A History Of Comedy In Several Objects

Merry Podmas everyone! ‘Tis the Season to be jolly, and we're celebrating with an incredibly spectacular episode, looking at a 1983 Edinburgh Fringe show featuring Rik Mayall, Andy de la Tour and Ben Elton. Your hosts Oliver Double and Elspeth Millar discuss the financial logistics of the Fringe and how much they've changed since then, and we have EXCLUSIVE AUDIO from interviews with JENNY LECOAT, ANDY DE LA TOUR and – wait for it – BEN ELTON! Yes, we have a bit of comedy legend BEN ELTON on the show, we absolutely bloody do! BEN ELTON!! I bet you're wishing it could be Podmas EVERY DAY! Please Deck the iTunes Halls with boughs of 5 star reviews. And why not join our Facebook group?

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, we are here for the case of A History Of Comedy in Several Objects versus the concept of boredom. The Prosecution (Dr Oliver Double and Elspeth Millar) will present the case of "Peter Grahame's Diary 1986". They will discuss their main evidence – the bookings diary for Downstairs at the King's Head, one of the UK's oldest comedy clubs. In the course of doing so, they'll the wider context of the comedians and comedy scene of the 1980s. ORDER IN THE COURT! Olly and Elspeth interview Peter and hear about his fascinating and unique outlook on the industry and how it is changing. Do not be GUILTY of not giving us 5 Stars on iTunes (or it's a life sentence for you!).

Just about in time to catch the end of Black History Month, this episode's object from the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive is an interview from 1990 with the late, great pioneer of black British stand-up, Felix Dexter. We place this in context by talking to two very different comedians – Ray Campbell performed as Buddy Hell on the 1980s alternative cabaret circuit, and John Simmit set up the mighty Upfront Comedy Club, helping to build the black British comedy scene for well over two decades. Both talk about their own experiences as black British stand-ups, and working with Felix, giving their impressions of him both as a comedian and as a person. Plus we might just have squeezed in a question for John about being in Teletubbies. If you like this podcast, please tell your friends, share on social media, and leave us a 5* review on iTunes.

The recent film Funny Cow uses one of the late, great Linda Smith's signature jokes without permission or attribution. In this episode, Elspeth and Olly look through Linda's old set-lists and unpublished recordings going back to the 1980s to trace the origins of the joke, and look into how it fits into her development as a comedian. You'll hear different versions of the gag at different points in her career, to show how it changed and developed. It's still quoted as one of Linda's best jokes today. So what is the gag? All I'll say is if you're a fan of Linda's – and not so much of her home town Erith – you probably already know it. In any case, listen to the episode and find out. Why not follow us on Facebook or Twitter @HistComPod? And maybe leave us a 5 star review on iTunes?

It's episode 31 we're cookin'! All you cats are gonna flip your lids and razz your berries as Elspeth and Olly discuss the craziest beatnik the 1980s had to offer in, er, Newcastle. Yes, it's the one and only Cabaret a Go Go! Dig? Check out our interview with its founder, Ray Campbell (AKA Buddy Hell), who looks through a whole stack of Cabaret a Go Go posters and talks about how it fitted into the scene in the North East. If you're interested in provincial alternative comedy, this episode's for you. It's hip, it's a gas, it's neat-o,! Why not follow us on Facebook or Twitter @HistComPod? And maybe leave us a 5 star review on iTunes? Later, daddy-O!

HistComPod has hit the BIG THREE-OH! Yes, it's episode 30, and we're celebrating by picking out our most iconic comedy object yet! What is it? It's only TOMMY COOPER'S FEZ, that's what it is! This piece of comedic headgear was given to the cartoonist Giles, and now resides in the British Cartoon Archive. So we use this episode to discuss connections between comedians and cartoonists, going right back to Dan Leno's Comic Journal in the late 19th Century. We also look at some relevant objects from the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive, including a copy of The Dandy featuring a Harry Hill comic strip, and a storyboard for Harry's TV work. Why not follow us on Facebook or Twitter @HistComPod? And maybe leave us a 5 star review on iTunes?

