As she prepares to make her Edinburgh Fringe debut, Irish comedian Emma Doran picks her Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites…

The Royle Family

I rewatch it now on my own and it reminds me of watching it the first time around with my family and living with my family (Mam, Dad, brothers). Its humour so effortlessly woven with heart is beautiful. And of course, Caroline Aherne. 

Anytime someone in our house was asked to make tea they were called ‘Anthony’. Or if someone told an off-the-wall story, ‘Thanks Mary’. 

All the characters are so well defined and yet feel so familiar. Before watching The Royle Family I’d watched Mrs Merton but I didn’t know much else about Caroline Aherne. It wasn’t long after though that I made it my business to find out everything I could about her. Her reluctancy to be a star made me love her even more. And an Irish Mammy? Sure we could be related.

Watching again now, Cheryl is probably my favourite. Her ability to stay so positive and upbeat while at the same time her circumstances staying pretty much the same I find myself rooting for her the most. 

Path To Freedom

This Irish sitcom is a fly-on-the wall mockumentary starring Michael McElhatton as Rats. Its very funny, very Dublin and my mate Deirdre O’Kane is in it. At the time on Irish TV, there had been a serious lack of comedy. Paths To Freedom came a time where it made me sit up and pay attention. Maybe you can make funny TV in Ireland for an Irish audience? I wonder how you get a job writing on a show like that. 

Knowing the references, the places, the filming locations made me feel ‘Oh, this is happening on my doorstep’. It doesn’t have to be other people doing it in other places. 

I met Peter McDonald who played Tomo in the series recently. It was on the set of a film he was in and had co-written called Power Ballad. I’m sure the lead Nick Jonas is a pleasant fellow but I wanted to ask Peter about Paths To Freedom and I did. 

The Snapper

Set in Dublin, it’s the story of a teenage girl who gets pregnant, not dissimilar in tone to The Royle Family for anyone who hasn’t seen it. 

Of all writer Roddy Doyle’s books that have been made into films, The Snapper is probably my favourite. The Dublin/Irish is obviously a huge appeal for me, but the relationship between the main character, Sharon, and her Dad is what makes me watch it over and over. As a self-confessed Daddy’s girl myself, who had a teenage pregnancy, to say I can relate to the story is an understatement. But it’s different enough that I can enjoy it for entertainment purposes. 

The Snapper, among the laughs, deals with issues around consent, which I have to admit didn’t hit me until I watched it again in my 20s. There’s plenty of other moments of grittiness sprinkled in between belly laughs seamlessly.  The story of a family coming together in crisis, not perfectly but united is beautifully told, and anyone who watches hopes baby Georgia is doing well now. 

Last Man On Earth 

Where is it? Bring it back! For the love of god, bring it back! 

Ahead of its time doesn’t really cover it. Before Covid times (remember that?)  Phil, played by Will Forte, travels across countries in search of other survivors after a deadly virus seems to have wiped out the entire human race. 

Will Forte on his own is hilarious and then Carol, played by Kristen Schaal, enters the picture and it just gets better. 

Last Man on Earth is clever, funny and silly. There’s lots of silly humour which I do feel we don’t get enough of on TV. Anytime I see Will Forte or Kristen Schaal, I’ll watch it. Even if it's just a social media clip. They both have my heart forever. 

Peter Kay Live At The Comedy Store 

I’m not sure when, but there was a period of time where this was repeated what felt like nightly. Every time I watched and roared. His command of an audience and in a small club setting like that was inspiring at the time. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve watched it. 

Myself and my fella Shane would have several lines from it in our rotation of quotable quotes we use in daily conversations. ‘COMPUTER’.

I’ve never seen Peter Kay in the big arenas. In my head, I saw him in a comedy club with 250 other people just before he became massive. That’s how many times I watched it. It led us to Phoenix Nights and lots and lots of laughter. 

Reno 911 

The characters are all so ridiculous and despicable but somehow you adore each one. I love how there’s no voice of reason or straight character in the whole thing. 

When I was watching Reno 911 I really felt like everyone making the show was having a ball, but we were all in on the joke as well. They weren’t just acting funny, these were funny people. 

Reno 911 introduced me to the icon that is Wendi McLendon-Covey. I heard her on Marc Maron’s podcast WTF and she spoke about how she still has a little part-time admin job on the side. I remember being so surprised but also reassured she was exactly the person I thought she was.

She recently posted on social media that she wasn’t at an awards ceremony not because of any beef with co- stars but because she’d gotten a facelift and gotten her dates wrong. Gorgeous.

 • Emma Doran’s Edinburgh Fringe debut, Emmaculate, will be at Pleasance Courtyard at 7.30pm