Flawless in delivery, bubbling over with jokes, and with something real and compassionate to say, Suzi Ruffell is at the peak of her powers. We talk about: her latest Edinburgh fringe show "Dance Like Everyone's Watching"; making sure that LGBTQ+ people in the audience feel seen; how punishing she found being a new act (and whether she could do it all again); and why she finds happiness terrifying.

Extras available exclusively to members of the Insiders Club include Suzi on her dos and don'ts of tour support, having worked extensively with Josh Widdicombe, Romesh Ranganathan and Kevin Bridges, as well as her thoughts on what makes a good director, and the best advice she was ever given... Go to www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders to support the podcast with a regular monthly donation of your choice. Every level gets the same stuff, you pay what you think is appropriate.

suziruffell.com | @suziruffell
Get tickets for Suzi's Edinburgh show here

Tickets for my show Primer at this year's Edinburgh Fringe
@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Audiences, Bruce Dessau, Chortle, Comedy, Daniel Sloss, Drama School, Edinburgh, Feminism, Festival, Fringe, Gender, Hannah Gadsby, Interview, Jay Z, Jobs, Josh Widdicombe, Kai Humphries, Kerry Godliman, Kevin Bridges, Live At The Apollo, London, Marcus Brigstocke, Maria Bamford, Mental Health, Onstage Persona, Persona, Reviews, Romesh Ranganathan, School, Seann Walsh, Sexuality, Sketch, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Stereotypes, Success, Sue Perkins, Suzi Ruffell, Tony Allen, Touring Comedian, TV, TV Comedy, Widdicombe, Worth, Writing, Writing On Stage

Simon Brodkin was best known as his comedy character "Lee Nelson", before handing Teresa May a P45, throwing money at Sepp Blatter, and invading Kanye's headline spot at Glastonbury. This former doctor with an impressive gag-rate and work ethic, now embarks on an even more challenging caper: playing himself. A new stand-up show sees him flex his joke-writing muscles in the pursuit of exploring his real life... but does he want to be himself?

Extras include Simon's blagger's guide to getting backstage at the world's biggest festival, reflections on the targets of his mockery and the challenges involved in gradually moving away from Lee step by step... Sign up for the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders to get access to ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more.

@SimonBrodkin

Simon Brodkin brings his show 100% Simon Brodkin to The Pleasance Baby Grand as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 1st – 24th August at 9.30pm. More info and tickets available at edfringe.com

Tickets for my show Primer at this year's Edinburgh Fringe

@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com

And many thanks to The Comedy Store for the recording space.

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Audiences, BBC, BBC3, Character, Character Comedy, College, comcompod, Comedy, Comedy Store, Controversial, Controversy, Edinburgh, Fame, Festival, First Open Spot, Fringe, Interview, Jobs, Kanye West, Lee Nelson, Little Britain, Live At The Apollo, London, Mainstream, Mental Health, Onstage Persona, Persona, Pleasance, Political Humour, Risk, Simon Brodkin, Sketch, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Stereotypes, Stewart Lee, Structure, Success, Trump, TV, TV Comedy, Twitter, Viral, Worth, Writing, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage

Comedian, former street-performer and popular podcast host, Stu Goldsmith is a charming but tortur-

Oh god I can't fake this, it's me isn't it? It's bloody ME!

Your fearless interviewer has the tables turned as he sits down to be interviewed by ComCom fans Sarah Millican, Tom Allen and Sindhu Vee, and fields questions from listeners including James Acaster, Nish Kumar, Ricky Gervais, Brett Goldstein, Herbie Treehead, Josh Widdicombe, Fern Brady and Nathaniel Metcalfe, as well as those sent in by you the listener via the ComCom Facebook page.

It was quite bruising but he enjoyed it.

@ComComPod | @StuGoldsmith

www.comedianscomedian.com | www.stuartgoldsmith.co.uk

The rushes from the three main interviews are available soon from www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders, along with all the extra material from any episode which has ever had extras attached!

