The Comedian's Comedian Podcast

With a staggering sixteen year back-catalogue of weekly topical songs under his belt, musical comedian Mitch Benn is a firm fixture of "The Now Show" on Radio 4. We talk about circuit snobbery regarding "the cheating stick", the joy of creating music as well as comedy, and the perils of being so good at what you do that people have a hard time imagining you as anything else...Support the podcast by donating via Paypal at www.comedianscomedian.comMock The Week, Daniel Kitson, Festival, Radio 4, Eddie Izzard, Alternative Comedy Experience, Charlie Brooker, Ross Noble, Mark Thomas, Edinburgh, Fringe, Parody, Comedy Music, Mitch Benn, The Now Show, Spinal Tap, Harry Shearer, Nick Wilty, Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis, Imran Yusuf, Tallinn Comedy Festival, Marcus Brigstocke, Bill Hicks, Harry Hill, Shlomo, The Beatles, John Maloney, Jess Robinson, Jon Holmes, Jay Foreman, Jenny Eclair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedy's marathon man Mark Watson is known for his feats of intellectual and performative endurance, and also for his phenomenal comic story-telling. We get our teeth into the anxieties he exposes in his more recent material, hear first-hand the effects of being the butt of a Stewart Lee routine, as well as learning what happens when a shoe falls...Support the podcast at www.comedianscomedian.comLive At The Apollo, David O'Doherty, Stewart Lee, Daniel Kitson, Festival Comedian, Festival, Radio 4, Paul Foot, Tim Key, Mark Watson, Michael McIntyre, Chortle, Frankie Boyle, Edinburgh, Fringe, Chris Addison, Dara O'Briain, Russell Howard, Stephen Fry, Jason Manford, Super Furry Animals, Sam Simmons, Tim Minchin, Rhod Gilbert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The complex relationship between a ventriloquist and her puppets is brought to life in mind-expanding detail in this live episode, as comedian, clown and filmmaker Nina Conti lays her creative process bare! Startlingly innovative and imaginative, Nina traces her development via mentor Ken Campbell (and criticism from Daniel Kitson), and why she feels she's "more Monkey than Nina"...Support the podcast at www.comedianscomedian.comLive At The Apollo, Touring Comedian, Nina Conti, Jeff Dunham, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Family Tree, Improv, Ventriloquism, Dr Brown, Phil Burgers, Her Master's Voice, Gaulier, Ken Campbell, Clowning Around Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teenbait rap comics The Midnight Beast have generated tens of millions of YouTube hits and two TV series by spoofing boybands, whilst secretly being basically a real one. They combine exceptional talent in audio/video production with a zest for melodic dick-jokes you'll want to play again and again. We talk viral strategy, production values, the evolution of their act in the run-up to their new Comedy Central show, and how to be your own cigar-chomping exec...See Nina Conti on ComComPod live at Soho Theatre on 5th May - quote FAFF at www.sohotheatre.com for 25% off.Support the podcast at www.comedianscomedian.com.The Mighty Boosh, YouTube, Channel 4, The Midnight Beast, E4, Comedy Central, Parody, Comedy Music, Music Videos, Hadouken!, Joe Lycett, Family Guy, South Park, The Office, Ke$ha Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A startlingly creative character comic, Nick Mohammed produces utterly silly work with a rigorous technical backbone. We talk about his most enduring creation Mr Swallow, and how he has cultivated that act from a casual sketch to a rollerskating operatic Dracula. We also discuss his role in the new Ridley Scott film "The Martian"...Support the podcast at www.comedianscomedian.comBuy tickets online with code FAFF for upcoming live shows at www.sohotheatre.com. Nina Conti on 5th May!Uncle, Musical, Sketch, Festival Comedian, Standup, Footlights, The Thick of It, Stefan Golaszewski, Chortle, Edinburgh, Fringe, Nick Mohammed, Julia Davis, Morning Has Broken, Matt Damon, Ridley Scott, Channel 4, Marc Wootton, Derren Brown, Dan Tetsell, Mr Swallow, Dracula The Musical Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burning with narrative intensity, Irish-American Des Bishop learnt to perform standup in Gaelic and now Mandarin, such is his commitment to following through on an idea. He gives us a compelling insight into how he morphed from a circuit headliner to a voracious documentarian, and rages at the reviewer who attacked his integrity.Sponsor the podcast at www.comedianscomedian.comDaniel Kitson, Eddie Izzard, Russell Kane, Chortle, Des Bishop, Jason Byrne, RTE, Steve Bennett, The Guardian, Made in China, Edinburgh, Fringe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Russell Peters stole my shit!" So alleges dynamic and outspoken comic Gina Yashere, who sold up and left the UK to make it in the United States, becoming the only Brit ever to feature on "Def Jam". She pulls no punches in this