Stewart Lee

Review: Stewart Lee on Kevin Eldon's new book

'An opinionated, ignorant, and largely talentless intellectual snob'

Stewart Lee: I'm finding it very, very hard to be funny

"Don't those responsible for atrocities understand I have deadlines to meet?" Stewart Lee on why stand-up is the world's hardest job.

Best comedy to see from Stewart Lee to Josie Long

A selection of some of the best acts at this year's Fringe.

Stewart Lee's Alternative Comedy Experience offers 25 minutes of understated joy over on Comedy Central. Now three episodes into its second series, it's a grottier, grimier Live At The Apollo, without the necessary blockbuster blandness of John Bishop or Michael McIntyre.

Lee talks to comedians about their comedy - more interesting than it sounds, because of the calibre of people involved - which is then interspersed with short excerpts from stand-up sets, filmed at Edinburgh's tiny pub-like venue The Stand, giving it a brilliantly raucous, ramshackle feel.

Tuesday's episode saw Susan Calman, Josie Long, Kevin Eldon and David O'Doherty performing, with O'Doherty - a particular delight. If you've ever wondered how someone can do witty nostalgia about long-dead technology without sounding like a Buzzfeed list, then track O'Doherty's set down as a matter of urgency.

Radio Times review

What does it take to get up in front of a crowd of strangers and try to make them laugh? Getting over "the fear" is one of the toughest parts of being a stand-up, but this line-up all manage it with aplomb. From Susan Calman's sparkly enthusiasm to Josie Long's aw-gosh awkwardness to Kevin Eldon's utter mania, each has his or her own coping technique.

The material is brilliant, but so too are Stewart Lee's backstage interviews. Unguarded and perceptive, they show how hard it is to make comedy look effortless. Keep watching through the credits for some insight into whether Dutch courage or a full roast dinner is better at steadying the nerves.

5 shows Stewart Lee could do next (but probably won't)

In light of Lee's growing fondness for wordplay-based titles, we've done a bit of speculating, and come up with five Stewart Lee shows we may (...or may not) see in the future.

Radio Times review

Analysing comedy, according to the cliché, is like dissecting a frog: no one laughs and the frog dies. One thing that distinguishes comedians from television critics is that they are above using clichés. Another is that they can talk about the craft with authority, and make it funny, too.

This episode of the excellent stand-up showcase gets into the nitty-gritty of how comedy works: compering, writing new jokes, getting over "the fear" and trying to make strangers laugh. From Susan Calman's sparkly enthusiasm to Josie Long's awsh-gosh awkwardness to Kevin Eldon's utter mania, each has their own technique. The material is brilliant, but so too are Stewart Lee's backstage interviews. Keep watching through the credits for the answer to whether you should drink before stepping on stage.

Stewart Lee & Bridget Christie: Fringe previews 30 July

Laugh Out London comedy club closes its best Edinburgh festival preview season yet with another great show featuring two of the most acclaimed comedians in the country.

Stewart Lee interview

The comedian on positive discrimination, causing offense, and who he currently rates on the stand-up circuit.

Simon Munnery interview

From the mid-1990s on, Simon Munnery has intrigued and innovated. Ahead of his spot on Stewart Lee's The Alternative Comedy Experience, Digital Spy got on the phone with Simon to talk singing Kierkegaard, "fylm" and whether or not we'll ever get Attention Scum! on DVD.