© Creative by Wren Parody songs: The lowest of the low?
Harriet Braine would beg to differ
23/09/2016 … The parody song is a much-derided medium in the comedy paintbox.
2016 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.
Fri 23 September 2016
© Creative by Wren Tue 20 September 2016
Gazza's joke was crass - but he shouldn't have been fined
Martin Walker says free speech should trump offence
20/09/2016 … Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has been fined for telling a racist joke on stage.
Mon 19 September 2016
Is the Edinburgh Fringe racist?
Chris O'Neill says black acts are VERY underrepresented
19/09/2016 … So just how committed to being racist is the Edinburgh Fringe? How hostile, in particular, to black British acts?Clearly this is a preposterous idea.
Wed 14 September 2016
© Bryony Jameson Free thinking needs to change on the Fringe
Joe Hollingworth tells you this for nothing....
14/09/2016 … ‘Sorry, we’re going to see another show that starts in 10 minutes…’ ‘We’ve got a table booked for 7:30.
Sun 11 September 2016
How straight white male line-ups are comedy death
Brendon Burns says clubs need to diversify
11/09/2016 … Yesterday, Chortle reported how Bethany Black was turned down for a gig because the promoter felt there were too many women on the bill.
Thu 08 September 2016
How comedy causes – and eases – my anguish
One stand-up's frank admission
08/09/2016 … The other day, while in conversation with my long-term partner, I made a flippant comment about how we all think about killing ourselves.
Fri 02 September 2016
The real heroes of comedy
Scott Bennett hails the partners of stand-ups
02/09/2016 … When people ask me why I do stand-up, I find it easy to answer.
Mon 29 August 2016
What comedy and variety can learn from wrestling
Mat Ricardo's 1,300 words of reality
29/08/2016 … Recently, I was watching some pro-wrestling.