Paul MacInnes

I've never seen ... Four Weddings and a Funeral

A bumbling Hugh Grant charms a headstrong Yank at an aristocratic cousin's wedding in the Cotswolds and can't shake her. Is it still entertaining? I've finally noticed.

It is easy to forget just how little Julia Davis cares for what the audience might call "taste" or "decency". Davis plays Emma, a narcissist confronting middle-age by removing any moral boundaries that remain in her life. This includes having sexual relations with her lover's best friend's husband. And when I say "relations", I mean something more sordid than anything I have seen on the small screen before. All of it played for proper, if absolutely excruciating, laughs.

John Kearns interview

The eccentric comic made his name at the Edinburgh fringe in a bad wig and rubber teeth - and he just wants to make people laugh. Starting with BBC Three slapstick sitcom Top Coppers.

Kevin Bridges: 'I prefer real to surreal'

He found TV fame young and, at 28, has already put his vices behind him. Now the comic has austerity Britain in his sights.

Stand-up comedy only gets better with age

Comedians Daniel Kitson and Simon Munnery demonstrate the benefit of experience at Edinburgh, where their audiences are treated to something rare in comedy - calm.

An Edinburgh comedy judge's diary: the gaffer of gaffer

As The Boy With Tape on His Face, Sam Wills drags mime into today; Nick Helm bawls audiences out. Both use games, interactivity, sketches and standup - is this variety comedy?

The sketch show has left the pet shop

Standup pushed the traditional sketch show off our TV screens, but a modern twist on it has taken wing at the Edinburgh festival.

A critic's journey through the Edinburgh festival

Paul MacInnes is spending the month in Edinburgh as a judge for the Foster's comedy awards. Follow his progress as he tackles the best and worst the festival has to offer.

A comedy judge's diary: Easyjet gags get upgrade

Josh Widdicombe is wowing Edinburgh festival crowds with his observational jokes that tap into hot topics for the younger generation. Should comics stick to what they - and we - know?

Help me get over my comedy nightmare

I'm still traumatised from my first and only attempt at standup comedy - but now I'm due to compere an event at The Guardian's Open Weekend, and I need your help.