The Secret Reviewer #35: It's The Way They Tell 'Em

Every month our clandestine critic reveals the murky truths behind that infamous trade, and live comedy generally. This month: The passing of a legend, and the passing on of jokes.

You'd imagine that the late, great Barry Cryer would have thoroughly enjoyed the great communal sharing of his jokes, this past week. Big ones, small ones, surprisingly sweary ones; what struck me was how meta they often were.

The kindly old raconteur would lull you in with a splendidly long set-up, then whip out the carpet with an expletive-laden anti-punchline: pow! That's where you get the really big laughs, when...