Rent Johnny Vegas: 18 Stone of Idiot (2005)

An extremely transgressive but very funny compilation of the short-lived TV series - Johnny Vegas: 18 Stone of Idiot review by TB

Johnny Vegas’s aim when this TV series was announced was “to make a show so ridiculous there’s no way they’d recommission it.” Judging by the fact there has only been one series, he definitely achieved his goal. I do seem to remember when it was released in 2005 that certain media outlets, in particular the Daily Mail, absolutely lost their minds over it & used it as another example of proof that our society was in moral decline. 

But, if you find extremely transgressive & shocking humour done well funny, then this a riot of a watch. Rather than the whole series, this DVD contains the best bits of the shows edited together. There are some very funny moments, including skits done outside the studio, such as when Vegas dresses up/speaks like an 18th century rentboy, goes to a park and asks extremely surprised people if they want some debauchery. He also invites an audience member to come on stage & punch him and drinks beer from a shoe.

There are also special guests including Ray Winstone, Kathy Burke & Rhys Ifans (who appears absolutely slaughtered out of his mind,) who are all incredibly game for the various dodgy situations they are put in. At the end of each show there is also a “death-defying” with them, involving Vegas jumping over them in things like a kid’s bike or shopping trolley.

But this is absolutely not something to watch with your parents/children/anyone who gets easily offended. The 18 rating is completely justified. This is completely off the wall & uncensored comedy and very, very funny.