Stoph Demetriou: The Dunning-Kruger Effect

It would be all too easy to review a show about the Dunning-Kruger effect, the psychological theory in which people with low intelligence perceive themselves as much smarter than they are, by stating that the performer himself suffers from the same delusion. Especially when the show itself comes to the same conclusion, albeit with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Stoph Demetriou, however, is too talented a filmmaker to have low cognitive ability – it is just a shame it doesn’t translate to his comedy show about the affliction.

Much of the show takes place on a TV screen with several of Demetriou’s pre-recorded sketches, including a '70s cop show called ‘Law of the Land’ in which the standup plays the role of embittered detective Frank Law. There's a comedy course for beginners that ends in a lynch mob, and his own dealings with his agent stating his intentions for the show.

It’s all very slick and Demetriou seems more at ease in front of the camera than in front of an audience. His nervous energy when live treads on some decent punch lines and there’s a heavy reliance on over-emphasised swear words in lieu of actual jokes. But you can’t help but marvel at the sheer number of man-hours that must have gone into the creation of this multimedia show. Said time might have been better spent honing his stagecraft.