Joel Creasey: Blonde Bombshell (MICF)

Kicking off with a five-minute video of TV and media appearances, it's apparent from the outset that Joel Creasey's Blonde Bombshell isn't an exercise in modesty. Of course, Creasey should be damn proud of his recent achievements - interviewing Cher at Mardi Gras, performing with Carrie Fisher in Montreal to name but two - but this latest stand-up show quickly falls short of anything other than not so humblebragging.

It isn't that Creasey's bitchy format doesn't work for stand-up, per se. But his gossipy and bullying schtick just becomes tiresome before the halfway mark. What could (and probably should) be a searing indictment on the modern obsession with celebrity and pop culture comes off as fame-mongering and frankly lazy joke writing.

Creasey does occasionally turn the light on himself, leading to the self-deprecating moments of the show that offer some redemption. But the balance still feels off. He is obviously willing to put himself on show, and it's in these moments where he is definitely at his funniest, so it's a disappointment, more than anything, that he does not do it more.

Creasey clearly has a devout fanbase and will continue to see success as he goes down this road. However, in attempting to follow in the footsteps of his idol and mentor Joan Rivers, his childish playground ribbing falls flat. Creasey has shown plenty of hilarious heart and compassion in past shows, but here he's indulging in too much of a bad thing.

Joel Creasey presents Blond Bombshell until 22 Apr at Arts Centre Melbourne, part of the 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.