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Recalibrate

Russell Howard

Netflix · 2017 · 69 min

A hyperactive plea for optimism in a fractured political landscape.

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Russell Howard wants you to stop doomscrolling, or whatever the 2017 equivalent of doomscrolling was. His approach to a world in political meltdown is a high-energy sprint of aggressively cheerful optimism. Performing on a circular stage, he bounces and mimes his way through a set that functions as a plea to step back from the collective panic of the news cycle and find some joy in the absurdity of daily life.

The centerpiece of the performance is his rewritten version of the British national anthem, transformed into a celebratory tribute to the NHS that skewers Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. Between the larger political target practice, he shifts to more traditional, observational ground, complaining about the performance anxiety of social media and the clumsy, deeply flawed ways men attempt to pick up women. It is a mixture of the crude and the sentimental, anchored by stories of his family, including the death of his grandfather.

The performance was recorded at the Brighton Dome during Brighton Pride weekend and marked Howard’s first global stand-up release for Netflix. Filmed at the tail end of his massive “Round the World” arena tour, it caught the comic at the peak of his UK fame—right as he was transitioning from his long-running BBC series Good News to Sky’s The Russell Howard Hour. While the hyperactive delivery divides viewers who prefer a bit more cynicism, the set captures Howard fully leaned into the relentless positivity that made him a household name in Britain.

The set list

5 bits

  1. Donald Trump's Scottish golf course and public hostility toward him

    Howard mocks Trump's unpopularity in the UK, reports that Scottish locals defecated in the holes on his golf course, and imagines Queen Elizabeth executing a gruesome trap for him.

  2. A societal reboot eliminating pornography for a year

    Suggests recalibrating society by banning porn and having kids observe real parental love instead, using graphic physical act-outs to highlight distorted modern expectations.

  3. Childhood before social media versus modern online culture

    Contrasts his 1980s and 1990s childhood imagination with contemporary pressures on children and teens to curate flawless profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.

  4. West Country family eccentricities

    Shares anecdotes about his unfiltered, mischievous brother blurting inappropriate things and tender, embarrassing romantic gestures between his grandparents.

  5. Touring the American Deep South

    Recounts performing his material and message of tolerance to unreceptive crowds in conservative southern US states who did not share his views on gay marriage.

How it plays

Tone
Irreverent, silly, bawdy, and upbeat with an uplifting message of finding everyday joy.
On stage
Affable, energetic 'nice-guy' comedian who mixes self-deprecation, bawdy raunch, and sincere feel-good optimism.
Pace
High-energy and manic, featuring rapid delivery, physical struts, and animated physical reactions.
About
Politics and societal division, Pornography and sex education, Social media and childhood nostalgia, Family dynamics, Finding joy and recalibrating perspectives

What the critics said

Critics viewed it as a high-spirited, crowd-pleasing hour showcasing Howard's physical comedic charm and warm optimism, though some felt the sociopolitical commentary was thin and the 'recalibrate' motif undercooked.

In the room: An enthusiastic, supportive Brighton Pride audience of 1,800 actively engaging with laughter, applause, and anti-Trump heckling.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: justwatch.com, comedy.co.uk, allmovie.com, chortle.co.uk, decider.com, firstpost.com, theadhocracy.co.uk, en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.

Backstory

Filmed in Brighton during Pride celebrations amidst political angst surrounding Brexit, Donald Trump's presidency, and modern social media obsession.

Details

Released
Runtime
69 min
Where
Netflix
Director
Peter Orton
Topics

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