Edinburgh Fringe review: Comics Solving Problems

Steve N Allen And Erich McElroy are comics solving problems.

Comics Solving Problems ***

The title of Steve N Allen and Erich McElroy's twice-weekly topical dispatch seems brutally ironic, at least when the news is such an all-enveloping smog of doom and gloom. But on their second series, the stand-ups have established an entertaining, relatively slick and reassuringly communal operation, ambitiously writing right up until broadcast and taking live questions throughout. What it loses in lockdown-imposed restrictions, Comics Solving Problems gains in feeling up-to-the-minute.

American emigré McElroy has lived in the UK for two decades. But he can't help but be preoccupied with Donald Trump's re-election prospects. And while he has plenty of throwaway gags, he digs a little deeper with his package of commentary and archive footage, focusing on the US political conventions.

The Mash Report star Allen meanwhile, casts a sardonic eye over the government's exam results U-turn, able to develop his thoughts further than his clipped delivery on the BBC Two satirical staple. Initially, there's a feel of two halves bolted together, of one just nodding along to the other's script. But there's appeal in witnessing the pair surprise and amuse each other. Happily, the format gets looser as they move beyond the top stories and wade into the audience contributions. A micro-budget Daily Show, well worth making regular time for.

Visit https://www.twitch.tv/freefringefestivalonline

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