Here's A History of Comedy in Several Objects, Let's look in the archive to see what we've got next. Your hosts are Olly Double and Elspeth Millar, It's full of content, we've got no filler. This special episode is about punk poets, We have exclusive interviews and can't wait to show it. We talk to Mark Hurst and see Attila's notebook, Discuss the ranting scene and the careers they took. Take the time to follow us @HistComPod online, You'll find extra content and tweets so fine, Why not give us a 5 Star iTunes review? Next month we'll have another funny object for you.

Choo Choo! Welcome aboard the Podcast Express to A History Of Comedy In Several Objects. Your conductors for the trip will be Dr Oliver Double and Elspeth Millar. In this episode, everybody will feel like they are in First Class when they listen to our exclusive interview with Ivor Dembina about the 1980s alternative comedy scene, and how his Pranksters organisation helped it to spread and grow. You'll hear him go through the first edition of the Pranksters catalogue and discuss all the acts it contains. Some are names you'll recognise (e.g. the Oblivion Boys, Lee Cornes, Jenny Éclair, Clive Anderson, Ronnie Golden, John Hegley) and some even Ivor can't remember (e.g. Christians from Outer Space). This is 12:28 train to Funsville, making stops at Interesting Town, History City and Analysis Central. Instead of buying over-priced snacks, why don't you pay us a visit on iTunes and give us a 5 Star Review. Mind The Gap when you get off (The Gap is about a month apart).

Hello (HELLO, Hello, hello…) and welcome to Episode 27 of A History of Comedy in Several Objects (OBJECTS, Objects, objects…). In this very special episode we visit a unique comedy club called the Cave Of Harmony (is there an echo in here?), in which only female audiences and performers were allowed. Your hosts Oliver Double(Double, double…) and Elspeth Millar (Millar, millar…)discuss how this club operated and what it may be like to be part of the audience when watching terrific females acts in the alternative comedy scene at that time. Remember you can follow us on Social Media on @HistComPod and why don't you give us 5 stars on iTunes? (Why don't you give us 5 Stars on iTunes!)

Hello [REDACTED]! Welcome to Episode 26 of A History of Comedy in Several Objects, the best mother[REDACTED] historically focused comedy analysis podcast around! In this episode Elspeth and Olly talk about the Lord Chamberlain's blue pencil, which would edit the material that variety comedians used, thus making it legal to perform. They couldn't say words like [REDACTED] or [REDACTED]. Especially not [REDACTED] [REDACTED] into his [REDACTED]. It's a great episode about the culture, society and the comedy of mid-20th Century Britain, as well as looking at legendary acts like Max Miller and Tommy Trinder and their approaches to censorship. You [REDACTED]ers can follow us on @HistComPod and send us an email to standup@kent.ac.uk. Remember to give us 5 [REDACTED] stars on iTunes as well. Don't be a [REDACTED], do it today. Share the podcast around too! Apologies for our [REDACTED] potty-mouth.

(Countdown to the New Year: 10!) Welcome to a New Year (9!) and a new episode of A History of Comedy in Several Objects, (8!) a podcast where we analyse an object (7!) from the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive. (6!) We want to start the New Year with a big bang (5!) and what better way than to have a guest appearance from Newcastle's very own Lost Voice Guy (also known as Lee Ridley), a comedian who has to use a voice modulator onstage? (4!) Lee discusses stuff like how he adapted his stand-up performance to his disability, Josie Long's Arts Emergency Flyer and his own collection. (3!!) Lee also uses a brutal heckle put-down on Olly. (2!!!) Your New Year's Resolution is to follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @Histcompod and to give us 5 Stars on iTunes. (1!!!!) Remember you can email us at standup@kent.ac.uk if you want to contact us. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

He was there on the first night at the Comedy Store, he was a member of the original Comic Strip team, and now he's the star of this episode of HistComPod. And why not? Yes, it's the venerable Arnold Brown! And why not? Hear what Elspeth and Olly have to say as they leaf through a scrapbook that his sister put together to record his comedy triumphs. And why not? They'll play you some audio of an exclusive interview with Arnold, and investigate how his famous catchphrase ended up being associated with TV film critic Barry Norman. And why not? Perhaps you'd like to follow us on Facebook or Twitter @HistComPod, and maybe leave us a 5 star review on iTunes? And why not?

Just like a French exchange scheme for surly 15-year-old schoolkids, this episode of A History of Comedy in Several Objects sees us paying a visit to unknown territory to learn more about life in another culture. You'll hear Elspeth Millar and Oliver Double leave the confines of the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive at the University of Kent to pay a visit to another archive – the Hackney Empire Collection at the University of East London. There they meet UEL's archivist Paul Dudman, and they compare notes on the importance of CAST New Variety in the spread of the London comedy circuit in the 1980s, as well as discussing how Roland and Claire Muldoon managed to rescue the Hackney Empire from being a mere bingo hall, and turn it back into a theatre. And just like surly 15-year-olds on a French exchange, Elspeth and Olly return home with their minds expanded – but without a load of illicit duty free hastily stuffed into their duffel bags. Ooh la la! Why not follow us on Facebook or Twitter @HistComPod? And maybe leave us a 5 star review on iTunes?

Hey, everyone! (applause) Welcome to a studio recording of our brand new sitcom: A History of Comedy in Several Objects. (cheers) In this episode Elspeth Millar (cheers) and Oliver Double (boo and hiss) meet two comedic heroes, Jimmy McGhie and Tom Houghton. (wolf whistles and laughter) They get into scrapes and listen back to old footage of them performing at the fabled Monkeyshine venue, which undoubtedly makes them cringe! (STANDING OVATION) HistComPod was filmed in front of a live studio audience (with no one in it). Give us five stars on iTunes unless you want to be an antagonist for next week's episode. (applause)

Lights! Camera! PODCAST! Welcome to another episode of the world's first photogenic audio podcast – A History of Comedy in Several Objects, featuring our own avant-garde supermodels: Doctor Oliver Double & Elspeth Millar. This episode will be on the cover of Vogue magazine* as we have a legendary comedian photographer Andy Hollingworth to discuss the archive's images. Despite being seemingly a visual episode, Andy's detail, Elspeth's expertise and Olly's questions really make this episode a snap success! They discuss photographic techniques, hilarious anecdotes and what an image really says about the comedian. An image says a 1000 words, so why don't you leave us a 5 star review on iTunes? *Figuratively speaking

Hear ye! Hear ye! Come forth and gather in this town's centre for the latest episode of A History of Comedy in Several Objects! Come hither and partake of our analysis of stand-up throughout the ages by studying a comedy artefact! We simple folk are adjourned here today to let you know great news of our most recent episode. It features the good word of our special guest, the Godfather of Alternative Comedy himself, Mr Tony Allen. Come, hear an unpublished clip of Tony compèring at the Comedy Store c.1980! Come, listen to his impish and incisive analysis of his own performance from 37 years ago! Tony has written books about stand-up, teaches it and weaved himself into the history of comedy during the early years of alternative cabaret. So download and subscribe to this illustrious and gobsmacking episode! Don't be a village idiot – give us 5 stars on iTunes!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No – it's A History of Comedy in Several Objects, the world's first podcast superhero. We're here to solve mysteries, fight crime, and analyse objects from the British Stand-up Comedy Archive. Under their masks, Oliver Double and Elspeth Millar discuss John Hegley's unique brown paper bag flyer. We display our super strength by including interviews with John and a lovely surprise gift at the end. Acting as our sidekick, we also have an amazing interview with late, great Variety star Joan Rhodes. So join us in the fight against evil (but mostly boredom) by downloading the episode and sharing with your friends! Don't be a super villain, give us 5 stars on iTunes and follow us on Twitter (@histcompod). To the Podmobile!

Welcome to another episode of HistComPod! This week proffers a very unique and special episode as we take a peek behind the magician's curtain to interview the rabbit being stuffed into the magician's hat. This episode features on of the world's greatest guest*, Britain's funniest comedian** and the producer of A History of Comedy in Several Objects*** - it's Matt Hoss (@matthosscomedy). You may best know him as the nasally voice at credits at the end of the show. This week he talks through his experiences at the archive, how he learnt the comedy ropes through Olly and Elspeth, as well as his inevitable restraining orders for Richard Herring, Mark Thomas and Pappy's! This (meta) episode focuses on Pappy's interview with Oliver Double (also meta) and they discuss the role of metadata in the archive. It's a very meta episode. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @HistComPod and give us a 5 star review on iTunes. *There may be bias here. **Evidence not found at time of writing. *** Never heard of it.

