The Comedian's Comedian Podcast

Richard Herring is a prolific comedian, blogger and podcaster, comprehensively mining his every experience for comic potential. As well as exploring the unique resource of his daily blog, his online strategy and some of his maddeningly self-indulgent impulses, we also discuss his success, and whether it will ever live up to his aspirations... Part two follows in the next episode of this podcast. G...

How do you make comedy out of stuff that hurts? The low-falutin' Jarlath Regan opens up about the near-tragic event he turned into a show, and why he had to leave his own country to pursue comedy. We also explore the pros of flyering your festival show yourself; posing as your own agent; and what Jarlath will say to Louis CK's face if he ever meets him... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus conte...

Milo McCabe is a superb character act with an unusual origin. We discuss growing up in the shadow of a comedian father, and the use of NLP and other psychological techniques to cope with the demands of life on stage. We also delve into his experience of Phil Burgers' infamous clown workshops, and how Milo is putting some of that learning into practice. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus con...

It's the second Live special, and London-based Australian gagsmith Benny Boot lets us in on his effervescent cartoon-like imagination. We talk about the unusual techniques he employs to create a writing environment, why the true stories of his checkered past don't fly, and how long he can keep an owl impression going... *** This episode suffers from audio issues which do not represent the usu...

A study in confidence, Australian Tom Gleeson trades in lean, punchy material that batters an audience into submission. We discuss how "comedy's Lex Luthor" changed from being a competent but boring standup, into a forceful presence with absolute faith in his comic perspective. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedi...

Talented, dedicated and analytical, Melbourne-based Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall is part of a new generation of comics. We discuss the acquisition of stage-time in a town with relatively few gigging opportunities, and geek out over the “mathematics” of joke-writing. Alasdair also reveals the ten thousand dollar motivational gamble that got his head in the game... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus cont...

Felicity Ward hilariously combines expert physical characterisation with heartfelt storytelling. Speaking just after the recording of her first DVD in Melbourne, she describes her creative process, her experiences in pilot season in L.A., and her strategies for coping with the self-criticism that can make her want to run from the stage. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews...

The quintessential comic raconteur, Tom Allen's work sizzles with wit, candour and warmth. We discuss his rhythm, musicality and sociable methods of generating material, as well as investigating the self-criticism and loneliness with which he sometimes struggles. This delightful man also makes a convincing case for recognising comedians as "artists who are entitled to support"... Get ad-free new e...

With an unselfconscious charm and a superb skill for finding the funny in true stories, Geraldine Hickey is a delightful comedian to spend an hour with. We talk about her recently-discovered sexuality and the perspective it gives her on previous work. We also explore the Melbourne comedy scene, “running one's own race”, and the benefits of combining a comedy career with an enjoyable second job. Ge...

Known for his hyper-personal material about death, infidelity and suicide, David Quirk is happy to be an outsider, to the comedy community as well as his audience. We discuss the tropes of contemporary standup and David's decision to move away from them; the need to watch other people's shows or not; and what it feels like to release oneself from the compulsion to be funny. We also touch on negati...

Rubber-legged comedy mantis Asher Treleaven has been nominated for the most prestigious awards in the UK and Australia. He talks here about his transition from art-house darling to club-fit road act, and the changes in his strategy towards festivals. As well as exploring the development of his persona, he's also admirably frank in describing his concerns about a dwindling audience, something he fa...

Variety superstar Clarke MacFarlane blends elements of stand-up, clowning and skills to create the show-stopping, crowd-surfing "Mario, Queen of the Circus". Touring with La Clique and La Soiree has allowed him to hone his act to perfection over years, but he still "pays his dues" with regular streetshows. We discuss his work rate and workaholism, his respect for standups, and his bizarre pre...

Lindsay Webb is comedy's Mr Queensland. A hard-working positive-thinker, he once held a Guinness World Record for the longest stand-up show, and manages to make waves in the industry without a consistent TV profile. We also get an overview of the Australian comedy industry, and Lindsay opens up about his dismissal from national radio. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and muc...

