A Monkey Barrel of laughs... | Today's best comedy on demand

A Monkey Barrel of laughs...

Today's best comedy on demand

Here's Chortle's daily round-up of new comedy to watch at home during lockdown.

This list, updated at around 3pm daily, covers subscription services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, iPlayer and NextUp, to podcasts and live streaming, is your essential guide to getting a daily dose of laughs.

You can search our listings for a more comprehensive list of online events using the blue box at the left or top of this page. Or if you're a promoter wanting to add an event, details are here.


Saturday August 29

MONKEY BARREL MARATHON COMEDY FUNDRAISER: It’s one of the newer Edinburgh venues,for the Fringe and the rest of the year, but quickly established itself as one of the best-loved by comedy fans and performers. From 7pm tonight, Monkey Barrel Comedy is hosting a mammoth pay-what-you-want fundraiser in some effort to top up its Covid-depleted coffers, with extra benefits for the more generous. The comics’ contributions will be shown in the form of clips, songs, sketches and stories, all presented by Amy Matthews and George Fox. The other performers include last year’s Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Jordan Brookes and shortlisted acts Jessica Fostekew, Delightful Sausage and Spencer Jones, pictured. The rest of the line-up includes - deep breath - Donald Alexander, Tom Ballard, Fern Brady, Lucy Beaumont, Alfie Brown, Richard Brown, Sarah Callaghan, Sam Campbell, Helen Duff, Ari Eldjarn, Mat Ewins, John Kearns, Olga Koch, Tony Law, Stuart Laws, Elf Lyons, Garrett Millerick, Rick Molland, Thanyia Moore, Pierre Novellie, Micky Overman, Tim Renkow, Lou Sanders, Sam Simmons, Ben Verth and Liam Withnail. Tickets are available here. After the live broadcast, the show will be available until Monday for anyone else who wants to pledge.

VOODOO ROOMS: Edinburgh’s cabaret hub the Voodoo Rooms is also hosting day on online events. There’s comedy from Paul ‘Silky’ White at 4pm, Tom Little at 5.10pm then a couple fundraisers tonight. At 7.30pm, Mister Meredith introduces Van Gogh Find Yourself, MC Hammersmith, Eamon Goodfellow, Chris Cook, Roxy Stardust, Obie, Silky and The Creative Martyrs. Then at 9pm Bruce Devlin will host Dusty Limits, Elliot Bibby, Jesus L’Oreal, Frank Sanazi, Ivy Paige, Gypsy Charms, Lady Carol and Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer. It’s in conjunction with the PBH Free Fringe, so naturally it’s ‘pay what you want’. Details.

SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE: It’s the last of a trio of lockdown Zoom shows from the pun-loving foot-coverings, in which they reprise their 2016 show celebrating Shakespeare. They attempt everything from Hamlet to Romeo And Juliet, Othello to Titus Andronicus. The family-friendly show kicks off at 8pm. Tickets


Friday August 28

AJ BELL FRINGE ON A FRIDAY: It's the final edition of the digital fundraiser that's raised almost £200,000 for the people and venues affected by the cancellation of the Edinburgh Fringe. Hosted by drag queen Courtney Act, tonight's show features comics Craig Hill, Stiff & Kitsch, Megan Shandley and Helen Duff plus cabaret stars including Briefs and Le Gateau Chocolat. The show starts at 9pm and you can get tickets here.

GET DUKED: Newly released on Amazon Prime, this an anarchic, hip-hop inspired comedy that follows four city boys who find themselves on the run from a mysterious huntsman while doing their Duke Of Edinburgh award in the wilds of Scotland. The cast includes Eddie Izzard and Alice Lowe.

IRISHMAN ABROAD COMEDY CLUB: Comedian and podcaster Jarlath Regan hosts this virtual gigs with comics Joe Wilkinson, Abandoman and Kevin McGahern and music from Jack L. It's live at 8pm, priced €7.50 (£6.70) and available here.


Thursday August 27

COMEDY GALA IN AID OF WAVERLEY CARE: Organised by mega-agents Off The Kerb, this has been a major fundraising gig at the Edinburgh Fringe for 17 years. Tonight's version, which starts at 8pm, is, of course, online instead. Acts include Tom Allen (pictured), Josh Widdicombe, Janey Godley, Rich Hall, Marlon Davis, Mark Steel, Christopher MacArthur-Boyd, Angela Barnes, Marcus Brigstocke, Phil Jerrod, Charlie Baker, Joanne McNally, Andrew Ryan, Tom Lucy, George Lewis, Mo Omar and Larry Dean. Tickets

BEST BITS OF SO YOU THINK YOU’RE FUNNY?: Tonight's archive footage from Edinburgh's most established new talent hunt features early performances from Hannah Gadsby, Heidi Regan, Rhod Gilbert and more. Watch on the Gilded Balloon's YouTube channel from 8pm, and donate here.

