Where is the love?
Stephen Drayton wonders why comedy has to be so dark?
01/07/2009 … I've recently returned to stand up comedy.
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 01 July 2009
Tue 30 June 2009
Avoiding the issue
Ivor Dembina on why Jewish comedy is in retreat
30/06/2009 … I hadn’t yet read Simcha Weinstein’s book Shtick Shift: Jewish Humour in the 21st Century but, after reading the review on Chortle, I already felt ill-disposed…
Sun 28 June 2009
The last word on Michael Jackson gags
From ‘man in the pub’ Mark Randall
28/06/2009 … I best start by explaining that I am not a comedian but merely a fan of stand up comedy.
Fri 26 June 2009
Why it's OK to laugh at Michael Jackson's death
26/06/2009 … As Luke Fox thundered on this site earlier today, people have been responding instantly to famous deaths with jokes since Henry VIII.
Leave off the Michael Jackson jokes
26/06/2009 … There can only be one answer to the death of the king of pop at 50 years old: shock.
Tue 23 June 2009
I'm proud to talk about being Italian
...but I hope I'm no stereotype, says Giacinto Palmieri
23/06/2009 … Dan Brader raised a very interesting question in his Correspondents article Be Yourself, Not A National Stereotype.
'So, where you from?'
Be yourself, not a national stereotype, says Dan Brader
23/06/2009 … I'm originally from New Zealand.
Fri 19 June 2009
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.