Scared scriptless
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.
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 16 May 2008
Wed 14 May 2008
Prime suspect
Stand-up Steve Day on his run-in with the law
14/05/2008 … There are many hazards in the life of a gigging comedian, not just eating bad food from motorway services and getting a fat face.
Mon 12 May 2008
Movie madness
Michael Monkhouse on why films are bad for comedy
12/05/2008 … I was chuffed to read Armando Iannucci's back with Steve Coogan.
Wed 07 May 2008
Facing the Fringe
Liam Mullone strikes a pose... then starts fretting about it
07/05/2008 … Nothing says commitment to performing at the Edinburgh Fringe like paying for an advert in the Fringe programme – especially when only the most absorbed comedy…
Tue 06 May 2008
The truth about 'gag hags’
Stand-up Andrew Watts on the link beween comedy and sex
06/05/2008 … We were waiting offstage while the MC bantered with the audience.
Fri 02 May 2008
'It's all worked out very well... I'd been in a real rut'
James Randall interviews Stewart Lee
02/05/2008 … How's the tour been going? Its been going really well, I gave up stand up for a few years, then I started again.
Tue 29 April 2008
A word to the hecklers...
Comic Brian Damage says what he really thinks of you
29/04/2008 … I’ve got no time for most hecklers.
Mon 28 April 2008
Confessions of a Gong Show addict
Why comic Hartley Pool keeps going back for more
28/04/2008 … If you’ve ever taken a day off work to travel to London and perform in the Comedy Store’s King Gong competition with only two stand-up gigs to your name, then…