Julian Hall

Julian Hall - comedy at Edinburgh

As the Fringe draws to a close its buzz is reaching a feverish pitch and despite the climate, actual and economic, shows are selling well and the shortlisting activity for the Foster's Comedy Awards is adding an extra frisson to the fray.

Vic and Bob raise a cheer with Afternoon Delights

Following on from its partnership with Steve Coogan, which produced some acclaimed internet shorts featuring Alan Partridge, corporate comedy sponsor Foster's is about to unleash Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer's Afternoon Delights on the web.

Phil Kay launches bicycle tour of the South Bank

There was a time when Phil Kay's brand of improvised madness was seen as revolutionary in the comedy world. Now the former British Comedy Award winner and Perrier nominee will oversee a host of further revolutions in his name when, before his gig at London's Udderbelly, he will lead his audience on a bicycle tour of the South Bank.

Channel 4's Comedy Gala, O2, London

Post-punk icon and inveterate grump Mark E Smith was recently asked what makes him most depressed; his answer was "all UK comedians". With a considerable number of tonight's 21 acts on poor form, partly due to over-runs, this charity gala could be admissible as evidence to support Smith's scything comment. Rating: * *

Comedy albums are no laughing matter

From Bo Burnham to Harry Hill, stand-ups are rediscovering the joys and profits of the long-player, says Julian Hall.

Book Review: Robin Ince's Bad Book Club

From Ricky Gervais's support act to a darling of the "indie" comedy scene, Robin Ince has become a cult favourite mainly because of his Book Club nights, which saw him introduce an array of cabaret acts amid his readings of books such as the autobiography of Syd Little and The Secrets of Picking Up Sexy Girls.

First Night Review: Lembit Opik

More a self-referential discourse than a club set, and therefore an act that invited few heckles, anyone hoping for some political knockabout of the kind Opik has been subjected on during Have I Got News For You would be disappointed.

Channel 4's Comedy Gala, The 02, London

There was a curious mix of something old, something new, something borrowed (such as BBC stars Catherine Tate, Rob Brydon, James Corden and Ruth Jones) and plenty of blue for this mammoth charity gig housed by a venue that was once itself a standing joke when it was the Millennium Dome.

Comedy is undeniably a booming business again. Though it may never reach the fever pitch of rock n'roll, a legion of related book and DVD releases and a plethora of live tours suggest that it's in rude health. It may be too rude for some at times but 2010 promises no let-up.

Laura Solon and Dan Antopolski both hit the road this month. Solon, who won the Perrier in 2005, will air her 2009 Edinburgh show, 'Rabbit-Faced Story Soup', a tour-de-force of characterisation and tightly-written one-liners. Antopolski is no slouch when it comes to one-liners either and he'll be aiming to show that he has more to offer than the hedgehog joke ("Hedgehogs - why can't they just share the hedge?") that won him, via a public vote, Dave TV's Funniest Joke of the Fringe Award this year.

The ever more recognisable The Thick of It and In The Loop star Chris Addison goes on tour in February with his first brand new show for five years. Mock the Week host, Dara O'Briain has announced a massive 60-date nationwide tour from March to June culminating in dates at the Hammersmith Apollo. And, though he once told me that he didn't fancy the idea of "Leamington Spa on a Tuesday evening", the Irish comedian, and a former Edinburgh comedy award nominee, Andrew Maxwell is finally going to be unleashed on UK audiences for his first regional tour from April. Though many up and down the country will already know this dexterous comedian from his club sets, this will be the first time that his full-length excellence will have been witnessed outside of Edinburgh or of his native country where he has always been guaranteed large turnout.

Other tours to watch come from Mark Watson (from October) who recently gave a good account of himself in the chair of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, sketch troupe Pappy's and Jason Manford from June. And, watch out, the comedian that people love to hate, Frankie Boyle starts his 'I Would Happily Punch Every One Of You In The Face' tour at Glasgow's Kings Theatre in March. Perhaps he'll seal the gig with a kiss.

Kevin Bishop - Perfect comic timing

The Independent shares a doughnut peach and a chat with the star of The Kevin Bishop Show.