Simon Amstell: Do Nothing Live

Simon Amstell has proved himself a devastatingly acid-tongued TV presenter on Popworld and Never Mind The Buzzcocks. As a stand-up he's much more soulful, and this debut show, filmed in Dublin last year, is well worth catching as he takes us on an eloquent and thrilling journey through his hapless love life.

While we wait for series two of sitcom Grandma's House (it's in the can for next year), this 2010 stand-up set shows Simon Amstell playing an equally funny exaggeration of his tortured self, on stage in Dublin.

Having read too many philosophy and self-help books during nights spent home alone, he over-analyses every moment of his life, ruining his attempts to find love. Every word and gesture of the resulting routine is placed with cruel accuracy, turning Amstell's self-hatred into intelligent, cathartic comedy.

During his tenure as host of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Amstell really got under the skin of some prickly pop stars. They could easily shrug off the more basic, blunt bullying of previous host Mark Lamarr, but Amstell was more charming, insightful and vicious - a killer combination. It's refreshing that he casts the same relentlessly cutting view to his own life. This stand-up routine from last year sees him tear his awkward existence apart with a winning lack of smugness and ego. It's not a gag-athon, just a very funny, philosophical look at how ridiculous life is.