John Cleese cut N-word from Fawlty Towers revival because people ‘don’t understand irony’

Speaking at launch for West End adaptation, Cleese complains about literal-minded viewers ‘not playing with a full deck’John Cleese said that he decided to cut the N-word from a scene in his West End Fawlty Towers revival because in contemporary Britai…

Continue Reading

No Jerry Seinfeld, the ‘extreme left’ hasn’t killed comedy | Stuart Heritage

The comedian’s claim that wokeness is the reason why comedy is no longer as funny is lazy – and inaccurateJerry Seinfeld is currently at saturation point, promoting his new Pop Tarts movie Unfrosted. Still a canny operator, however, Seinfeld understand…

Continue Reading

‘I was severely stalked and severely abused’: Richard Gadd on the true story behind Baby Reindeer

The chilling, visceral, deeply compelling comedy-drama has caused shock waves worldwide since launching last weekend. But what about the experiences that inspired it?When Richard Gadd wrote Monkey See Monkey Do for the Edinburgh fringe in 2016, he says…

Continue Reading

Enough of the satire, dial down the rom-coms – Philomena Cunk is right: we need more stupid comedy

These are serious times, and they demand silly entertainment. Please, British TV – send in the clownsDo we need more stupidity in our lives? With the state of the world as it is, the obvious answer is that we most definitely do not. But what if we need…

Continue Reading

The secret life of Paul O’Grady – by his friends: ‘His number’s still saved in my phone. I can’t delete it’

He rose to fame as foul-mouthed drag star, Lily Savage, then abandoned the wig and became a national treasure. Friends including Sandi Toksvig, Amanda Holden and Gaby Roslin remember a true, terrific one-off‘I can’t believe it’s been a year,” says Malc…

Continue Reading

Monét X Change: Life Be Lifein’ review – Drag Race champ’s fabulous rise to fame

Soho theatre, LondonThe star’s stage presence is impressive as she charts the journey from her religious upbringing to her first sexual encounters and becoming an adored icon“Premium ticketholders will get a post-show meet and greet opportunity.” That’…

Continue Reading

Monét X Change: Life Be Lifein’ review – Drag Race champ’s fabulous rise to fame

Soho theatre, LondonThe star’s stage presence is impressive as she charts the journey from her religious upbringing to her first sexual encounters and becoming an adored icon“Premium ticketholders will get a post-show meet and greet opportunity.” That’…

Continue Reading

Lorna Rose Treen: ‘Someone shouted along to one of my jokes, like I was a band’

The character comic on gigging with chickens, harnessing the power of embarrassment and her spoof Radio 4 current affairs showWhat first drew you to character comedy?As a kid I loved television, especially whatever my parents watched. Dad liked the ana…

Continue Reading

‘The outrageousness of what Louis CK did is totally lost’: the film about the backlash faced by his accusers

Sorry/Not Sorry tells the story of the comedian’s sexual misconduct through the eyes of the women who spoke out – and endured a vicious backlash from fans, podcasters and fellow standupsCaroline Suh was once a huge fan of Louis CK, the comedian known f…

Continue Reading

Jerrod Carmichael is a superb standup – if only he’d stop checking his phone on stage

The US comedian, who won an Emmy for the remarkable 2022 special Rothaniel, makes a bemusing visit to London When Sarah Silverman took to the stage at Hammersmith Apollo one night in 2008, she couldn’t have been more hip, or more hyped – America’s most…

Continue Reading