But Is It Funny?

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Comedy critics in conversation: with The Guardian's Brian Logan, writer and comedian Suchandrika Chakrabarti, and writer Jamal Khadar. Each week they discuss what’s new in comedy, who is making waves and dig deeper into what we laugh at and why. ‘But Is I


    • Sep 9, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 52m AVG DURATION
    • 26 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from But Is It Funny?

    Season 3 Finale - Edinburgh Fringe, Mo Amer, Joe Lycett

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2022 51:12


    Join host Suchandrika Chakrabarti with Jamal Khadar and Brian Logan as they discuss the Edinburgh Festival, Mo Amer's new show on Netflix and Joe Lycett's impact on British politics.LINKSEdinburgh Fringe reflectionsThe Edinburgh fringe is too long, too expensive and too gruelling. It must change or dieFringe audiences are 99% white? As a South Asian critic, I found Edinburgh's screaming lack of diversity hugely troublingAbout The Fringe SocietyMoMo on NetflixWe had to show that the immigration system is a mess': how Mo Amer's refugee status led to comedy goldHollywood puts 'no face' on the Palestinian experience. Mo Amer plans to change thatNo Direction HomeJoe LycettThe satire of Joe Lycett is a fitting response to our era of scorched-earth politicsHun-culture

    Edinburgh Fringe: Jacqueline Novak, TikTok, Jerry Sadowitz

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2022 50:36


    Join Brian Logan, Suchandrika Chakrabarti from the Edinburgh Fringe festival with host Jamal Khadar as they discuss acts includingJacqueline NovakFrankie Thompson: CattsSarah ShermanJerry SadowitzAnd topics including:The impact of positive high profile reviewsThe Fringe on TikTok (room for improvement!)Bringing babies to shows

    Edinburgh Fringe : Sophie Duker, Cat Cohen, Sheeps and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2022 47:54


    Join our panel of Suchandrika Chakarabarti, Jamal Khadar and Brian Logan in Edinburgh as they discuss:Sophie DukerCat CohenSarah KeyworthBloody Difficult WomenRagu to RichesSheepsCrizardsLara RicoteI Miss Amy WinehousePlus:Watching and reviewing 7 shows a dayAre critics a dying breed?And:How do critics leave a show?!

    Edinburgh Fringe : First Impressions (inc Patti Harrison, Amy Gledhill, Seann Walsh)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2022 41:09


    Our comedy panel have arrived at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe! Join Brian Logan, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Jamal Khadar as they discuss:Patti Harrison Sketch versus stand-up Trigger warnings in stand-up: a timely development … or the end of days? Amy GledhillAnd how to review Seann Walsh

    Edinburgh Fringe Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 48:44


    Join Jamal Khadar and our regular panel of comedy critics and writers Brian Logan and Suchandrika Chakrabarti as they look forward to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022.Including:How comedians prepare for the FringeBeing a critic at the FringeIs it still viable for new comedians?What shows are the panel most looking forward to?And what is the best shape for a flyer ... ?The next four episodes of But Is It Funny? will be recorded at the Fringe.LINKSSoho Theatre Edinburgh Lab‘Someone's making money but it's not us' – the comics spurning the Edinburgh fringeArchive: Show me the money | Edinburgh festival 2002 Archive: All white on the night | Edinburgh festival 2002SHOWS THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TOSuchandrika:Life of The PartyI Am Not A GorillaIllegally FunnyNo More Mr Nice ChelseaRagu To RichesBrian:Catherine CohenSheepsCattsLeo ReichRosie HoltJamal:Patti HarrisonI Miss Amy WinehouseSophie DukerLara Ricote

    Dane Baptiste, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Oxide Ghosts - The Brasseye Tapes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2022 59:24


    Brian Logan is joined by Jamal Khadar and Suchandrika Chakrabarti for our Season 2 finale to discuss:Dane Baptiste - The Chocolate ChipThe Marvelous Mrs Maisel (Amazon Prime)Oxide Ghosts - The Brasseye TapesLINKSDane Baptiste - The Chocolate Chip (review by Brian Logan)The Marvelous Mrs Maisel - Why Does Every Fictional Female Comedian Get the Exact Same Advice? (Slate)‘The ultimate single woman's icon': how Mrs Maisel is an inspiration across the years (The Guardian)Oxide Ghosts - The Brasseye Tapes (review by Brian Logan)

    John Mulaney, Witchfinder, Rebuilding the 4th Wall

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2022 46:18


    Suchandrika Chakrabarti is joined by regular panellists Brian Logan and Jamal Khadar to discuss:John Mulaney is back in the game – but he doesn't owe us an explanation: comedy, celebrity, how much of yourself must you reveal onstage? Witchfinder (BBC TV) Rebuilding the Fourth Wall with reference to the first episode of Adam McKay's Winning Time and the other shows doing knowing looks to cameraPlus : Suchandrika does musical comedy! 

