British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
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Jay Richardson
Jay Richardson

Jay Richardson

  • Journalist

Jay Richardson features

Cunk On.... Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) Pro

Is British humour the UK's Trump card?

Monday 24th February 2025

Fresh analysis of television viewing in continental Europe has underlined the international appeal of British humour.

Image shows left to right: Katy Koren, Karen Koren. Credit: Steve Ullathorne Pro

Katy & Karen Koren on the Gilded Balloon

Monday 24th July 2023

It's been a challenging few years for the Edinburgh Fringe. We spoke to Karen Koren and Katy Koren of the Gilded Balloon about adapting to these difficult times and the Fringe's future.

Louis Paxton Pro

Louis Paxton on bringing Calamity James to the screen for the BBC

Wednesday 31st May 2023

Edinburgh-based writer and director Louis Paxton talks about bringing Calamity James, the first adaptation of a Beano character for adult audiences, to the screen as part of the BBC Comedy Short Films strand.

Bravo Two Charlies. PC Dennis Babb (Martin Trenaman) Radio

Bravo Two Charlies: Writers interview

Thursday 27th April 2023

Matt Leys and Martin Trenaman, the writers of Bravo Two Charlies, talk about making the hit traffic police comedy as it returns for a fourth series on BBC Radio Wales.

Lucy Porter Radio

Lucy Porter interview

Monday 13th March 2023

As she returns to Radio 4 this week with her latest stand-up special, Lucy Porter talks about the upsides of appearing on breakfast television in pyjamas, not writing her novel, losing her marbles and hitting rock bottom.

Peter Richardson TV

Peter Richardson interview

Monday 13th February 2023

With The Comic Strip Presents having just marked its 40th anniversary and some celebratory events lined up at Slapstick Festival, we chat to the series' creative powerhouse, Peter Richardson, about the celebrated satires, their legacy and the future.

Image shows left to right: Dillon Mapletoft, Oliver Taylor. Credit: Matt Crockett Pro

Everyone Else Burns creators Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor talk comedy writing

Friday 27th January 2023

Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor are the creators of Channel 4's doomsday cult sitcom Everyone Else Burns. In this interview they talk about the process of writing and working together, being in a writers' room with Armando Iannucci, and more.

Everyone Else Burns. Image shows left to right: Dillon Mapletoft, Oliver Taylor. Credit: Matt Crockett TV

Everyone Else Burns writers interview

Monday 23rd January 2023

Everyone Else Burns is the debut sitcom creation from writers Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor. We talk to them about the series.

Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable. Lou Sanders TV

Lou Sanders interview

Monday 10th October 2022

Lou Sanders is currently co-hosting Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable. We caught up with her to chat about owning your shame, burning material and not mentioning the Queen when you're performing on top of the O2.

Hypothetical. Josh Widdicombe TV

Josh Widdicombe on Hypothetical's return

Monday 9th May 2022

Hypothetical returns for a fourth series on Dave on Wednesday 18th May. Here, we talk to Josh Widdicombe about why James Acaster is "perfect" to present with, why he's not giving Ed Gamble any satisfaction, which comedian delivers the best Widdicombe whinge and what he's been up to with Nish Kumar.

John Robins. Copyright: Rachel King People

John Robins: Our producer talks to me like I'm one of his children misbehaving

Tuesday 1st March 2022

As John Robins prepares for The Podcast Show 2022 LIVE, we talk to him about his podcasts with Elis James, returning to the Edinburgh Fringe and his next book.

Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains. Rhod Gilbert TV

Rhod Gilbert interview

Wednesday 10th November 2021

As Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains returns, the stand-up and presenter tells us about his unlikely sexual awakening, the future of his Work Experience show, working with comedy writer wife Sian Harries and his acting ambitions.

The Cockfields. Simon (Joe Wilkinson) TV

Joe Wilkinson interview on The Cockfields, After Life and succeeding as a "bearded weirdo"

Friday 5th November 2021

Joe Wilkinson talks about making The Cockfields. Plus, he reflects on working with David Earl and Ricky Gervais, the future of the Gossipmongers podcast, his TV pilots that haven't quite made it to series, and more.

David Renwick People

David Renwick on resurrecting Victor Meldrew

Monday 18th October 2021

As Victor Meldrew returns in a new novel, we chat to One Foot In The Grave creator David Renwick about why he has brought back the character, whether he is really retiring from TV writing, and more.

Ian Moore Pro

French farce: Ian Moore on moving from stand-up to novel writing

Thursday 1st July 2021

In normal times Ian Moore commutes to UK gigs from his home in France. As he publishes his comic crime novel, Death and Croissants, he offers advice to fellow comics on travel, carving a niche for yourself, writing, and more.

Lauren Pattison. Copyright: Andy Hollingworth People

Lauren Pattison on writing her first play, leaving London and returning to live stand-up

Friday 30th April 2021

We talk to stand-up Lauren Pattison about The Last Laugh, her debut play which focuses on a comedian returning to a venue after a horrific gig. Lauren also discusses navigating lockdown and her hopes that the industry will now become less Londoncentric.

Don Rodolfo. Don Rodolfo (Ciarán Dowd). Copyright: Avalon Television TV

Ciarán Dowd on bringing Don Rodolfo to television

Wednesday 21st April 2021

Ciarán Dowd talks about how his drama school audition came about drunkenly and by chance, creating his character Don Rodolfo, and showcasing him in a new BBC TV pilot.

Eleanor Tiernan People

Eleanor Tiernan on sex tapes, OnlyFans and recording from home in a pandemic

Friday 19th February 2021

We talk to Eleanor Tiernan, as her stand-up special comes to Radio 4. "Being in the closet is great preparation for a pandemic" she notes.

Image shows from L to R: Helen Rutter, Rob Rouse Features

Helen Rutter & Rob Rouse on sharing the comedy in their marriage

Thursday 18th February 2021

Playwright and actor Helen Rutter and comedian Rob Rouse appear to have found a way to work together without completely ruining their relationship. They chat to us, as Rutter's new children's book The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh is released.

Rachel Fairburn. Copyright: Kayla Wren Live

Slash fiction - Rachel Fairburn on love, lust and serial killers

Thursday 11th February 2021

Ahead of her Comedians Telling Erotic Stories show, Rachel Fairburn talks about her interest in true crime and the macabre, why she is putting on a special show on Valentine's Day, and more.

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