British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
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Comedy Chronicles

Comedy Chronicles

Graham McCann looks back at some of British comedy's most interesting but overlooked stories.

The Culcheth Job. John Le Mesurier

Comedy Chronicles: A road less travelled - John Le Mesurier and The Culcheth Job

Sunday 23rd March 2025

A deep dive into The Culcheth Job, an obscure light-hearted 'heist' movie short from the mid-1970s that John Le Mesurier ended up getting involved in after he split from his snobby agent Freddy Joachim.

Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Image shows from L to R: Tony Slattery, Clive Anderson, Colin Mochrie, Caroline Quentin, Ryan Stiles. Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Pros and cons of improv

Sunday 9th March 2025

Graham McCann takes on the topic of improv comedy. He notes that it is considered an almost magical kind of creative activity to some, while - to others - it is little more than a series of stabs in the dark being played out under a full set of lights.

Image shows left to right: Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe

The Great Tiddlywinks Caper: Goons, Royals and Cambridge games

Sunday 23rd February 2025

The story of the time The Royal Family asked The Goons to represent them in a game of tiddlywinks against the University of Cambridge.

Hetty King pictured in costume as a sailor, circa 1910s. Hetty King

There's something about Hetty: The cross-dressing comedy of Hetty King

Sunday 9th February 2025

A profile of Hetty King, a masterful cross-dresser who was once known and celebrated internationally as 'England's greatest star'.

Round The Horne. Image shows from L to R: Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Williams. Copyright: BBC

The Quiet One: The understated art of Hugh Paddick

Sunday 26th January 2025

Graham McCann argues that the quiet and classy delicacy of Hugh Paddick's comedy performances should have won him far greater praise than he received, both in his lifetime and after it.

Jack Hobbs

Mr Hobbs takes a vacation: When it all backfired for Jack Hobbs

Sunday 12th January 2025

Poor Jack Hobbs. The hilarious but embarrassing tale of what happened to the publisher of comedians' books on a train to Walton-on-Thames has been immortalised thanks to many retellings by his friend Spike Milligan.

Ernie Wise

Who you gonna call? When Ernie Wise launched the mobile phone

Sunday 29th December 2024

An article looking at comedians helping to launch new technology, particularly sitcom star Reg Varney making the initial withdrawal from the world's first voucher-based cash-dispensing machine and Ernie Wise making the first mobile phone call.

Arthur Askey

Random acts of kindness #2: More comedians being nice to each other

Sunday 22nd December 2024

A series of anecdotes about comedians being genuinely kind and nice to each other. Those featured include Ray Alan, Roy Hudd and Arthur Askey.

Kenneth Horne

The incomparable charm of Kenneth Horne

Sunday 1st December 2024

A profile of one of comedy's great facilitators. For many years, Kenneth Horne was at the centre - the heart - of some of the funniest and best-loved shows of his era.

Neil Innes

Do I have to spell it out? Neil Innes own right

Sunday 17th November 2024

A profile of Neil Innes, the comedy writer and musician who so many times managed to dip our hearts, as well as our brains, in joy.

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