Katy Brand

Fringe 2016: comedy shows that should deliver

The fringe lineup is out: try Robert Newman's Brain Show, Josie Long's investigations and Michelle Wolf, one of Chris Rock's Oscars speechwriters.

Having been in "I hate all Radio 4 comedy" mode for quite some time, I found myself doing actual, real-life guffaws - more than one! - at Heresy on Wednesday evening. It's quite a while since I've done this listening between 6.30 and 7pm, I must say.

There's not much at all to Heresy - it's just a series of received opinions unpicked by witty people in front of a live audience - but, somehow, this week's episode really worked. This was a lot to do with host Victoria Coren Mitchell, who delivers her tinder-dry lines with just the right amount of nonchalance. She's sharp without being nasty or egomaniacal: at certain points in this episode, she formed a sort of comedy alliance with guest Katy Brand, also on great form. Lloyd Langford, a standup, was excellent, and Grayson Perry as hilarious as ever. The person who made me laugh the most, however, was a member of the audience during a discussion about whether anyone would want to own a picture painted by Hitler. I'm not going to spoil his deadpan punchline, but, listeners, I laughed. I honestly did.

Next thing, I'll start liking Radio 2 documentaries... Or maybe not. I do find them irritating. They have great content, but the style, editing and scripts drive me doolally. Too often they come across as documentaries for simpletons, and Radio 2 listeners aren't stupid.

Katy Brand on her second novel: Brenda Monk Is Famous

Katy Brand has released details of her second novel, Brenda Monk is Famous - which is available to pre-order now via pledge site Unbound.

How I miss Men Behaving Badly, and why you should too

Caroline Quentin thinks the nineties show which made her name would never be commissioned today. Katy Brand wholeheartedly disagrees and explains why we need its booze, burps and boobs more than ever.

A double bill to launch the new series of this splendidly daft sketch comedy from The League Of Gentlemen's Jeremy Dyson. Rebecca Front returns as the ever-patient psychologist and a dazzling cast of comedy performers - including Katy Brand, Morgana Robinson, Sam Spiro, Sharon Horgan, Doon Mackichan and Liza Tarbuck - play fantastically loopy women from history. Tonight Anna Nicole Smith comes to talk about her love life, and Anne Boleyn hopes for a happy resolution in her couples therapy.

Seven questions with... Katy Brand

Katy Brand is a massively successful comedian and writer who has dipped her toes in virtually every water: she's worked as a stand up, appeared in films and countless television shows, had her own television series, written for newspapers and, most recently, written and published a novel. Here is a woman of obvious ability who is keen to push her own limits to achieve many exciting things and judging by her rich and varied career so far, we can only assume that there will be great things to come from this wonderful and talented comedy-machine.

Review: Brenda Monk is Funny by Katy Brand

They say write about what you know, and that is certainly what comedian and writer Katy Brand has done in her debut novel Brenda Monk Is Funny.

Laughter is useful way to start the conversation on sex

Comedy may help address some of our greatest taboos, but nothing should be off-limits.

Katy Brand's right about female comedians

Not getting on the box means female comics don't earn the money to tour and hone their skills.