In the second part of our conversation, comedy craftsman James Acaster examines his relationship to his audience, and how that changes under a variety of different pressures, and also reveals why he never sits down to write.

Unlock 45 mins of extra material from this conversation detailing James' reaction to comedy criticism, and some brilliant advice he once gave Stu, at comedianscomedian.com/extras

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Filed Under: #Hypothetical, Audiences, Awards, BBC, Carl Donnelly, Daniel Kitson, Dave, Edinburgh, Festival, First Open Spot, Fringe, Happy Mondays, Heckles, Holly Walsh, Hypothetical, Inspiration, Interview, James Acaster, John Kearns, Josh Widdicombe, Josie Long, Netflix, Nick Helm, Nish Kumar, Onstage Persona, Perrier Comedy Award, Persona, Rob Beckett, Stage Persona, Storytelling, Structure, Success, TV, Widdicombe, Would I Lie To You?, Writing Jokes

Uniquely funny and inventive stand-up Howard Read has recently been performing a double-act with an animated cartoon child version of himself.  We discuss the madness behind his method, explore the hazards of improvising double-act banter with oneself, and learn what he can and can't get away with...

Browse over 200 episodes at www.comedianscomedian.com

See Stu on tour at www.comedianscomedian.com/tour

More from Howard at www.howardread.com

Good luck getting the Haberdashery song out of your head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlmM9trB-8A

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Filed Under: Audiences, BBC, Compere/MC/Hosting, Criticism, Double Act, Edinburgh, Fear, Improv, Inspiration, Interview, iPad, London, Money, Musical, Musical Comedy, Sketch, Stage Persona, Storytelling, Success, TV, Ventriloquism, YouTube

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Filed Under: Audiences, Character, Dark Humour, Edinburgh, Improv, Inspiration, loretta maine, Musical, Musical Comedy, Pippa Evans, showstopper, Sketch, Stage Persona, Success, TV

An electrifying live performer, with a casual brutality that has audiences laughing despite themselves, Paul Chowdhry sells far more tickets than his mid-level TV profile might suggest. We talk about his outsider status, the racial abuse he suffered as a child, and the responsibility or otherwise of the comedian to challenge the status quo.

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Filed Under: Age, Audiences, Criticism, Dark Humour, Def Jam, Diversity, Inspiration, Mainstream, Open Mic, Paul Chowdhry, Stereotypes, Storytelling, Success, TV, YouTube

Fern Brady is a fiercely funny and provocative comic, with an invigorating ability to combine eloquence and bluntness.  A Guardian columnist and accidental spokesperson, she talks here about managing her anger, her frustrated attempts to make friends, and why she’s often surprised to hear that she doesn’t give a fuck…

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Filed Under: 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Acting, Audiences, Beginners, Competitions, Depression, Edinburgh, Feminism, Fern Brady, Festival Comedian, Gender, Heckles, Inspiration, Jobs, London, Mainstream, Mental Health, Money, Open Mic, So You Think You’re Funny, Stereotypes, The Guardian, TV

Sweaty, bearded turbo-clown Paul Currie’s shows are stuffed with unforgettable images, feelings and smells. Beloved of comedy’s intelligentsia, this award-winning performer doesn’t let go of your heart until the last cornflake is eaten and the last tear shed.

We discuss the cultural ecology of his native Northern Ireland; the difficulties of working in isolation; and we also talk about how the apparent vogue for clowning affects a veteran performer.

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@comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com
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Filed Under: Age, Alternative Comedy, Audiences, Clown, Depression, Edinburgh, Fear, Inspiration, Jobs, London, Money, Reviews, Silent Comedy, Stage Persona, Street-Performing, Success, Surreal

A small-town girl who realised pretty late she was a giant lesbian, Cameron Esposito has evolved into a hilarious alpha-female hero comic. We talk about body-shaming, power-stances and side-mullets, and why this next decade is going to be awesome for women…

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@comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com
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Filed Under: Age, Audiences, Canada, Controversial, Criticism, Depression, Edinburgh, Fame, Gender, Heckles, Inspiration, Mental Health, Podcasting, Sexuality, Stereotypes, Storytelling, Success, Writing On Stage

At the top of his game, stand-up Bill Burr is conquering the planet with an extraordinary creative ferocity. He delights in unsettling audiences by saying the un-sayable, before justifying his comic position with inspiring verve. We learn the tricks he uses to break out of routine onstage, explode the myth of finding one’s voice, and also have a really invigorating argument about privilege…

Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders

@comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com
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Filed Under: Audiences, Beginners, Controversial, Criticism, Edinburgh, Ego, Fame, Feminism, Festival Comedian, Gender, Heckles, Improv, Inspiration, Money, Open Mic, Persona, Reviews, Stage Persona, Storytelling, Structure, Success, Touring Comedian, USA, Writing On Stage