How street performing got me punched in the mouth
But it'll take more than that to keep Mat Ricardo from the job
04/06/2018 … I have, on the left side of my bottom lip, as it touches my teeth, a little bump.
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
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Mon 04 June 2018
Mon 07 May 2018
Should I give my all to stand-up?
Comic William Bradbury wonders if he shouldn't be doing other things...
07/05/2018 … Before stand-up, I wanted to be a writer.
Fri 27 April 2018
Umpah Umpah, stick it up your jumper!
Where DID that come from? Mat Ricardo investigates
27/04/2018 … A couple of weeks ago, I was on holiday (I had a delightful time, thank you for asking), and, one afternoon, probably after multiple negronis, one of us, for god…
Thu 05 April 2018
'There are a lot of reasons to be bitter as a working-class comic'
Lee Kyle on his jealously of the middle-class safety net, and how he's trying to redress the balance
05/04/2018 … Every year, when I turn up at the Edinburgh Fringe, I see massive posters for shows by comedians that I, nor anyone else I encounter, has ever done a gig with, or…
Tue 03 April 2018
Burlesque for kids?
Mat Ricardo hopes there can be variety without nudity
03/04/2018 … Occasionally, when I'm talking to a new person, and we're talking about what we do, and where we work, and I mention in passing that one of the many places…
Sun 01 April 2018
Comedians to be licensed by the government
Watchdog to combat sick jokes online
01/04/2018 … • This was an April Fool's joke – at least for now – which we ran on the appropriate day.
Tue 13 March 2018
Green room etiquette
Stand-up Sonia Aste offers a guide for rookies
13/03/2018 … I visit a lot of green rooms doing stand-up.
Mon 12 March 2018
'Comedy for him was never a weapon; it was always a tonic'
Entertainment writer Graham McCann pays tribute to Ken Dodd
12/03/2018 … Today was the first time in my life that Ken Dodd made me cry instead of smile.