2014 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.
Tue 10 June 2014
Fri 06 June 2014
Why isn't Mark Steel a huge star?
Dave Cohen pays tribute to a comic and role model
06/06/2014 … I've been thinking about the kind of role models you should be looking to if you want a career in comedy as a writer, or performer, or both.
Mon 02 June 2014
I should be on TV
02/06/2014 … I’m going to come right out and say it: I should be on the telly (or laptop, tablet or smartphone which is how a lot of telly is being viewed these days).
At least I'm not a misogynist...
Liam Mullone reveals what a great feminist he is
02/06/2014 … Obviously I am a liberal pro-feminist.
Sun 18 May 2014
'I would never introduce an act as a prostitute'
Compere Martin Besserman responds to allegations
18/05/2014 … I read Katy Truelove's article on Chortle last week about her appearance at Monkey Business, the club I run and compere in North London, and I wanted to write a…
Fri 16 May 2014
You don’t have to be mad to work here
Ashley Frieze on the insanity of the comedy circuit
16/05/2014 … I was disappointed to read on these pages of Katy Truelove’s unpleasant experience on the London open mic circuit.
Thu 15 May 2014
'I deserve better than to be introduced as a prostitute'
Katy Truelove on a terrible open-mic experience
15/05/2014 … Enough has already been written about feminism in comedy, and I never saw myself as a particular standard-bearer, but at a recent gig I was confronted with actions…
Wed 14 May 2014
The 10 stages of writing new material
14/05/2014 … Stage 1: Excitement Excitement that you’ve actually sat down to write a new joke instead of sitting in your pants, bidding online for cattle.