Wickedly spiky and dry as sand, controversy-courting stand-up Jena Friedman has writing credits for “Letterman” and “The Daily Show” under her belt.  We discover her unusual origin, as her thesis on Chicago’s improv scene drew her into the undertow of the comedy world, and talk in depth about the courage required to “own” difficult material...

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Filed Under: Controversial, Criticism, Dark Humour, Edinburgh, First Open Spot, Improv, Jewish Comedy, Reviews, Risk, Sketch, Stage Persona, Structure, Success, Twitter, USA, Viral, Writing On Stage

In at the beginning of alternative comedy, and now a “venerated lefty” and Columnist Of The Year 2015, punchy pundit Mark Steel has lost none of his passion. We discuss his BBC Radio 4 series which pokes fun at the British on a town-by-town basis, learn about the startling revelations of his personal history, and hear how he rubs shoulders with the enemy, backstage at “Question Time”… 

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Filed Under: Charlie Chaplin, Edinburgh, Festival, Frank Skinner, Frankie Boyle, Fringe, Greg Davies, Interview, Jimmy Carr, Live, London, Louis CK, Mark Thomas, Michael McIntyre, Political Comedy, Political Humour, Question Time, Radio, Radio 4, Reviews, Richard Pryor, Risk, Shappi Khorsandi, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Stewart Lee, Storytelling, Structure, Success, Touring Comedian, Twitter

An irrepressibly charming personality, Aisling Bea’s standup bubbles over with unusual perspectives and ludicrous family stories; few acts have climbed as high as fast. She talks here about finding a balance between her sitcom success and her comedy career, intimidating herself, and loving working…

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Filed Under: 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Actor, Aisling Bea, Dave Gorman, Edinburgh, Fear, Feminism, Festival, First Open Spot, Free Fringe, Fringe, Holly Walsh, Improv, Interview, Ireland, James Acaster, Joe Lycett, Josie Long, Katherine Ryan, Live, Live At The Apollo, London, Nish Kumar, Old Rope, Onstage Persona, Pappy’s, QI, Quality Control, Reviews, Risk, Sharon Horgan, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Storytelling, Structure, Success, Tiffany Stevenson, Trollied, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage

Introducing Jason Byrne to an audience is like dropping a vitamin tablet into a glass of water; his shows are a masterclass in improvised mayhem.  He talks here about the challenges of translating that madness onto TV, examines the structure of a particularly memorable incident in real depth, and also discusses the times when the show hasn’t catalysed as he wanted.

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Filed Under: Billy Connolly, Bob Monkhouse, Bottom, Carson, Dylan Moran, Edinburgh, Fear, Festival, Festival Comedian, First Open Spot, French and Saunders, Fringe, Improv, Inspiration, Interview, John Bishop, Ken Dodd, Kenny Everett, Live, Live At The Apollo, Mental Health, Mike Wilmot, Noel Fielding, Phil Nichol, Physical Comedy, Risk, Spike Milligan, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Stephen Fry, Steve Martin, Success, The Pleasance, The Young Ones, Tommy Cooper, Tommy Tiernan, Touring Comedian, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage

Todd Glass is a runaway train; stoked by righteous anger, coupled together by a natural warmth. Known for coming out of the closet some thirty years into his career, he talks here about the ramifications of that announcement, his propensity to be “always on”, and how rage can fuel liberalism.

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Filed Under: Andy Kindler, Bill O'Reilly, Bobby Miyamoto, Comedy Central, Controversial, Criticism, Eddie Pepitone, George Carlin, Howard Stern, Inspiration, Interview, James Adomian, Jen Kirkman, Jimmy Carr, LA Podfest, Lenny Bruce, Marc Maron, Paul F Tompkins, Podcasting, Risk, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Storytelling, Success, USA

Comedy speaks through Tommy Tiernan like an elemental force. One of Ireland’s most respected comic exports, his latest challenge is to improvise an hour without repeating anything he’s ever said before. We discuss the problems this presents, what led him to take it on, and where and when to wave your mickey in the moonlight…

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Filed Under: 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Abandoman, Alcohol, Compere/MC/Hosting, Controversial, Criticism, Dara O'Briain, Edinburgh, Eleanor Tiernan, Fear, Festival, Fringe, Improv, Interview, Ireland, Isolation, Jason Byrne, Katherine Ryan, Live, Live At The Apollo, Owen O'Neill, Phil Kay, Rich Hall, Risk, Ross Noble, Stand Up, Storytelling, Success, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage

A strong contender for Stu’s favourite comic of all time, Patton Oswalt is a behemoth of invention, imagination and creativity. Live from Montreal, at which he won “Stand-up Comedian of the Year”, we discuss what lifts a comic above being “funny but who gives a fuck?”  We also discuss issues of richness, legacy and whether the road gigs are worth it after all; but will Stu manage not to swoon like an Edwardian lady?

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Filed Under: 11/22/63, Alan Moore, Bill Hicks, Dave Chappelle, Directing, Down Periscope, Festival, Interview, James Joyce, King of Queens, Kyle Kinane, Live, Louis CK, Ratatouille, Risk, Silver Screen Fiend, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Star Wars, Success, The Beatles, USA, VEEP, Writing On Stage

A study in confidence, Australian Tom Gleeson trades in lean, punchy material that batters an audience into submission. We discuss how “comedy’s Lex Luthor” changed from being a competent but boring standup, into a forceful presence with absolute faith in his comic perspective...

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Filed Under: Adelaide, Australia, Big Brother, Edinburgh, Festival, Fringe, Improv, Interview, Kilkenny Comedy Festival, Louis CK, Mental Health, New Zealand, Observational Comedy, Onstage Persona, Risk, Sketch, TV Comedy