Review of the Ted Lasso star's first stand-up special

Ten, fifteen years ago, when Brett Goldstein was making a name for himself in the UK, it was for compelling storytelling shows, mining real-life experiences for captivating narratives and vivid comic details.

Since then, of course, he’s deployed those skills writing on shows such as Ted Lasso, where he’s won two Emmy Awards for playing cynical Roy Kent, and Shrinking. Yet in his stand-up – at least on the evidence of this, his first TV special – those distinctive narrative techniques have been parked for more generic material about relationships and the cultural differences between Britain and America.

The Second Best Time Of Your Life starts with a self-deprecating parody of the swagger inherent in most American stand-up, the glitzy, arriving-at-the-theatre opening making way for a shot of him vomiting with nerves and regretting his decision ever to film this.

But on stage, his persona’s just as slick as anyone’s, those insecurities melting away as he gushes about how brilliant it was to be on Sesame Street – including a fabulous description of Cookie Monster’s appeal – and how disappointing it was to be invited to Joe Biden’s White House. An offhand joke acknowledges that this material about his Hollywood life is hardly relatable to the good folk of New Jersey, where the special was filmed.

He’s understandably more approachable on stage than his bluntly grouchy Ted Lasso alter-ego, using his charm and, he concedes, his English accent to get away with making even the crudest of phrases sound delightful. But even Goldstein is unlikely to get the Americans to drop their abhorrence for the c-bomb, though he – like many a Brit playing the States – likes to drop it as casually and as frequently as he can, at least in one small section, just to press those triggers.

Even here, or in other near-the-knuckle material about the animalistic side of sex or a running gag in which he insists a bit too strongly that he never fucked a dog, Goldstein remains resolutely pleasant. The lasting impression is of a nice guy talking us through his thoughts and his life, including his own chequered dating history in which he admits to clinginess and difficulties in maintaining a facade of normality when cohabiting.

His sister taught him that true love means contentment rather than an emotional roller-coaster – and perhaps that’s a message Goldstein has taken to heart in his stand-up, too. There are no wild rides here, just unshowy enjoyment. 

Though he’s unfailing charming and often funny, with a wry observational eye and an assured sense of comic timing (and respectable singing chops, as displayed in his closing set piece), none of the routines are really likely to make a lasting impression. But you will be contented for the hour.

• The Second Best Time Of Your Life is streaming on Now.

Review date: 28 Apr 2025
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett