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 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Dave Chawner who talked about nurturing gratitude, the best Easter ever and Hell on toast.
It's difficult to say enough about Dave Chawner, who is not only an excellent stand-up comedian but also a passionate mental health campaigner, whose dedication to the subject has resulted in a TED talk, an award-winning show and a best-selling book.
I approached Dave after seeing his 2022 show "Underdog" at the Brighton Fringe, and was delighted to find him as excitable to talk with as he is performing on stage. He's a wonderful comic and a generous human being.
Twitter @DaveChawner
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Monday Jul 24, 2023
In this episode I spoke with sketch and character comedian Kathy Maniura who talked about solo not solo, committing to the bit and the secret.
Kathy is a successful performer as half of sketch duo Horseplay and an unsurprising award winner. When I first saw Kathy perform material from her upcoming Edinburgh solo debut I'll admit I was a little taken aback by her alternative take on character comedy, but Kathy inhabits her subjects with wry observation and utter conviction. Her abstract approach to sending up everyday objects is novel and the the way she brings "friendly absurdity" to the mundane and seriousness to the ridiculous is entirely hilarious.
Instagram @KathyKathymm
Twitter @Kathyaqm
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Ian Smith who talked about getting used to excitement, writing to the deadline and caring too much.
I've seen Ian perform a number of times in mixed bills - one of the best openers I've seen - and also in previews for his 2022 and 2023 Edinburgh shows. He has a wonderful matter-of-fact style, and uses it to explore themes and emotions to excellent effect. As a story-teller he is enthralling and as a comedian he is hilarious.
Instagram @IanSmithComedy
Twitter @IanSmithComedy
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
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