Sue Perkins' latest stand-up special, "The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins", doesn't quite live up to its promise of a deeply personal and humiliating comedy set. Instead, the former Bake Off star delivers a show that is mostly lighthearted anecdotes about her life in the entertainment industry, only occasionally dipping into the depths of self-abasement she initially claims to be exploring.
Perkins' first half of the show meanders through various tales with little connection to the theme of shame. She recounts a tale of local drug dealers cloning her car registration, and another that's more laugh-out-loud funny than introspective about rescuing a wounded pup on a trip to Bolivia. These stories are more befitting of a proud, carefree Perkins rather than someone basking in self-abasement.
The comedian expertly weaves humor into each anecdote, exaggerating her own ineptitude and adding lurid details that play up the absurdity of her misadventures. Her take on a South American shaman visit is particularly notable for its over-the-top storytelling style. While these comedic bits work well, they don't feel like Perkins' most substantial work.
However, there's one poignant segment that shines through: a story about Perkins' experience with a benign tumour on her pituitary gland, which left her hospitalised and forced her to confront the darker side of life. This passage is striking because it strips away Perkins' protective facade and reveals a more vulnerable person beneath.
This glimpse into Perkins' private struggles feels more authentic and meaningful than the rest of the show. It's here that we see a performer who's not afraid to bare her soul, even if only briefly, and shed some light on the complexities of life. While "The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins" may not be the deeply personal comedy set it initially promised, this special still has its share of standout moments – especially when Perkins' protective layers are stripped away.
Perkins' first half of the show meanders through various tales with little connection to the theme of shame. She recounts a tale of local drug dealers cloning her car registration, and another that's more laugh-out-loud funny than introspective about rescuing a wounded pup on a trip to Bolivia. These stories are more befitting of a proud, carefree Perkins rather than someone basking in self-abasement.
The comedian expertly weaves humor into each anecdote, exaggerating her own ineptitude and adding lurid details that play up the absurdity of her misadventures. Her take on a South American shaman visit is particularly notable for its over-the-top storytelling style. While these comedic bits work well, they don't feel like Perkins' most substantial work.
However, there's one poignant segment that shines through: a story about Perkins' experience with a benign tumour on her pituitary gland, which left her hospitalised and forced her to confront the darker side of life. This passage is striking because it strips away Perkins' protective facade and reveals a more vulnerable person beneath.
This glimpse into Perkins' private struggles feels more authentic and meaningful than the rest of the show. It's here that we see a performer who's not afraid to bare her soul, even if only briefly, and shed some light on the complexities of life. While "The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins" may not be the deeply personal comedy set it initially promised, this special still has its share of standout moments – especially when Perkins' protective layers are stripped away.
I was kinda looking forward to a more in-depth exploration of shame with Sue Perkins, but what she shared about her experience with that benign tumour on her pituitary gland... it felt super real and honest. You can tell she's not trying to make light of it or use it for laughs, which makes the whole thing really impactful 
. The fact that she was vulnerable enough to share this story takes a lot of guts, and I think it's what sets this special apart from other comedy sets. Not every joke lands, but when it does, it feels genuine 
.
but like, these stories about cloning car rego and rescuing a puppy in bolivia were just funny as hell 
not really what i was expecting from a "deeply personal" spec. but then there's this one part about her pituitary gland tumour and it's like... wow 
that's some heavy stuff. it feels so real, like she's being super vulnerable on stage for the first time 
. It's like she's not trying to be funny at all, just being real and honest. I love how raw that moment is - no jokes or distractions, just this vulnerable person sharing their truth.
. Don't get me wrong, those stories about cloning her car registration and rescuing that pup in Bolivia were hilarious 
. It felt like she was being super honest and vulnerable for once, and it made me care about her more as a person 
the part that did work tho was when she talked about her pituitary gland thingy and it was like WOW how brave of her to share that 
. It's like she's hiding behind a veil of self-abasement, but honestly, I just see her being her lovable, goofy self 
. It showed a side of Sue that we don't always see, and it's so admirable that she's willing to bare her soul like that 
.
. Just don't expect it to blow you away