    Nabil Abdulrashid, This Is Going To Hurt, Earthquake: Legendary

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2022 63:11


    Jamal Khadar is joined by regular panellists Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Brian Logan to discuss:Nabil Abdulrashid's new touring show - Nobody Actually Believed I'd LastThis Is Going To Hurt (BBC TV)Chappelle's Home Team - Earthquake: Legendary (Netflix)LINKSNabil Abdulrashid: Ofcom rejects 3,000 Britain's Got Talent complaintsThis Is Going To HurtAdam Kay interview Ambika Mod interviewPlus: International Women's Day!

    Ali Wong, Comics "Quitting" Stand-up

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2022 53:03


    Host Brian Logan is joined by regular panellists Jamal Khadar and Suchandrika Chakrabarti to discuss Ali Wong's Netflix specialComics "Quitting" stand-upPlus: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the comedian who became President of UkraineLINKSVolodymyr ZelenskyyA trailer for Servant of the People, which made Zelenskyy famous, and lent its name to his political party https://youtu.be/JinkCAN6Bx0 Jon Stewart:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ackArK09Tl4Ali Wonghttps://www.vulture.com/article/ali-wong-don-wong-netflix-comedy-review.htmlComics "quitting" stand-uphttps://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/aug/16/standups-quit-comedy-edinburgh-hannah-gadbsyRose Matafeo: https://www.chortle.co.uk/punching-ups/2022/01/21/50019/stand-up-is-horrible-nerve-racking-and-boringDrunk Women Solving Crime: https://uk.style.yahoo.com/how-drunk-women-solving-crime-podcast-began-100911602.html

    Mo Gilligan, Tragedy Plus Time, Critics on Stage

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2022 55:58


    Host Suchandrika Chakrabarti  joins regular panellists Jamal Khadar and Brian Logan to discuss: Mo Gilligan's Netflix specialTragedy Plus Time improv from Boom Chicago in Amsterdam - content warning; contains reference to suicide and bereavementWhen critics take the stage (FT paywall ... if you don't subscribe you can find it via a Google search eg "A critic plays King Lear")Plus ... comedians on skis.LINKSRe: Content warningIn the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.

    Starstruck, On Criticism, Phat Tuesdays

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 65:04


    Jamal Khadar hosts, with Suchandrika Chakarabarti and special guest Emma Sullivan. Topics include:Starstruck (BBC) - episode two of Rose Matafeo's sitcomFurther reflections on the role of criticism Phat Tuesdays - docuseries on the history of Guy Torry's all-black comedy night in 1990s LA LINKSNew Yorker critic newsletterEbert reviews of Tarkovsky's Solaris and reconsidered;  and of 2002 Soderbergh versionGeorge Saunders newsletter on Substack

    Jimmy Carr, Taking Comedy Seriously, Murderville

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 55:55


    Regular panellists Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Brian Logan are joined by special guest Emma Sullivan to discuss:Jimmy Carr's recent Netflix specialTaking Comedy Seriously with Emma SullivanMurderville (Netflix)Plus: "Scotwatch" featuring tartan salopettesLINKSJimmy Carrhttps://gal-dem.com/jimmy-carr-joe-rogan-netflix-spotify-hate/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/jun/16/jimmy-carr-review-rose-theatre-kingstonhttps://www.theawl.com/2013/07/patricia-lockwood-rape-joke/Weekend Update: Goober the Clown on Abortion - SNL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exSZQICbSb8Taking Comedy Seriouslyhttps://humourinthearts.com/https://humourinthearts.com/about-me/https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v35/n14/jonathan-coe/sinking-giggling-into-the-seaMurdervillehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt15264192/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_in_Successville

    Athena Kugblenu, Comedy Albums & Spotify, Don't Look Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 69:28


    Suchandrika Chakrabarti hosts, with regular panellists Brian Logan and Jamal Khadar. Topics include:An interview with comedian and writer Athena Kugblenu about her experience of, and views on, comedy criticismComedy albums as a form, and how comedicans are trying to get more  equitable rights payments from SpotifyDon't Look Up (Netflix) - critics hated it, one of our panellists loves it .... But is it funny?LinksAziz Ansari's Empty Authenticity - review discussed at start of episodeAthena Kugblenuhttps://twitter.com/athenakugblenuhttps://www.instagram.com/athenakugblenu/Athena's Cancel Culture on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000tsldWork In Progress at 2Northdown on 4th February:Comedy albums & SpotifyIt's time to give a new generation of comics a crack at the Grammys Spotify removes top comedians' content in royalty payments disputeIncidental music during interview: Lukrembo ‘Onion' and ‘Cheese'