compelling interview, venting her frustration at the producers of Mock The Week and Last Comic Standing, as well as condemning the TV industry's apparent preference for "non-threatening" black acts.Sponsor the podcast at comedianscomedian.comMock The Week, Stewart Lee, Standup, Michael McIntyre, Greg Proops, Gina Yashere, Jay Leno, Def Comedy Jam, Def Jam, Last Comic Standing, Tony Law, The Comedy Store, Ros Jeep, Chortle, Jocelyn Jee Esien, Frankie Boyle, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Damon Wayans, MOBOs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second part of this conversation, we look in detail at John's principles for directing standup. Not so much a list of rules as a whole approach to helping a comic achieve their own goals, and not those of the director... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insidersGet tickets for Stu Goldsmith's stand-up tour at www.comedianscomedian.com/tour@comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.comAnd don't forget to join the Comcom Facebook group, which you can do here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Director or script-editor of over sixty other acts including Michael McIntyre, Eddie Izzard and Reginald D Hunter, John Gordillo is a superb comedian in his own right. The antithesis of a one-liner act, we discuss his dedication to “following the idea”, and seeking out comedy that is truly situational rather than going for the gags. Just don't call him “The Professor”... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insidersGet tickets for Stu Goldsmith's stand-up tour at www.comedianscomedian.com/tour@comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.comAnd don't forget to join the Comcom Facebook group, which you can do here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second half of this conversation with the warrior poet/comic/divvy focuses on Tim's relationship with comedians Alex Horne and Mark Watson, and how his position as their respective foils gave him the freedom to experiment...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lager-sodden "not deliberately bad" poet, Tim Key is responsible for some of the most startlingly theatrical fringe comedy of the last ten years.From his outrageous origin as a college-troupe cuckoo, to his frustrations at the culling of his sketch group "Cowards"; through fringe stardom to his big screen success alongside Alan Partridge, we trace Tim's emergence as one of the most compelling voices of contemporary British comedy.BBC3, How To, Poetry, Festival Comedian, Radio 4, Philippe Gaulier, Standup, Tim Key, Alex Horne, Mark Watson, Steve Coogan, Alan Partridge, Alpha Papa, Cowards, Footlights, David Baddiel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A smart cookie based in New York, Liz Miele combines punchline density with social media acumen. She runs, she dates, she cries, she talks about it all. But is she actually as "Emotionally Exhausting" as her show suggests?Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brendon Burns returns to the show, live at Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival, to clear up some matters of condescension, technique and the petulance of his youth. In addition to discussing his new internet-based strategy, tour and podcast, we also analyse the routine he's most proud of, and how he grew it over the course of years...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lou Sanders is off the rails. Her deliciously shameless stage persona is backed up by punchy writing, peppered with surreal flavours. From gurus to glitter, we discuss the technique behind her tackle...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Occult comedian Andrew O'Neill describes jokes as "spells to make people laugh". We talk about the differences between magick and faith, getting information about the world through standup, nailing your really weird colours to the mast, and trying to be your own favourite comedian... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cult-runaway Harley Breen is a man mountain with a barnstorming club and festival act. Underneath his loudmouth lumbersexual persona is a deeply principled single father with a reflective nature and a fascinating story to tell... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa-born Urzila Carlson is now one of New Zealand's favourite acts, winning “Best Female Comic” there an astonishing five years running. Irrepressibly cheerful, she combines her natural talent with an innate empathy for her audience, and sheer hard work. We talk about respecting one's crowd, structuring an hour, and why Stu can't make her cry...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A wilfully preposterous boozehound in a pashmina, Thom Tuck is a superbly theatrical stand-up, one third of fringe-conquering sketch outfit The Penny Dreadfuls, and co-ringmaster of The Alternative Comedy Memorial Society. We delve into the challenges of developing a festival-friendly solo act for the live circuit, and discuss whether his commitment to character is ever a cage. He also reveals a surprising anger...