| Beat The Frog World Series 2004 | - Date: Mon 25 Oct
- Venue: The Frog and Bucket, Oldham Street
- Roll of honour:
First - Peter Von Natzmer
Second - Dave Longley
Third - Andy Smith and The White Chris Rock
|
I gave it a go on Monday... Having caught two thirds of the Unbroadcastable Radio Show at the Comedy Store, I dashed across the town centre to catch the end of the final of Beat the Frog World Series 2004 at the Frog and Bucket (it's quite a dash). Both were sell out shows, which is testament to the how big and busy the comedy festival has become.
 | | Dave Longley with Lee Martin |
The atmosphere was electric with nearly 300 people gathered to see and vote for their favourite amateur act. The standard was very very high, after four weeks worth of heats, with a lot of croaking it and beating the frog, took forty starters down to the eight who got to perform for seven minutes each. The mad dash meant I only got to see the last two acts, the headliner and the winners crowned. The audience were fantastic and contributed to what will be a memorable night for all acts, even if they did not win - this really was about the taking part.
 | | Jason Jay Whitehead |
Whilst everyone waited for the votes to be counted, headliner Jason Jay Whitehead, a Canadian comic whose transatlantic observations really helped to add to the World Series title, entertained the masses. His was a side splitting set, so much so that the audience didn't want him to leave. It seemed Whitehead agreed, as he did not want to leave the stage when his time was up! It was a fantastic performance that helped everyone forget the tense atmosphere of the vote tallying. Compare for the night was Dan Nightingale also helped, but then he is a comic talent so hot, he is nearly on fire.
 | | Andy Smith and The White Chris Rock |
Then came the moment of truth and, in true competition style, the winners were announced in reverse order... In joint third place, Andy Smith and The White Chris Rock took the applause with massive grins. In second place, Dave Longley came close but no cigar. But the winner was Peter Von Natzmer, and judging by the cheers that accompanied his crowning, the German comic was a popular choice even for those who hadn't cast their vote his way. | 