    Nish Kumar, Comedy On Prescription, Aziz Ansari

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 63:51


    Jamal Khadar, Brian Logan and Suchandrika Chakrabarti discuss:Nish Kumar's new stand-up show and the role of political comedy in the UKLearning comedy as social prescription via the GP, with Angie Belcher Aziz Ansari's new Netflix specialShow notesSatirical news podcasts Social prescribing course in BristolAdditional music: Onion and Biscuit, both by Lukrembo

    Race Around Britain with Munya Chawawa, Unsafe Space, SNL in the UK

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2022 48:55


    Season 2 of But Is It Funny? launches with Brian Logan. Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Jamal Khadar discussing:Race Around Britain with Munya Chawawa on YouTubeNew Radio 4 comedy series pilot Unsafe SpacePlans to develop a UK version of Saturday Night Live Plus: Suchandrika on her improv debut!

    Succession; Comedy Cellar; Comedians & Critics

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2021 69:01


    Is Succession a sitcom?What limits should a comedy club put on comedian's material? Discussing  Don't Applaud. Either Laugh or Don't. (at the Comedy Cellar) by Andrew HankisonWhat's a comedian's realtionship to criticism?With Brian Logan, Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Jamal KhadarLINKSIs Succession a sitcom? https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/11/08/is-succession-the-best-sitcom-on-television https://slate.com/culture/2021/10/succession-season-3-hbo-drama-sitcom.htmlSuccession fan videoshttps://youtu.be/fXcBaYCyzL8https://youtu.be/_b7CNBXzo54 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw7alNjkYrohttps://youtu.be/zWxr4xbL9a0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-6K2CjJ6dk Exec producer & playwright Lucy Prebble on how Succession's writers walk the line between tragedy and comedy https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LTBwLWt6563xCzvc1CVtP?si=CQUxG6tvSzG3gvNZhwAO9A&nd=1

    Comedy Studies special : guest panelists consider some of the biggest questions in comedy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 66:13


    Hosted by Suchandrika ChakrabartiFeaturing:Sharon Lockyerhttps://www.brunel.ac.uk/people/sharon-lockyerSophie Quirkhttps://www.kent.ac.uk/arts/people/536/quirk-sophieAnja Karlssonhttps://www.gu.se/en/about/find-staff/anjafranckkarlssonLINKSWhat can comedy achieve in the context of repression and violence? Can the meme save us?https://www.blogalstudies.com/post/what-s-so-funny-about-a-military-coup-how-generation-z-is-trolling-the-myanmar-armyWhat's so funny in Afghanistan?https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0962629817304109Smiling while being arrestedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCIasDCtm7A&ab_channel=AJ%2BMyanmar coup: Pools and princesses as protesters go all outhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/56006324Laughing through lockdownhttps://theconversation.com/laughing-through-lockdown-why-comedy-is-important-in-times-of-crisis-160905Sometimes a Milkshake Is Just a Milkshakehttps://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/05/milkshake-thrown-nigel-farage-nothing-new/590317/Laughing at power: Humor, transgression, and the politics of refusal in Palestinehttps://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/envirc/v38y2020i3p387-404.htmlJoking: uses and abuses of humour in the Election campaignhttp://www.electionanalysis.uk/uk-election-analysis-2019/section-8-personality-politics-and-popular-culture/joking-uses-and-abuses-of-humour-in-the-election-campaign/Women, comedy and powerhttps://getofflivecomedy.co.uk/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/rosie-jones-question-time-trolling-ableist-abuse-bbc-b959464.htmlhttps://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/live-comedy/comedy-isnt-accessible-enough/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2015.1106402Comedy in academiaPalgrave Studies in Comedyhttps://www.springer.com/series/14644Centre for Comedy Studies Researchhttps://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Networks-and-Labs/Comedy-Studies-ResearchPLUShttps://guiltyfeminist.com/https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainment/deborah-frances-white-685021

    Things We Used To Love, What Is "Funny"?, Sex Unzipped

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 57:01


    With Jamal Khadar, Brian Logan and Suchandrika ChakrabartiRevisiting comedy we used to love - with reference to shows including Sex & The City, Seinfeld, Bill HicksDigging deeper into the question: But Is It Funny? - do we need a better language for reviewing comedy?Reference:https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2006/jul/27/comedySex Unzipped on Netflix  - does it really deserve zero stars?Referenceshttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/sex-unzipped-review-perverse-sesame-street-is-a-tv-disgracehttps://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/11/sex-love-and-goop-sex-education-netflix-sex-positivity/620588/Shout outsFor Quantum Leopard @2Northdown @LucyMangan and the Romesh Ranganathan puppet

