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.
© Peggy_Marco/Pixabay Says creative writing lecturer Christina Thatcher
10/02/2021 … As a child, I remember laughing out loud while reading Shel Silverstein’s poetry book A Light in the Attic (1981).
© BBC The comic has brought a quirky sense of verve and fun, says Steve Bennett
08/02/2021 … Radio 4’s comedy output is, by necessity, pretty conservative – especially in the prestigious 6.
© Yuri_B/Pixabay Ben Heal makes a case for jokes in dubious taste
02/02/2021 … '75,000 died in the UK,' Frankie Boyle said on his TV review of 2020.
© zoetnet / Flickr Maybe, but it's unlikely to be business as usual, says Steve Bennett
24/01/2021 … Will the Edinburgh Fringe go ahead this year? That is literally the £1billion question based on some economic analysis of the festival’s contribution…
Beth Johnson on why the reboot needs to look beyond white wealthy heterosexual sex
22/01/2021 … When Sex and the City first aired in 1998, its depictions of female sexuality were frank, exciting and deliciously new.
But Simon Minty says humour shows pride and confidence
07/01/2021 … I have funny bones in reality, as I have a disability that is muscular skeletal, so I have differently shaped bones.
Stewart Lee on his campaign to get to No 1 with Asian Dub Foundation
28/12/2020 … Move over Miley Cyrus and tell Ed Sheeran the news.
BBC comedy chief Shane Allen on why the Corporation set up a Comedy Association
14/12/2020 … British comedy is one of our greatest cultural triumphs exported the world over; from Chaplin to Fleabag it’s something we’re exceptional at.
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