Radio Times review

"I don't think people are gonna get what's going on here", admits Essex boy Terry Alderton in the first episode of his... er... unusual comedy series. Even those familiar with the experiments in this late-night slot may be taken aback.

The show is a soundscape of voices (all provided by Alderton), effects and music with little or no concession to comic custom. This is a real surprise given Alderton's more conventional stand-up career. "Episode two's gotta be better than episode one", he appeases us.

Let's see. At the moment I'm recovering from the shock of the new.

Fringe 2015 ones to watch: Phil Wang

Today we have Phil Wang, who explains what may happen if he decides to vote for UKIP in the next general election:

Put click bait about Luke McQueen here

Luke McQueen is a stand-up comedian. He has a new show on at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He talks to Martin Walker about stuff for ten minutes.

Edinburgh Fringe interview: Sabastien & Yann

Fills Monkey: Incredible Drum Show makes its UK premiere this year at the Edinburgh Fringe. Le Parisien has raved about that compares the duo as the illegitimate French sons of Stomp meet The Muppet Show's Animal in this mischievous drumming extravaganza.

Edinburgh Fringe interview: Juliet Meyers

Bad Jew (more a self-loathing atheist), ex-vegan, non-mum (apart from her evil imaginary son Carlitos), child of an immigrant (her father is an Iraqi-Jew), rom-com hating (why do all the women in them have to be kooky?), Juliet has tried to blend in more since coming second to last in a Miss World contest at school when she was 9 and then being forced to dress as Barbra Streisand for 'Diversity Day'.

Edinburgh Fringe interview: Joel Dommett

Since 2007 the name Joel Dommett has earned his place as one of the most energetic and original comics on the UK comedy scene. The critical acclaimed that his debut show gained has led to multiple appearance on UK TV and his audiences and critics seem to be in agreement that Dommett is becoming quite the national treasure.

Edinburgh Fringe interview: Alex Smith

Have you ever felt that perhaps you have too much money? That the money you have set aside for a house, a car or that kidney transplant a doctor has told you that you critically need, could be put to better use?

Edinburgh Fringe interview: Máire Clerkin

If you thought Irish dancers were all curly-haired cutie-pies with perfect posture, meet a scowling girl from London in this outrageous antidote to Riverdance. The Bad Arm - Confessions of a Dodgy Irish Dancer is an irreverent yet poignant one-woman play by London-Irish writer-performer Máire Clerkin.

Edinburgh Fringe interview: Moby Alpha

Classic sci-fi has never felt as endearing and Seattle duo Charles make their UK debut with the premiere of their hilarious Moby Alpha at this years Edinburgh Fringe. Moby Alpha tells the story of a mad captain's quest for revenge on the energy cloud that took his leg. More succinctly, Moby Alpha is Moby-Dick in space, but funny.

John Bishop immortalised at Blackpool waxwork

John Bishop has come face to face with his own likeness today in Blackpool. The funny man from Merseyside is the latest to be immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds.

Marcus Brigstocke: 'It's a privilege to play Edinburgh'

The writer and comedian Marcus Brigstocke is starring in three shows at the Fringe this year, including the Menier Chocolate Factory's production of Fully Committed.

Standard Issue's Edinburgh picks: Part 1

Next week the Edinburgh Fringe Festival kicks off and we'll be telling you about some of the best shows, as well where you can see your favourite Standard Issue contributors.

5 minutes with: Marcus BrigstockeWh

"I've always loved performing, even when I was very young."

Edinburgh preview: Carl Donnelly

I was writing the other day about the way Edinburgh acts can be divided into the mainstream crowdpleasers and arty experimentalists. Of course things are never quite that simple. Where, for instance does Carl Donnelly fit in?

When is the Edinburgh Festival 2015?

The world's biggest arts festival runs from August 7 to 31 this year.

Faking Bad

For some comics, being deliberately bad is its own kind of comedy. Jay Richardson speaks to the self-saboteurs to find out why.

Fringe 2015 - For Robin Williams: A Benefit Gig

Line-up confirmed so far includes: Nish Kumar (MC), Tony Law, Trygve Wakenshaw, Tiernan Douieb, Alex Edelman, Sofie Hagen, ACMS in the guise of Thom Tuck and John-Luke Roberts, and the Weirdos collective (whose 2012 Christmas shows saw them perform Spielberg's Hook live on stage, with the award-winning John Kearns in Williams' role of Peter Pan).

James Hamilton's top 5 artists who went solo

To mark this venture into one-man performance we got James to list his five favourite acts who went solo after group success.

Absolutely Fabulous movie starts filming in October

Joanna Lumley revealed October 12 will be the first filming day, but she admits she hasn't read all the script yet.

Limmy: "I like just being a bit of an arsehole"

Andrew Hankinson talks to the Scottish comedian about his work, turning down Question Time and why he asks awkward questions on Twitter.

Interview: Liam Williams - Bonfire Night

'Burning an effigy on a fire is a very weird thing to do'

Preview: Terry Alderton's All Crazy Now

Comedies on Radio 4, however good, can sometimes fall into the trap of sounding the same. No such chance here. This show is so packed full of disjoined sentences, cheap and silly songs, odd impressions, tape loops, sound effects and electronic beats, that it feels like a pirate takeover.

TV review: Taskmaster, Dave

For some reason The Guardian has piled into this programme and said that for a UK comedian their ultimate ambition is to appear on a panel show. Patent bollocks. Though it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of them will be queuing up to appear on Taskmaster.