    Stath Lets Flats (and the state of the Sitcom), Class & Comedy, Complaints Welcome / Munya Chawawa

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2021 57:28


    Plus: Zero Star Reviews, Sex Unzipped, Bean Dad, Megan Stalter… and moreWith Brian Logan, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Jamal KhadarReferences: Stath Lets Flats & the state of the Sitcomhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/the-last-laugh-is-the-television-sitcom-really-deadhttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/11/08/is-succession-the-best-sitcom-on-televisionhttps://time.com/6094071/fall-tv-network-comedies-canceled/https://classpolish.com/https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/tv-radio/2019/09/stath-lets-flats-channel-4-sitcom-greek-natasia-funniest-best-show-television-reviewClass and Comedyhttps://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/oct/12/rob-beckett-you-have-to-suppress-your-working-class-rage-to-operate-in-comedyhttps://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/may/26/standup-comedy-class-divide-coronavirus-lockdownhttps://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2021/april/funny-voice-videoshttps://www.waterstones.com/book/comedy-and-distinction/sam-friedman/9781138125902Complaints Welcomehttps://www.channel4.com/programmes/complaints-welcomehttps://www.instagram.com/munyachawawa

    Lenny Henry's Race Through Comedy, Moderating Your Content, Chappelle Revisited

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 46:25


    Jamal Khadar, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and special guest Abdul Tahhan consider:Lenny Henry's Race Through Comedy (currently re-playing on Dave) … what can we learn from stand-up history?Moderating Content … should you change your set if a member of the Royal Family is in the audience? Dave Chappelle revisited … more thoughts on his latest Netflix special and reconsidering his previous workPlus shout outs for Elf LyonsNo Direction Home from Counterpoints ArtsOlivia Flood WylieAnd, er, Princess Eugenie

    Comedy Venues, Starting a Set, and Doing Stand-up on TV - with special guest Fatiha El-Ghorri

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 48:51


    Join spooky comedian Suchandrika Chakrabarti, influencer (!) Brian Logan and special guest Fatiha El-Ghorri as they ask:What are the best and worst comedy venues, from basement bars to rooftop gigs and performing in a burger bar?What's it like to perform stand-up on TV - can it ever replicate the live experience?How do comedians go about starting a set and how much should they be expected to explain who they are?Plus, what makes for a 5-star review?Fatiha is on tour now!https://pennyappeal.org/event/super-muslim-comedy-tour-2021

    Dave Chappelle, Glamrou, and Bad Comedy Friend

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2021 49:25


    Our regular panel of Brian Logan, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Jamal Khadar consider:The fallout from Dave Chappelle's new Netflix specialGlamrou at Soho TheatreThe ethics of using material from other people's lives (with reference to Bad Art Friend)Share your own thoughts on these topics and ideas for future episodes @counterarts #butisitfunnyBut Is It Funny? is a weekly podcast produced by Counterpoints Arts as part of our PopChange programme. It aims to help extend and diversify the critical conversation around comedy.

    Comedy Podcasts, Satire, and Fandom

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 51:06


    Suchandrika Chakrabarti offers a guide to comedy podcast types and tropes, as well as selecting some of her favourites. But are comedy podcasts more than just chat?Brian Logan reflects on the new TV series from Jon Stewart as well as the return of the Daily Mash. In a post-Trump world, is topical satire still able to deliver?Jamal Khadar speaks up for fans-as-critics - the people who know a show best can sometimes offer the most telling insights. Should fans be given more respect?

    Improv, Who Gets Reviewed, and The Chair

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2021 42:58


    Jamal Khadar asks whether Improv is getting more diverse. Brian Logan gets stuck into Netflix series The Chair. And Suchandrika Chakrabarti explores how critics choose who and what to review.

    Sadcom, Sketch Shows and Zoom Gigs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 65:27


    Suchandrika Chakrabarti discusses sadness in comedy with reference to TV shows Ladhood, Back To Life and  Alma's Not Normal . Can TV comedy succeed with tragedy where stand-up can't?Jamal Khadar reflects on I Think You Should Leave by Tim Robinson (Netflix): is it a genuinely new take on TV sketch comedy? And did live sketch shows get there first?Brian Logan's subject is Zoom gigs. With in-person comedy now back up and running is there anything to be salvaged or learned from the pandemic era of stand-up live online?Plus, some incidental discussion of marching band gags, losing comedy competitions and Russell Brand. 

    Introducing our new podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2021 1:05


    Jamal Khadar explains what you can expect from our new weekly podcast of comedy critics in conversation. Episode 1 available 24/9/21

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