There's no such thing as canned laughter
...but a laugh track is different, Michael J. Buchanan-Dunne explains
09/03/2015 … Good sitcoms are ruined by ‘canned laughter’.
2015 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.
Mon 09 March 2015
Fri 06 March 2015
Why I'm joining Equity
And all other comedians should too, says Paul Ricketts
06/03/2015 … Comedians (me especially), love to moan – in cars, onstage, backstage, on Twitter & Facebook, Chortle and most recently at meetings.
Thu 05 March 2015
Embrace the niche
Kate Fox on how she avoided chasing the mainstream
05/03/2015 … I make my living as a performance poet but stand-up comedy is my first love.
Fri 13 February 2015
You're hired!
Lorcan Mullan on who should take a top telly job
13/02/2015 … It's the question on everyone's lips.
Wed 11 February 2015
© Idil Sukan £450 for a photoshoot? Let me put you in the picture..
Idil Sukan on the economies of publicity shots
11/02/2015 … A huge Edinburgh production company is budgeting £450 for their photoshoots.
Mon 09 February 2015
International comedy is harder than Eddie Izzard says
09/02/2015 … An interview with Eddie Izzard in The Guardian last week was a great testimony to his commendable efforts to demonstrate that comedy can cross borders between cultures…
Fri 06 February 2015
If you're not funny,you're nuts
By Joe Deez, who was punched on stage by an open spot
06/02/2015 … Most comedians choose this career to make people laugh.
Wed 04 February 2015
Which side are you on in the war against satire?
Alan Varley is disappointed by one leftie liberal
04/02/2015 … This week, The Independent published a column by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown headlined 'Political satire is funny, but it also causes cynicism and apathy'.