Terry Saunders: Shambolic stories and cats with Aids

One of the most striking aspects of Popcorn Comedy – other than the vast array of sketches, short films and animations which grace the screen – is how it forces live performers to tinker with their act.

Comedians take different approaches to incorporating the video element into their Popcorn set, whether making them part of the whole routine or (as with last month’s set from Adil Ray and videos of his wonderful Mr Khan creation) slot them in as a structural device or even a diversion. Read the rest of this entry »

Miles Jupp: a different class

Self-confessed ‘privileged’ stand-up Miles Jupp doesn’t pay much attention to the news. It’s an odd confession from a comic who presents one of BBC Radio’s flagship topical comedy shows, namely Radio 7’s Newsjack – the logical heir to Weekending, given that it offers up the airwaves to sketches and gags from new and aspiring comedy writers.

In truth, it seems like Jupp lives in his own bubble, and that appears to be just how he likes it. A familiar face and voice to comedy fans – he’s appeared alongside such stand-up stalwarts as Stewart Lee and Simon Munnery, made a guest appearance as a hapless PR officer in The Thick of It, and narrated the radio series from much-loved sketch troupe the Penny Dreadfuls – as well as children, for his role in Balamory. Read the rest of this entry »

Adil Ray's comic creation Mr Khan: leading the people of Leicester, even if they don't know it yet

If the internet has made it possible for musicians to experiment with their output and filter new material directly to their fans, then it’s had just as big an impact on comedy. Whether it’s via sites such as Funny or Die, or clips posted on YouTube, there’s plenty of scope for comedy performers to make sketches or self-contained narratives and stick them up on the web for our viewing pleasure.

DIY videos, short films and lo-fi animations from promising newcomers exist alongside more established names. But with so many hits and misses, how’s it possible to filter out the wheat from the comedic chaff? Read the rest of this entry »

Sarah Millican: Anyone for cake?

Sarah Millican and Gary Delaney’s romance was in bloom at Sutton’s Comedy Junction when the comedy pair delighted the audience with a double bill, come double date, of a two act show. Who knew that a common love of rape gags would make for such a sustaining relationship?

The couple presumably met on the circuit when Sarah took to comedy after her difficult divorce at 29.  Four years later they have held out but, as Sarah told us, are purposefully not planning on marriage. Read the rest of this entry »

Paul Merton: getting by with a little help from his Chums

Accusations from some corners of the comedy sphere point to Paul Merton as being a performer on the wane – a great, agile comic mind no longer being fully exploited on Have I Got News For You?, with its well-worn format now arguably part of the establishment itself.

Merton has been more active in making documentaries than comedy in the recent past, especially paying tribute to Alfred Hitchcock, or singing the praises of the silent comedies which have meant so much to him. Read the rest of this entry »

Dara O'Briain: "Brilliantly quick dry wit and imagination"

Feeling as rough as an old dog’s tits, I entered negotiations with Mr Mud concerning transport to the Hippodrome for the Dara O’Briain gig. It was morning, and the night before Pepper Pots had dragged me out dancing on Broad Street till the morning hours.

I did try to reason with Pepper, indicating that I had work in the morning, but my vain attempts to come to an understanding only resulted in a lecture about me having ‘issues’ and being given a Jagerbomb. Nice. Read the rest of this entry »

Ooh look, there go Conchords again...

Tickets to the Flight of the Conchords sold quicker than excrement off a digging tool thanks to some marketing imbecile, who decided that priority ticket purchasing would be allocated to those who had become a ‘fan’ of the show on Facebook.

The power of social networking is apparent in the modern day and perhaps I’m too over critical of artists who turn their back on their loyal following unless they play ball and surrender to the phenomenon. We’ve come a long way since simply buying a t-shirt satisfies our heroes. Read the rest of this entry »

Idiots of Ants: Eight legs good...

Even if you aren’t familiar with the name Idiots of Ants – and we’ll leave you to work out the pun – the chances are that you’ll have seen their ‘Facebook in Real Life’ sketch which appeared on BBC3 sketch show The Wall and has since gone viral on YouTube, racking up plenty of views.

The four-piece sketch troupe have been steadily cultivating a live following through touring and have picked up considerable critical acclaim for these shows, on top of an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination at last year’s festival and a Chortle Award earlier this year for best sketch comedy act. Read the rest of this entry »

Stewart Francis: He has a punning plan...

With thanks to some well-timed television appearances, Canadian gag-smith Stewart Francis has been making his name better known. This more widespread attention has largely been a result of guest slots on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Mock the Week, where his one-liners provide a counterpoint to the regular panellists’ familiar styles.

Francis is known for snappy gags and puns, and his rising star means that this current leg of his seemingly never-ending Tour de Francis jaunt has seen him graduate to larger venues, and a further leg in the autumn looks set to sell equally well. Support stints on Ricky Gervais’ current stand-up tour only emphasise the fact that Francis is in demand. Read the rest of this entry »

Surreal Canadian comic Tony Law. Time-travelling dog not pictured.

For those of you who have not heard of the Comedy Junction, you are in for a treat. I too was unaware even though this gem of a monthly Birmingham comedy night goes on in my very own home town, Sutton Coldfield.

Who’d have thought this archetypal suburb would have such a draw for headline acts? The committed crowd upstairs at The Station have witnessed the likes of Chris Addison, Ross Noble, Reginald D Hunter, Alan Carr, Lee Mack (regularly), Russell Howard, Russell Kane and Tim Lane to name but a few. Read the rest of this entry »