Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show - First Series

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...

I have, in a very short time, acquired all the CD's of Count Arthur Strong. Considering that Delaney is also the scriptwriter, I'd say that this is comedy of a very high standard indeed.Count Arthur has the unique distinction of having told the funniest gag I have EVER heard- ( one concerning Cliff Richard and Botox...) and there have been time when the tears were running down my face, when listening to these CD's. He has earned a special place in my affections. And the support actors are really good, tooOkay, he is a young(ish) guy taking the mickey out of an old person. And if he was doing a Muslim Cleric - instead of a senile Doyen of Light Entertainment- yes I'm sure he'd get into trouble. But this is LIGHT entertainment, and my experience has been that elderly people are equally highly entertained by the Count, and certainly not offended in any way.What I will say though, is that a large proportion of his gags involve references to cheezy TV celebrities ( many of them best forgotten) from the UK during 1960's and 1970's. So perhaps younger people might be bamboozled by references to- for instance- Lionel Blair or Anita Harris. You do have to be British, and " of a certain age" to get the maximum out of his humour. But it is formidable stuff nevertheless, really first class.I can not rate Delaney highly enough. I look forward to many years of listening to the count, Malcolm, Wilf and all the other characters from the (endlessly confusing) world of Count Arthur Strong.Now then..... Maybe YOU have nothing better to do than read stupid reviews but I have more pressing matters to attend to. Mind your head on that light fitting on your way out!

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.

I harf to say I downsize, I mean synthesize, no I mean emphasise, oh sod it, what do I mean, sympathise with Count Arthur in his daily straggling, STRUGGLES, with the incontinence he finds all around him. This really is top notch stuff! I discovered the Count as a result of a recommendation by my Dad and became an instant addition, I mean autodidact, Bugger I mean addict! As has been mentioned before it is very old fashioned humour in many ways. Not for the Count and Steve Delaney, swearing, crassness and silly unfunny observational humour. It is instead a wonderful blemish, I mean blend of the character humour of Hancock, the brilliant wordplay of "ISIHAC" and the massive social embalming, I mean, harrassment, SOD it I mean embarrassment of Partridge,Peep Show et al. An odd combination of old fashioned gentle humour and cutting edge modern social manners comedy. The writing is a wonder to behold in itself, and how Steve Delany and the rest of the cast can keep a short face whilst performing is beyond me. Brilliant stuff. Reimburse yourself into the world of Count Arthur and simply enjoy!

A good comedy script. Tune in to following series.

I'd never heard of Steve Delaney or his creation, Count Arthur Strong, until I saw the series on Acorn TV. After that I wanted more, so didn't hesitate to buy the radio show. People passing me on the road must have thought me a total loon because I would be laughing out loud, nearly doubled over the sterling wheel, as I listened to this in the car. It sure made driving a lot more pleasant. If you are a fan of British comedy and clever malapropisms, you will love this.