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Star of the brain-smashingly surreal sketch show "Anna and Katy", and Daisy in "Not Going Out", Katy Wix is an actress with an exceptional comic mind. We talk about the roots of creativity, the fear of daydreaming, and her new book, "The Oberon Book Of Comic Monologues For Women". Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Brown is variously known as the future of British comedy, the enfant terrible of the comedy circuit, and/or a jumped-up posh kid rebelling against anything that'll have him. Frustratingly, he's almost certainly the former, as he refines his act to include less maddening naivety and more genuinely breath-taking comic verve. Can he convince you he's not just some West London it-boy wanker? I think he can...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from the Phoenix in Oxford Circus, Stuart, Carl and Chris get gently inebriated while hosting a saucy three-way mash-up of their respective podcasts! Happy Christmas one and all!To donate to MIND mental health charity: Text SUPPORT to 70660 to give £3 Text GIVE to 82772 to give £5 and visit www.carlandchrispodcast.com for more from those two divs.Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mickey "D" Dwyer is an outrageously charismatic comic, with an almost mutant ability to win over the toughest room, from the UK to his native Australia and back. Retaining the dynamism, skills and stories from his previous life as a hardcore festival headcase, he's now a clean-living, marathon-running family man - but does he ever miss the bad old days?Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fiercely intelligent political and socio-political comic, friend of the show and self-confessed “great laugh”, Nish Kumar is at the height of his powers. We discuss the self and the presentational self, his family, tremendous ego and the unquenchable analytical thirst that powers his comedy and his life. But is he really only able to face his problems in front of strangers? Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's episode 100 of the podcast and Stu's been saving this one up! If you've donated in the last few months you'll have heard this one as a sneaky pre-release but here it is for the rest of us... Phil Kay is a force of nature. Not a metaphorical one; an actual force of nature. “The guy that speaks really fast until it goes wrong” waxes sagacious about staying in the bit that works, no longer being appropriate to the bullets, and most importantly of all believing in belief. Phil's autobiography “The Wholly Viable” is available online now and you'd be an idiot to miss it.Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders@ComComPod | www.comedianscomedian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luisa Omielan has established herself as a comic force to be reckoned with, by-passing the usual club/progression route, and cultivating an audience all her own. We explore the dynamic between her excellent stand-up and the theatrical elements that lift it to another level, and she talks candidly about her relationships with her family, and with the circuit that she'd still love to feel more a part of.BBC3, Beyonce, What Would Beyonce Do?, AmIRightLadies?, Soho Theatre, Leicester Square Theatre, The Exhibit, Salford University, Madonna, Edfringe, Underbelly, Suzi Ruffell, Off the Kerb, Top Secret Comedy Club, Gospel, Viva Forever, Jongleurs, XS Malarkey, Spanx. Criminal Minds, Live At The Apollo, Big Brother, Debi Allen, Caroline Rhea, Whoopi Goldberg, Montreal Comedy Festival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of this conversation with the free-wheeling comedy craftsman, Ross Noble argues that ideas with unusual logic are often mistaken for "surreal" comedy, and explains his process of un-honing ideas by starting with something neat and then taking it to bits live on stage...Mock The Week, Writing Jokes, Live At The Apollo, Tour, Exclusive, Australia, Improv, Russell Brand, Bill Bailey, Boothy Graffoe, Stewart Lee, Harry Hill, Billy Connolly, Joe Wilkinson, Bill Hicks, Lenny Bruce, Sean Hughes, Rob Newman, Peter Kay, Mary Whitehouse Experience, Glee Club, John Cooper Clarke, Sean Lock, Fred Macauley, Jo Brand, Lee Evans, Dave Gorman, Jasper Carrot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ross Noble makes apparently casual improvisation into an art form, breathing life into nonsense for hours at a time and provoking gales of laughter. In the first part of this conversation we talk about how he cultivated his devoted live following, how hard it is to define what's basically him "dicking about", and the benefits of making TV warm-up work for you...Mock The Week, Writing Jokes, Live At The Apollo, Tour, Exclusive, Australia, Improv, Russell Brand, Bill Bailey, Boothy Graffoe, Stewart Lee, Harry Hill, Billy Connolly, Joe Wilkinson, Bill Hicks, Lenny Bruce, Sean Hughes, Rob Newman, Peter Kay, Mary Whitehouse Experience, Glee Club, John Cooper Clarke, Sean Lock, Fred Macauley, Jo Brand, Lee Evans, Dave Gorman, Jasper Carrot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince Abdi is a sublimely daft story-teller, whose material spills out of a life where he can't help saying "yes". We talk about his upbringing and his reluctant involvement in a gang, and he reveals how his experiences in ITV reality show "Show Me The Funny" temporarily set back his career...