Comedy gave me something brilliant that nothing else did
...but neurodiverse people like me still suffer ableism, says Stephen Catling
08/08/2025 … I was not diagnosed with autism until I was 23.
Latest Opinions
Chortle's Opinions section is an arena for fans to share their views on any aspect of comedy.
We invite general comment pieces about particular aspects of the comedy scene (although reviews of individual shows or performers tend not to be suited to this section except in very rare circumstances). Contributions should be at least 500 words in length, in a similar tone to something you might read in a broadsheet newspaper, and emailed to steve@chortle.co.uk
We reserve the right to edit pieces – although we will be careful not to change the meaning of anything – or not to use them at all. By submitting an article you grant Chortle indefinite licence to use it freely; though you retain the copyright on it to use it elsewhere.
Fri 08 August 2025
Thu 07 August 2025
Tears were shed. Fights were had. Comedy was made
Alice Tovey on how stand-up brought her closer to her family
07/08/2025 … My dad went to jail.
Wed 06 August 2025
Is laughter the best medicine for the mental health epidemic?
Comic and psychiatrist Benji Waterhouse on plans for comedy on prescription
06/08/2025 … The UK’s funniest (OK, only) comedian-psychiatrist Dr Benji Waterhouse considers the NHS’s latest plans to prescribe comedy shows for people with depression Welcome…
Tue 05 August 2025
Why live comedy will thrive in the age of AI
05/08/2025 … Artificial Intelligence has never really been a friend of comedy, especially in terms of writing it.
Mon 04 August 2025
Comedy's been getting meaner, deepening social divides
Apocalypse Cabaret's Scout Durwood's noticed an unwelcome change
04/08/2025 … My favourite part about comedy is the immediacy of its interaction with the audience.
Sun 03 August 2025
What's funnier? Improv or a written joke
03/08/2025 … I do not like to think of myself as someone who holds grudges, so whenever I have a disagreement with someone I go down into the great vaults beneath my house and…
Sat 02 August 2025
Donald Trump must be great for comedy!
02/08/2025 … ‘Now that Trump is back in office, do you feel like you have more material? The jokes must write themselves.
Fri 01 August 2025
Can comedy reach its highest form without full freedom of speech?
Saaniya Abbas on the stand-up scene being built in Dubai
01/08/2025 … They say: ‘Build it, and they will come.