Seven2Ten

In this episode, Christian talks to Weirdo regular and Alternative Comedy Memorial Society stalworth Joz Norris along with New Comedian of the Year winner Joshua Ross, at the Edinburgh festival.

A special Seven2Ten podcast from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A live recording of the Cheaper than Therapy show from the BlundaBus on the theme of parents and comedy. With Michael Legge, Mary Bourke, Matthew Winning and Caroline Mabey. Hosted by Christian Talbot

A special Seven2Ten podcast from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A live recording of the Cheaper than Therapy show from the BlundaBus on the theme of faith and comedy. With Deborah Francis-White, Bec Hill, Richard Wright and Aidan Strangeman. Hosted by Christian Talbot

Nearly two years ago, I spoke to Eleanor Tiernan on the eve of her then Edinburgh Fringe show. In that time, Eleanor has gone on to perform all around the UK and Ireland as well as starring in the satirical RTE sketch show "Irish Pictorial Weekly" and as part of the hand-picked line-up of Stewart Lee's "Alternative Comedy Experience" on Comedy Central. This August, she brings her show "Help the Frigid" to the Counting House at the Edinburgh Fringe each night at 8.15pm. I talk to her about the theme of the show, the writing process and how a show like Irish Pictorial Weekly is put together.

In this episode, Christian talks to comedian, writer and actor, Robin Ince as he brings his show "Robin Ince: In and Out of this Mind" to Belfast. Robin is perhaps best known for his BBC radio show "The Infinite Monkey Cage" with physicist Brian Cox. We talk about the problems with making TV shows, the Edinburgh fringe and supporting Ricky Gervais on tour.

In this episode, Christian talks to Dubliner, Rory O'Hanlon. Well known on the Irish comedy circuit, Rory is now resident in London and performs regularly at the biggest clubs in the UK including Jongleurs, The Stand, Komedia and The Top Secret Comedy Club.   We chat about how Rory started out, moving to London, performing in Russia and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In this episode, Christian speaks to Danish comedian Sofie Hagen. In the last year and a half, Sofie has taken the UK comedy scene by storm, winning the Laughing Horse New Act of the Year in 2013 and also Chortle's Best Newcomer Award for 2014. Known as one of the hardest working comedians on the circuit, Time Out has declared her "One to Watch" for the future. We talk about the differences between Danish and UK comedy, why she chose Martin Besserman over the Danish version of Saturday Night Live and why her biggest ambition is to gig in Co Sligo.

In this episode, Christian speaks to Northern Irish comedian Micky Bartlett. Micky is one of the funniest and most popular acts on the circuit, earning the respect of his peers and Northern Ireland’s older generation of comics alike. In 2012 Micky supported Patrick Kielty on his tour of Northern Ireland and played venues like the Derry Playhouse and in the Odyssey arena to an audience of over 5000, the result of the performance earned him a slot in the Belfast recording of “Dave’s One Night Stand” in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. A regular in comedy clubs all over Ireland and a regular on BBC Northern Ireland's 'Monumental', Micky is one of the most exciting new comedy prospects. We talk about touring, the Edinburgh festival, playing an area and what goes on at the recording of TV panel show.

In this episode, Christian talks to Colm Tyrrell. Colm is a stand-up from north Dublin  who won the Bulmers Galway Comedy Festival ‘Stand Up Showdown 2013’ in Roisin Dubh beating stiff competition from fifteen strong competitors. His prize was a much coveted support spot with Kevin Bridges at the festival which was very favourably reviewed by Chortle.Colm previously reached the finals of many new act competitions, including the semi-final of the prestigious ‘So you think you're funny?’ competition at The Edinburgh Fringe in 2012. In 2013 he won the all Ireland University intervarsity competition and was a finalist on RTE's New Comedy Awards. Christian chats to him about bringing a show to the Edinburgh festival, how he writes his material and about TV auditions.

In this episode, Christian talks to Aidan Strangeman. Aidan Strangeman is a musical comedian based in Ashbourne, Co. Meath. He began writing comedy songs in 2009 and eventually formed a double act called "The Guilty Folk" in 2010. As part of that act he performed his songs in the Vicar Street comedy show "Singlehood" in 2013. Aidan is currently writing his first solo comedy show which will debut in 2014. We chat about musical comedy, making the transition to be a solo artist and YouTube fame.

