Billy Kelly: This Is a Family Show!

by Billy Kelly

Billy Kelly's This Is a Family Show! is a stand-up comedy experience (with music) that parents and kids can enjoy together. From jokes about nocturnal animals and microwaves to Ben Franklin and people throwing turtles, the whole family will laugh along while listening to this comedian’s unique perspectives. It’s comedy toast with the crust cut off. Who needs all that crusty talk about dating, politics, and money, anyway?

Over the first two decades of his career, Grammy-nominated family entertainer Billy Kelly has opened for President Barack Obama, duetted with Davy Jones of The Monkees, and released a critically acclaimed family-friendly, stand-up comedy album - in that order. Billy loves making people laugh and doesn’t see why kids can’t be in on the fun.

Genres: Audiobook, Humor, Comedy, Nonfiction, Childrens, Plays

Audiobook

First published March 5, 2020

Reviews

[Ana Lelis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think this worked. For two reasons. Firstly, listening to a stand-up show doesn't have the same effect when you can't see the person. The comedian makes funny faces and has lots of expressions and movements that I couldn't see and enjoy. And secondly, this isn't a family show. It's meant for kids only. I, as an adult, couldn't enjoy it. The first half was really hard to listen to, the second part was ok. I laughed once. Unfortunately, I couldn't like it. But I recognize his effort and talent for creating songs too.

[Alan (on December semi-hiatus) Teder · Rating 4 out of 5]

PSA: This is a new review of a 2020 Audible Original. Due to lack of clear direction in the Goodreads Librarian Manual, some Librarians interpret audio-only books as NOT A BOOK and delete them accordingly. Based on my 2019 experience new postings and/or outlier editions of these audiobooks will appear that will allow you to restore your rating and review if you have written and saved it offline. Please be aware of this issue if you are rating and reviewing this audiobook. Follow the ongoing debate about this issue at Why Audible Originals are being considered NOT A BOOK Thank you for reading and for your consideration.

Original Review:
Good Fun Family Show
Review of the Audible Original audiobook (March 2020)

This is maybe a 3, but i'm bumping it to 4 for truth in advertising and for the lack of foul language which so many so-called comedies seem to have these days. Billy Kelly provides an excellent comedic show which truly will be enjoyed by entire families. Maybe the only downside is that the actual stand-up performance is only about 65 minutes and the final 28 minutes are simply the musical excerpts from the act repeated and recorded under studio conditions. Still, the songs are catchy and I'm sure kids (and adults) will love the humour in both the stage and studio versions.

Billy Kelly: This is a Family Show! was one of the free Audible Originals for Audible members in March 2020. It is available to everyone for a standard price.

[Cori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay for listening to with kids in the car. I got a couple chuckles from it.

I'd rate this a G.

[Ann T · Rating 2 out of 5]

My kids and I really enjoyed this while driving to a few doctors appointments this morning. But wish there was more comedy rather than all the recorded songs at the end that we had already heard in the act.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a comedy show focused at a family audience. It is often corny, but packed with genuine fun. I listened to it with my 10 year-old and she made it even funnier when she kept saying “this isn’t funny” or “I don’t get it, why are you laughing?” Overall, I enjoyed it! It’s quick and full of laughs!

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, smart, appropriate for all ages. Nothing beats a good comedy show. Covers everything from nocturnal animals to how the mouth and brain work together to being embarrassed about forgetting names after being introduced.

[Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy it as much as I hoped.
When me and my family listened to it we had no idea that it wasn't like a audio book it seemed that it was more like a recoding of a family show.

[Kristina Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very puny. I love puns.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute songs and funny jokes :)

[Tamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even for family comedy this was lame. Those songs were annoying, not funny.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

+1 because of the comedy lol

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an incredibly stupid “story” that was basically more like a child-friendly stand up comedian. Most of his show was him singing while also telling a few jokes interspersed. There are a lot of songs. The last third of the audiobook is just the author repeating each song again without the joking in between. Jokes weren’t funny and his singing was nothing special either.

[Justin Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m going to be honest, I think I may have gotten this audible original due to me not wanting to waste my choices or something. I feel like if I had a family of my own, or even young ones around me most of the time, I’d probably appreciate this title a little more then I did. I’m sure that having little kids listen in, while you listen with them makes it more enjoyable. Overall though, it came off very PG rated for the most part which can be helpful in today’s day & age.

[Jenny Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5; I’m rounding up since it was advertised as family friendly/clean and it was. Fine to listen to with the kids in the car (mine are 14 and 9). The toilet / restroom jokes are right up the 9 year old’s alley. I stopped once he started repeating the songs—they were ok in the context of the show, but I wasn’t up for them again.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened while walking the dog, waving to neighbors also walking their dogs or riding their bikes while we were practicing social distancing....we need some humor in our lives and this brightened my spirits and reminded me of how awfully lucky we have been.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I might have enjoyed this more if I had kids. Since I don’t, this was just silly. Though the listing is 1 hr 34 minutes, it’s really just one hour of stand up followed by 30 minutes of studio recordings of the exact same songs you just heard.

