TV comedy has lost its flavour
Theo Weedon bemoans bland formats – and bland comedians
06/07/2011 … Comedy in the UK has become a monster.
Latest 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.
Wed 06 July 2011
Tue 05 July 2011
Stewart Lee's comedy has no future
Joe Daniels considers a stand-up hero
05/07/2011 … Stewart Lee is widely considered the best comedian working today, and while this claim is swiftly dispatched by his detractors, it is precisely this divisiveness…
Yes I've seen Jim Tavare... but he made no lasting impression
'Sid Bowfin' hits back at plagiarism claims
05/07/2011 … My name is Adrian Garratt.
Fri 01 July 2011
What theatre could learn from comedy
Charlie Baker on taking a gamble
01/07/2011 … This coming Edinburgh (my eighth if you count the four I did as a precocious 11-15 year old) I am independently presenting my play Wedding Band, at the Gilded Balloon.
Thu 30 June 2011
A matter of opinion
Tony Cowards didn't realise who would be reading his criticism...
30/06/2011 … What follows is a warning to any comedian who readily airs their opinions on internet forums.
Wed 29 June 2011
Anger is an energy
Ted Shiress on channelling his bitterness
29/06/2011 … All comics have a particular personality trait which they magnify a hundred times then use as the cornerstone of their act.
Tue 28 June 2011
GK Chesterton, he knew his comedy
The writer thought humour was the key to the serious, says Ian Ker
28/06/2011 … Everybody who knows anything about the writer G.
Fri 24 June 2011
Original sin?
Paul James asks if anyone really cares about plagiarism?
24/06/2011 … ‘If you're going to lick the icing off somebody else's cake you won't be nourished and it won't do you any good.