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.
© BBC/Colin Hutton Steve Bennett on the reaction to Ben Elton's sitcom
10/05/2016 … The BBC launched a major new sitcom last night… let’s see what the newspapers verdict was.
Ariane Sherine's continuing adventures in stand-up
05/05/2016 … This week, I wrote a short routine which I was really happy with.
Mat Ricardo's monthly dispatch from the variety circuit
04/05/2016 … This month brought the return of Britain's Got Talent, which, as we all know, is a shiny-floored, over-lit sausage machine that transforms the fame-hungry into the…
© Bryony Jameson Joe Hollingworth on a unique festival experience
24/04/2016 … ‘Business business business business business business business business business business business business business business business business business business…
Gareth Entwistle remembers a comedy great
21/04/2016 … I can remember the specific time that I first ‘got’ comedy.
From fellow/rival Edinburgh promoter Bob Slayer
13/04/2016 … An open letter to Karen Koren, artistic director of Edinburgh's Gilded Balloon,When I first read the news that the Gilded Balloon were taking over a Free Festival…
Ariane Sherine's adventures in stand-up
04/04/2016 … Let me introduce myself.
18/03/2016 … This week a new drama about autism starts on BBC One, The A Word.
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