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
Sunday May 14, 2023
Sunday May 14, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Hajar J. Woodland who talked about writing a Christmas song for the Spice Girls, no thin jokes, confidence in religion and nice tits.
I was delighted to finally meet Hajar, albeit briefly, at her inaugural comedy night at the Cellar Magnifique in Woking. I like to support/check out new comedy clubs and venues and I knew of Hajar a little from the circuit. It was a great night of comedy and a real success.
Hajar is a fine up-and-coming comedian with a lot to say and I for one look forward to hearing her put a voice to the great deal of subjects she clearly has in reserve. She's a generous and driven individual with an obvious passion for her work in all it's diverse mediums, but I know her as a comedian, and I'm glad to know her.
Instagram @HajarJWoodland
Twitter @HajarJWoodland
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday May 01, 2023
Monday May 01, 2023
In this episode I spoke with creator and Director of the Leicester Comedy Festival Geoff Rowe, who talked about playing the piano badly, the Tony Slattery next door, and a lifetime contribution.
The annual Leicester Comedy Festival is the largest comedy festival in Europe and the longest running in Britain. Within it's umbrella it encompasses the UK Kids' Comedy Festival, the UK Pun Championship, the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award, the Silver Stand-up for over-55s, lectures, interviews and more.
I volunteer at the festival each year and its always a highlight in my calendar not least because of my love of comedy - where else would I be, seriously? - but also the city and its people are welcoming and provide a wonderful atmosphere for comedy. It's been my pleasure to come to know some of the people involved in the festival in my own small way, and I'm the richer for it. Plus, you know, comedy.
Instagram @Geoff_RoweBEM
Twitter @ Geoff_Rowe
Leicester Comedy Festival website
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Aideen McQueen, who talked about Seanchaí, alcoholism, a different generation of feminism and getting Mr O'Hanlon an apple.
I've been fortunate to see Aideen's 2022 show and 2023 show "Sugar Baby", as well as Best of Irish mixed bills.
Aideen splits her time between the UK and Ireland, performing in both English and Irish. She's a vibrant and energetic comedian, regularly MCing at the Craic Den Comedy Club and the International in Dublin, as well as performing all around the UK with her sassy, sexy and very funny brand of comedy.
Instagram @AideenMcQueen
Twitter @AideenMcQueen
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Stella Graham, who talked about comedy in New Zealand, wasting an hour, hiding at the back, and ringing Highways England.
Stella has been going for some time now and is a superbly accomplished comedian. Although familiar with Stella's work here and there, the first time I saw a full show was "Undercurrent" as part of 2021's Leicester Comedy Festival which was entirely online for obvious reasons. Fortunately at 2022's Leicester, I was able to see Stella in person performing "Porcupine". At a recent mixed bill in Kingston-upon-Thames, I chatted with Stella for about half an hour about comedy in general and she revealed a little of her inner nerd's love of comedy.
She's a wonderful writer and performer, with a huge weight of comic talent, performing on TV, radio and stage all over the world. As The Skinny once put it "If you're a TV executive, drop what you're doing and go see her now".
Instagram @StellaGraham
Twitter @StellaGraham
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Mar 20, 2023
Monday Mar 20, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Kate Martin, who talked about women in comedy, talking to the crowd, and trying to have a normal life.
Kate Martin is one of those comedians I first encountered through my laptop screen during the pandemic lockdowns. It's not always easy to appreciate the talent of a comic confined in such a way, but I knew I liked her immediately. She has an easy-going, earthy style no doubt enhanced by her no-nonsense northern tone, and a warmth of character and a ready wit that is captivating.
My most enduring memory of the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe was spending my last evening in the company of some wonderful comics including Kate. Following her marvellous appearance on the Comedy Arcade, she decided it would be fun to peer over my camera while I was attempting to take a selfie with some comedians, and so it was, as the laughter in the photo can attest. After this, she and I and a group of cherished comedians went for, what for me was the final drink of the festival, and an evening in such good company was the cherry on my festival cake.
Instagram @ThatKateMartin
Twitter @ThatKateMartin
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Mar 13, 2023
Monday Mar 13, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Alex Hylton, who talked about the worst Jongleurs gig, high-fiving your partner, and hanging out with Good Kids at an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet.
Alex Hylton hails from Manchester but has made Leicester his home, and it was here at the 2020 Leicester Comedy Festival that we met. He is an energetic performer and dedicated promoter of the local comedy scene, and I recognised an individual with a true passion for comedy. It was no surprise to hear him spoken of affectionately throughout the festival, and a delight when his third show "Get Rich or Die Cryin'" won Best Show at that year's Awards. It was two years before I saw Alex again, and he hadn't lost any of the energy and passion that are the true hallmarks of his character. It's a pleasure to know someone so synonymous with the comedy of Leicester and the Midlands not only for his devotion to local comedy, but for his hilarious and heartfelt stand-up.
Instagram @AlexParisHylton
Twitter @AlexParisHylton
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Monday Feb 27, 2023
In this episode I spoke with stand-up comedian Tony Law, who talked about the NFL, the AI and comedy being cyclical.
I think I've seen Tony Law perform maybe thirteen times. From the first time I saw a full show - "Absurdity for the Common People" - in 2017, to just recently when I saw "A Now Begin in Again" for the fourth time at this year's Leicester Comedy Festival. Tony Law is not only a wonderful person to talk to, but also a comedic force of nature. He is unlike anyone I've ever seen perform comedy. On stage he is a whirlwind, with absurdist tangents being thrown out in every direction. As someone who sees a lot of comedy, the opportunity for me to see a performer who is devoid of a punchline is a rare treat, as I don't predict what will happen, but just let it happen, and it is never what I expected. That, for me, is one of the hallmarks of great comedy.
Instagram @MrTonyLaw
Twitter @MrTonyLaw
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell
Friday Feb 24, 2023
Friday Feb 24, 2023
Live from the Leicester Comedy Festival in it's 30th Anniversary Richard Gill and Mark Duqueno join forces to talk about a few of their experiences at the festival.
Richard Gill Instagram: @R.W.Gill
Richard Gill Twitter: @RW_Gill
The Comedy Nerd Instagram @The ComedyNerd
Comedy in a Nutshell Instagram @ComedyInANutshell