Review by Steve Bennett

Even by America's gargantuan standards, John Pinette is fat. In fact, Seinfeld fans might remember him as the obsese lard-bucket Jerry and Co ill-advisedly gloated over in the final episode of the long-running sitcom.

In the cutthroat comedy market of the States, his size is a distinct advantage, giving him a selling point no other comic can steal, at least without a major assault on their arteries

It's no surprise then, that his opening gambit is a heavy dollop of self-deprecation, disarming all the potential hecklers before an 'Oi!' has even formed in their throats.

The salad-shy Pinette quickly gets to work on all the topics you'd expect: dieting, all-you-can-eat gluttony and the problems he has hauling such a weight around. And damn good at it he is, too, spinning exaggerated stories laden with punchlines, expertly delivered like the pro he is. Any polite reluctance not to laugh at the unfortunate fat bloke is soon swept away.

The only problem is that his size is the only weapon in his comedic arsenal, and even in relatively short sets, you can still find youself asking: 'is this all he's got?' Dressed in white on the ski-slopes, he looks like an avalanche, swimming, he looks like Free Willy... the gags soon converge into variants on a theme.

Not to say he hasn't got some killer lines and a great stage presence, but ironically for someone so stout, he lacks a certain depth.

Review date: 28 Feb 2004
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett