Isn’t the title Advice you Shouldn’t Need a slight contradiction? I mean, Elsbury is handing it out anyways, regardless of whether one needs it or not. And it’s true. I didn’t really need it. Not that it mattered. It’s funnier that we’re laughing about people who do require these blatantly obvious observations of everyday life. We’re all in it together, laughing at middle Australia.

The guidance dished out by Elsbury falls somewhere between pub-chat banter and satirical comedy. At times some of the jokes feel like they had more in them, or that they weren’t delivered as cleanly or as cleverly as they could have been. He was onto something, though sometimes just missed the mark. Some struck a notable chord, and there were a few topical one-liners thrown in for good measure which the crowd appreciated, illustrating that Elsbury is smart enough to know his audience.

The show suffers from clunky usage of the iPhone ‘prop’ whose use dictated the success of a couple of gags. At times it was reminiscent of conversations with someone half-talking to me, and half-playing with their ‘Mobsters’ application. Maybe a subtle foot pedal or small hand-held remote could substitute to ensure a better flow to the show. All in all however, it was a fun romp through the warnings, suggestions and instructions that should come packaged with life and all its obstacles.