The English Comedian of the Year Final is the kind of concept that prompts jokes itself. Is it the first comedy competition sponsored by UKIP? Is Nigel Farage one of the judges? The answer is no to... more
Reviews
Stephen Merchant doesn’t do things by halves. Although he has appeared in Hollywood movies and some of the sitcoms he has co-written with Ricky Gervais, he is making his West End debut playing the... more
We are regularly told that comedy is dumbing down, but over the last few years it has actually brained up. Robin Ince has been teaming up with Brian Cox, Dara O’Briain has been hanging out with... more
As chairman Clive Anderson quipped in his introduction, not much has changed since the 1990s. Chris Evans is everywhere and there are people having a pop at the Government. He could add that his... more
This is an interesting programme with a lot of potential. I’m not sure how funny it is, but as I said, it’s an interesting programme with a lot of potential so stay tuned.Zawe Ashton from Fresh Meat... more
I’m not sure if I have ever been to a gig as contradictory as this one. People were walking out while others were rushing to the stage to show their devotion. One act was surly while others were... more
I’ve tended to dip in and out of Mock The Week in recent years, viewing it as part of the comedy furniture and regarding it as good fun though not essential viewing. But in Stuart Goldsmith’s recent... more
Do you want to know what a safe pair of hands looks like? Then take a look at the picture of Jake Johannsen on this page. From the moment this 54-year-old American strolls onstage you just know that... more
I regularly listen to Stuart Goldsmith’s Comedian’s Comedian podcasts but I don’t usually review them. The latest one is so good, however, that I have made an exception. Goldsmith interviews Dara O’... more
The first thing to know about Diane Chorley’s show is it is not strictly comedy. It is mainly songs plus waspish anecdotes from the cod-Eighties diva. With that noted, however, this is about as funny... more
