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.
Dave Cohen suggests that stand-ups should learn to feckin' write...
14/03/2011 … Stand-up comedy is probably the country’s fastest growth industry – maybe the only growth job at the moment apart from bailiff, census taker and unemployment…
@jacques_aih turned comedy writer, through the power of social media
11/03/2011 … I’m writing this on my PC at work while my boss’s presence looms over the department like a pinstriped wring-wraith.
Geraint Dafydd Evans on sacrificing everything for that elusive 'five'
10/03/2011 … There is one thing that I did not expect when I started doing comedy, the complete shift in my priorities.
The 'black stuff' is good for us all, says Paul Ricketts
08/03/2011 … Three weeks ago I was standing in the wings waiting to be brought on at a gig in Newcastle.
James Cook on Birmingham's stand-up scene
03/03/2011 … I've been involved with the Birmingham comedy scene for 11 years now.
Lori Gibbs shares some of her favourites
01/03/2011 … Disclaimer: the vast majority of people who talk to comedians after a show are kind, polite, warm and lovely.
Adam Baker on the slow progress of British Jewish humour on to TV
28/02/2011 … There was an excellent Channel 4 documentary seven years ago called Funny Already: A History of Jewish Comedy, that pretty much argued that if American comedy was…
Catia Cronin on the variety revival
25/02/2011 … I am Joe Bloggs.
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