It was the first of times, it was the worst of times. In this interview column edited by Si Hawkins we probe comedians' murky pasts. A new interview every Friday.
Meryl O'Rourke
Friday 25th September 2020
She's now writing spicy gags for Frankie Boyle's New World Order, but why was Meryl O'Rourke once booed from a chip shop?
Geoff Norcott
Friday 18th September 2020
He's back on tour and in our big Laughter Lounge line-up, but does Geoff Norcott owe it all to an Essex/Texas mix-up?
Johnny White Really-Really
Friday 11th September 2020
A legend in his own lunchtime, Johnny White Really-Really talks Lunchwatch, Winalot and narcolepsy in Leeds.
Marek Larwood
Friday 4th September 2020
What is Pooman? What does Marek Larwood have to do with it? And why did he liquify his lap pre-gig? All will be revealed.
Sarah Callaghan
Friday 21st August 2020
She's part of a mighty bill for the Monkey Barrel fundraiser, but what happened at Luton Town? Sarah Callaghan spills the beans.
Philip Simon
Friday 7th August 2020
Sometimes the first gig is almost the worst gig: Philip Simon talks us through his character-forming debut.
Samantha Hannah
Friday 31st July 2020
Her lockdown special is now on NextUp, but which real live crowd made Samantha Hannah go a bit explicit?
Scott Bennett
Friday 24th July 2020
From shed shows to bright lights with Engelbert and Brydon: Scott Bennett gives us a potted history.
Bethany Black
Friday 10th July 2020
Angry crowd management, an agoraphobic lockdown and the girlfriend with the rubbish tattoo: Bethany Black on her circuit uppers and downers.
Ignacio Lopez
Friday 3rd July 2020
Power cuts, a Hasselhoff snub and a BBC lockdown pilot: Ignacio Lopez talks us through his standout shows.