Sharing a rediscovered love of classical music connected me to audiences more than any personal stories
05/08/2026 … When I was 17, I auditioned for classical piano at Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium for Music.
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.
Wed 05 August 2026
Tue 04 August 2026
© Jennie Scott SNL UK is great for sketch comedy... but everywhere else we're being squeezed
Newsrevue producer Emma Taylor on the crisis in the ecosystem
04/08/2026 … As the long-running topical comedy sketch show NewsRevue returns to the Edinburgh Fringe, its producer offers a troubling state-of-the-industry assessment.
Could AI replace me? I built one to find out...
Garrett Millerick on whether large language models will ruin comedy
04/08/2026 … Back at the beginning of the year I commissioned a company to make an AI version of me, feed it all the stand-up I’ve generated in a 15-year career and see…
Mon 03 August 2026
Is the internet making comedy more cultish
...or more corporate, or both? asks Finlay Christie
03/08/2026 … ANOTHER article about the future of digital comedy?! How many times do comedians need to boast that they can ‘bypass industry gatekeepers’? Relax.
How I conquered my writer's block and creative burnout
By returning Edinburgh Fringe comedian Spencer Jones
03/08/2026 … Writer’s block.
Sun 02 August 2026
© Ray Malone 'This show proves my voice is louder than the pervy director who belittled me'
Fanny Bleach on reclaiming autonomy of her naked body
02/08/2026 … As her grotesque burlesque alter-ego Fanny Bleach, Emma Crowley-Bennett is making her Edinburgh Fringe debut with The Nearly Naked Show.
Sat 01 August 2026
I left my finance job for stand-up – but only after helping my parents retire
By Edinburgh Fringe comedian Raj Poojara
01/08/2026 … If you’re from an immigrant family, success is usually explained to you very early.
Fri 31 July 2026
Why was I conditioned to see my body as a problem that needs fixing?
By Edinburgh Fringe comedian Jess Fuchs, who started Weight Watchers at 12
31/07/2026 … When I was 12, I started Weight Watchers.