In this episode, Christian talks to comedian and one of the two resident MCs of the Comedy Crunch in Dublin's Stags Head, Colm McGlinchey. The Comedy Crunch is one of Dublin's most popular comedy clubs, running every Sunday and Monday night. Colm also gigs around Ireland and gained much acclaim (including from Chortle) for his Edinburgh Fringe show "Me My Selfish Self" in 2012. They chat about comedy clubs, Edinburgh Fringe shows and writing comedy.

In this episode I talk to Irish comedian and writer Aidan Greene. Aidan is regular on the Irish comedy circuit and was runner-up in the 2011 Craic Attack competition.I talk to him about screenplays, stammering and finding love on the Internet.

In this episode we talk to comedian Toby Williams. Better known as his alter ego Dr George Ryegold, Toby is an award-winning comedian regularly performing stand-up in the top clubs around London and the UK, recently opening for Jerry Sadowitz. He's most recognisable at the moment from his comic turn on the latest Spec Savers ads.His accolades include ‘Amused Moose Laughter Award Top 10 Comedy Show’ at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013, Scotsman’s ‘Top Five Comedy Shows at the Fringe’ 2012, Dave’s ‘Top 10 Funniest Jokes of the Fringe’ 2012, winner of ‘Best Show’ at The Leicester Comedy Festival 2011, winner of a Three Weeks Editors’ Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011 and a nomination for ‘The Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality’ for his debut Edinburgh 2009 show ‘Trample The Weak, Hurdle The Dead’.This year he brought his show "Adulterated" to the Edinburgh Fringe. We talk to him about the fringe, advertisements and how to deal with walkouts.

In the twelfth of our Edinburgh specials, Christian and Jake talk to comedian Damo Clark. Originally from Australia, Damo is now resident in London but before that had made Ireland his home and became a regular on RTE's Republic of Telly and wrote & co-starred in I Dare Ya! which became the highest rating Irish comedy debut to date. In 2012 Damian was hand picked to support Kevin Bridges and Jack Dee on their national UK tours, playing theaters & arenas to over 100,000 people. This year he brought his show "G'Damo" to the Wee Room in the Gilded Balloon for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We talk to him about his Fringe show, moving to London, how we'll end up dying and sleeping in a car outside Jack Dee's hotel.

In the eleventh of our Edinburgh specials, Christian talks to comedian, presenter and writer Bec Hill. Originally from southern Australia, Bec is now resident in London where she produces the bi-monthly "Pun Run". She also impresses on the live circuit with her unique brand of stand-up and story-telling, often incorporating “arts and craft” elements such as cartoons and sketches into her routines. This year she brought two shows to Edinburgh - "Bec by Popular Demand" and "Tom and Bec's Awesome Laundry". She'll be bringing "Bec by Popular Demand" and "Pun Run" to the Belly Laughs Festival in Belfast on Sept 28th and 29th. Christian talks to her about how she started in comedy, copyrighting cartoons, getting engaged onstage and breakdancing in ballgowns.

In the tenth of our Edinburgh specials, Christian and Jake talk to comedian, actor and writer Ardal O'Hanlon. Ardal is one of the pioneers of Irish stand-up, starting the Comedy Cellar in Dublin, 25 years ago. Most well known for his role as "Fr Dougal" in Father Ted, Ardal brought his stand-up show to the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh during the Fringe this year to prepare for his upcoming UK tour which starts on September 11th and comes to Ireland in October. We talk to him about his new show, starting out in comedy, the 25th anniversary of the Comedy Cellar and being an author.

In the ninth of our Edinburgh specials, Christian talks to comedian, actor and writer Ed Byrne. Ed tours regularly around the UK and Ireland as well as finding huge success on the international circuit where he has performed to capacity audiences at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, on Just for Laughs tours across Canada, at the  Festival in Montreal, and at festival and tour gigs in Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Belgium and New Zealand. Ed often appears as a guest on television panel shows including the BBC’s Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You. During this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Ed performed his show "Roaring Forties" which he will tour around the UK and futher afield during 2013/14.

