John Gordillo: F**konomics

“May I recommend Jim Jeffries, ladies? Very sensitive, very erudite” calls John Gordillo after two middle-aged women as they trot out of the venue, affronted by his reference to “cum-guzzling sluts”. They’ve completely missed the point he’s making – mocking the porn-generated myth of female sexual availability – and if it’s casual misogyny you’re after, you won’t find it in Gordillo’s act. On the contrary, Gordillo boldly defies the supposed trend of ‘New Offenders’ in male stand-up to discuss ‘fuckonomics’, a term which can be broadly described as the numerous sacrifices and unspoken compromises that are made through sex and relationships.

Gordillo’s determination to stick rigidly to his theme is the sole stumbling block that drags down what is otherwise an hour’s worth of amusing, poignant and thought-provoking material. Nonetheless, the comic’s exploration of his relationship with his step-daughter – often infuriating, always funny – is worth the ticket price alone. As the show progresses, the awkward, reluctantly paternal Gordillo moves from referring to the 14 year old as, “a fucktard” or “a hormonal, Old Testament God,” to the realisation that he does want to attempt to be a decent father figure.

Occasionally, Gordillo’s observations come out sounding like slightly less trite versions of Carrie Bradshaw’s Sex and the City ramblings - “sex is this animal thing and yet the consequences are social”. But Fuckonomics is still a valuable show, because here is a comedian who can still tell a brilliantly filthy sex joke whilst maintaining an honest portrayal of relationships between men and women.