Hey all you hepcats and hipsters, time to put on your snappiest threads and listen to the latest episode of HistComPod! This time, Olly and Elpseth take Harry Hill's suit off the peg in the archive and talk about how costume works in stand-up comedy and how it relates to stage persona. They show how the clothes comedians wear while performing have changed from music hall through to modern comedy, and along the way you'll hear an exclusive clip from an archive interview with Harry Hill, explaining how he found his sharp-dressed, big-collared look. Please be cool – subscribe and review us on iTunes and follow us on social media (@HistComPod). You know it makes sense, Daddy-O!

Vworp! Vworp! Get into the TARDIS for the latest time-travelling episode of HistComPod! This time, your hosts Olly and Elspeth welcome on board BRUCE DESSAU, the comedy critic from the Evening Standard and his own Beyond the Joke website. Together they go back to 1981 to examine a review of the Comic Strip written by Charles Spencer, and discuss the role of the comedy critic, how it has changed in the last 36 years and how comedy relates to both theatre and live music. So grab your sonic screwdriver, whistle K9 and heed the Cloister Bell, as you get ready for another intergalactic archive-based adventure! But before doing so, please subscribe and review us on iTunes and follow us on social media (@HistComPod).

Welcome to HistComPodFest – an audio festival to tantalise your mind through the analysis of a comedy object (and also through the age-old method of rocking out). This week your incredible headliner is Lynne Parker, the founder and the head of Funny Women. She discusses her experiences running Funny Women, the success stories, the controversial stories and she articulates points about feminism within stand-up comedy throughout the ages. So start a mosh-pit, powerslide and sing this podcast loudly at unassuming pedestrians. But before doing so, please subscribe and review us on iTunes and follow us on social media (@HistComPod).

Put your apron on, grab your baker's whites and don some oven mitts, as you get ready for a freshly baked episode of A History of Comedy in Several Objects. Mmm! It's the best thing since sliced podcast! (This analogy would have been more ideal on episode 13, as it would have been our baker's dozen. Still, never mind.) This week, the brilliantly funny comedian Angela Barnes visits the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive to look at a whole swathe of material relating to her comic hero, Linda Smith. Which object will she pick out as her favourite? You'll have to listen to the episode to find out! (Either that or, er, just read the title of the episode.) Don't be a sourdough, download and subscribe to our podcast – and please leave us a review on iTunes!

Salutations compadres! It's another special week as we have another amazing guest: RICHARD HERRING. That's right – the creator of RHLSTP (“Ruh-huh-luh-stuh-puh!”), one half of comedy double act Lee and Herring, and writer of many masterful Edinburgh Fringe shows. In our exclusive interview with the fantastic “Podfather ”, you'll hear Olly asking him a multitude of searching questions (albeit not as searching as, “Ham hand or sun cream armpit?”). Herring discusses his university scrapbook, his contemporaries and his analytical approach to comedy. Please subscribe, review our show on iTunes and tell us you love us on social media.

Yeehaw! Giddy up! Welcome back to another rootin' tootin' episode of A History of Comedy in Several Objects. Saddle up and get prepared for more galloping comedy analysis with your hosts Oliver Double and Elspeth Millar. This week's episode is so good that you'll be lasso-ing for more. It kicks more than a Bucking Bronco (if a Bucking Bronco had an analytical comedy podcast). This week features an exclusive interview with the gun-slingin' JOSIE LONG and her sketchpad, talking about the creative process behind her 2006 Edinburgh show, Kindness and Exuberance. Remember to subscribe to the podcast, and please leave us a review on iTunes. And remember – if there's a snake in your boot, seek medical help!

Beep Beep! Get your keys, fire up the engine and let's drive the national speed limit (it's a legal requirement) down the great podcast road. We'll turn the headlights on, and we'll examine an object within the British Stand-up Comedy Archive in another episode of HistComPod. Put your seatbelts on (it's a legal requirement) and join Oliver Double and Elspeth Millar in a very special episode. We have ‘bumper' pack for you today, including exclusive clips of Mark Thomas, Linda Smith and featuring an in-depth discussion with legendary live promoter, Warren Lakin. There is a great and eclectic chat about Linda Smith's life and her work, feminism in comedy and the Miners' Strike of the 1980s. Hope you enjoy this high mile-per-gallon episode and don't forget to subscribe (it's a legal requirement).

