In this podcast I ask the big questions, What is comedy? Who is it, and why is it? To help me I’ve enlisted the help of comedians, performers, promoters, and fans like myself, to discuss what comedy means to them, and to sum all their experience up in a nutshell. Please remember to like, subscribe, rate, review and share. Thank you! For information about me and the more than 1600 comedians I’ve seen live over the last 40+ years, as well as links to upcoming live comedy shows and more, visit my website www.thecomedynerd.com
Episodes
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Philipp Kostelecky who talked about stomach block, different kinds of laughter and not being enough of a lizard.
I first saw Philipp in September 2022 on a mixed bill in West London, although I'd been aware of the name for a few years. In his short time on stage he struck me as an energetic performer with a zeal for his craft. I recently saw his 2023 hour "Daddy's Home" at a work in progress performance for his Edinburgh Festival Fringe run and was not disappointed by the breadth both in his material and his performance.
Still in his 20s but with a varied cultural and vocational background, he has more than enough to call on for material, and traverses the comedy spectrum from socio-political satire to physical buffoonery, with laughs at every turn.
Instagram @philcomedy
Twitter @CheeseCakePCK
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up and sketch comedian Claire Haus, who talked about not opening a dog shelter, finding the middle ground and rambling as a German.
Claire was described by Time Out London as "one of the smartest, funniest sketch comedians" recommending her as one of four comedians to watch in 2022, and her online videos have attracted millions of views.
In the last few years I've seen Claire perform live and online, and she's been a delight. Her character comedy videos are always very funny and she says the word "mindfulness" in as funny a way as I'll probably ever hear, but I also enjoy seeing Claire performing straight stand-up, because she radiates a warmth and a joy in the performance that is as endearing as some of her characters are disturbing.
Instagram @clairehauscomedy
Twitter @clairehauslives
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Jun 26, 2023
Monday Jun 26, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Lisa May who talked about having a meltdown, finding your voice, starting a comedy night and what the fox says.
I met Lisa May in March 2023, when I found out about her comedy night in Surbiton, South-West London. I try to support new nights and new comedians when I can, so when I saw there were ten comedians on the bill, most of whom were new to me, I went along and it was a great night. So great in fact that I have been many times since.
Lisa is such a striking individual that is is no surprise she was CEO of her own multi-million pound company. She gets excited talking about comedy and it is easy to get excited with her. She makes things seem not only possible, but likely. I enjoy her comedy nights and I enjoy her company in equal measure.
Instagram @standupLisaMay
Twitter @standupLisaMay
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Jun 19, 2023
Monday Jun 19, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Roman Harris who talked about unlikely inspiration, a nice reputation, and 'opening' for Dave Chappelle.
I heard about Roman on the circuit and saw that he was performing at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe on a split bill with actress and comedian Thomasin Lockwood, so I decided to check it out. I immediately enjoyed Roman’s enthusiasm and the joy he expressed in his smile clearly endeared him quickly to the audience. I saw him again shortly after at a new comedy night in Woking and he was kind enough to ‘recognise a friendly face’ and greeted me with that same enthusiastic smile. He is a very funny comedian with a seemingly justified reputation for being one of the nicest comics on the circuit.
Instagram @HardyHaaHaa
Twitter @HardyHaaHaa
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Jun 12, 2023
Monday Jun 12, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Alexandra Haddow who talked about fear of vomiting, turning it flirty, the comedian brain and introducing Dylan Moran.
I've seen Alex perform so many times over the last three years both live and online, and been delighted by her performance each time, being both an excellent comedian and one of my favourite MCs. Prolific in her work, she's run comedy nights for Dulwich Hamlets, and Vauxhall Comedy Club, as well as joint-founded Indie club night Indie Amnesty, and What's The Deal Comedy, and still made time to write for publication.
Alex is also enjoyable company. Always upbeat and energetic, her zeal is almost infectious and a delight to be around.
Instagram @AlexandraHaddow
Twitter @MissAHaddow
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Jamie Allerton who talked about creating something good, playing with self-loathing, being a dickhead and when German expressionism isn't German expressionism.
I've enjoyed seeing Jamie as both an act and as an MC for the last few years at Fulham Comedy Club, Vauxhall Comedy Club, and various other London locations. I'm always loathe to commit to a favourite comedian but I would definitely rate Jamie as one of the best MCs I've seen and it's been great to see him develop from spots to last summer's split bill at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to his current work in progress, with which he will make his solo hour debut at this year's Edinburgh Festival.
He is also a lot of fun to be around, sharing my passions for live comedy, roast dinners, and social drinking. My first day in Edinburgh 2022 was in his company among others, and it was an introduction to my week that I wish I could remember, so that I could say I will never forget it.
Instagram @allertonjamie
Twitter @JayAllerton
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday May 29, 2023
Monday May 29, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Michelle Shaughnessy who talked about too high expectations, opening up to audiences, and knowing your worth.
I was aware of Michelle as a comedian before she came to the UK in March of 2022, and had heard her 2020 album 'Botoxic' on Spotify. I was delighted to be able to see her 2023 work in progress show at the Leicester Comedy Festival, which was dominated by the audience-interactive style favoured by comedians like Trevor Lock and Russell Hicks.
Michelle is a gifted comic with a naturally disarming manner that easily ingratiates her with her audience. She has a curiosity about people that makes her as confident in the conversation as in her material, and an earnestness that makes her relatable and endearing. She is also a wonderful person to talk to.
Instagram @michellesfunny
Twitter @michellesfunny
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Sara Palomarr who talked about the mystery of greeting cards, the power of a duo and not being Buster Keaton.
Sara is another comedian I happened upon during the pandemic lockdowns. Their videos online, both solo and with their Daft Duo partner Angela Legg intrigued me and when I saw that the Daft Duo would be performing at The 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, I decided to check them out.
When I went to the show as part of the Free Festival, it was a slow day and sadly I was the only one in the audience. Sara and Angela decided they would do the show anyway and I really enjoyed the performance which was a mixture of stand-up, song, dance, clowning, and slapstick. It was very energetic and lots of fun. When the show was over I offered some money (as it was the Free Festival) and they agreed a selfie of the three of us would be enough. It was a sweet way to end what had been a delightful hour, and I was very happy to see how well the show was subsequently reviewed.
Sara continues to perform as a stand-up in Scotland and I'm sure will go from strength to strength as their career develops and grows.
Instagram @Sara.Palomarr
Twitter @SaraPalomarr_
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell