In a double first for the podcast we speak not only across a transatlantic internet connection but also to our first critic! But Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw is unlike any other; a fast-talking and acerbic eviscerator of computer games, his hilarious "Zero Punctuation" reviews regularly attract downloads in the millions, while his sci-fi and fantasy novels have garnered critical acclaim. We discuss world-building, why games lend themselves to horror more than comedy, and cover investment, anxiety and shouting rude words. 

Extras: Yahtzee explores his comedy influences, his one attempt at standup and explains the iterative process behind his videos. Sign up now at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders 

@YahtzeeCroshaw | Youtube | Zero Punctuation | Yahtzee's Blog

Get tickets to my new tour dates at www.comedianscomedian.com/tour or on any of the following venues below:

13/03/2019 Salisbury Art Centre

20/03/2019 Cheltenham Playhouse

29/03/2019 Crawley -The Hawth

05/04/2019 Reading – South Street Arts

12/04/2019 Leamington Spa - Royal Spa Centre

17/04/2019 Oxford Old Fire Station

19/04/2019 Bromsgrove – The Artix

27/04/2019 Plymouth Barbican

9-11/05/2019 Soho Theatre, London

05/10/19 Edinburgh Stand (early show – 5pm)

11/10/19 Northampton Royal and Derngate

25/10/19 Teignmouth Pavillions

26/10/19 Swindon Arts Centre

04/11/19 Nottingham Glee Club

05/11/19 Birmingham Glee Club

08/11/19 Bristol - The Comedy Box at the Hen and Chicken

04/12/19 Aldershot - The West End Centre

25/01/20 Corsham - The Pound Arts Centre

01/02/20 Newcastle Stand (early show - 5pm)

02/02/20 Glasgow - The Stand

07/02/20 Farnham Maltings

28/02/20 Cambridge Junction

@comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Audiences, Character, Character Comedy, Charlie Brooker, Eddie Izzard, Ego, Fame, First Open Spot, Gaming, Horror, Interview, Isolation, Jobs, Mental Health, Mogworld, Monty Python, Open Mic, Persona, Podcasting, Problems, Reviews, Risk, Stage Persona, Stereotypes, Success, Writing Jokes, YouTube, Zero Punctuation

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A quintessential stand-up, with over three decades' experience and forty-five Letterman appearances, Jake Johannsen is an infinitely warm and funny man.

We talk about how his decisions have defined him, how to cope with periods of derailed progress, and why the plans of a comedian are pointless. 

Extra content available to members of the Insiders Club include Jake on turning down a pivotal role in Seinfeld; how he utilises his massive experience to play corporate gigs, and how he deals with having material stolen...

Join up at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders for all the extra content from past and future shows, the "comedy critique" episodes, ad-free episodes and secret REDACTED live recordings!

@jakethis | www.jakethis.com

Book now for LIVE ComComPods:
Mar 23rd 1pm - Live special with comedy legend TBC @ Birmingham Podcast Festival!

Stu’s 2019 tour of “End Of” is on sale now! 

“A comedy masterclass… Endlessly inventive” (The List)

Tickets for the first half of the tour at these links:

22/02/2019 Maidenhead – Norden Farm

01/03/2019 Falmouth – The Poly

13/03/2019 Salisbury Art Centre

20/03/2019 Cheltenham Playhouse

29/03/2019 Crawley -The Hawth

05/04/2019 Reading – South Street Arts

12/04/2019 Leamington Spa - Royal Spa Centre

17/04/2019 Oxford Old Fire Station

19/04/2019 Bromsgrove – The Artix

27/04/2019 Plymouth Barbican

9-11/05/2019 Soho Theatre, London

@comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com  

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Adam Hills, Age, Alternative Comedy, Audiences, Bill Hicks, Comedy Central, Compere/MC/Hosting, Corporate Gigs, Corporate Work, David Letterman, Emo Phillips, Fame, Interview, Jerry Seinfeld, Just For Laughs, Letterman, London, Mainstream, Mental Health, Netflix, Onstage Persona, Persona, Podcasting, Reviews, Rich Hall, Richard Gere, Risk, Robin Williams, Russell Peters, Seinfeld, Selling Out, Stage Persona, Steve Martin, Storytelling, Street-Performing, Structure, Success, TV, TV Comedy, USA, Woody Allen, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage, YouTube

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Swaggering and slick yet positive and passionate, Imran Yusuf talks fast and funny, and dances around accusations of arrogance.  The first free fringe act to be nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Festival, appearing shortly afterwards on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, it looked as if the world was at his feet.  But he is the first to admit he didn't capitalise on his success, and now takes a forensic approach to the business decisions and alliances he regrets. We talk about how his previous job in the video-games industry affects his quality control; uncover the dynamic between his work ethic and an "internal unworthiness", and discover his voracious attitude to personal development... www.imranyusuf.com @ImranYusuf Enjoy all extras from shows past and present with access to the private Insiders Club podcast, alongside a host of other strands and projects, including the chance to interview Stu yourself, and take part in a group critical analysis of newer acts from all over the world: www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders Stu’s 2019 tour of “End Of” has just gone on sale!

“A comedy masterclass… Endlessly inventive” (The List)

Tickets for the first half of the tour at these links:

22/02/2019 Maidenhead – Norden Farm

01/03/2019 Falmouth – The Poly

13/03/2019 Salisbury Art Centre

20/03/2019 Cheltenham Playhouse

29/03/2019 Crawley -The Hawth

05/04/2019 Reading – South Street Arts

12/04/2019 Leamington Spa - Royal Spa Centre

17/04/2019 Oxford Old Fire Station

19/04/2019 Bromsgrove – The Artix

27/04/2019 Plymouth Barbican

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Adam Bloom, Audiences, Bill Burr, Chris Rock, Comedy Store, Dave Chappelle, Edinburgh, Festival, Fringe, Interview, Laughing Horse, Live At The Apollo, London, Mental Health, Michael McIntyre, Netflix, Onstage Persona, Open Mic, Perrier Comedy Award, Persona, Phil Nichol, Plagiarism, Pleasance, Reverse Racism, Risk, Rob Rouse, Stage Persona, Stephen K Amos, Success, The Comedy Store, TV, TV Comedy, Twitter, USA, Writing Jokes

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Championed as a Hollywood icon of the Slacker generation, Janeane Garofalo is a brilliant and fascinating stand-up, with the structure-free style you'd expect from someone who read from notes on her first HBO special. She's candid about crying daily within the TV "sausage factory" of crime drama which draws in former film stars, and lets loose on the makers of 24 and Criminal Minds. She also talks about her activism, how her parents "raised a quitter", and turns out to be surprisingly well-informed on British comedy...   Extra material for members of the Insiders Club includes Janeane on the competition between reviewers to be as critical as possible, how it felt to be actively passed on by Netflix, the trials of selling shows when you eschew social media, and a secret message left to Stu when he went for a wee and left the recorder running... All available when you join the Insiders Club for £2 per month or whatever you think is fair at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders  

Stu’s 2019 tour of “End Of” has just gone on sale!

“A comedy masterclass… Endlessly inventive” (The List)

Tickets for the first half of the tour at these links:

07/10/2018 Aberystwyth Comedy Festival – The Coliseum

22/02/2019 Maidenhead – Norden Farm

01/03/2019 Falmouth – The Poly

29/03/2019 Crawley -The Hawth

05/04/2019 Reading – South Street Arts

17/04/2019 Oxford Old Fire Station

19/04/2019 Bromsgrove – The Artix

27/04/2019 Plymouth Barbican

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Actor, Age, Alan Partridge, Alcohol, Audiences, Brass Eye, Chris Morris, Comedy Central, Comedy Store, Criminal Minds, Criticism, Edinburgh, Ego, Fame, Fear, Feminism, Feminist, Festival, Festival Comedian, Fringe, Gender, George Carlin, Harry Enfield, Interview, Jobs, London, Mental Health, Monty Python, Mr Show, Netflix, New York, Onstage Persona, Persona, Reviews, Risk, Seinfeld, SNL, Stage Persona, Stereotypes, Steve Coogan, Steve Martin, Stewart Lee, Storytelling, Structure, Success, The Pleasance, Tina Fey, TV, TV Comedy, Twitter, USA, Woody Allen, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage

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Responsible for the best reviewed comedy show at Edfringe 2018, Alex Edelman is an irrepressibly funny comic, with a grasp of joke structure and narrative arc that is both innate and studied.  We cover his Modern Orthodox Jewish upbringing, and as well as identifying a "a confessional arms race" in modern comedy, he reveals a desperate need to be accepted by his peers.  But is he really "solicitous and pandering"? Extra content for this episode includes Alex's hypothetical "formula" for an award-winning first hour, and why although prescriptive it isn't actually that formulaic. We also get to hear him review himself honestly...  Sign up for all the extras at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders Find out more about Alex at www.alexedelmancomedy.com @AlexEdelman www.comedianscomedian.com @StuGoldsmith @ComComPod

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Al Murray, Alex Edelman, Alternative Comedy, Audiences, BBC, Best Newcomer, Bill Burr, Bo Burnham, Brain Regan, Brian Regan, Bridget Christie, Chris Rock, Directing, Edinburgh, Ego, Festival, Fin Taylor, First Open Spot, Fringe, HAIM, Interview, James Acaster, Jerry Seinfeld, Jewish Comedy, Jobs, John Kearns, Josh Widdicombe, Josie Long, Mental Health, Onstage Persona, Persona, Radio 4, Stage Persona, Storytelling, Structure, Success, The 1975, The Guardian, USA, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage

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Splicing together physical absurdity with beautifully cerebral joke-writing, John Luke Roberts is responsible for some genuinely ground-breaking comedy. We discuss how he was vice-president of Cambridge Footlights while not feeling part of it, how he battles his ego and why he was drawn to Ecole Phillipe Gaulier.  We also explore what it feels like to perform as a terrifying clown of your own dead father...

