He kept giving to comedy right to the end
Kev F Sutherland remembers his friend Alan Seaman, who has just died at 64
01/04/2024 … Our good friend Alan has died, unexpectedly, at the age of just 64.
2024 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 01 April 2024
Thu 07 March 2024
Comedy will always divide people - it's what it does
That's why saying 'it's just a joke' is disingenuous, says Joel Morris
07/03/2024 … Today marks the publication of Be Funny Or Die, professional comedy writer Joel Morris' comprehensive exploration of the psychological, cultural and linguistic…
Tue 27 February 2024
Why should we bother making comedy more accessible?
James Gardner thinks the industry considers disabled people an inconvenience…
27/02/2024 … Ask any comedian their ideal room to perform in and invariably they’ll describe some sort of basement setting: underground with a low ceiling and an audience…
Tue 20 February 2024
© Climate Science Breakthrough How comedy can help spread the climate change message
Scientist Mark Maslin on working with Jo Brand
20/02/2024 … 'If people like me have to get involved, you know we are in deep shit,' says Jo Brand.
Thu 15 February 2024
© Peabody Awards/CC BY-SA 2.0 How Lorne Michaels' Saturday Night Live has been minting comedy gold for nearly 50 years
by Chris Lamb of Indiana University
15/02/2024 … On April 24, 1976, Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer of the late-night NBC comedy program Saturday Night – it had not yet changed its name to Saturday…
Wed 31 January 2024
How not to do the Edinburgh Fringe
Robert Garnham shares some hard-learned lessons
31/01/2024 … Gather round, my friends, as I tell you how the Edinburgh Fringe should not be done.
Thu 25 January 2024
Why the culture war is killing comedy
By conscientious objector Becky Fury
25/01/2024 … A lot of comedians and commentators who have adopted the currently trending ‘alternative’ right position have also adopted its mantra of ‘cancel…
Wed 17 January 2024
© Netflix Dave Chappelle is a bully... when will we say enough is enough?
17/01/2024 … Dave Chappelle’s latest Netflix special, The Dreamer, opens with a story about meeting Jim Carrey, who, at the time, was method acting and portraying comedian…