Reviewed by Brian Edgeley

When the DVD dropped through the post box, I realised at first peak that it was made for the American market. Apparently part of the TV series Bananas, this DVD is 152 minutes of the comedy routine of American comedian and ventriloquist Taylor Mason. Boasting "good clean family fun" the DVD is introduced by Thor Ramsey, who is the host of the TV series and a stand-up comedian himself; his ways are very American and quirky, as are the antics of Mason. The other features available are an extended version of Mason's stand-up routine before it was edited for the TV show and interviews with the stars and puppets. I watched the whole DVD with my son Matthew to see his reaction to it and at one point he was asking what a certain American phrase meant, the next he was crying with laughter! Basically, Mason introduces his puppets to the audience one by one and does a simple routine with each. The puppets are Romeo, a cool dude whose skin is made of 'Terry Cloth' with the complexion of an 80 year old lady who has had a face lift; Paco the Mexican piglet; Sumo the Japanese wrestler; Colonel (Corn-dog) Cornelius, who is a talking Corn-on-the-Cob! And Juliet, who is a Latino church-going singer. The majority of the DVD I didn't find funny - very American and obviously entertaining live, but not on a DVD aimed at the British market. However, one particular routine, where Mason asks for audience participation in getting all the puppets to sing together, was hilarious and that was when my son was laughing so hard he had tears running down his cheeks. Taylor Mason has learned his craft over 20 years on the road performing in comedy clubs, theatres, on radio and television. He has numerous awards and we are sure to hear more of him as global TV makes the world a smaller place.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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