Come and see Stu's work-in-progress show "Primer" at the Edinburgh Fringe at Monkey Barrel, who appear to have cheekily grabbed

www.thefringe.com

www.thefringe.co.uk

and

www.fairfringe.com

But you can find Stu's details here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/stuart-goldsmith-primer-wip

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Age, Audiences, Claudia O'Doherty, College, comcompod, Comedy, Compere/MC/Hosting, Double Act, Edinburgh, Fear, Fern Brady, Festival, Festival Comedian, First Open Spot, Free Fringe, Fringe, Gary Delaney, Gig Recordings, Heckles, Ian Cognito, Inspiration, Interview, Isolation, James Acaster, Jobs, Joe Lycett, John Luke Roberts, john robins, Josh Widdicombe, London, Maria Bamford, Mental Health, Nish Kumar, Onstage Persona, Patton Oswalt, Persona, Phil Kay, Philippe Gaulier, Podcasting, Pomodoro, Problems, Ricky Gervais, Risk, Sarah Millican, Show Me The Funny, Sindhu Vee, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Stuart Goldsmith, Success, Tim Vine, Tom Allen, Twitter, Widdicombe, Worth, Writing, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage

I said it and I'm sticking with it: Russell Hicks is a risk-taking ball of fire. Making a conscious choice to bet the house on every gig, he eschews material in favour of 100% riffing, with explosive results. We explore the economic consequences of approaching a set like a game of pinball in an industry based on reliability, dig into his use of comic muscle memory, and find out why he paints on a cave wall and not a canvas...

Extra material available exclusively to members of the Insiders Club includes Russell on why he chose the UK over America, how it felt to be told he wouldn't succeed whilst succeeding, and the suggestion other comics always make to him... and why he ignores it. Join up at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders

Find Russell's comedy album, consisting of three different hours recorded in Edinburgh 2016 at www.russellhicks.co.uk

See my show Primer at this year's Edinburgh Fringe

@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Alex Edelman, Alternative Comedy, Audience Participation, Audiences, Awards, Bill Hicks, Bob Slayer, Comedy, Comedy Store, Daniel Kitson, Dave Chappelle, Edinburgh, Festival, Fringe, Interview, Jobs, John Gordillo, Johnny Vegas, Lenny Bruce, London, Marc Maron, Maria Bamford, Mental Health, Money, Netflix, Onstage Persona, Persona, Phil Kay, Reviews, Ross Noble, Russell Hicks, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Structure, Success, USA, Viral, Worth, Writing, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage, YouTube

In the hands of a lesser comic, Ahir Shah's ambitions towards political discourse might seem lofty, but this agile act has the punchlines to back them up. 

We explore how he sees one-liners as ".zip" files, using punchy gags into which he's compressed huge ideas, and learn how he attempts to safeguard his precarious mental health, particularly with regard to the loneliness of the job.

20 mins of extra content available exclusively to members of the Insiders Club includes Ahir on his survival tips for small scale touring, the strategy behind his switch from the free to the paid fringe this year, and the thought he'll keep in mind when appearing shortly on "Have I Got News For You".
Go to www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders to access the private podcast with all extra content plus "Comedy Critique", in which the Insiders collaborate on feedback to newer comics!

Tickets and details of Ahir's Fringe show
ahirshah.com | @AhirShah

See my show Primer at this year's Edinburgh Fringe
@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com

www.theirworld.org | www.educationcannotwait.org

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Ahir Shah, Audiences, BBC, College, Comedy, Competitions, Edinburgh, Emo Phillips, Festival, First Open Spot, Free Fringe, Fringe, Have I Got News For You, Interview, London, Mental Health, Nish Kumar, Observational Comedy, Onstage Persona, Panel Shows, political, Radio, Reviews, Risk, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Stereotypes, Structure, Success, TV, Worth, Writing, Writing Jokes

Burning amazingly brightly on the UK TV comedy scene a few years ago, Andi Osho seemed to have the world at her feet. But something was wrong; she became physically and mentally exhausted and felt increasingly detached from her onstage persona. Now starring in “Curfew” on Sky, we talk about the warning signs she saw and missed, why she wouldn't do another panel show if she returned to standup, and whether it's easier or harder to be depressed in L.A.

