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.
Brendon Burns offers a personal tribute to Patrice O'Neal
30/11/2011 … If you’ve never heard the name Patrice O’Neal until now, may I be the first to say: ‘Fuck you where were you when he was alive?’ before you join the inevitable…
John Fleming remembers Malcolm Hardee's mum Joan
30/11/2011 … Joan Hardee, the mother of alternative comedy godfather Malcolm, was 84 when she died yesterday.
Raphael Perahia would rather perform for strangers
29/11/2011 … Friends, family, even exes have come to watch my gigs, but while on stage I always prefer the company of strangers.
Says law student Jonathan Down
28/11/2011 … Many things have been said of Frankie Boyle: offensive; rude; crude; callous; hurtful; unsympathetic; ‘comedian’ (in sarcastic air quotes, obviously) ; not very…
Garry Lee is fed up of tabloid comedy 'scandal'
26/11/2011 … Columnist Jan Moir yesterday used the pages of the Daily Mail to launch what is little short of character assassination of Jimmy Carr.
Milo McCabe on performing ironically racist gags
25/11/2011 … Earlier this year, for a video segment of my Edinburgh show, I appeared at the Comedy Store in character as Tyson Moon, the son of a Seventies comedian.
Chris Hallam says the show had had its day
23/11/2011 … Shooting Stars has been cancelled.
We see you are using AdBlocker software. Chortle relies on advertisers to fund this website so it’s free for you, so we would ask that you disable it for this site. Our ads are non-intrusive and relevant. Help keep Chortle viable.