In the eighth of our Edinburgh podcasts, Christian and Jake talk to comedian Stuart Goldsmith. Stuart presents a regular podcast of his own called "The Comedian's Comedian" where he's interviewed people such as Sarah Millican, Hannibal Buress and Eddie Pepitone. He's a veteran of the fringe and his most recent show, the 2012 "Prick" was the subject of some controversy after the title was censored by the Edinburgh Fringe Guide. Stuart talks to us about starting out as a street performer, the commericalisation of the fringe and about how he puts together "Comedian's Comedian".

In the seventh of our Edinburgh specials, Christian and Jake talk to comedians Patrick Monahan and Bob Slayer. Patrick was the winner of ITV's "Show me the Funny" in 2011. He's much sought after as an MC and host on the UK comedy circuit. This year he brought his show "Cake Charmer" to the Edinburgh Fringe at the Gllded Balloon. Bob Slayer is the founder and trickster behind Heroes of the Fringe and Bob's Bookshop,  two venues at Edinburgh Fringe. Now in it's third year at Edinburgh Fringe (previously called Alternative Fringe), Bob champions a new approach to the business of Comedy and Fringe Festivals. He has appeared at Edinburgh Fringe every year since 2008 and twice been nominated for the Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality (2010 and 2011). This year he brought his show "Worldwide Bawbag" to his Bookshop venue. Christian and Jake talk to them about their 25 hour Edinburgh hug, "Show me the Funny", working clean and public nudity.

In the sixth of our Edinburgh podcasts, Christian and Jake talk to Vikki Stone. Vikki Stone is a comedian, actress, singer and musician and winner of The Soho Theatre One Night Stand Up Award. Her Phillip Schofield Song became an internet hit and was listed in The Huffington Post as The Top Ten Viral Videos in 2012. Her TV appearances include ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ ‘That Sunday Night Show’ and ‘This Morning’ (ITV1). ‘Richard Hammond’s Secret Service’ (BBC1). ‘Most Annoying People’ and ‘Britain in Bed’ (BBC3). ‘The Hilary Devey Story’ (BBC2). ‘Flash Prank ‘(MTV), ‘The Hour’ (STV),  ‘Greatest Ever 3D Moments’ (Channel 4). She performed her latest show "Definitely" at the Underbelly during the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She talks about how she got into comedy, the consistency of reviews, pitching for TV and how comedians can find sponsorship from commercial sources.

In the fifth of our Edinburgh podcasts, Christian and Jake talk to Lewis Schaffer. Lewis was resident MC at the Comedy Cellar and the Boston Comedy Club in Greenwich Village before moving to London in 2000. He performs two regular shows in London each week. Lewis Schaffer is Free Until Famous at The Source Below, Soho and Lewis Schaffer’s American Guide to England at the Leicester Square Theatre. He also produces the Nunhead American Radio podcast.

In the forth of our Edinburgh specials, Christian and Jake talk to producer, writer and performer, John Lloyd. John started his career with BBC radio where he produced and co-wrote the original radio scripts for The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy with Douglas Adams. He went to produce some of the most memorable comedy shows on British TV including Not the Nine O'Clock News, Blackadder and Spitting Image. He is also the producer of the comedy panel show QI which has now been running for nearly 10 years.

In the third of our Edinburgh specials, Christian and Jake talk to comedian, writer and actress, Susan Calman. As well as being a regular at the Stand venues in Scotland and Newcastle, Susan won the 2012 award for "Best MC" from Chortle. She's been featured on "QI", "Have I Got News for You" and in Sharon Horgan's BBC show "Dead Boss". She's also a regular on BBC radio's "News Quiz" and has just announced a second series of her own show "Calman is Convicted".Among the things we chatted about are insomnia, using social media, the Edinburgh Fringe experience and how to pitch ideas for TV.

