Josh Johnson: Symphony review – a masterful HBO special from a generational comedy talent | Tyson Wray

US comedian has a remarkable ability to transform amusing, if somewhat banal, anecdotes into meticulously crafted joy and preposterousnessIn terms of both quality and quantity, Josh Johnson is producing standup at a more prolific rate than any other co…

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Lenny Henry: Still at Large review – comic brings back greatest hits for a victory lap

Dudley Town HallWith bits about Prince, Tiswas, his Jamaican family and his long career, the standup treads familiar ground and the home-town crowd love itIn this new standup show – his first tour since 2010 – Lenny Henry says he generally turns down r…

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Rove McManus: ‘My most memorable interaction with a fan? I was asked to sign a baby’

The former chatshow host and Taskmaster Australia contestant on his nemesis, the celebrity interaction he’s still cringing over and his deep dislike of GoggleboxGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailWhat’s your most controversial pop culture opini…

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Michael Spicer: ‘Monty Python taught me that authority figures must earn our respect’

The Room Next Door star on overnight success, ‘sneaky follows’ from politicians and how internet commenting has dragged society downHow did you get into comedy?I was submitting sketches to Spitting Image when I was 17 and making my own sketches pre-int…

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Guy Montgomery: ‘One fan took us back to his house and showed us all his guns’

The host of Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee on saying goodbye to former sidekick Aaron Chen, how he became friendly with Jacinda Ardern, and his secret to falling asleepHave you ever won a spelling bee?No! I don’t think I’ve entered any formalis…

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Guy Montgomery: ‘One fan took us back to his house and showed us all his guns’

The host of Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee on saying goodbye to former sidekick Aaron Chen, how he became friendly with Jacinda Ardern, and his secret to falling asleepHave you ever won a spelling bee?No! I don’t think I’ve entered any formalis…

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If you’re a fan of laughing, you should invest in Australian comedy – take my (and Nick Offerman’s) word for it | Rebecca Shaw

With widespread praise for Colin from Accounts and the release of Bad Company, Australian TV comedy is finally getting its flowersGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailLast week, Parks and Recreation star, and most importantly Megan Mullally’s hus…

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‘She’d been drinking with Julie Walters. I heard a crash’: Victoria Wood’s genius – by her friends, fans and actors

Dazzling performer, brilliant writer, maddening perfectionist, Easter Egg hunt maestro … on the 10th anniversary of Wood’s death, those who knew her best celebrate the shy introvert who redefined comedyDuncan Preston Continue reading…

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‘Fisk really changed my life’: Aaron Chen on leaving Australia for the US and his meteoric rise

The gently offbeat comedian is a beloved presence on Australian TV, but he’s now relocated to New York and made his first Hollywood film. He reflects on ‘a big time of growing up’Get our weekend culture and lifestyle emailNear the end of his Netflix sp…

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Fortune Feimster: ‘The stage was a crate, the sound system was a karaoke machine. No one enjoyed the show’

The standup on playing a beaver in Zootropolis 2, being inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger and why her mother is a great source of comedyWhat is the best advice you’ve ever been given?I used to be quite the worrywart. Especially in this business, there …

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