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insidersGet tickets for Stu Goldsmith's stand-up tour at www.comedianscomedian.com/tour@comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.comAnd don't forget to join the Comcom Facebook group, which you can do here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Cross asked me to distribute this never-before-heard deleted track from his 2014 album "It's Not Funny", featuring H. Jon Benjamin as the voice of God. The track was intended as the finale of the album but never included, as he explains in Episode 96 of "The Comedian's Comedian Podcast" - available at www.comedianscomedian.com Purchase the original album at itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/david-cross/id15367333 Legal disclaimer: I, David Cross, (of this email address) of sound mind and body, do declare that this audio file, let's call it, "Clapping in the USA" is mine all mine. And I am happy to give it to Stuart to post on his podcast thing. Especially as I wilfully have no presence on Social Media. Yours in Christ, David Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second part of our conversation, standup and comic actor David Cross explores offence, outrage and sensitivity. We also talk about his work on Arrested Development and Mr Show, and dig into his process, his struggle to write jokes, and how to regard an audience as a living breathing thing...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders @comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The star of "Arrested Development", "Mr Show" and "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret", David Cross is also a phenomenal stand-up, whose work howls at the stupidity and hypocrisy around him. In part one of this interview he talks about his earliest material and how he overcame the fear of bombing onstage, and speaks very frankly about the cycle of anger and depression that could grip him in his less creative moments...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders @comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bloody lovely Trygve is a superb physical improviser, and more of a "weird lanky white brittle idiot" than a clown. We dissect the hilarious savagery of his imaginary worlds, and talk about stealing ideas from yourself, spotting your habits, and why it's good to go and see bad shows...Dr Brown, Phil Burgers, Kraken, Squidboy, Barry Awards, Golden Gibbo Awards, FRED Awards, SOMPBDILSPIWCL, Le Flop, Cardboard Cabaret, Vikki Stone, The Classic, Auckland, Steen Raskopoulos, Red Bastard, Benjamin Crellin, Barnie Duncan, Calypso Nights, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel And Hardy, Gaulier, Clowning, Carlo Jacucci, The Underbelly, Julien Cottereau, Imagine Toi, Monty Python, Kune's Kitchen, John Kearns, Liam Williams, Ben Target, The Boy With Tape On His Face, Kim Noble Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Although he's frequently referred to as a "philosophical" or "stoner" comic, Tom Stade is actually a Level Twenty Comedian. He waxes lyrical about striving for wisdom in his writing, rather than cleverness, and why he focuses on the internal not the external. We also talk about videotaping yourself to dissolve the delusion that an audio-recording of your act affords, acting like a star, and why Tom's a dangerous person to have on TV...Gary Delaney, Micky Flanagan, Stephen Fry, Craig Campbell, Stuart Goldsmith, JP Mass, John Hastings, Live At The Apollo, Doug Stanhope, Brendon Burns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor Tiernan makes tremendously articulate comedy, often out of morally murky ideas and subjects. She talks here about the comedy scene in her native Ireland, how to find the bits of your act that are genuinely “alive”, and how she escaped material she felt trapped by. We also go into depth on her experiences with therapy, how her artistic purpose helps her emotionally, and how we share the underlying fear of getting kicked out of the gang...Free Fringe, Laughter Lounge, Tommy Tiernan, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Poor School, The Oxford Drama School, Help The Frigid, So You Think You're Funny?, Mrs Brown's Boys, Chris Brown, Stewart Lee, Andrew Lawrence, Headwreckers, David McSavage, Phil Kay, Hunter Square, Reginald D Hunter, Up The Creek, Comedy Store, Dublin Fringe Festival, The National Therapy Project, Jason Byrne, Dara O'Briain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irrepressibly positive, and relentless in her pursuit of betterment, deliriously funny Josie Long is much more than a figurehead for “whimsy”. We talk here about how her humour has developed from Japanese frog gods to politics and back, and how to make sure you get taken on the expedition. She also covers getting trolled before it was cool, unsubscribing from abuse and being fucking zen...