The Comedian's Comedian Podcast

In-between appearing in Olivier Award-winning improvised musical "Showstopper!" and co-founding the "radically inclusive global movement" Sunday Assembly, Pippa Evans is a poly-performative stand-up, singer and actress. We talk about what made her character "Loretta Maine" so successful, and some of the inherent drawbacks; and we discuss her unique brand of self-confidence, the moment her jealousy...

Clean-cut to within an inch of his life, spunky Ed Gamble is a deft young comic who attributes his burgeoning success to being in the right place at the right time. We discuss the affect on his persona of the "Peacock & Gamble" double-act, learn how he created comedian Nish Kumar and tremble before his voracious appetite (for tagging jokes). Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from in...

In this quicky micro-pod, Stu talks all soppy like about his recent nuptials.  (Also T-shirt pre-sale info and a quick ad for some London previews this weekend he neglected to advertise.  At all.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the 1980's Jo Brand has been synonymous with the best of British comedy, rising to the top of the industry at a time when female comics were outnumbered sixteen to one. We find out whether her grumpiness is an act, applaud her resilience in the face of some of the disgraceful things people have said to her, and discover her feelings about the place of "fat" jokes in a perhaps more progr...

Multiple award-botherer Tom is well-read, politically-conscious and adept at turning argument into meaningful comedy. He's also really aggravatingly young and funny and successful. We discuss his politicisation, his approach to writing and editing, and whether he deliberately left his show-script out on his desk for Stu to see...  Catch up with Tom at  www.tomballard.com.au Tom's po...

A punchline powerhouse with a genuinely unique act, Lee Ridley is adept at skewering his audience's unspoken prejudices. Unable to speak due to his cerebral palsy, Lee communicates entirely through an electronic aid, on- and off-stage. We discuss how he overcomes the specific challenges this presents to a comic, and learn in more than usual detail how he "found his voice". And why he cho...

Immaculate in appearance, delivery and hit-rate, Rhys Nicholson is a perfectly-balanced cocktail of a comedian. We discuss the relationship between his face, his "face" and the world of drag, and zero in on the pressures of following up an award-nominated show...  Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomed...

In his fourth decade as a comic, Jeremy Hardy is a staple of British comedy radio. His passion for vivid, punchline-filled writing is further enlivened by his political fervour. We find out what people most often get wrong about the birth of alternative comedy, discuss his choice of words and analogies, and explore why he hates being labelled a political comic.  @ComComPod | www.comedianscome...

Aunty Donna are a six-man sketch team with specialists in video, sound design and stage direction reinforcing the classic clown family of octopus Statham, wild-eyed loon and wanking sex-monkey. We talk about the method behind the madness, the effect their online presence has on their creativity, and the meetings required to steer a six person/six partner battleship. TheAuntyDonnaChannel | www...

Having grown up in Tasmania at a time when her very sexuality was illegal, Hannah Gadsby has forged her anger into an annihilating comic weapon. Her new show "Nanette" is a heart-wrenching piece of work that rails against the failings of comedy itself to tell enough of the truth. We talk about honesty and accessibility, and her decision to stop being a comedian. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus con...

No interview this week, but loads of great ones on the way, so this week I'm giving you an update of what's been happening in Melbourne.  If you're going to the Melbourne Comedy Festival then make sure you see Deanne Smith, Aunty Donna, Aaron Chen, Tom Walker, Des Bishop, Ahir Shah, Becky Lucas and Rebecca Walker.  Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by...

One of the most iconoclastic, pioneering and influential comedians in Britain, Stewart Lee has forged his post-punk ideals into a thrillingly funny live act, with the very form at his fingertips. We explore the deliberately uncomfortable tension between the man and the stage persona; discuss his self-imposed exclusion from the comedy community; and investigate his unshakeable conviction that he is...

An electrifying live performer, with a casual brutality that has audiences laughing despite themselves, Paul Chowdhry sells far more tickets than his mid-level TV profile might suggest. We talk about his outsider status, the racial abuse he suffered as a child, and the responsibility or otherwise of the comedian to challenge the status quo. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews a...

Mark Forward is one of Canada's finest comic exports, with a genuinely off-the-wall approach to his comedy, and the resolve that comes of having retired and come back to the profession. We talk about humble arrogance; looking for milestones; the joy of silence; and ask how many people have to tell you you're good before you believe them... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews an...

Phil Wang is a suave dork, a confident nerd, a feminist creep and a very funny young man. We uncover his childhood being hit with sticks in Malaysia, and track his comedy odyssey via presidency of Cambridge Footlights to "Have I Got News For You?" (BBC). We also talk about the development and shrewd positioning of his sketch outfit "Daphne", and his relationship to the word "yellow". Get ad-f...

Comedian, singer, musician and key member of improvisational powerhouse "Austentatious", Rachel Parris revels in undercutting her nice girl image with some tough material. We talk about how audiences listen differently to talking and singing; how to survive the sinking feeling of a tough festival; and her experience spinning a chat with the Samaritans into comedy gold... Get ad-free new episo...

Elis James and John Robins have both appeared on the show before as comics in their own right, but in this live special we focus on the work that goes into their endlessly funny and heartfelt radio and podcast double-act. We explore the hidden language of the show, the dramatic improvement in their standup work, and a factually accurate description of the band Queen... Get ad-free new episode...

Brian Regan is the undisputed master of the "act-out", reducing audiences to tears of joy as he inhabits one potent premise after another. We squeezed in half an hour backstage to talk about how he shapes and annotates his "vignettes", and find out why everyone considers him the nicest man in comedy. Note to UK-based listeners... Even if you don't always download non-UK acts, please just give this...

Radio and TV regular Angela is a prodigious joke-writer with a reputation for sharp material delivered in a world-weary manner. A former mental health professional, who "lost" her twenties to mental health problems she could deftly conceal, we talk about topical and political comedy, and ask whether her punchline density is really driven by insecurity... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content fro...

Like a reverse superhero, Elis James is a warm and charismatic story-teller, able to summon a hilarious, tiny-fisted, ranting neurotic from a parallel universe. We discuss how his persona changes when performing in English or his native Welsh, explore his sumptuous vocabulary, and unpack his superbly anecdotal style. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joi...

Pappys return to the show after four years to discuss BBC3's Badults, live shows, their future together, and whether they'll ever go back to Edinburgh. Laughter, tears and dickheads in a very festive special episode... Download the accompanying episode from Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedians...

Fern Brady is a fiercely funny and provocative comic, with an invigorating ability to combine eloquence and bluntness. A Guardian columnist and accidental spokesperson, she talks here about managing her anger, her frustrated attempts to make friends, and why she's often surprised to hear that she doesn't give a fuck... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by j...

Softly spoken and absolutely committed to the truth, Chris Gethard took Edinburgh by storm with a searingly honest and blackly funny show about depression and attempted suicide. We talk about creativity and catharsis, his superb blogs, and whether or not performing is therapy... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomed...

One of comedy's happiest and most humble men, Andy Askins reduces audiences to tears with his beautifully subtle and innocent-seeming punchlines. We discover the extraordinary backstory to his career, and find out about the decisions behind his whispered powerhouse performance. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedi...

Carmen Lynch combines deft writing, rhythm and performative poise, to deadly effect. We talk about stopping and re-starting comedy, and how it feels to escape from the day-job a second time. We also explore the beauty in simplicity, how to beat shyness with performance, and her recent spots on Letterman and Conan. Follow @lynchcarmen or go to www.carmenlynch.com for more info. Get ad-free new epis...