American comedy rules!
But how did it get to be, asks Dave Bailey
17/06/2013 … I grew up on a diet of British comedy that consisted mostly of BBC Two and Channel 4 shows such as Red Dwarf, Bottom, Father Ted, Spaced and Black Books.
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.
Mon 17 June 2013
Fri 14 June 2013
The new New Act Award awards
Gareth Morinan announces his own winners
14/06/2013 … Is it time to call time on new act competitions? The answer is… probably not, so long as everyone is aware of what they actually mean.
Wed 12 June 2013
Has Ricky Gervais lost it?
He's become an insufferable twonk, says Stuart Thompson
12/06/2013 … ‘Chris, why don’t you fuck off?’.
Mon 10 June 2013
Got The Nine O'Clock Blues
Alan Varley sees a hole in the Friday night TV schedule
10/06/2013 … Some comedy fans who were around before the alternative comedy revolution may think themselves as urbane, enlightened, liberal people who rejected the racism,…
Wed 05 June 2013
The rules for a perfect comedy room
...and why OWEN NIBLOCK wants to break them
05/06/2013 … I read with interest Alan Varley’s Correspondence piece about stand-up breaking out of the usual venues, as I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about…
Sat 01 June 2013
Let's break out of this niche
Alan Varley imagines where comedy could go
01/06/2013 … Have you seen any live comedy in the last few months? If you have think about where and when you saw it and I’ll use my psychic powers to try to work it out.
Fri 31 May 2013
The philosophy of comedy...
31/05/2013 … Christ this is a ludicrous title for an article.
Thu 30 May 2013
If Facebook can ban violent misogyny, comedy can
Dave Cohen wants rape gags to go the way of racist ones
30/05/2013 … This week a small group of determined women achieved a remarkable victory, forcing Facebook to acknowledge that violent misogyny would no longer be acceptable on…