On dogs begging

At the 2010 Leicester Comedy Festival preview show

More Rob Rouse videos

Rob Rouse got his first break in comedy by winning the So You Think You're Funny? new act competition in 1998. As well as stand-up, he also performed as part of the Big And Daft trio with Ian Boldsworth and Jon Williams from 1997 to 2002, taking three shows to the Edinburgh Fringe. In 2002 he took his first solo show to the Fringe, and returned the following year.

His TV credits include presenting the first series of The Friday Night Project on Channel 4, the C4 sketch show Spoons, and playing Mike in the first series of he BBC3 sitcom Grown Ups.

Rob Rouse: My Family... And The Dog That Scared Jesus - Fringe 2009
Live Review

Of all the comedians performing on the Fringe, Rob Rouse is the one that I want to shake until he starts meeting his potential. It is absolutely infuriating watching an act who should be doing brilliantly, merely doing OK.

Rouse is without a doubt one of the most exuberant and likable performers on the circuit and is well respected as a club act. But when converting his energy and writing skill into an hour show he just falls short, always producing good but unspectacular shows.

The story this year revolves round Rouse’s newborn son Lenny, and the family rescue dog, the permanently aroused mongrel Ronnie. The problem is that the story, although funny, cannot be stretched to fill the hour and there are very few available opportunities for Rouse to add more jokes. Two or three stories would have been more effective than stretching one tale over the hour. Because of this the show feels padded in places with an overly long set piece about what not to call a baby and a disturbingly visual extended mime of Ronnie’s ultimate crime.

Despite the shortcomings, this is an enjoyable and entertaining hour, consistent enough to ensure you retain a smile throughout punctuated by some big laughs. Rouse’s description of the birth of his son is touching, funny, vile and so apparently unbelievable I am inclined to believe that it is completely true.

The obvious joy that permeates Rouse’s being while he regales us with the embarrassment of his first very nearly picture-perfect family Christmas shows the passion that, if harnessed and focused more effectively, could produce something incredibly special.

A pleasant hour with a great performer.Next year I hope the expectations of an amazing hour will be met.

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Just great fun, plain and simple. Seen him a few times and the natural joy he brings to a room takes a lot more skill than most people would ever realise.

Freddy, June 2006

Played at Hi-Fi Club in Leeds last night. He made some joke about someone dying...the funiest gag in the house was when a heckler shouted out "you died half an hour ago mate"...! Not very good at all.

Jonny, February 2006

I nearly wet myself on several occassions. Horribly underrated.

Graham Harrison, February 2006

I have seen Rob compare at Heckers in Aldershot many, many times. He is quite simply great. I would have seen him 12 or so times and no two nights were the same.

[Anon], December 2005

Recently encountered Rob doing warm-up for the recording of Two Pints. With the exception of scouse heckler Ken, who the rest of the audience clearly thought was a bit of prat, everyone seemed very happy with his disarming manner and improvisation. I'd certainly go to see him again in stand-up.

Alan, December 2005

He was the highlight of a top night. His humour was sharp, but unoffensive, witty but clean. Fuckin amazing

[Anon], November 2005

Absolutely appalling. The same halting, half-arsed delivery and poor quality of jokes as that annoying twat at every party who mistakenly thinks he's a genius, but Rouse is worse because he's actually getting paid. Comedy really must be in dire straits if Rouse is genuinely considered to be worthy of getting on a stage, let alone television...

James, November 2005

He rocks. I saw him at Grownups and I would love to see one of his own shows sometime soon.

Laura T, November 2005

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