Stewart Lee

The British Comedy Awards 2014 review

It's easy to be cynical whilst watching such a grandiose display of wealth and status, and there were times throughout the production where I did feel like the spirit of British Comedy was being exploited, but, unlike Stewart Lee, I chose to ignore that this year.

Stewart Lee: I've had it with comedy awards

Vanity and ambition drove me to attend my first British Comedy Awards in 20 years. I'm sorry, it won't happen again.

I have been enjoying Grace Dent's Saturday morning series on the history of radio comedy, The Frequency of Laughter. She's worked her way from 1975 to 2005, just by talking to two people who were involved in each five-year era. Her questions are insightful, and she creates a relaxed, slightly naughty atmosphere that brings out the best in her interviewees. A couple of them have been quite indiscreet, and what's made those indiscretions more enjoyable is that the producers have tracked down whoever they've been rude about and asked them what they remember. So, in the show that covered 1995-2000, radio producer Paul Schlesinger recalled Sean Lock and Bill Bailey being forced to read out episodes from 15 Storeys High to a reluctant commissioner, who said "I don't understand why this is funny", but grudgingly gave them a few episodes. And then we heard from that very commissioner, who insisted that this was "one of the most joyful moments" he'd ever had in his career, when Bill Bailey read for him. No mention of Lock, whose show it was. Hmm.

In the previous programme, covering 1990-95, Sarah Smith, another Radio 4 producer, admitted that she used to favour certain writers for the satirical sketch show Week Ending: new talent such as Richard Herring and Stewart Lee. Other producers didn't, and lo, we heard from one, Diane Messias. She explained clearly that she believed that topical satire should make a political point and that Lee and Herring didn't do this, creating their jokes by laughing at a situation. "Both methods are valid," she said firmly. "Except I'm right."

Stewart Lee interview

"I don't mind causing offence when I intend to, but I don't like causing it accidentally".

Stewart Lee, Leicester Square Theatre, review

He is, I think, the only comedian who can get away with deconstructing and critiquing his own routines as he goes along and not be repellent. He, and his material, are simply that good. And if there's a lingering sense that the joke is always a little on us, somehow that feels like a good thing.

Stewart Lee: you ask the questions

As the comedian and occasional Observer columnist Stewart Lee prepares to tour his show A Room With a Stew, here's your chance to ask him anything you like.

It's no joke being part of Stewart Lee's act

When comedians make critics the subject of their stand-up, it rarely ends well.

Stewart Lee review

Tricksy gags about liberals, rightwingers and 'the Islams'. The stand-up's two-part set is, as ever, a rarefied viewing experience. You can take nothing at face value as he plays cat and mouse with the audience.

Is success a curse for stand-ups?

Tim Minchin and Stewart Lee have both observed that fame and acclaim create dilemmas for comedians, who habitually punch upwards. But a comfortable life needn't blunt dissent and satire.

Stewart Lee interview

'Whether you think they're right or wrong, UKIP is the funniest party at the moment'