Frank Skinner Live At The Birmingham Hippodrome

Tell you what, that Frank Skinner's wearing well, judging from the gig being shown on Channel 4 tonight. Mind you, it could be something to do with the fact that Frank Skinner Live At The Birmingham Hippodrome was recorded 11 years ago. Tonight just happens to be the first time it's been televised.

Filmed during a performance at the Hippodrome more than ten years ago, this stand-up routine has become a classic of sorts. Don't be misled by Skinner's look of boy-next-door innocence: roughly two thirds of the material is pure filth, with an entire riff on the subject of what he calls 'the solo road to sexual pleasure'. The content might be dated, but the laughter is loud and infectious.

Following his 2007 stand-up tour comes the first terrestrial showing of Skinner's 1997 performance at the Birmingham Hippodrome. This itself was part of a record-breaking 100-date tour that returned Skinner to the stand-up map. Sex features prominently and it's very saucy indeed, yet his audience never feels the need to squirm.