© OmarMedinaFilms/Pixabay Laughing through lockdown
Academic Lucy Rayfield on why comedy is important in times of crisis
30/05/2021 … Most of us have needed a good laugh over the last 12 months.
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.
Sun 30 May 2021
© OmarMedinaFilms/Pixabay 
© Warner Media How Friends got laughs by twisting the rules of conversation
By social interaction professor Elizabeth Stoko
30/05/2021 … The Friends reunion has undoubtedly been one of the biggest TV events of the year so far.
Tue 25 May 2021
Who are these comedians getting cancelled?
...and what is it they can't say, asks Robin Ince
25/05/2021 … One of the great tricks of the powerful is to hold all the power while also playing the part of the oppressed.
Mon 24 May 2021
The Zoom tomb
Ben Heal will not be mourning the end of online comedy gigs
24/05/2021 … As venues reopen, maybe now we’ll finally be rid of the troublesome Zoom version of stand-up, the worst substitute since 1985’s New Coke.
Wed 12 May 2021
Neil Innes: The Fab Fool
12/05/2021 … Writing comedy history non-fiction to get rich is like cosplaying as a slug to get laid, but there are many good reasons for devoting your life to the pursuit: celebrating…
Tue 06 April 2021
© C4 Why we made Frank Of Ireland - even though it was male-dominated
Executive producer Clelia Mountford on Channel 4's new comedy
06/04/2021 … Next week Channel 4 launches Frank Of Ireland, a new comedy about ‘a misanthropic, narcissistic, fantasist in arrested development who thinks the world owes…
Tue 16 March 2021
© Andy Hollingworth Status symbolism
Adam Bloom on how the Americans love a winner, and Brits love a loser
16/03/2021 … A few years ago I was backstage at the Comedy Store in London.
Tue 23 February 2021
How being a bit disabled informs my comedy
23/02/2021 … I’ve been a comedian for nearly four years now but I’ve been making jokes about myself and my condition my whole life.