Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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68 of 69 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Health Warning: Your Sides May Split, 17 Jul 2006
This is a 3 CD set of six broadcasts Count Arthur Strong made in front of a live audience at Komedia, Brighton, which were subsequently broadcast on Radio 4. Like many people, I came across the Count by accident, listening to one of these broadcasts.
It is a little difficult to actually describe Arthur's style. Well past his prime as an Entertainer, he still succeeds in amusing by his penchant for picking not quite the right word- `I am a celibate-err- celebrity-Oh Heck!'. His regular, strangely compelling, visits to the local butchers were caught live, as was his celebrated talk to the Women's Institute, preceded by a little confusion with the taxi driver regarding the pickup time. There was also some confusion regarding exactly what play (The Cherry Orchard?) was being rehearsed for a BBC broadcast, but that turns out to have been a dream. Or was it?? In fact, there's an awful lot of confusion about, not least regarding Arthur's call to the helpline regarding his toaster, which seems to have an instruction booklet for a video recorder.. And then there's the incident with the man from the Television Licensing Department (`Watch that light!' cries Arthur, too late)...
Not all six episodes are equally funny, but they are all deeply entertaining. Somehow I kept wondering if Count Arthur was the secret love child of Alan Partridge and Margaret Thatcher, but that can't be true, oh no.
Do buy this modestly priced set; it will help the Count continue making his piccalilli in these, his twilight years.
Bizarrely, Amazon have categorised this CD set under `Popular Music', not `Books/Audiobooks' which is surely its proper home. But then again, maybe Count Arthur had a say in the matter...
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47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unbelievably Underrated....., 9 Aug 2006
Before I get started properly I would just like to echo Steve's comments below. I too stumbled across this show by accident on BBC Radio 4 and was immediately captivated by both the character, (a has-been D-list 'celebrity' full of his own self-importance), and his bumbling (bungling?) delivery that makes you wince whenever you hear it, yet at the same time draws you in. The sequence where he is trying to get access to a building through an electronic door entry system for example is hilarious, as is Arthur using the customer helpline of a domestic appliance manufacturer when he needs assistance in trying to operate his new 'toaster'.
Count Arthur is one of those people who has never heard the phrase 'When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging', although even if he had heard it, he would always misquote it anyway.
A cross between a male Hylda Baker and David Brent from 'The Office', Count Arthur Strong is well worth purchasing, especially if you are into the Harry Hill (or even Harry Worth) style of comedy. As Steve also said in his review, some episodes are better than others, (as they are in any comedy series), but the good ones are so good, this alone makes it a must-have as far as I'm concerned.
I don't understand why the Beeb didn't put this out themselves, but well done Gott Discs.....
Recommended.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unique and bizarre, 19 Dec 2007
I am an avid fan of Count Arthur Strong, and have seen him many times live. His humour is off the wall / old buffer style. He is best when recalling his days in show biz along with his memories of has been artistes like Jimmy Clitheroe and Pete Murray.I am pleased he is being more appreciated by exposure on the radio. This cd is a good flavour of Arthur, and I agree there are good and not so good bits on it. For an addict like me it is great to hear him any time and even find myself using his catch phrases! A very enjoyable cd. If you like this one visit the Count Arthur Strong website where the forgotten Egypt cd is the funniest one of all. Even better see him live as the visual is hilarious.
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~ Count Arthur Strong
~ Count Arthur Strong
DVD ~ Count Arthur Strong
by Original Soundtrack
by Paul and Charlie Higson Whitehouse
See all 18 tracks on this disc
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