[Philip Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to get into the comedy but never got me laughing. I like his spunk and his willingness to put himself out there. Just not my kind of comedy

[Eli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Made me laugh at a few points, but overall not terribly funny. Definitely aimed at kids? But most of the jokes would go over their heads anyway... the audience is great in this though!

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine, forgettable for sure but fine. I was not a fan of all the music at the end either, most the songs had been in the show so it was just a waste.

[Dori Sabourin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stand-up comedy experience (with music) that parents and kids can enjoy together. From jokes about nocturnal animals and televisions to bananas and people throwing turtles, the whole family will laugh along while listening to this comedian’s unique perspectives. Have you ever been stumped by an automatic sink in a public bathroom? Don't nocturnal animals miss out on the rest of the world? What's up with repetitive birds?

Grammy-nominated family entertainer Billy Kelly has opened for President Barack Obama, duetted with Davy Jones of The Monkees, and released a critically acclaimed family-friendly, stand-up comedy album - in that order. Billy loves making people laugh and doesn’t see why kids can’t be in on the fun. He even had a young child, probably age five, join him in his act. She was a hit with the audience.

He ends his act with songs relating to his act.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible recorded a live comedy show starring Billy Kelly. He is actually funny and he keeps it clean. He does what most comedians do. He makes observations about life and how we talk. He does resort to some bathroom humor. It works. He also sings funny songs. I would have let my kids listen to this show when they were little.

I smiled throughout and even laughed a few times. It was fun.

After the show Bill Kelly repeats the songs he used in the show without the audience.

I'd listen to this show again.

[Ryan H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that this was one of the three choices in a previous month to get on audible. It’s not bad but a very quick listen. It is good wholesome fun and some of the jokes are very laugh out loud funny. The best part is when the motorcycle goes by outside or when he invites the small child to join him and tell jokes on stage. I think I was just expecting something a little different. Perhaps more like an audiobook and less like a recording of a live standup comedian show. I hope audible does more of these originals in the future.

[S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Type: a live recording of a comedy set; a performance.

I had a few chuckles (his age jokes), but most of the jokes fell flat for me. The musical comedy songs aren’t to the caliber held by Tim Minchin or Bo Burnham or Lonely Island. I would say the jokes are very much targeted towards young children. The title is more of a warning—content will be constrained to children appropriate humor.

The last 30 minutes contain the comedy songs he wrote, and only a few of them were new. The majority were ones we already heard earlier on in the actual act.

Overall wouldn’t recommend.

[sliceofmini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating this like a traditional "book" I think would be unfair , when this is more like a stand-up available as a freebie with audible subscription.

I did have some decent chuckles with this and I love how you can hear the kids enjoying the show along with the adults , reminds me of the times our whole family used to sit and watch our local game shows with their cheesy jokes.

I kinda skipped the last 30 mins because it had the songs that were played during the show but with better production.

But overall I thought this was fun for a car ride with family or as a companion for your family chores , which is what I ended up using it for

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a comedy show focused at young children. That means that it is often corny, but packed with genuine fun. It was taped in front of a live audience which added a believable laugh track to the book and allowed Billy Kelly to interact with his audience. Overall, it’s fun, and if you’re looking for something the whole family can enjoy, it’s a nice quick book full of laughs.

If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.

[Rae Gholson]

I opted not to finish this one because it really is for families - not someone in their 30s with only fur babies 😄 I suffered through about 40 minutes of it before I decided I couldn't do it. This is great for kids though. I only chose this as one of my audible originals for the month because I didn't like the other options.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was awesome!!! I downloaded this as an audible short this week. Billy Kelly is a very funny kids entertainer I had not heard of. But I loved his song and his very family friendly comedy show. It was a fun fun listen on my daily walk!!! Thank you, Billy Kelly, and Audible, for this upbeat and fun show!!!

[Alyssa Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book, not really, so that was a surprise. It is, in fact, a recording of a stand up comedy show, and is pretty funny, as well as family friendly. But the songs at the end were a little bit irritating, so I didn't actually listen to all of them. I imagine that kids would love them, though, as they remind me of the songs I drove my mom crazy with when I was a kid.

[David Doty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't really a book--it's a recorded performance of Billy Kelly, a stand-up comedian who specializes in kids' music and family-friendly comedy--but since I listened on Audible, I'll include it on my Goodreads list.

It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was clean, and an entertaining way to pass a couple of hours in the car.

[Ksorb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corny Dad jokes + interesting humorous insights + music perfect for Sesame Street. Let go of the need to be cool and just lean into the Funny. It's the perfect temporary antidote to 2020's virus, isolation, riots, politics, and meanness. "Laughter doeth good, like a medicine." [The wise King Solomon.]
Better than xanax.