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.
Dave Cohen sings the praises of Alexei Sayle
11/07/2008 … Okay, you’re reading this now, which by my reckoning makes you either a comedian, or you want to be a comedian, or you work in the industry, or you’re a fan,…
Jools Gregg wants some respect
26/06/2008 … Comedy writer: Comedicus Writicus, RSI sufferer and backwards cousin that no one likes to talk about…What is it about this reclusive creature that has the comic…
Richard O. Smith on his unusual gigs
23/06/2008 … I’m probably Britain’s only stand-up comedian who mainly works mornings and early afternoons.
It's not just getting paid that makes a comic a pro, says Tony Cowards
18/06/2008 … ‘Don’t give up the day job!’ In popular legend this is the heckle aimed at comics who are dying on their arse, implying that they are mere amateurs.
Hartley Pool relives his brief experience with stand-up competitions
17/06/2008 … ‘Bloody hell, I’m gonna be famous!’That’s how it felt as I stared at the letter in my still shaking hand, trying to take in the words: ‘…pleased to confirm…
A response to this article about satire
08/06/2008 … Recently a contributor to these columns wrote an article mourning the end of satire.
Michael Monkhouse on why comedy's better live
04/06/2008 … Newman and Baddiel used to have a running gag about MTV Unplugged.
Hartley Pool's experience of TV comedy commissioning
16/05/2008 … In the winter of 2003, for no apparent reason, I suddenly decided I was the greatest comic genius ever known to man.
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