I don’t have a problem with student comedy. It is a fantastic opportunity for those sprightly young things to hone down their act, shirk off the glimmers of Lee Evans or Ricky Gervais the discerning eye might pick up, and really come into their own. I tried my best to avoid playing matchmaker between the students who put themselves in Chortle’s firing line and the comedians they have largely feasted on in their formative years, but it can be difficult not to. Criticisms aside, I salute these brave warriors in the fight for king of comedy, besides, there are always going to be some panel show seats that need filling in a few years.

I would also have to applaud Chortle. The unbearable task of having to watch amateur after amateur, fingers and toes crossed in the hope of finding someone who doesn’t just seem to regurgitate the act of one of their comedy heroes, must be a challenge. And imagine having to do it a dozen times around the country, I struggled after just one evening.

This all sounds harsh on the comedians in question, but I don’t mean it to. If anything, I want to give some tough love as it should instill these young wannabes with the fighting spirit to get back to the drawing board, improve their set, and do it all over again next year.  I don’t want to suggest that they were all awful, not at all. Some of the acts held their own, creating characters that may show the influences of others (David O’Doherty stood out when one chap came on stage with his keyboard, but that’s not to say he just ripped him off). No, some of these guys know how to look at what someone else has done, say ‘hey, that works for them’ and instead of merely copying it, ask ‘what might work for me?’

One of the biggest disappointments has to be the distinct lack of diversity amongst the comedians. This is not to criticise them, perhaps it is the fault of the scene itself. Of all the acts, only one was not white, and not a single female to be seen. Now, I have always preferred male comedians, but it did disappoint me to see that no girls wanted to give it a try. I was almost half tempted to go home and cook up some material, no matter how bad at comedy I know I’ll be, just so we have someone representing. I hope this plea calls out to those budding funnymen of different races who might be disillusioned in that all they see on the television are white northerners and cockneys, and make them know that we need you. Comedy needs you.

Lily D