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.
Top tweeter Robin Flavell does a real gig
25/04/2013 … Every now and then it's good to do something dumb and dangerous to remind yourself that you're alive; vote Liberal Democrat, get a night bus through West Norwood,…
Adrian Thompson thinks comedy circuit has been good to him
19/04/2013 … Like anyone born with generously-sized ears that stick-out, crooked teeth and little-to-no sporting ability, the school years were a breeze for me.
It's all about market forces, argues Ray Davis
18/04/2013 … I read with interest Dave Cohen’s latest contribution to Chortle about comedians joining a union, and while I respect his years of experience within the business…
15/04/2013 … I was considering my comedy career recently; and concluded that I think too much like an employee rather than an entrepreneur.
Tim Renkow wants comics to think more about mental illness
11/04/2013 … I was at an open mic night, recently, watching a plethora of middle-class white people trying to be edgy with poorly thought-out jokes about race, rape, child abuse,…
Ashley Frieze on the economics of being a comic
10/04/2013 … At a certain level on the comedy circuit, life revolves entirely around being on the road, quite literally.
Alan Varley has a beef about British satire
09/04/2013 … In December 2009, as an unlikely battle for the Christmas No 1 was waged, Charlie Brooker wrote an article in which he clearly came down on the side of Killing In…
Comics have to work for nothing, but a union will stop exploitation, says Dave Cohen
07/04/2013 … Are you following me on Twitter? Have you read any articles by me on this website? Did you see me at one of the 30 or so gigs last year where I was trying out stuff…
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