDODIES:
“He’s playing Wembley Arena. He’s under 30. Kind of raises the bar for other stand-ups, no?”
Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times (Culture)
“There’s some superb quick-fire material (including a mercilessly funny swipe at Gordon Ramsay) but mostly it’s his stories and anecdotes of an antic-filled youth that will charm the pants off you - most of the time, Howard is a wide-eyed ten-year-old trapped in a 28-year-old body. Dingledodies is the stand-up equivalent of a rich, sweet dessert wine: if you miss out on tickets, check out his first live DVD (out Nov 17) which accompanies this mammoth tour - the mark of a man whose career deserves to go into overdrive.”
Sharon Lougher, Metro
“He may be a whirlwind of goodwill, but the impressive performance doesn’t mean he hasn’t a keen eye still for writing as well, with every incident described with smart, funny observations and quirky turn of phrase.”
Steve Bennett, Chortle
“Thanks to sell-out Fringe runs, if.comedy nominations, his own radio show on BBC 6 Music and regular TV appearances on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Mock The Week, Russell Howard comes close to fulfilling the cliché of comedian as rock star. Adventures, his last national tour, sold some 38,000 tickets over 66 venues and courtesy of his boyish good looks, the 28-year-old enjoys the sort of pin-up status usually reserved for chart-toppers.”
Jonathan Trew, Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
“One of the finest and most imaginative stand-ups we have when it comes to sheer laughter inducing silliness.”
Tim Arthur, Time Out
“The draw here is Howard’s childlike wonder, but it’s all beefed up with some deft, accomplished scripting.”
Warren Howard, The Independent (The Information)
“Famed for his impressive improvisational skills, Howard is hot property on the comedy circuit.”
Caroline Virr, Woman & Home
“Russell Howard is so at home and in control of the huge Assembly Music Room stage that you wonder how they ever contained him in the tiny Pleasance Hut… He is instantly funny on the dozens of subjects he weaves into this deceptively chatty set.”
Kate Copstick, The Scotsman
“Russell Howard received a rousing welcome and quickly proved why he deserved it. Every word that left his mouth led to a laugh and his warm, friendly persona had the audience hooked. Not only is Howard an exceptionally skilled writer he has a real magic in his delivery.”
Corry Shaw, Chortle
MORE PRAISE FOR RUSSELL HOWARD:
“You'll find more laughs here than many comedians manage in an entire career.”
Christopher Collett, Metro
“[Russell Howard’s] irrepressible enthusiasm, boundless confidence and super elasticised improvisational mind ensure he’s on the cusp of a major breakthrough.”
Mark Wareham, Mail On Sunday
“Howard is one of the hottest comedians in the country.”
The Mirror
“You can’t help but share his gusto for life. This appealing energy is backed up by a great use of obscure, sometimes archaic language and imagery, delivered with the unconvincing posture of an Edwardian gentleman or street-cool kid, either of which he might adopt with a charming lack of conviction… Howard has got some sterling set pieces of laugh-aloud brilliance.”
Steve Bennett, Chortle
“There’s a crazy edge to his humour, but it’s his willingness to share that makes him such an engaging comic. He really wants to tell you stuff. He treats his audiences like old friends, and like an old friend he can’t wait to tell you everything that’s happened since the last time you met. He even turns a grim tale about being mugged into an upbeat anecdote.”
William Cook, The Guardian
“One of comedy’s true rising stars…In his bubbly live performance he’s in his element, striking up an instant rapport with the audience and finding jokes where others don’t even think of looking.”
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard
“Howard makes his well-crafted stand-up seem like a series of random thoughts in an entertaining conversation.”
Stephen Armstrong, The Times
“Russell Howard has a rare rapport with audiences.”
James Rampton, The Independent
“His own radio show on BBC Radio 6 and regular appearances on Never Mind The Buzzcocks as well as Mock The Week have fixed the image of the chirpy Bristol lad firmly in the public eye and made him one of the nation's biggest live comic draws.”
Jonathan Trew, Scotland on Sunday
“The future of British comedy… hysterically funny.”
Metro
“Howard has become one of our best young comics.”
The Times