MIGHT DELETE LATER The podcast hosted by sisters Gina and Stevie Martin returns today to delve through the social media history of the guests, kicking off with James Acaster - who ditched all platforms. Other guests over there series will include Bilal Zafar, stylist and activist Aja Barber, and political journalist Marie Le Conte. Stevie Martin said: ‘I hate social media, but am absolutely addicted to and fascinated by it – looking at people’s first ever tweets is my favourite part because they’re just so pure. And embarrassing.’   Listen on Apple PodcastsAcast and Spotify

THE HAPPY HOIUR Q&A WITH Zoe Lyons: The latest in Leicester Comedy Festival founder Geoff Rowe's series of interviews helping to raise money for the annual event and the charity behind it kicks off ayt 8pm tonight. Tickets, priced £5,£10 or £20 depending on your generosity, are available here.


Wednesday August 26

ALWAYS BE COMEDY: Milton Jones headlines a strong bill that also includes provocative Fin Taylor, 2018 Edinburgh Comedy Award best newcomer nominee Maisie Adam and much-tipped rising star Thanyia Moore. Tickets here

PERI-PERI MENOPAUSAL CHICKEN: Comedian Esyllt Sears sets out to unravel the mysteries of the peri-menopause with the aid of her pet chickens in this show, which aired on Radio Wales yesterday. August 27

THE INTERRUPTION SHOW: Egyptian-American comic Dalia Malek, who cut her teeth on the UK circuit, hosts this format where she's essentially the most irritating audience member possible, interrupting comedians mid-performance to ask burning questions, find out what happened next, and dig into the backstories behind jokes. Night owls and insomniacs can tune into the latest episode at 2am tonight; or there's a more sociable 11pm show on Saturday. Info.


Tuesday August 25

COMIC RELIEF COMEDY CLUB: The online fundraising gig returns at 7:30pm tonight, with a mix of regular Edinburgh Fringe  attendees, including Edinburgh Comedy Award winners and nominees. The bill is: Mark Watson, Luisa Omielan (pictured), Janine Harouni, Elf Lyons, Kate Lucas and Ed Night. Tickets, priced £6, are available here.

DEADBEAT: This 2014 Hulu comedy series revolves around a lazy slacker, and medium for hire, who attempts to solve various ghosts' unresolved issues, so that they can move on to a final resting place. It's notable for Brits as Cat Deeley makes a move from presenting to acting, starring as a glamorous celebrity medium. The first of three seasons has today dropped on Amazon Prime.

CRISTELA ALONZO: THE HALF HOUR: America's Comedy Central continues its occasional release of stand-up specials for free on YouTube with this 2013 show in which Cristela Alonzo discusses the post-Halloween walk of shame, using the McRib to tell time and her hatred of nail Salon small talk.


Monday August 24

THE STAND-UP SESSIONS: Melbourne is stuck in such strict lockdown that its residents are under a nighttime curfew. So in response, the city's international comedy festival is to launch a major series of streamed shows tomorrow, hosted by stand-up Nazeem Hussain. Across the five episodes, headliners Frank Woodley, Em Rusciano, Denise Scott, Rhys Nicholson and Geraldine Hickey will be joined by rising stars, for a mix of comedy and chat. The first episode will be streamed live at 10.30am UK time tomorrow for free (7.30pm Melbourne time), and then remain in situ on the Victoria Together website run by the state government, which is helping make the shows.

LUNCHWATCH WITH JOHNNY WHITE REALLY-REALLY: Detractors say social media is little more than people posting photos of what they had for lunch. Well now soft-spoken comedian Johnny White Really-Really has leant into that criticism with his new podcast, which invites listeners to submit pictures of their meals which he then will analyse and review - and crown a winner each week. He says: 'It brings out the best in all of us. And maybe also the worst although I've never seen any evidence for that I just added it for balance.' Listen on all the usual platforms, including Spotify, while you can post your pictures and keep up with others on Twitter.

OUT WITH SUZI RUFFELL The comic's podcast 'all about coming out, being out, and finding one’s place in the world as an LGBT+ person' has returned for a second series today, with none other than Alan Carr as the first guest. Other celebs joining her over the run will include Sue Perkins, Gok Wan, Mae Martin, Jen Brister and the Rev Richard Coles. She says: 'The listener correspondence has been a particular highlight, we’ve received letters from all over the world from people who want to share their own coming-out stories. Often we hear from those who live in countries where homosexuality is yet to be decriminalised – and many have said that the podcast has given them a sense of community. It’s wonderful that something created at my kitchen table means so much to people.' Listen on Acast, and elsewhere.


Sunday August 23

SAVE LIVE COMEDY: Jayde Adams hosts another rammed bill, broadcast live from the Clapham Grand to raise money for comedy venues in dire straits. Ed Byrne, Desiree Burch, James Acaster, Kane Brown, Richard Herring, Tony Law, Felicity Ward and more are all doing their bit. Get tickets for the broadcast here.

FRANKIE BOYLE: The comic tries out some of his latest harsh but beautifully-crafter material in two work-in-progress online gigs at 8pm today and tomorrow. Tickets

FRED MACAULAY IN CONVERSATION: The comic, and former cornerstone of BBC Radio Scotland, is hosting a weekly Zoom talk show in conjunction with the Gilded Balloon. His guests on today's show, at 5pm, are Jackie Clune and Shappi Khorsandi and tickets are available here priced £2 and £10.


Need more suggestions?

• Click here for those from the week starting August 16
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• Click here for those from the week starting April 5
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• Click here for those from the week starting March 15

NOTE: Sometimes links and videos of live events expire after the event. All were valid at the time of publication

Published: 29 Aug 2020

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