Jackie Mason

Comedy losses 2021

Remembering the people in the comedy world who died in 2021, including Sean Lock, Jethro and Paul Ritter.

Stunning portraits of stellar stand-ups

From Ken Dodd and his tickling stick to Nina Conti and her monkey, Guardian photographer Tristram Kenton has snapped a host of superb comedians on stage.

I'm not Jackie Mason

At this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Juliet Meyers is set to explore the labels we assign ourselves and others, being a bad Jew (more a self-loathing atheist) and an ex-vegan non-mum (apart from her evil imaginary son Carlitos). Martin Walker finds out more.

Spotting that there is no more solipsistic a profession than that of the standup comedian, Alan Yentob sets out to interview them, from Jimmy Carr to Jackie Mason, in this two-part Imagine. There are some interesting juxtapositions; a segment on Simon Amstell's deconstructionist comedy rubs up against Jim Davidson's limp attempts to legitimise a back catalogue of bigotry. Yet it's difficult to shake the suspicion that Yentob and co have overstretched themselves; the sheer number of comics gives the show a baggy, unfocused feel.

My Comedy Hero: Andi Osho on her comedy idols

My comedy heroes are always changing. I remember Jackie Mason being big in this country for a while and other influences have been Jack Dee and Victoria Wood. And Russell Brand was for a spell, but now that he's moved off into a different sphere of celebrity, I'm not as inspired by his work anymore.