Luke McGregor: ‘I don’t like Pokémon. It really feels like animal cruelty to me’

The comedian and actor on his love of Ghostbusters, why Shaun Micallef made him stick his hand up a cow’s bum and trusting Robert Irwin with his lifeYou’re on the new season of Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey, where you explored your Scottish roots. Wh…

Continue Reading

‘I was miserable for a lot of this century’: Stewart Lee on divorce, his adoption and the twisted children’s poem that explains his life

After a rocky few decades, the standup is nearing 60 – and finding contentment at last. But what does his grotesque retelling of The Owl and the Pussy-cat tell us about his inability to connect with people?Stewart Lee is somewhat fretfully tidying his …

Continue Reading

Atsuko Okatsuka: ‘Fans have cut their hair to look like mine, which is a huge commitment’

The comedian and actor on her love for White Chicks, getting a bad Yelp review as a dog walker and doing stand-up during an earthquakeYou went to film school; what movie do you rewatch or return to most?This would not be an answer that my film school w…

Continue Reading

Natalie Tran: ‘For my first date with my partner I made a PDF of activities. It had maps and times’

The Great Australian Bake Off host and comedian on being ignored by Steve Carell, why it should be illegal not to own a rice cooker, and looking angry on Mr InbetweenI have always wanted to ask a Bake Off host this – how much cake do you actually get t…

Continue Reading

No smut, no swearing, wrong-feet wellies and a silly hat: the gentle comedy world of Jimmy Cricket

Having cut his teeth in the holiday camps of the north, the comic bestrode 80s TV with his unthreatening brand of fun, being knighted by the pope in 2015• Jimmy Cricket, comedian known for his ‘And there’s more!’ catchphrase, dies aged 80After the come…

Continue Reading

Mary Beth Barone on provocative jokes, Palestine and manosphere misogyny: ‘It’s hard to stomach that those are my co-workers’

The comedian and actor’s new Netflix special is a gleefully absurd take on politics and potty-mouthed humorMary Beth Barone knows exactly who will be offended by her new Netflix special. “JK Rowling, Republicans, establishment Democrats, the British, t…

Continue Reading

What a clusterpuck! Race to parody hockey hit Heated Rivalry results in multiple musicals

The horny TV series has inspired a whopping four comedy shows this summer. Their makers explain why musical theatre and steamy action are such good bedfellows – and why there’s no rivalry between themFive minutes was all it took. The stars of Heated Ri…

Continue Reading

‘Giggly, mischievous and extremely generous’: tributes to Penelope Keith

After her death this week aged 86, colleagues of The Good Life actor remember a star who remained kind, funny and grounded despite her formidable stage presenceActor and artistic director at Shakespeare’s Globe Continue reading…

Continue Reading

To mischief born: Penelope Keith was a class comic act both on and off stage

The actor’s sophisticated sense of humour and natural ability to make everyone laugh were there long before her famous sitcom rolesA life in picturesPenelope Keith: the most spectacular sitcom snob ever to grace our screensPenelope Keith, who has died …

Continue Reading

Abbie Chatfield: ‘Someone told her worst dating story. I lay on the floor of the stage and screamed’

The podcaster and TV host talks to us about doomscrolling, aliens and a horrifying sound healing that made her want to vomitWhat’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?It’s not really advice, but it is something my mum said when I was going …

Continue Reading