I've been a fan of Katherine Ryan's specific brand of comedy for a long time, I loved her book so much that I've got both the Audible and hardback version and I tune into her podcast pretty regularly.
So when I heard that she had a new show coming out with Amazon Prime Video, I was thrilled although I didn't really know what to expect.
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With it being an Amazon Prime Video original series, I should've really known to expect the unexpected. Backstage with Katherine Ryan pulls back the curtain and gives you a taste of the world of comedy when your favourite comedians aren't stood under the beaming stage lights with all eyes on them.
With only six episodes it's easy to fly through the show in one sitting, which is what I did alongside a number of snacks.
You see the comedians head backstage in their everyday clothes before the hair and makeup team have got to them and hear what they really talk about when we're not looking.
I found this inside look really interesting, it's revealed that Jimmy Carr is actually quite nice to people despite what you might think from his stage persona, some comedians get terribly nervous before and after their sets and you can even see a closer look at the friendships between them all.
While there are some faces you will inevitably recognise, I was introduced to some comedians I'd never seen perform before but will now be on the lookout for.
Rosie Jones is comedy gold. I'd not previously seen any of her material but between her backstage hijinks where she seems to have absolutely no boundaries embarrassing her Nish Kumar to her 'disabled voice' that she uses to 'get her own way', I was instantly hooked.
Rosie doesn't shy away from her cerebral palsy, instead she incorporates it into her comedic style which is something I've not seen represented often in stand up.
This isn't the show to watch with your family around the TV, although at times it does feel like Gogglebox: Comedy edition, particularly in the final episode.
Darren Harriott very quickly opens up about his adult circumcision backstage while Joel Dommett makes himself lactate to stop Katherine feeling embarrassed, it's the type of stuff you wouldn't expect to see but once you do you can't quite get enough of it.
You get to see Katherine work alongside writer Geoff Norcott as they come up with roasts for each comedian Katherine will be welcoming to the stage.
It's fascinating to see the working relationship between the two, with it not always seeming obvious that writers have a place behind the scenes in comedy. After seeing the two work together, I'll actively be seeking out Geoff's work from now on.
For lovers of stand up, this show is a must-watch. I was introduced to the hilarious Joanne McNally, who had me in stitches over her glasses material, Darren Harriott, who was so funny I've tracked down his older work, and Nick Mohammed who reminded me that character comedy can be just as fun as stand up.
You can watch the full series now with Amazon Prime Video here, I'll be impatiently waiting for season two.
