But Is It Funny?

Join spooky comedian Suchandrika Chakrabarti, influencer (!) Brian Logan and special guest Fatiha El-Ghorri as they ask:

What are the best and worst comedy venues, from basement bars to rooftop gigs and performing in a burger bar?

What's it like to perform stand-up on TV - can it ever replicate the live experience?

How do comedians go about starting a set and how much should they be expected to explain who they are?

Plus, what makes for a 5-star review?

Fatiha is on tour now!

https://pennyappeal.org/event/super-muslim-comedy-tour-2021

Our regular panel of Brian Logan, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Jamal Khadar consider:

• The fallout from Dave Chappelle's new Netflix special
• Glamrou at Soho Theatre
• The ethics of using material from other people's lives (with reference to Bad Art Friend)

Share your own thoughts on these topics and ideas for future episodes @counterarts #butisitfunny

But Is It Funny? is a weekly podcast produced by Counterpoints Arts as part of our PopChange programme. It aims to help extend and diversify the critical conversation around comedy.

Suchandrika Chakrabarti offers a guide to comedy podcast types and tropes, as well as selecting some of her favourites. But are comedy podcasts more than just chat?

Brian Logan reflects on the new TV series from Jon Stewart as well as the return of the Daily Mash. In a post-Trump world, is topical satire still able to deliver?

Jamal Khadar speaks up for fans-as-critics - the people who know a show best can sometimes offer the most telling insights. Should fans be given more respect?

Jamal Khadar asks whether Improv is getting more diverse.
Brian Logan gets stuck into Netflix series The Chair.
And Suchandrika Chakrabarti explores how critics choose who and what to review.

Suchandrika Chakrabarti discusses sadness in comedy with reference to TV shows Ladhood, Back To Life and  Alma’s Not Normal . Can TV comedy succeed with tragedy where stand-up can’t?

Jamal Khadar reflects on I Think You Should Leave by Tim Robinson (Netflix): is it a genuinely new take on TV sketch comedy? And did live sketch shows get there first?

Brian Logan's subject is Zoom gigs. With in-person comedy now back up and running is there anything to be salvaged or learned from the pandemic era of stand-up live online?

Plus, some incidental discussion of marching band gags, losing comedy competitions and Russell Brand. 

Jamal Khadar explains what you can expect from our new weekly podcast of comedy critics in conversation. Episode 1 available 24/9/21