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Impro aficionado Steen Raskopoulos has mastered a style of audience interaction that lets his volunteers contribute to the show, rather than simply supplying a punchline. Nominated for Edinburgh Best Newcomer moments after this interview, he talks here about his training, the origins of his characters, and how he's ended up so aggravatingly well-adjusted...Audience Participation, Improv, Sketch, Edinburgh Best Newcomer Nomination 2014, Paul Byrne, The Delusionist, This Is Littleton, Slideshow, TV, Adam Riches, Lynsey Hanley, Second City, Axis Of Awesome, Jordan Raskopoulos The Super Rasko Bros., Eric Bana, Veronica Milsom, Clarke MacFarlane, Mario, Queen Of The Circus, Alastair Cook, Setlist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The leading voice of feminism in UK comedy, devastatingly funny Bridget Christie is adept at unearthing humour in difficult or important topics. She talks here about her comic origins in surrealism, and reveals beneath her insecurities the wilfulness that kept her going in the face of critical bewilderment. We Love Comedy, Stewart Lee, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Fosters Comedy Award, A Bic For Her, An Ungrateful Woman, David Trent, Hannibal Buress, Cheese Roll, Charles II, Charles II The Second, Daily Mail, Housewife Surrealist, War Donkey, A Ant, The Stand, ACMS, Alternative Comedy Memorial Society, The Alexander, Clapham, The Comedy Stop, The Comedy Store, Sam Simmons, Alison Vernon-Smith, Bridget Christie Minds The Gap, Radio 4, Kate Smurthwaite, Danielle Ward, Soho Theatre, Eddie Izzard, Celebrity Squares, Warwick Davies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From "Porky the Poet" to "Never Mind The Buzzcocks" to his own stand-up tours, Phill Jupitus is responsible for a prodigious comic output. We discuss his origins as a performer, his use of his family in his material, and the usefulness of unresolved anger...Josie Long, Bridget Christie, Sara Pascoe, Deborah Francis-White, Nadia Kamil, ACMS, Alternative Comedy Memorial Society, Malcolm Hardee, Marcus Brigstocke, World's Most Dangerous Roads, John Mann, Alistair McGowan, Jeremy Hardy, Comedy Store, Mark Thomas, Kevin Day, Andre Vincent, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Free Fringe, Porky The Poet, Poems Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Simmons is not a “surreal” comic, despite his propensity to turn into a horse whilst windsurfing. He's responsible for some of the funniest, most imaginative comedy in the world, and has an unshakeable faith in his material. He talks here about the anger he feels when mainstream audiences refuse to come along for the ride, how he translates rage into comedy, and the advantages of making mistakes.Paul Foot, Mike Wilmot, Noel Fielding, Graeme Garden, Bob Slayer, Set List, James Acaster, Hannibal Burress, Dave Quirk, The Roadshow, Adelaide, Edinburgh Fringe, The Goodies, Dangermouse, Fawlty Towers, Conan, Problems, Animal Planet, The Trip Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A quick hello and a couple of recommendations for the Edinburgh Fringe 2014 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

>John Hastings has the soul of an alt comic, hiding between the power-chords of a bullet-headed club-jockey. He describes in detail how the Canadian circuit differs to the UK, and we talk about the two different types of bombing, his unusual writing technique, and how it feels to do well in a tough room but regret the choices you made...Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Canada, The Pleasance Cellar, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You, Comedy Store, Imran Yusuf, Josh Widdicombe, Eminem, Patton Oswalt, Montreal, Jongleurs, Michael McIntyre, Tony Law, Nick Helm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A master of off-the-wall wordplay, Noel James is disarmingly honest about his struggles with comedy and real life. We analyse his use of metaphor and analogy as well as delving into his psychology, what it's like to commit one's life to comedy, and the public craving for “one voice of truth”.Bangor University, Taunton, One Liners, Gavin Webster, New Zealand, Laurel And Hardy, Monty Python, James Joyce, Dylan Thomas, Spike Milligan, British Telecom, Mark Thomas, Kevin Day, Maria Callas, Graham Norton, Frankie Howerd, Ken Dodd, Time Out, Tunnel