Susan Calman: without Victoria Wood, I'd be nothing

After the sad death of the comedy legend who inspired so many female standups, Susan Calman tells us what she meant to her.

First Edinburgh Fringe shows go on sale

A total of 18 shows have gone on sale today, also including festival stalwart Absolute Improv! and camp musical Eurobeat, which returns to the Pleasance Grand after nine years. Also among the comics confirming their shows are Nina Conti, Susan Calman, Daniel Sloss, Dr. Phil Hammond and Jimeoin.

Radio Times review

Comedian Susan Calman hyperventilates at the prospect of this week's topic: maths. "I'm phobic about maths," she wails to a sympathetic Stephen Fry, who guides her gently through a maths-based limerick. Future host Sandi Toksvig (who takes over next series, after Fry's retirement), however, thinks maths can be "beautiful". During a jolly episode where Alan Davies is outnumbered there to one by female contestants (including comedian Aisling Bea), we learn the difference between an anagram and an aptagram, and ponder whether rhesus monkeys can count.

Susan Calman signs as Women in Comedy Festival patron

This year's Women in Comedy Festival has welcomed Susan Calman on-board as its new patron.

Susan Calman's guide to the Edinburgh Fringe

For a decade, Susan Calman has performed (and caroused) at the Edinburgh Fringe. Here's her insider's guide to making the most of the festival.

Backstage natter

Susan Calman, Holly Walsh and Jessica Fostekew talk backstage at a comedy gig.

Susan Calman interview

An absolute firecracker of a comedian, Susan Calman has been a circuit favourite for donkey's. She's regularly found on Radio 4 shows, including The News Quiz; and her own series Calman is Convicted; and has written some doozies for Standard Issue, including this convincing argument about why she should be the next Doctor Who.

I always forget that Radio 2 has comedy shows, but it does, and it boasts a promising new one in the form of Listomania. Hosted with panache by Susan Calman, Listomania's first show was last week, and boasted a selection of funny people I'd never heard of. This is a good thing: for the past five years, mainstream comedy producers seem to have been choosing their panellists from a list of about 10 people, of whom two are women (and one is always Rebecca Front).

That list is not one that has appeared on Listomania so far. Here are some that have: a list of World Cups that Wales could win; a list that compares a selection of My Little Pony characters against slang terms for illegal narcotics, and another that compares Judi Dench characters with Ikea merchandise. All terrifically artificial, of course, but cues for some good gags, especially from Lloyd Langford. I enjoyed the variety of accents on offer, too - Irish, Scottish, Welsh, English, Aussie - it's cheering to hear different kinds of lovely voices, rather than the standard upper-middle southern English that sweeps all before it on Radio 4. Plus: three women each week! All funny! Who'd have thought?

Susan Calman is keeping positive on the Lady Like tour

It's all about those shiny, happy people laughing for the corporate lawyer turned stand-up comic.

Susan Calman review

The Glasgow comic's magpie set is best when she plays a woman on the edge.