Mind your language...
Katy Shaw on the linguistics of comedy
14/01/2011 … EB White said something to the tune of: ‘Analysing comedy is like dissecting a frog.
2011 Opinions
Chortle's Opinions section is an arena for fans to share their views on any aspect of comedy.
We invite general comment pieces about particular aspects of the comedy scene (although reviews of individual shows or performers tend not to be suited to this section except in very rare circumstances). Contributions should be at least 500 words in length, in a similar tone to something you might read in a broadsheet newspaper, and emailed to steve@chortle.co.uk
We reserve the right to edit pieces – although we will be careful not to change the meaning of anything – or not to use them at all. By submitting an article you grant Chortle indefinite licence to use it freely; though you retain the copyright on it to use it elsewhere.
Fri 14 January 2011
Thu 13 January 2011
Blackadder II: The perfect TV comedy?
Chris Hallam celebrates its 25th anniversary
13/01/2011 … Twenty five years ago this month, British television comedy came as close to achieving perfection as it has ever done before or since.
Wed 12 January 2011
Did the BBC get starstruck?
Gary Napier offers a theory to where Episodes went wrong
12/01/2011 … I was really looking forward to Episodes, even after the cheesy Matt Le Blanc head-turn in the promotional trailer – I know they have to maximise audience figures.
Tue 11 January 2011
Unfortunate Episodes
James Cook is already no fan of Matt LeBlanc's new sitcom
11/01/2011 … Episodes premiered on BBC Two last night, with a dream-team of acting and writing talent aboard.
Fri 07 January 2011
Why does comedy always have to be funny?
Dave Cohen calls for a return to pathos
07/01/2011 … Something wonderful and magical has vanished from the world of comedy.
Thu 06 January 2011
Pretty funny... for a woman
Taylor Glenn writes another of those 'sexism in comedy' articles...
06/01/2011 … I should start by saying that I sigh, rather deeply, when I see the myriad of articles about ‘Being A Woman In Comedy’ that get shared to their social network…
Wed 05 January 2011
My greatest Christmas present
Bob Slayer is heartened by Kunt And The Gang's chart success
05/01/2011 … In 2009, off the back of a huge Facebook campaign, Rage Against The Machine caused one of the biggest shocks in UK chart history when they stopped X Factor from…
Call this a gig?
Diane Spencer on terrible comedy venues
05/01/2011 … The professional stage lights remained unlit, as they were reserved for music gigs or, as the pink tie-wearing venue manager put it, ‘real gigs’.