Preview: Stand Up for Refugees, Comedy Box

The Comedy Box-hosted Stand Up for Refugees (June 12) aims at raising money for, and awareness of this huge humanitarian crisis. Comic and co-curator Tiernan Douieb tells us more.

When Harry (Rio Chambers), an ordinary schoolboy genius from Milton Keynes, creates Honc - an app that allows geeks like him to talk to girls - he attracts the attention of overly sincere, kimono-wearing tool Trent Zebrisky (James Van Der Beek), a billionaire businessman who scoops up the idea for £10m. But will it change them? Most certainly, if Mum Liz (Kerry Godliman) has anything to do with it. Well-meaning family fare in need of a few belly laughs.

Some pretty good standups say some quite funny things about Christmas, in a talking-heads show that covers all the obvious topics, from shopping to sprouts. The stronger performers, such as Nish Kumar, Kerry Godliman and Tom Price, can dredge up a bit of tone or timing to make obvious observations worthy of a laugh, while in this low-impact environment, James Acaster's deadpan fancy seems positively dangerous.

Review: Funny Women Awards Final 2016, Koko

If we wanted to get all political about it Funny Women shouldn't exist. Comedians are comedians, why should gender even enter into it? But it does and the Funny Women organisation is clearly tapping into something. This year's final was staged at a bigger venue than usual and it was absolutely packed. For the first time in as long as I can remember I had to review a gig perched on a step at the back of a room.

Funny Women final 2016 review

It's probably the glitziest of all the new act finals, taking place beneath Europe's biggest glitterball in Koko nightclub and in front of an equally sparkly backdrop proclaiming: 'Laughter is the best cosmetic' (what, even ahead of sponsors Benefit?). There's a glossy 20-page brochure and a goodie bag of make-up for all who attend, too.

New Newcastle Alternative comedy festival at The Stand

Jason Byrne, Gary Delaney, Zoe Lyons, Ed Gamble and Seymour Mace are among the comedians performing during the 16-day event.

Rarely asked questions - Kerry Godliman

I first spotted Kerry Godliman over a decade ago when she was in a short-lived Evening Standard-sponsored comedy competition. Greg Davies - whatever happened to him? - won, but I was impressed by Godliman's cheery, accessible everywoman brand of feminism.

Video: Kerry Godliman: 'Isn't friendship wonderful'

Being mates these days demands endless admin. Who has time for a decent chat? Still, you can say so much with an aubergine emoji. Kerry Godliman weighs up the different expectations of male and female friendships in the modern world.

Kerry Godliman interview

'Whether I'm happy where I live is the 64 million dollar question'.