In the second of our Edinburgh specials, Christian and Jake talk to Aisling Bea. Aisling is a stand-up, actor and writer based in London. She won the So You Think You're Funny competition in Edinburgh in 2012 and recently took part in the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal. Aisling has guested on Russell Howard's Good News and she's known for her parts in Sharon Horgan's BBC sitcom "Dead Boss" and in the Savage Eye on RTE. This year she brings her show "C'est La Bea" to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In the first of Seven2Ten's Edinburgh podcasts, Christian and Jake talk to London based, Canadian comedian, Bobby Mair. Bobby is currently gracing our screens in the new season of Channel 4’s ‘8 out of 10 Cats’ and was recently featured at this year’s Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. Bobby gained UK notoriety by securing an opening slot for his favourite comedian Doug Stanhope “He let me go on stage because I hung around for 2 days staring at him”. He is currently performing his show "Obviously Adopted" at the Tron at 7:40pm every night as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In this episode, Christian talks to Cabaret and Burlesque host, compère, ringmaster and emcee specialising in the anomalous, the deviant and the preternatural, Benjamine Louche. He has been shortlisted for a London Cabaret Award as 'Best Host or Compère' in both 2012 and 2013. He is the co-producer of The Double R Club ("one of the edgiest nights in the capital." -The Independent) and has been charming, disarming and alarming, seducing and serenading the UK cabaret scene since 2009. Christian talks to him about how he came to be one of the best cabaret hosts working in the UK, the London cabaret scene and the simularities and differences between stand-up and cabaret.

In this episode, Straight outta Monaghan, we have comedian Gerry McBride. Gerry is a regular in all the comedy clubs throughout Ireland and he's the TedFest Golden Toliet Duck winner of 2010. Christian and Jake talk to him about comedy competitions, starting out in comedy and writing for blogs, Facebook and Twitter.

To celebrate Seven2Ten's one year anniversary, Christian and Jake talk to the first guest we had on the show, Damon Blake. Damon is a Dublin based stand-up, writer and producer. He recently took part in the RTE New Comedy Awards. In this episode we talk to him about taking part in the TV show, creativity and we discuss the idea of female only comedy competitions and gigs.

In this episode, Christian and Jake talk to comedian Derek Ryan about being born in Slough, his previous life in RTE, his problem with timekeeping and the heavy influence Brendan Grace had on his life.

Andrea Farrell and Aideen McQueen are comedians in their own right as well as part of a duo called Accident and Emergency. Christian and Jake talk to them about how they started working together, the Edinburgh Fringe and how it's for some people to tell dreams from reality.

Our guest this time is comedian Trevor Browne. Trevor is one of the most recognisable faces on the Irish comedy scene. He's had three sold out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and is soon to be seen on RTE's New Comedy Awards. We talked to Trevor about character comedy, the writing process, the differences between the free and paid fringe and unintentionally ruffling a reviewers hair.

In this episode, recorded at the King's Head in London's Crouch End, Christian talks to John Fleming. John was a writer/producer/director of on-screen TV promotions for 20 years. He has been on the production teams of various UK entertainment shows – usually finding new talent – including Tiswas, Game For a Laugh, Surprise Surprise, The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross and Jack Dee’s Saturday Night; among other shows, he produced The Last Laugh with Jerry Sadowitz. He wrote godfather of alternative comedy Malcolm Hardee’s autobiography I Stole Freddie Mercury’s Birthday Cake and, for Random House, edited both Scots comedian Janey Godley’s autobiography Handstands in the Dark and Sit-Down Comedy. Since 2005, he has sponsored (currently three) annual Malcolm Comedy Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe. The Awards are for ‘Comic Originality’, the ‘Act Most Likely to Make a Million Quid’ and a ‘Cunning Stunt’ award for best publicity stunt to publicise a Fringe act or show.

In this episode, Christian and Jake talk to comedian, writer and broadcaster Abie Philbin Bowman. Abie has toured around Ireland and the UK with his shows Jesus: The Guantanamo Years, Eco-Friendly Jihad and Pope Benedict: Bond Villain. He's a veteran of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is also a regular contributor to radio shows in Ireland as well as a writer for shows such as Irish Pictorial Weekly. They talk about putting on a show at the Edinburgh Fringe, "Political" comedy and being picketed by the DUP.