Over 20mins of extra material available exclusively to members of the Insiders Club includes Andi on the workshops, courses and ontological studies she's experienced, the limitations of standup, and finding authentic ways to give back to the world. Join up at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders

www.andiosho.co.uk | @andiosho | @theandioshow

See my show Primer at this year's Edinburgh Fringe

@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Actor, Andi Osho, BBC, College, Comedy, Curfew, Depression, Drama School, Edinburgh, Fame, Fear, Festival, Gender, Gina Yashere, Interview, Jobs, LA, Lights Out, Live At The Apollo, London, Mainstream, Mental Health, Mock The Week, Onstage Persona, Panel Shows, Persona, Radio, Risk, Sara Pascoe, Shazam!, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Success, TV, Twitter, USA, Whoopi Goldberg, Worth

Creator and host of the Guilty Feminist podcast, Deborah Frances-White is a phenomenally energetic woman on a mission. A former Jehovah's Witness, she now leads her own army of followers, employing the machinery of business to liberate and entertain, and to inspire genuine activism. We explore how improv conquers repression, go into detail on the genesis of her extraordinary podcast and its roadmap for the future, and she exhorts the listener to make your own model.

Extras available only to members of the Insiders Club include two incredible pieces of advice: one on how to pass pretty much any interview for anything, and the other on how as a comedian she nipped bitterness in the bud. Plus some truly brilliant coaching on why and how to create your own model for success.... Join now at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders 

Her movie Say My Name is out on 23rd April, go to guiltyfeminist for tickets and details.

deborahfrances-white.com | @DeborahFW | guiltyfeminist.com

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

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

Charity Gig Shout-out!

On Monday 13th May, help support women, children, mothers and babies in the world’s poorest communities. Tickets for this gala line-up featuring loads of past ComCom guests and more besides can be got at the Leicester Square Theatre website or www.womenandchildrenfirst.org.uk/comedy

Comics new and old!

Check out www.comedy.co.uk/pro to see everything British Comedy Guide has to offer you and your career: curate your online profile on the most-visited website about UK comedy; get involved at the opportunities hub; and access exclusive articles about performing, writing and producing!

Don't forget to use the code COMCOM to get £5 off your membership.

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Audience Participation, Audiences, Australia, BBC4, Bridget Christie, Comedy, Diversity, Dr Who, Drama School, Drinking, Feminism, Feminist, Fern Brady, Festival, First Open Spot, Fringe, Gender, Hannah Gadsby, Interview, Jobs, Josie Long, Katherine Ryan, Leicester Square Theatre, London, Marcus Brigstocke, Mental Health, Miranda Hart, Persona, Podcasting, Risk, Sara Pascoe, Sarah Millican, Sofie Hagen, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Structure, Success, Suzi Ruffell, The Guardian, The Guilty Feminist, TV, Twitter, Victoria Wood, Worth, Writing, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage, YouTube

A disciple of "chaotic joy", Sindhu Vee's rise to standup stardom is about as meteoric as they get; just a hop and a skip from the open mic circuit, to award nominations and appearances on "QI" and "Have I Got News For You". A cursory glance at this hyper-qualified former investment banker reveals an addiction to excellence and discipline.

A self-identified "graduate" of this podcast, Sindhu opens up about the defining moment that launched this phase of her life, and celebrates the endless possibilities of self-belief.

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

And see Sindhu on tour HERE.

@sindhuvfunny | sindhuvee.com

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: Age, Argument, Audiences, BBC, BBC4, College, Comedy, Depression, Eddie Murphy, Edinburgh, Ego, Equality, Fame, Fear, Festival, First Open Spot, Free Fringe, Fringe, Gender, Heckles, India, Indian Comedy, Inspiration, Interview, Isolation, Jobs, Live, Live At The Apollo, London, Mental Health, Onstage Persona, Open Mic, Persona, Radio 4, Risk, School, Sexuality, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Success, TV, Twitter, Up The Creek, Worth, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage