94 stories by "Leo Benedictus"
Jackie 'Moms' Mabley was gay, black, and political " and her stage act, the focus of a new Whoopi Goldberg documentary, was a cornerstone of all standup comedyReading on mobile? Click to lis…
The Big Yin's timeless gig at London's Royal Albert Hall sees him in typically energetic and incorrigibly childish moodTitle: Billy and AlbertDate: 1987 Continue reading...
He came from a family of Pentecostal preachers and performed comedy with righteous, thrilling fervourTitle: Breaking the RulesDate: 1987 Continue reading...
A cockney lad who now drinks Zinfandel and admires the Montessori way, Flanagan satirises both sides of the class divideTitle: The Out Out Tour LiveDate: 2011 Continue reading...
Behind the gurning game-show host and mother-in-law jokes was a complex comic with an unexpected past, who captured the hearts of the British TV-watching publicTitle: The Best of Les Dawson.…
One of the funniest and most original comedians of the past 20 years is an incorrigible dabbler with little interest in fameTitle: HelloYear: 2007 Continue reading...
A man who takes silliness to a new level, Teeuwen makes us look at normality anew. While doing improvised autoerotic yogaTitle: Live in LondonYear: 2008 Continue reading...
Snide, sarcastic, seemingly eager to offend, Carr's on-stage persona is thoroughly unlikable. But that seems to be the point " and you can't fault his skillTitle: Stand UpDate: 2005 Continue…
The granddaddy of modern standup comedy is on erratic but brilliant form in his penultimate showTitle: The Lenny Bruce Performance FilmYear: 1967 Continue reading...
Early death does wonders for an artist's reputation, it is true, but Hicks was a major talent " raw, angry, sincere, unhappy, weeping and yelling at a complacent worldTitle: RelentlessDate: …
In this remarkable comeback gig, one of comedy's great survivors demonstrates her superbly polished style " and her fearless honestyTitle: Margaret Cho: I'm the One That I Want Continue read…
Stephen King's novella became a much-loved movie and is now a play. Did the critics give it a hard time?Buy the rights to a popular feelgood movie, put it on in the West End and charge peopl…
As an exemplar of how to rule an audience with laughter, Howerd remains as good as comedians have ever gotTitle: Frankie Howerd on CampusDate: 1990 Continue reading...
There are some things at the festival you can always rely on. So, markers at the ready Download and print your bingo card here Continue reading...
Revelations that the Clintons keep a spreadsheet updated with everyone who has ever wronged them led us to ask writers and politicians whether they hold a grudge with the same conviction " a…
The innovator behind The Larry Sanders Show is, like Woody Allen, another heir to the great Jewish comedic tradition " but he seems somehow at ease with his uneaseTitle: Garry Shandling: Sta…
In The Pride is Back, the hectoring American standup proves that snideness and sarcasm are often the highest forms of witReading on mobile? Click here to view videoTitle: The Pride is BackYe…
Misogynist or feminist, liberal or lewd? That's a matter of opinion when it comes to Katt Williams's full-blooded commentary on black American cultureTitle: The Pimp Chronicles Pt 1Year: 200…
Jackie 'Moms' Mabley was gay, black, and political " and her stage act, the focus of a new Whoopi Goldberg documentary, was a cornerstone of all standup comedyReading on mobile? Click to lis…
With punchlines so predictable you can't predict them, the Clown Prince of Denmark belonged more to the tradition of vaudeville and music hall than comedyTitle: The Best of Victor Borge: Act…
Daniel Kitson's comedy may come from fear of failure, but his career path offers a success story for nerds everywhereTitle: WeltanschauungYear: 2006The set-up: There are some people " you ma…
Filmed in the UK in 1965, this rare footage captures Allen in his pomp "Â and telling jokes that feel absolutely freshTitle: The Woody Allen ShowYear: 1965The set-up: If you've seen the or…
Wilfully low-key, his comedy may not make much noise itself, but deserves a higher volume of praiseTitle: The Half Hour, Comedy CentralYear: 2012The set-up: "I'm going to rock your worlds, i…
He may be a nerd, but the King of Queens actor ranks among the most polished, literate and erudite standups in the businessReading on a mobile? Click here to viewTitle: Finest HourYear: 2011…
The secret to Dame Edna's five decades of enduring popularity? Making hard work appear effortlessReading on mobile? Click here to watch videoTitle: One More Audience with Dame EdnaYear: 1988…
