The Norm Macdonald I remember...
19/09/2021 … He had the most beautiful eyes.
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.
Sun 19 September 2021
Mon 06 September 2021
Whose job is it to deal with aggressive comedy punters?
Benamin Bello, aka President Obonjo, has a close shave on stage
06/09/2021 … It would never have happened to a real dictator… At my gig on Friday, a member of the audience came on stage to attack me while in character as President…
Mon 16 August 2021
This festival is chilled and lovely - but it's not the Fringe we love
Chortle editor Steve Bennett's notes on this year's Edinburgh Fringe
16/08/2021 … It’s been a week since Nicola Sturgeon reluctantly, it seemed, relaxed social distancing rules indoors and allowed Edinburgh Fringe venues to operate at full…
Mon 09 August 2021
My life in Edinburgh Fringe digs
Comedy poet Robert Garnham reminisces about his previous festival accommodation
09/08/2021 … Someone the other day called me an Edinburgh Fringe veteran, and that was very nice of them, unless they meant that I'm old.
Mon 19 July 2021
Was the Soho Theatre right to cancel Chris McGlade?
It's an impossible call, writes Steve Bennett
19/07/2021 … The Soho Theatre faced an almost impossible dilemma in deciding whether to book comedian Chris McGlade for a second run.
Fri 18 June 2021
I made my jokes into an NFT (so you don’t have to)
Sebastian Bloomfield tries to sell a Non-Fungible Token of his material
18/06/2021 … Non-Fungible Tokens, or NFTs, have dominated the news headlines recently due to both their somewhat inexplicable worth coupled with their apparent intangibility…
Wed 16 June 2021
Yes, comedy is more careful not to cause offence now... but why is that such a bad thing?
Chortle editor Steve Bennett on the Jennifer Saunders 'culture war' row
16/06/2021 … Time was when The Sun would have hated alternative comedy and all it stood for, banishing traditional gags about Irishmen, mothers-in-law and the poofs to the dustbin…
Sun 30 May 2021
© OmarMedinaFilms/Pixabay Laughing through lockdown
Academic Lucy Rayfield on why comedy is important in times of crisis
30/05/2021 … Most of us have needed a good laugh over the last 12 months.