Gig review by Steve Bennett in Manchester

09/11/2016 … Often in new act finals, there’s an obvious cut-off point between genuine contenders and the rest – even if that top tier is just one comedian wide.

Hot Water comedian of 2016 final

Gig review by Steve Bennett in Liverpool

09/11/2016 … The bland function room of a Holiday Inn isn’t the most promising venue for a comedy night, but it’s the crowd who made the gig in Liverpool last night.

Al Murray: Let's Go Backwards Together

Gig review by Steve Bennett at the Waterside Theatre, Aylsebury

04/11/2016 … You might have though Brexit would be a godsend for the Pub Landlord, prompting a fierce display of triumphalism and fervent cries of ‘traitor’ towards anyone…

Dead Funny

Review by Steve Bennett

04/11/2016 … Nostalgia’s big in comedy at the moment, what with the BBC’s revivals and the passing of greats like Jimmy Perry, reminding us how their work became part of…

Irish Comedian Of The Year 2016 final

Gig review by Julia Chamberlain at Galway Town Hall Theatre

02/11/2016 … This was the inaugural Irish Comedian of the Year show, joining the English  Comedian of the Year and the Scottish Comedian of the Year competitions.

ITV2 Fresh

Our guide to this week's comedy pilots

01/11/2016 … ITV2’s new Fresh series of comedy pilots featuring black and minority ethnic talent kicks off tonight.

Judge Rinder: Joz Norris vs Bob Slayer

TV review by Steve Bennett

31/10/2016 … CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS Here’s a first for Chortle: reviewing a fake courtroom show on daytime ITV.

Nigel Farage Gets His Life Back

TV review by Steve Bennett

30/10/2016 … This seems like it could - maybe - have been a good idea for a two-minute Dead Ringers sketch.