You don't have to be arrogant and bitchy to be a stand-up
...but it helps, says Sean Mason
19/06/2009 … The other day, my friend Sally said she worried about what becoming a comedian would do to her as a person.
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.
Fri 19 June 2009
Wed 17 June 2009
The night I came back from the dead
New comic Rhys Jones recalls his scariest gig
17/06/2009 … Early this month I was given the opportunity to do my first headline spot and, subsequently, my first paid gig.
Tue 16 June 2009
The value of 'free'
Free Festival organiser Alex Petty hits back at criticsm
16/06/2009 … There is enough ill thought-out material in new act Denis Krasnov’s article Why Free Means Worthless At The Edinburgh Fringe that it could be stretched out to…
Mon 15 June 2009
Why 'free' means 'worthless'
Denis Krasnov on the Fringe expansion
15/06/2009 … I was walking down Fleet Street the other day and there were two guys dressed as clowns giving away something.
Fri 12 June 2009
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for your headliner... Cicero
Dave Rymer on the Ancient Roman's contribution to comedy
12/06/2009 … The name Marcus Tullius Cicero is one that, irrespective of how many comedy DVDs or books you buy, you are unlikely to see listed as an influence in terms of a comic’s…
Take my BNP joke... please!
Ray Kane is in a sharing mood...
12/06/2009 … I'm currently three and a half years into a comedy career and as anyone on the circuit will tell you, that's nothing at all.
Tue 09 June 2009
Why no comedy contest is ever fair
09/06/2009 … There is an ever increasing number of comedy contests across the UK.
© BBC Great comedy? Not any more
James Smyth says the 'classics' just aren't that funny...
09/06/2009 … Isaac Newton was a genius, no doubt about it.