Club, Malcolm Hardee, Game Of Thrones, Paul Foot, Phil Kay, Chortle, Daniel Dennett, Colin Wilson, The Outsider, Bill Hicks, Joe Rowntree, SNL, Saturday Night Live, Ben Elton, Arthur Smith, Tim Vine, Glee Club, Selling Out, Eric Sykes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A self-confessed “sad, bearded white dude”, Kyle Kinane has more empathy than the next road warrior, and more bite than the next peddler of whimsy. He talks here about eschewing personality in favour of better jokes; cultivating talent rather than hustle; and how his failure at a big festival led him to discover a more worthwhile goal than wordplay.Extra content from this interview available free at www.comedianscomedian.com/kyleSoho Theatre, Eddie Pepitone, Kurt Braunohler, Mitch Hedburg, The Johnny Carson Show, Mr Show, The Kids In The Hall, Fin Taylor, Paul W. Valentine, Charles Bukowski, Death Of The Party, Whiskey Icarus, Dave Attell, Aspen Comedy Festival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Doody is a textbook "unsung hero" of comedy: fiercely analytical, and with an approach to jokes that is both cerebral and instinctive. He talks here in fascinating detail about elements of his writing process: divergent thinking, freeing oneself from the logic of a situation, and manufacturing outrage...Jim Jefferies, The Now Show, Radio 4, Ben Moore, Wayne Shepherd, The Comedy Cellar, Arnold Brown, Stephen Fry, Bill Hicks, Jack Dee, Stephen Wright, Emo Phillips, Nick Revel, Ben And Arn, Paul Rogan, Stewart Lee, Andy Zaltzman, Matt Kirshen, John Gordillo, Simon Evans, Old Rope, Louis CK, Carey Marx, Ed Byrne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aamer Rahman was on the verge of giving up his career in overtly-political comedy when his youtube standup clip on “reverse racism” went life-changingly viral. We talk about anger, activism, whether issues-based comedy can lead to political change, and the problem with “Game of Thrones”...Fear Of A Brown Planet, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Reverse Racism, Roar, Nazeem Hussain, Nabil Abdul Rashid, Twitter, YouTube, Bloc Party, Alanis Morissette, Ironic, Game Of Thrones, Breivik, Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The grand high sultan of Bullshit-istan, Andy Zaltzman is one half of the incredible Bugle Podcast, and combines densely-written satirical nonsense with improvised flights of fancy. He goes into detail on how The Bugle is made, how he copes with his partner's stratospheric success, and answers the ultimate question: "what is bullshit?"The Bugle, John Oliver, Karen Taylor, Danny Bhoy, Spencer Brown, Honourable Men Of Art, Daniel Kitson, David O'Doherty, Ross Noble, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Noel Fielding, The Daily Show, Mark Thomas, Rob Newman, Michael McIntyre, Richard Herring, Stewart Lee, Alun Cochrane, Ricky Gervais, Political Animal, The Department, Radio 4, Greg Proops, Sara Pascoe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York-based former cabaret comic Adrienne Truscott is an articulate, passionate and hilarious new voice in stand-up. Her "Asking For It" show won the panel prize at the Edinburgh Fringe for its abruptness, honesty and scathing wit. We discuss the vulnerability of performing naked, the responsibilities of freedom of speech, and how to cultivate silliness from fury...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders @comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An improvisational powerhouse, Jarred Christmas finds the time to pepper his irrepressible joie de vivre with damn fine jokes. He spills the beans here about his current state of flux between the attraction of live work and the fresh challenges of TV writing. We also cover the downfalls of trying to play to the Edinburgh critics, Jarred's own “three Cs” of comedy, and how to cheat your way to success in a live studio sitcom..Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders @comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Although still new, Luke Heggie is a breath of dry, dusty air to a circuit stuffed with comic book-readers and “star-fuckers”. A blue-collar Aussie bloke who won RAW on his fourth gig and then gave AGT a shot, he hilariously annihilates the idiots that cross his path, then goes back to his kids and his building site...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders @comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Autobiographical and observational comedian, blogger and feminist, Michele A'Court speaks passionately about authenticity, insecurity and the right to challenge. We discuss her refusal to apologise, the disappearance from TV of older female performers, and two very different sides of her theory that you have to follow what's making the noise in your head, or the rest of the writing won't come...Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders @comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.