In this episode, Christian and Jake talk to Seán O'Keeffe Semple and Sean Nolan. Sean Semple is a Brazilian born Irish Comedian. The head of UCD's Comedy Society he has been a constant presence on the Irish scene for years. Sean is a quick fire and skilled MC and regularly does so at Longshot Comedy. He draws on a huge range of subject matter to create bizarre poems, rye observations and a politically aware humour. Sean Nolan's first gig was on January the 27th of 2012 at the age of 23, and in his first year he has quickly become the most talked about new comedian on the Irish circuit. Sean is known for his striped back approach, quiet confidence and his intelligent and hilarious one-liners. Sean is based in Dublin and regularly performs at The International Comedy Club, The Capital Comedy Club and The Bad Ass Cafe. He's the winner of the 2012 Craic Attack competition and was a semi-finalist in So You Think You're Funny in the same year. This episode is VERY messy.

In this episode, Christian and Jake talk to John Colleary. John is one of the best stand-ups working in Ireland today. Not only does he gig relentlessly all around Ireland, he performs in and is one of the main writers for RTE's the Savage Eye and Irish Pictorial Weekly. They talk about how John started out in comedy, writing for TV and radio, voice-overs, depression and when corporate gigs go bad.

Al Porter is one of the most sought after comedians and MCs in the country. He was runner-up in this year's Craic Attack comedy competition. He's been described as one of Dublin’s, if not Ireland’s, youngest, campest and most engaging comic performers. He is best known as the Dame of 73 Dame St. – that is, The Olympia Theatre, whose pantomime he has been a part of for the past seven years. Alan’s comic talent has been described as “sharp” (Irish Times, 2011), “confident and articulate” (Irish Times, 2008), and “outrageous” (Irish Independent, 2012). Christian, Jake and Michael chat to Al about his start in stand-up comedy and his aspirations for the future.

Part stand-up, part mime and part Victorian music hall performer, Paul Currie is one of the most exciting and funniest comedians working in Ireland today. Tapping the same vein of surreal absurdist nonsense humor as Milligan and Kaufman, Paul pushes the audiences perception of what is comedy and constantly breaks the rules of traditional stand up. Christian and Jake talk to Paul about how he started into comedy, his roots in clowning, his influences, his work as a puppeteer and his plans for this year including his Edinburgh show. Check out Paul here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4nCdd8SAcI and Spiderland here - http://youtu.be/Xz0bXHePFHY You can see Paul Currie on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/PaulCurrieComedian

Christian, Jake and Michael Mee chat to Cork based comedian Sean Coughlan. Sean is a regular performer and MC in both the Rebels Comedy Club and City Limits in Cork as well as performing all over Ireland along with frequent trips to London. Sean is currently producing a film about his first year in stand-up.

Tony Kelly is a comedian, actor and film maker from Wexford who is now based in New York. He moved there at the age of 23 to attend the New York Film School where he got the Brett Ratner grant for filmmaking. Soon afterwards he was approached by agent Steve Rosenfield to try Stand-up comedy and he made his debut at the Gotham Comedy Club in Manhatten. He now performs in clubs all over New York and further afield including lately being on bills with people like Todd Barry. Tony talks to Christian and Jake about starting out in comedy, his influences and winning his battle with drink and drugs. His CD "PS, I Hate You" is available now on iTunes.

Christian and Jake (along with surprise interviewer Michael Mee) chat to Cork based comedian Ross Browne. Ross is a regular headliner in Cork's City Limits and Dublin's Laughter Lounge and International Comedy Clubs. He's lately been seen on RTE's hidden camera show "The Fear" and starts his "Infinity" tour of Ireland in January.

