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.
Ben Alborough on how the musical comic has spent 30 years at the top of his game
28/07/2014 … Weird Al Yankovic’s latest album Mandatory Fun is his first to get to No1 in the US in a songwriting career spanning four decades – a career which has thrived…
Stuart Goldsmith has the answers...
28/07/2014 … We all remember the sentient computer out of the 1980s film War Games, you know, the one that played chess against itself to stalemate over and over again.
'Mr Kipper' on another new festival website
25/07/2014 … First of all, there is no plug for an Edinburgh Fringe show tacked onto the end of this article.
...and you won't believe No 9! By Gein’s Family Giftshop
23/07/2014 … We’re very excited to be heading for the Edinburgh Fringe next week.
Ola on how the industry marginalises comedians when punters don't
22/07/2014 … The discussions around race in comedy have equally intrigued and tired us all from the surge of black comics in the 1970s and 1980s until today.
Andy Holloway on being a comic with Asperger's
15/07/2014 … Before I start, I need to warn people that this article ends with the biggest cliche imaginable.
Nathan Cassidy imagines a comedy critic's take on the World Cup
14/07/2014 … It’s the age-old debate isn’t it? Is the biggest Festival in the world a good thing for comedy or the death of the clubs? With everyone, comedians and audiences…
Sammy J on his one-night Fringe run
11/07/2014 … As any fellow comic knows, doing a full festival season is a taxing affair.
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