Brian Logan and co-hosts talk criticism

Guardian reviewer Brian Logan has launched a new podcast about comedy criticism.

He co-hosts But Is It Funny? with comedian Suchandrika Chakrabarti, and writer Jamal Khadar.

Logan said: ‘Much of my life is spent traveling to and watching comedy alone – then arguing with myself about it in print. So I’m excited to get in a room (or a Zoom room) with two people as fascinated by the artform as I am, to talk about everything that’s happening on the frontline of comedy, and open up the conversation around who makes it, who’s it for – and who gets to decide what’s funny.’

Chakrabarti added: ‘Comedy is kind of a big deal these days; it deserves great critics and constructive criticism, just as much as the theatre, film or book industries. I'm a new comedian myself, and when researching how to build my debut hour during the last lockdown, I read reviews of past Edinburgh shows to teach me what the format could do.

‘I'm really excited to work with Jamal, Brian and the team on But Is It Funny? because we need more spaces in which to discuss comedy and its relationship to social change.’

And Khadar praised the producers, saying: 'It's a really interesting time for comedy criticism. Counterpoints Arts have picked up on people's interest in thinking more deeply about comedy and I think they have also seen the excitement about having a wider range of perspectives in comedy criticism.

'I'm really excited to get into a room with Suchandrika, Brian, and the other comedians and critics that join us. The first time we had a comedy conversation like this, we definitely all left thinking 'why don't critics do this more often?"' 

But Is It Funny? is available on Spotify, Apple and all major platforms.

• Stand-ups Catherine Bohart and Helen Bauer – who co-hosted the Chortle award-winning online comedy show Gigless over lockdown – have also launched a podcast, Trusty Hogs. Promising ‘chaotic weekly catchups and life lessons’, the show will feature guests will includinf Fern Brady, Sophie Duker, Alison Spittle and Olga Koch. It launched yesterday.

Published: 1 Oct 2021