It is all true. The Manchester 'scene' has lacked any content or direction for many years. I have seen all the aforementioned 'acts' before and most of them have been struggling with the same shit material for years. The business side of comedy rules the roost in Manchester and unfortunately very few people stand up against them which would show up in the appalling 'final'. The worst thing is that some people in the audience will think that this is what stand up comedy is. How sad.

Steve Goldsmith, November 2007