Suede-hooved waffler Carl Donnelly makes comic storytelling look easy. His turn of phrase and relaxed narrative style has influenced a wave of newer acts, but his eye for a genuinely funny idea sets him apart from his emulators. We discuss the importance of the truth in his work, and he also bangs on about theta-waves. Christ knows. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much...

Heath Franklin performs stand-up as his alter-ego “Chopper”, a caricature of Australia's infamous career criminal and self-promoter. We explore the careful path Heath treads to avoid encouraging fans of the real thing, and instead make the character a victim of his own rage. We also uncover the challenges faced by a talented comic phasing out a successful character, in the search for ric...

The only man who can say “cunt” in America, Jim Jefferies uses his brutal comic instinct to tell somehow heart-warming stories. He discusses here the self-deprecation that makes dirty comedy acceptable, the importance of identifying the correct victim, and the formula that underpins his live shows. We also talk about the one subject he won't make jokes about, and his fondness for Sondheim. Get ad-...

How close is Rhod Gilbert's furious persona to his real self? In this revealing interview, the workaholic wizard discusses truth and fiction, lonely walks on Welsh cliff paths, and going a bit mental on callbacks. We also explore the therapeutic value of making comedy; but is Rhod really ready to sign himself out of the asylum? Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more...

He might look like he's just won a Duke of Edinburgh Award, but he's got a mean streak a mile wide... In this special episode recorded live after a 30min performance, thrillingly talented “Slim Jimmy” Acaster reveals the difference between his real self and his onstage persona. We discuss sensitivity to the direction in which one's audience want to be taken, and also explore how James overcame the...

One of the nicest men in comedy, with an effervescent wit and fantastic jokes, Rob Rouse is also better placed than most to observe the ups and downs of a career in TV. He talks here candidly about the effect his changing fortunes have had on his outlook, and how his family life has helped him grow as a comic as well as a man. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more b...

Stephen Grant is one of the hardest-working comedians in Britain, with an unshakeable belief in the meritocracy of comedy. We go into depth on how we writes for himself and with other higher-profile comics including Seann Walsh and Russell Kane. He also shares with us some very perceptive analysis of the comedy circuit and proves mathematically that one can never run out of funny. Get ad-free...

Stu's on holiday! But you can still experience the brief but fascinating interview Stu held with comedian Michael Legge at Michael's "All Day Edinburgh" gala show. Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders Get tickets for Stu Goldsmith's stand-up tour at  www.comedianscomedian.com/tour @co...

Terry Alderton is an electrifying comic, with extraordinary energy, passion and invention; he's also one of the bravest performers I know. In spite of his hugely loved and respected work however, he still has feelings of being an outsider to the comedy circuit. He talks here with remarkable candour about his doubts, the review that reduced him to tears and the book that changed his life. Get ad-fr...

Big-hearted gangshow “Pappy's” are the sweatiest, loveliest bunch of dickheads you could ever hope to see pretending to be in their twenties on BBC3. In this live show they discuss writing in a threesome, taking one for the team, and what makes critics “jizz themselves”. We also discover the painful truth about how they went from a four to a three, and learn how hard it is to write award-winning s...

Are stand-up comedians simply repressed clowns? That's the question posed by Phil Burgers, iconoclastic creator of the deliriously funny “Dr Brown”. He passionately explores the the importance of receiving an audience not transmitting to them, searching for the pleasure in being an idiot, and why “need” kills comedy. He also explains how he has created work by improvising a completely new show, ev...

Rapper and comedian Rob Broderick AKA Abandoman is a force of nature, whose invincible positivity is matched only by his breathtaking performance skill. He talks in depth about his origins in rap and comedy, and how he combines the two today. We also cover why "Hulk hands" can be a substitute for jokes, and what happens when two nice men attempt to battle-rap... Get ad-free new episodes, bonus con...