An alternative view of alternative comedy
03/02/2009 … Thirty years ago, the comedy landscape of Britain was transformed forever.
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.
Tue 03 February 2009
Fri 30 January 2009
Advice for new stand-ups
Competition entrant Peter Merrett shares his experiences
30/01/2009 … I wrote the following advice for a friend due to do his first stand-up gig at the Laughing Horse new act competition, which I entered two years ago:If you don't…
Wed 28 January 2009
A bad day for satire?
Dave Cohen doesn't think so...
28/01/2009 … I’ve been reading a lot of articles recently, informing me that the conclusion of the Presidency of George W.
Mon 26 January 2009
What is offensive?
It depends on who's listening, says Dave Rymer
26/01/2009 … Offensive humour, or at least the public perception of offensive humour, appears to have changed remarkably over the last year from being in the vicinity of dead…
Tue 20 January 2009
Quit while you're ahead
Glenn Reuben on milking a comedy idea too much
20/01/2009 … Ruth Jones has expressed her worry at doing a third series of Gavin and Stacey.
Fri 16 January 2009
Comedy's Kristallnacht
Richard O'Smith on 'inappropriate' subjects for jokes
16/01/2009 … This risks being a premature revelation, given there are still several months until the unfurling of Edinburgh’s 2009 Festival programme, but here goes: my proposal…
Mon 05 January 2009
Jam with a nasty taste
05/01/2009 … The world has awoken to controversy – more bloody controversy – over what a comedian said.
Have I got new for you...
Simon O'Keefe on the perils of flagging up new material
05/01/2009 … As a comedian, one of the biggest thrills I get is when I do something new on stage and it kills.