Extras available by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders include the inside story on ACMS and his "mutually-assured" relationship with co-host Thom Tuck, and his thoughts on why even though the highs of improv and musical comedy are high indeed, the entry level is pretty low...

@JLukeRoberts / Tickets for John Luke's 2018 Ed Fringe show

Stu's remaining tour dates:

29/06/2018 Tringe Festival

And get information on Stu's Ed Fringe show 'End Of' HERE.

@ComComPod

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Acting, Age, Alternative Comedy, Audiences, Awards, Character, Clown, College, Competitions, Edinburgh, Ego, Festival, Festival Comedian, Footlights, Fringe, Interview, John Luke Roberts, Mental Health, Mock The Week, Onstage Persona, Persona, Philippe Gaulier, Physical Comedy, Reviews, Risk, School, Simon Munnery, So You Think You’re Funny, Soho Theatre, Stage Persona, Structure, Success, Surreal, The Alternative Comedy Memorial Society, Thom Tuck, TV, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage

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Comedian, broadcaster, science-afficionado and author of forthcoming psychological memoir "I'm A Joke And So Are You", Robin Ince's ideas flow through him like neutrinos.  We discuss his constant state of "hypervigilant" anxiety, improvisation and tangents, success and frustration.  Once or twice he even pauses for breath... @RobinInce / www.RobinInce.com / The Infinite Monkey Cage Hear an extra 40 minutes of Robin Ince, as well as bonus material from the likes of Dara O'Briain, James Acaster and more, PLUS a load of other interactive comedy projects giving you more tailored direct advice on creating work... Don't miss out, download the private "Insiders Club" podcast at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders See Stu's remaining tour shows:

21-23 June London, Soho Theatre

29/06/2018 Tringe Festival

And get information on Stu's 2018 Ed Fringe show 'End Of' HERE.

 

@ComComPod

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Alternative Comedy, Audiences, Barry Cryer, BBC, Depression, Edinburgh, Festival, Fringe, Interview, Isolation, Jimmy Carr, Jo Brand, Josie Long, Mental Health, Persona, Podcasting, QI, Radio, Radio 4, Reviews, Ricky Gervais, Sketch, Soho Theatre, Stage Persona, Stephen Fry, Stephen Merchant, Steve Bennett, Stewart Lee, Structure, Success, The Stand, Touring Comedian, TV, Twitter, Writing On Stage

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Sophie is a hurricane of comedy in action. Possessed of a singular voice, she focuses her wit on genuinely important subject matter, including the cuts to social and mental health care services.  We talk about obtaining government funding for her comedy tours, the "politics of politeness", and what happens after the conversation about class in comedy...   Hear extra material from this conversation with Sophie, as well as extras from Russell Howard, James Acaster and more, plus a load of other interactive comedy projects... Support the show by becoming a member of the "Insiders Club" at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders   See Sophie on tour nationally and at the Soho Theatre this June, details via www.sophiewillan.com   @SophieWillan @ComComPod   See Stu on tour over the next two months, including a DVD record of the tour show on June 14th in Bristol:  

30/05/2018 Aldershot, West End Centre

01/06/2018 Sheffield, The Lescar

02/06/2018 York, The Basement

03/06/2018 Newcastle – The Stand

04/06/2018 Leeds, Duke Studios

08/06/2018 Southampton, Hanger Farm

09/06/2018 Cambridge Junction

12/06/2018 Edinburgh, The Monkey Barrel

13/06/2018 Glasgow, The Stand

14/06/2018 DVD RECORD IN BRISTOL 

15/06/2018 Birmingham Glee

17/06/2018 Brighton Komedia

21-23 June London, Soho Theatre

29/06/2018 Tringe Festival

   

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Argument, Audiences, BBC, Bridget Christie, Caroline Aherne, Character, Clown, College, Edinburgh, Equality, Fear, Feminism, Festival, Fringe, Gender, Improv, Inspiration, Interview, Jobs, Mental Health, Persona, Physical Comedy, Risk, Stage Persona, Stereotypes, Stewart Lee, Storytelling, Street-Performing, Structure, Success, Surreal, Touring Comedian, Writing On Stage

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