Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Comedy show - Russell Kane or Frankie Boyle?

49 replies

oldernotwiserffs · 03/05/2025 12:57

I love live comedy and used to watch a lot of stuff like 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week, Have I got News for You etc and go to see comedians fairly regularly when they were visiting my town. For one reason or another I have got out of the habit and I am not sure who is good these days. I have been offered tickets to a comedy show and there are two nights - one night Russell Kane is headlining, the other it is Frankie Boyle. I don't know much about Russell Kane; I remember Frankie Boyle's style being fairly offensive back in the day. If you were me which one would you choose and why?

OP posts:
Sofasloth · 03/05/2025 12:57

Frankie Boyle. I find Russell intensely irritating.

Butthechildrentheylovethebooks · 03/05/2025 12:59

100% Russell Kane. We have seen him loads of times. He is amazing. Very clever and v funny. Saw FB years ago and didn't laugh once. He made a joke about Baby P...that's the level he goes to.

noblegiraffe · 03/05/2025 13:01

No idea if Frankie Boyle has changed his style but I had the misfortune of seeing him maybe 20 years ago when he was first on Mock the Week. I liked him on TV, edgy but sharp.

It was fucking awful. Like, really really offensive and not in a funny way, just in an offensive way. He totally lost the crowd, got extremely pissed off at a heckler, and stropped off stage at the end, no bow, no encore.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Theatre
Original poster
oldernotwiserffs · 03/05/2025 13:28

@Sofaslothwhy do you find Russell irritating?

@noblegiraffeinteresting, seems like he has a bit of an ego

OP posts:
Judashascomeintosomemoney · 03/05/2025 13:31

Sofasloth · 03/05/2025 12:57

Frankie Boyle. I find Russell intensely irritating.

Other way round for me. Russell is high energy, so can understand why he might be irritating, but clever.
Frankie used to be hilarious, I was thought I might actually be in danger of dying laughing, couldn't get a breath in, whilst watching him. Now though, nope. Staggeringly unfunny. Tried to reinvent himself clearly but took the funnies with it.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 03/05/2025 13:33

Kane. Neither are my taste but I saw Boyle 15+ years ago and agree with @noblegiraffe that he was extremely offensive and unfunny, like a modern Chubby Brown.

Snooks1971 · 03/05/2025 13:34

Definitely Russell Kane. I’ve been binge listening to his Evil Genius podcasts and he’s extremely witty, funny and clever.

ArminTamzerian · 03/05/2025 13:43

I saw Frankie Boyle recently. I don't care that it's offensive, but it just wasn't funny. He seemed like he couldn't really be fucked, to be honest. Would not recommend.

Don't know the other one.

Fabellini · 03/05/2025 13:45

Russell Kane is v funny, clever, witty, and sharp. Frankie Boyle is unpleasant, offensive, and rude.
Ive seen RK’s stand up shows several times - once was more than enough for FB.

redboxer321 · 03/05/2025 13:53

Never seen much of what RK does but from what I do know, he's not really for me.
Used to love FB on Mock the Week but saw him live about 10 years ago and he was awful. Same as pp, I didn't laugh once.
So, RK but I wouldn't have high hopes but from what pp have said, I be pleasantly surprised.

MollyRover · 03/05/2025 13:59

The comics I enjoy most are the ones who are funny without having to resort to swearing, smut or meanness. I’m not a fan of Russell Kane but I do think he ticks those boxes more than Frankie Boyle.

BeNiceWhenItsFinished · 03/05/2025 14:00

Can't stand either of them, sorry.

PotatoBreadForTheWin · 03/05/2025 14:02

noblegiraffe · 03/05/2025 13:01

No idea if Frankie Boyle has changed his style but I had the misfortune of seeing him maybe 20 years ago when he was first on Mock the Week. I liked him on TV, edgy but sharp.

It was fucking awful. Like, really really offensive and not in a funny way, just in an offensive way. He totally lost the crowd, got extremely pissed off at a heckler, and stropped off stage at the end, no bow, no encore.

i had this exact same experience. I’m not easily offended at all, can’t think of another comedian who’s material I’ve actually found offensive but Frankie Boyle was awful

LudvillasCave · 03/05/2025 14:04

I used to like RK’s bits on Live at the Apollo, and enjoyed watching him once at the Oxford Union. He’s an intelligent and thoughtful man. However I don’t enjoy his ‘angry’ persona that he’s adopted for instagram or the ‘Cuuuuuuuuun—‘ thing.

What’s he like nowadays live?

LudvillasCave · 03/05/2025 14:07

Saw Frank Skinner recently and have to say he’s the funniest comedian I’ve ever seen live.

A natural, very witty, didn’t stop laughing throughout.

KnewYearKnewMe · 03/05/2025 14:13

Neither for me. I love comedy, but those are two I just wouldn’t watch, free or not. Russell Kane is manic, ranty and entitled, and Frankie Boyle - well, he’s dated to say least.

if it’s the Cambridge Comedy Fesitval, the line-up each night seem so random.
I like current and slightly sardonic comedy, last year, for example, they had Rhys James and Henning Weihn on the same bill which was great.

This time, of the 4 or 5 comics each night there is verg little style or connection between each, and in fact, many are the opposite of what I enjoy, so I’m not going.

doubt they will miss me!

Neemie · 03/05/2025 14:17

Frankie Boyle is awful. If you watch him in old shows he comes across as bitterly misogynistic and very dated whereas most of the others don’t particularly. Angus Deayton also seems very dated, but not so angry.

andweallloveclover · 03/05/2025 14:22

Absolutely Russell Kane. He is hilarious live and very quick. His banter with the crowd was brilliant. His comedy is not too offensive and he never oversteps the mark. We love him. Have seen him several times and he never fails to disappoint. DH and I often laugh so hard we are crying. 😂

Fumnudge · 03/05/2025 14:35

noblegiraffe · 03/05/2025 13:01

No idea if Frankie Boyle has changed his style but I had the misfortune of seeing him maybe 20 years ago when he was first on Mock the Week. I liked him on TV, edgy but sharp.

It was fucking awful. Like, really really offensive and not in a funny way, just in an offensive way. He totally lost the crowd, got extremely pissed off at a heckler, and stropped off stage at the end, no bow, no encore.

You're kidding? We saw him last year, exactly the same thing happened!
Worst gig ever, and I've had to sit through Tim Vine's one liners 🙄

WinterFoxes · 03/05/2025 14:39

I don't find either of them funny but I'd go for Kane. A friend of mine helped him early in his career and he never forgot it and always honours her and gives back. Which makes him seem like a decent man. Quite a rare thing on the comedy circuit.

HRTQueen · 03/05/2025 14:49

Russell Kane he is very quick and clever. Love his evil genius podcast

Frankie Boyle is just an old bore now ‘if you don’t get me you’re just not intelligent enough’ style of comedy just seems really dated now

henlake7 · 03/05/2025 15:29

I dont think either of them are all that funny.....but Russell Kane is the one I dont want to punch!

WorthyOtter · 03/05/2025 15:34

Frankie Boyle. Seen him couple years ago very funny!

JohnAmendAll · 03/05/2025 16:58

Neither. I'd sooner watch paint dry. Save your money OP.

Maddy70 · 03/05/2025 17:19

Frankie Boyle is brilliant of you are aren't easily offended. He's very near the knuckle