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.
Turn off Twitter for an hour and get creative, says Sally Holloway
01/02/2012 … What’s the secret of good comedy writing? A perfectly attuned comic brain that can twist every new concept they come across? Natural genius? An inherent sense…
Iain Todd says modern comedy owes a lot to Bob
31/01/2012 … Billy Connolly has been named the UK's most influential stand-up comic of all time, but I'd like to suggest someone else.
Yianni Agisilaou has a dream...
27/01/2012 … This year, in the fourth week of August, an event both usual and unusual will occur.
Matt Price is accused of causing offense
25/01/2012 … I didn’t know I was racist until someone white, middle class and who has probably never faced prejudice pointed it out to me last night.
Chris Hallam on the double act
18/01/2012 … What is the secret of a great comedy double act? Should any comic starting out on their career feel obliged to emulate Mitchell and Webb, French and Saunders or…
What's wrong with the Northern Irish scene? Nothing much, says Ciaran Bartlett
17/01/2012 … They’ve painted over all the graffiti in the tiny dressing room.
James McLaughlin despairs of the live scene
13/01/2012 … Northern Ireland has recently developed itself a bona fide burgeoning comedy scene, based in Belfast.
John Fleming asks... Peter Buckley Hill replies
03/01/2012 … A lot of performers at the Edinburgh Fringe are there simply to get publicity, not to get big audiences.
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