'I used to struggle with silliness...'

Susie McCabe picks her comedy favouritess

Edinburgh Fringe comedian Susie McCabe shares her Perfect Playlist.

The Blues Brothers

I watched this when I was about 10 years old and it completely assaulted my senses. I laughed so hard, however it also introduced me to a world of music I had never heard before:Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles… it’s ridiculous how much talent is in one film.

John Belushi is tremendous, as is Dan Ackroyd. However there is something about Belushi that just makes me laugh. He is the absolute clown in this. and Ackroyd plays it great straight. Still one of my go-to films.

The Golden Girls

The Golden Girls is something that brings me comfort and happy memories.Friday nights as a kid sat watching four women in Florida live in their bungalow: Jokes, characters and cheesecake.

They are pretty kitsch now, however the programme doesn’t get recognised for so many issues it dealt with back in the day. Who doesn’t want to visit St. Olaf?

The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer

The red and blue covered VHS tapes of utter daftness. The one thing I used to struggle with is as a comedian was silliness and daftness. I went back and watched these again and howled all over again – the nonsense and physicality of these two is just funny. It made me realise we can all be silly - but to get silly so right is incredible hard.

The characters are amazing. The pinpoint accuracy in what they are portraying is outstanding and it still makes me laugh like a drain while I sing a song about cottage cheese.

Classic Connolly

This collection of audio by Billy Connolly is a masterclass in comedy. Every time I listen to it, I laugh at a bit I have never heard.

As it’s audio only, it actually feels like a live gig in your living room more than watching it. The picture-painting and scene-setting is incredible. You need to listen intently and let your brain go on his journey through the joke. It’s raw and pure and wonderful.

[The clip below isn't from the record, but an early TV appearance...]

Alan Partridge

Alan Partridge is genuinely one of the greatest character acts ever. The thing is we all know a Partridge; Partridge 100 per centt exists in Britain and he could only ever be made in this country by this country. The social parameters of our society and his ridiculousness is what makes it an absolute joy. It’s never not funny.

Derry Girls

This programme rang so many bells for me. The music, the fashion, the friendship and kinship of the main characters and Catholicism. It’s all there. Growing up in Glasgow with the backdrop of sectarianism it would strike a chord.

The writing in this was different level funny and the development of the characters through life at such a pivotal part in history was great. Also, we all need a sister Michael in our lives.

‘Shall we pray, Sister Michael?’
‘God no, what use would that do’