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.
Chortle editor Steve Bennett's notes on this year's Edinburgh Fringe
16/08/2021 … It’s been a week since Nicola Sturgeon reluctantly, it seemed, relaxed social distancing rules indoors and allowed Edinburgh Fringe venues to operate at full…
Comedy poet Robert Garnham reminisces about his previous festival accommodation
09/08/2021 … Someone the other day called me an Edinburgh Fringe veteran, and that was very nice of them, unless they meant that I'm old.
It's an impossible call, writes Steve Bennett
19/07/2021 … The Soho Theatre faced an almost impossible dilemma in deciding whether to book comedian Chris McGlade for a second run.
Sebastian Bloomfield tries to sell a Non-Fungible Token of his material
18/06/2021 … Non-Fungible Tokens, or NFTs, have dominated the news headlines recently due to both their somewhat inexplicable worth coupled with their apparent intangibility…
Chortle editor Steve Bennett on the Jennifer Saunders 'culture war' row
16/06/2021 … Time was when The Sun would have hated alternative comedy and all it stood for, banishing traditional gags about Irishmen, mothers-in-law and the poofs to the dustbin…
© OmarMedinaFilms/Pixabay Academic Lucy Rayfield on why comedy is important in times of crisis
30/05/2021 … Most of us have needed a good laugh over the last 12 months.
© Warner Media By social interaction professor Elizabeth Stoko
30/05/2021 … The Friends reunion has undoubtedly been one of the biggest TV events of the year so far.
...and what is it they can't say, asks Robin Ince
25/05/2021 … One of the great tricks of the powerful is to hold all the power while also playing the part of the oppressed.
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