Ahoy matey! Yo ho ho and a bottle A History of Comedy in Several Objects! Welcome back for another week of spine-tinglingly good stand-up comedy history, analysed by Doctor Oliver Double and Elspeth Millar in the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive. This time we look at at a range of evocative posters and photos from Captain JJ Waller, alongside an exclusive interview. In the course of doing so, we find out about the links between Covent Garden street theatre and alternative cabaret, and hear just how he managed to carry the weight of two London double decker buses on his chest. Give us a review on iTunes unless you want SCURVY!​

Get out of the podcast bed, put on your headphone slippers and open up your iTunes curtains for another weekly instalment of A History of Comedy in Several Objects, in which Elspeth and Olly bring sunshine to the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive and analyse a comic object of historical worth. In this episode, we look at the Red Wedge Comedy Tour, a run of 1980's pro-Labour performances featuring comedians and musicians, like Billy Bragg, Mark Miwurdz and Porky the Poet. Listen in for an exclusive archive interview with Phill Jupitus from 2015, plus Olly and Elspeth's dramatic reading of Porky's strip cartoon from the Red Wedge Comedy Tour programme. Voice-over artists – beware! Subscribe to us on iTunes, and please leave a review! Oops - also we have a slight error to correct. In this episode Elspeth mentions that the year is 1985, however we have to make a correction and say that the year is actually and factually, 1986. Many apologies. See you all next week.

Good news everyone! We have a new episode of our weekly podcast for you, featuring your two favourite comedy archivists, Oliver Double and Elspeth Millar. Grab your knife and forks and get ready for your platter of stand-up history as we tuck into another serving of archive object analysis. Sounds delicious and informative! In this we look at a range of different flyers with multiple styles from Nick Toczek's Comedy Cracker, which had great line-ups in the 1990's, featuring one of your favourite podcast hosts performing. Yes that's right! In this we have a clip of Oliver Double compering a show. This episode also features Olly doing a Mancunian accent (on two separate occasions). You will be sure to enjoy it. Please also be sure to subscribe and review us on iTunes.

Shiver me timbers – it's a new podcast! That's right landlubbers, the latest instalment of A History of Comedy in Several Objects is now available, so set your ships to sail and embark on this week's historical comedy voyage! Walk down the podcast plank and hear about one of the archive's most popular items: the bookings book from legendary London alternative comedy venue, the Meccano Club. This episode looks at the stars of the circuit that played the Meccano Club in the 1980s and 1990s, as well as featuring an exclusive interview with the club promoter Monika Bobinska. *Squark!* Please leave us a review!

We've cracked open the vault of interesting artefacts to bring you a new episode of A History of Comedy in Several Objects, in which we look at strongly-worded letter written to that legend of early alternative comedy, Jim Barclay. This angry missive was provoked by a riotous show by Alternative Cabaret at Goldsmiths College Students' Union in 1979. Expect deviance, titillation and Keith Allen. We also have excerpts from an exclusive interview with Jim Barclay himself! Enjoy! Please review us on iTunes.

Welcome back to A History of Comedy in Several Objects, a weekly podcast which delightfully dives into the eclectic paddling pool of comedy past, plucking out an interesting object and analysing it in detail. This episode features an exclusive interview with the legendary political comedian, Mark Thomas. We look at his particularly absurd object, which leads us to discuss such big topics as whether comedy can create change and what is the role of a stand-up comedian? Join Olly and Elspeth to explore Mark's unique engagement in the world stand-up comedy and the world in general. Please leave us a review on iTunes!

Welcome back for another wander down Archive Lane in the fourth episode of A History Of Comedy In Several Objects. In this episode, we great to grips with comedians' set lists, whilst exploring how scripts and prompts are used in stand-up. We see some influential great comedians' archived materials, including Josie Long's spider diagrams, Linda Smith's notes and of course, Robin Ince's postcards. We also feature exclusive clips from Andy De La Tour and Linda Smith. Don't forget to get involved!

Welcome to the third episode of A History Of Comedy In Several Objects (or HistComPod for short). Join Olly and Elspeth for another week spelunking in the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive as we look at an attempt to establish a Comedy Trade Union in 1983, and go through a list of all the key acts in the alternative comedy scene of the day, where future stars like French and Saunders rubbed shoulders with long forgotten performers whose gags are now lost in the mists of time. Remember you can follow us on social media (@HistComPod) and email us on standup@kent.ac.uk. Please leave a review on ITunes for us!