Christian talks to Belfast comedian Marcus Keeley about trying out new and different types of comedy and what performers influence him. They also chat about the gigs that Marcus runs in Belfast including the Mouth Off in the Menagerie Bar and the Voicebox Comedy night. Voicebox Comedy makes a name for itself as an "alternative" comedy night within the local Belfast amateur scene. Built on a strong foundation of traditional stand up comedy, it features less "mainstream" humour, and more of the lesser-used mediums such as surrealism, sketches, character skits, short films, songs and comedy lectures. You can follow Marcus on Twitter as @MarcusKeeley

Jake and Christian talk to Dublin based comedian and one of the people behind Ned Keenan's Comedy Club, Robert Coyle. Rob is a regular performer and MC at the club and recently brought his show "One Track Minds" to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We talked about Ned's, the Edinburgh Fringe, why we do comedy and a load of other rubbish.

Jake and Christian talk to Simon O'Keeffe, resident host of the Capital Comedy Club in Dublin and a comedian who gigs all over Ireland and the UK. We talk about how he started in comedy, how the club has grown through the last 8 years and about differences between the clubs here and in the UK. You can follow Simon on Twitter at @okeeffesimon and visit the Capital Comedy Club at www.capitalcomedyclub.com

Michael Mee and Rory O'Hanlon are Irish comedians who we found in the bar of the Central Hotel. Michael Mee has been performing since the mid 90's. He's had shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and performed all over Ireland, the UK and further afield. He appeared on RTE's "Liffey Laughs" and now hosts a radio show on RTE 2XM called "Pimp my Ipod" - http://pimpmyipod.wordpress.com/ Rory O'Hanlon started performing stand-up in 2006. He gigs all over Ireland and the UK having made the move to London recently. His 2011 Edinburgh Fringe show was called "Is It Just Me That's Mental?".

Jake and Christian talk to Andrew Stanley. He's one of the most sought after comedians performing in Ireland. As well as hosting the Mish Mash and Comedy Cellar nights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Dublin's International Bar, Andrew performs all around Ireland, the UK and further afield in Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. He's a regular in places like Glee, The Stand, Komedia, Jongleurs, Highlight as well as taking part in Latitude, V Stafford/Chelmsford and Reading Festivals. We talk to him about his comedy career, the pros and cons of agencies, Saturday Night Live and the Edinburgh Festival.

Jake and Christian talk to actress and comedienne Tara Flynn. She's Ireland's leading female voice artiste, an improviser, columnist and ex-Nuala. You may have seen her on TV in Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, The Omid Djalili Show, Thank God You're Here or The Impressions Show, or heard her debut comedy album Big Noise. They talk about Improv, working in the UK and her video "Custard" and her recent appearance on Chris O'Dowd's Sky sitcom "Moone Boy"

Christian Talbot talks to Belfast based comedian Ruaidhrí Ward. Ruaidhrí brought his show "Double Impact" (with Mickey Bartlett) to the Edinburgh Fringe this year as well as doing a solo show at this year's Belfast BellyLaughs Comedy Festival. He's supported the likes of Paddy Kielty and Jake O'Kane on their Irish tours. Next week sees him perform as part of Michael Legge's "All Day Edinburgh" show in London with comedians like Tony Law, Bec Hill, Al Murray and the Rubberbandits. We talk about TV warm-up gigs, what his influences are and where the Northern Ireland comedy scene is going.

Simon Clayton has been a stand up comic since the summer of 1995. On stage he talks about what he is male, fat, mixed race, married, balding and anything else that currently makes him laugh. Although not necessarily in that order. He performs all around the UK and is a regular visitor to Ireland. He first came to Ireland in 1992 to teach Improv to the likes of Joe Rooney, Ardal O'Hanlon and Kevin Glidea. He's also married to comedian and Seven2Ten favourite, Mary Bourke. We talk to him about comedians using writers, young men with spiky haircuts "noticing things" and about the Dublin preoccupation with the North/South divide.

Here's a 10 minute sampler of some of the interviews we've done on Seven2Ten with Damon Blake, George Fox, Maria Boyle, Mary Bourke, Michael Legge, Eleanor Tiernan, Danny Dowling and Gearoid Farrelly.

Christian and Jake talk to New Zealand born, Galway based comedian and winner of the Irish "Come Dine with Me", Danny Dowling about the Edinburgh Fringe, the Irish comedy scene and why the Dalai Lama is a c*nt. Comedian Colum McDonnell also guests as a hotel maid.