Comedy makes us suffer better
Amanda Miller on the power of her artform
08/08/2017 … Finding what’s funny about painful experiences is what helps me get through life.
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.
Tue 08 August 2017
Mon 07 August 2017
When comedy is not just comedy
...and does that add or subtract from the humour, asks Alice Fraser
07/08/2017 … Aren't you just meant to be funny? As a comedian, isn't that the whole point of it? There’s a strange parallel snobbery in comedy - where the ‘just…
Sun 06 August 2017
Is the J-word taboo?
Marcus Monroe says everyone shies away from saying what he is: a juggler
06/08/2017 … I am a professional juggler and that's destroying my career as a professional juggler.
Sat 05 August 2017
Why US sitcoms are better than British ones
05/08/2017 … I know everything about the art and craft of sitcom on both sides of the Atlantic.
Fri 04 August 2017
Comedians HAVE to embrace online if they want to be a success
04/08/2017 … I often hear people say: ‘online is the future’ – a phrase I often laugh at, as online is well and truly the present.
Thu 03 August 2017
In the comfort zone
Mat Ricardo on the solace he gets from performing
03/08/2017 … I was once doing a long contract at a variety theatre in a small German town called Bad Oeynhausen.
Alternative Edinburgh
Nathan Willcock offers a guide to shows that don't exist... yet
03/08/2017 … Jimmy Tiff: The Error Of My Wazz Fascinating stories from a consistently excellent comic.
Wed 02 August 2017
Comedy embraces its freaks... unlike acting
Rachel Jackson on the differences between the two worlds
02/08/2017 … I never in a million years thought I'd try stand-up comedy, let alone ever be referred to as a stand-up comedian.