How to save money at the Fringe AND be a better comic

"There is a way acts can enhance their reputation without the financial burden of putting on a show."

So you're pro-gay rights? That's so hack...

Now comedy about same-sex relationships should move on, says Tom Ballard.

Fringe 10x10 - 8. Gender on the agenda

Ten shows about feminism - and beyond.

Meet Joey Page - Ed Fringe 2015

Hello, I'm Joey Page I'm 31, although it's fashionable to lie about your age in comedy so my stage age is 40. I have all my own teeth and hair and I wear a hat. I've been a comedian for ten years so my show is a party to celebrate that, David Bowie is in it and there's a 7 minute joke about B and Q, Also I quit at the end so instead of inviting industry people I've invited the head of recruitment at WH Smith, Morrisons and HMV.

Meet Puddles - Ed Fringe 2015

My name is Puddles. My show is a pity party where we explore feelings and fellowship through song...and partying.

Interview: rarely asked questions - Felicity Ward

Her latest show, What If There Is No Toilet?, is about "mental illness, irritable bowel syndrome and her search for the nearest toilet." Maybe next time she is on primetime she will do her IBS routine too.

Anne Reid says series 4 of Last Tango will be last

Anne Reid has revealed that the next season of Last Tango in Halifax will be the drama's last.

Matt Lucas writes letter supporting child with Alopecia

Overcoming his body issues to carve out a hugely successful career in comedy and crossing over to Hollywood in recent years, the 41 year-old recently handed on some wisdom to fellow Alopecia sufferer 10 year-old Jacob Fitzpatrick, penning a handwritten letter about his own experiences.

BBC unveils star-studded line-up for Edinburgh Festival

An eclectic mix of great names, including Paul Merton, Joanne Harris, Jo Brand, Rory Bremner, The Proclaimers, Sylvie Guillem, Denise Mina, Imran Yusuf, Nish Kumar and Ian Rankin will star in the BBC's wide-ranging output at the Edinburgh Festivals next month.

Censorship is killing student stand-up

Students' union Safe Space policies, which limit potentially offensive speech, make this kind of experimentation impossible.

Fringe Q&As: Spencer Jones

Spencer Jones on the Herbert, Jeremy Kyle and why the Fringe is a trade show for show-offs.

Fringe Q&As: Piff the Magic Dragon

Piff the Magic Dragon discusses Breakfast at Piffany's, castles and getting his big breaks at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Fringe Q&As: Beth Vyse

Beth Vyse discusses settling down with Michael Jackson, acting and thieving at the Royal Shakespeare Company and dealing with cancer at the age of 28.

Fringe Q&As: Phil Jerrod

Phil Jerrod on Neanderthal, monkeys and Ringo Starr.

Five fast Fringe questions with... Joey Page

A quick interview with Joey Page.

Five fast Fringe questions with... Hedwig

A quick interview with Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Five fast Fringe questions with... Larry Dean

A quick interview with Larry Dean.

Five fast Fringe questions with... The Pin

A quick interview with The Pin.

Ed Fringe blog: fame costs ... with Barry Church-Woods

In this series of brief interviews, cruise ship worker, wannabe performer and celebrity stalker Lance talks about fame with the boldest and brightest names at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Lance also hosts his un-famous chat show Late with Lance! every day at 2:30pm at the Counting House. Fame may cost, but the show and this blog are free.

Three to see ED2015: Theatrical Comedy

It's ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses again, this time tipping three theatrical comedy shows.

Stewart Francis: Stew penned this

Stewart Francis will rock up at the Assembly Rooms this Fringe with his show 'Pun Gent'. In anticipation of what's to come, we handed him a pen and surveyed what followed.

Three to see ED2015: comedy acts with books out

ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses delves into the comedy programme for her latest Three To See tips, starting with three comedians with books out. Simple.

Penny Ashton: With a little help from Ms Austen

We've been covering this here Edinburgh Fringe for a long time, we may have mentioned that already. And over the last twenty years, thousands of performers have debuted, become Fringe regulars, and then, in many cases, moved on. But sometimes our former favourites pop back, and there is much rejoicing.

Preview: disability at the Fringe

Even though government estimates suggest about a fifth of the working age population are disabled, it is - not unsurprisingly - less than (can you do the maths in your head?...) the proportional 660.

Interview: Simon Cartwright

At Assembly Hall this August, a comedy drama looks at the life and laughs of much misunderstood Bob Monkhouse. We talked to the actor/impressionist Simon Cartwright, whose connection with the comedian was a close one, and who now has the task of playing The Man Called Monkhouse...

Free comedy at the Fringe

Here are five of the best acts whose laughter comes at a rather low price in August.

The best kind of hangover at the Edinburgh Fringe

Come the end of the Edinburgh Fringe, there are plenty of bleary eyes and sore heads to be found. Hopefully they are paired with memories of fantastic nights out, remnants of some of the best entertainment you'll find anywhere in the world.

The secret lives of the priests in Father Ted

What links the classic sitcom to The Smiths, Freddie Mercury, Star Wars, Trainspotting, Ballykissangel, Emmerdale and the cream of Irish journalism?

Irish acts to turn Edinburgh festivals green

The Edinburgh International and Fringe Festivals are set to kick off on the 7th of August, and a host of Irish acts will be representing us in the Scottish capital for what is the world's biggest festival of arts.