Grouchy Club Podcast - Kate Copstick & John Fleming

The Edinburgh Fringe and changing comedy. PR guru Mark Borkowski joins comedy critic Kate Copstick and blogger John Fleming in Edinburgh… What is good, bad, changed and unchanged at the Fringe? Why agents not PR people are the downfall of the Fringe. Plus the return of The Establishment Club and Borkowski’s new search for comics, artists, musicians, poets etc for a new TV series on a channel you would not expect. And Copstick’s attempt to bring vaudeville back to TV. http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

The snooty sneering of the Oxbridge elite and some comics against popular humour. Variable opinions on The Weirdos and the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society. The talent of Luisa Omielan. The irresistible sexual attraction of Italian comic Giacinto Palmieri. The inability of comics like Michael McIntyre, Frank Carson & Matthew Kelly to stop being themselves. Copstick’s work with Basil Brush and her admiration for the Chuckle Brothers. Coughing John’s failure to visit Amsterdam’s red light district and his attraction to heroin + LSD. The success of one Malcolm Hardee Comedy Award. The BBC’s Appreciation Index. Plus Copstick sings.John’s quote of the week: “Beheading teddy bears! That’s what the public wants!… There was the man who used to eat his brain.”http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

The brilliance of Alan Davies at Pull The Other One. The unfeasible tallness of Darren Walsh. The formidable talent and influence but silence of Richard Herring. How Jim Jefferies did not destroy Piers Morgan over Donald Trump’s ban. How Reeves & Mortimer ‘died’ in Basingstoke. How Rik Mayall & Ade Edmondson (not Ben Elton) ‘died’ on stage in Inverness. Plus Kate Copstick’s pet hates about stand-up comics, Ariane Sherine’s “Love Song for Jeremy Corbyn”, the meaning of Alt Right and Copstick & Fleming’s failure to get talent spotted.Copstick’s quote of the week: “He doesn’t lick media’s arsehole in an attempt to tunnel his way up to a series of his own. He’s a proper working, clubbing, stand-up comic.”http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

Comic Janet Bettesworth joins critic Kate Copstick and blogger John Fleming in the busy Mama Biashara emporium in London. They discuss the usefulness - or pointlessness - of having an MA course in stand-up comedy, being an aural voyeur and Facebook arguments. Plus Copstick on her plan to become a torch song singer, how she boil-washed her passport and the rules of butt-plug hoopla. John remembers how he took an elephant up England’s highest mountain and Copstick laments how someone partially stole her idea for killing herself with a rectal thermometer and a bomb. All this plus Johnny Depp’s $3 million to blow Hunter S. Thompson’s ashes out of a cannon and suggestions on what to do with your own dead body’s ashes.Copstick’s quote of the week: “Oh, Janet! What kind of woman do you take me for?”http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming

Thom Tuck joins critic Copstick and an ineffectively interjecting John at Mama Biashara in London in a doomed attempt to plug The Penny Dreadfuls’ new project. Copstick passionately attacks the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society and a female comedian but is clearly now warming to Sarah Millican. Thom talks about his indescribable new show and his ambition to appear in Doctor Who while Copstick wants to play a villain. Thom talks about panel shows. Copstick talks about him performing in her porn movies.“The one thing comedy can never be is smug” (Copstick)“The times I have done it, I have both got completely naked and been in a dress.” (Thom Tuck)http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

Italian comic Luca Cupani on representing the UK in worldwide comedy competitions. The problems of performing to US and Canadian audiences. Copstick on why English language comedy is more precise. Theresa May’s Brexit speech. New Edinburgh Fringe venues. Copstick offers to marry Luca if he eats her. The sins of the Catholic Church and why anyone who celebrates mass logically has to go to Hell. Plus Copstick and Cupani sing - sort of.http://www.grouchyclub.co.uk You can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883 John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

Ariane Sherine, musical comedy performer, journalist and TV scriptwriter joins critic Kate Copstick and blogger John Fleming in London’s bustling Mama Biashara emporiumThey disagree about sex on a first date, discuss hairy men, why sex is like a cup of coffee and why Charlie Brooker is kind. Plus the joys of meeting famous comics on The Guardian’s dating site, Ariane’s upcoming novel, the Simon Singh-along with Tim Minchin and Ariane’s “Love Song For Jeremy Corbyn”.Then... fear of a bad review by Steve Bennett on the Chortle comedy website; why Ariane is not playing the Edinburgh Fringe this year but is turning to online music videos, the cost of Jeremy Corbyn lookalikes and Ariane’s topless video with John.Plus Copstick remembers Ariane’s “Beautiful Filth” CD - “So clever. The lyrics were just clever, clever, clever, smart stuff.” And the two of them sing Tom Lehrer’s “Poisoning Pigeons in The Park” etc together, then swap nervous breakdown and prescription drug stories and talk about the benefits of self-ha

Nick Awde - critic, reviewer and author - joins Kate Copstick, John Fleming and a future gag writer aged 8½ in London’s Mama Biashara emporium for an even more-than-usually meandering and annoyingly interrupted podcast supposedly but only marginally touching on comedy amid discussions on linguistics, Ireland’s Black Lodge, Janey Godley’s family dog, Copstick’s family background, Brexit and the cultural influence of France - despite the fact that the French apparently do not have a word for “one man show”.But we do manage to discuss the comedy circuit in Flanders; the German version of "Allo Allo"; the closure of London’s Comedy Cafe; Eddie Izzard’s Franglais shows; comic Michael Brunström’s financial tragedy; and Ariane Sherine’s planned Jeremy Corbyn music video.PLUS Good news about the Malcolm Hardee Awards and the Grouchy Club at the Edinburgh Fringe.Kate Copstick’s quote of the week: “What is it about speaking French that turns people into absolute arseholes?”http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also downl

Martin Soan, comedy promoter and creator of The Greatest Show On Legs, talks to critic Kate Copstick and blogger John Fleming in London’s Mama Biashara emporium. Has all the quirkiness gone out of the comedy business? Can Michael Brunström and Spencer Jones save British comedy? Did the Arts Lab start alternative comedy? Memories of The Browns’ double act, the influence of Germany, teddy bear torturing, walking on the ceiling and eating your own brain. Plus political correctness, sexism, the annoying thing about women, how Martin destroyed a kitchen every night at the Edinburgh Fringe and why he now turns down annual vagina requests… And then there’s a long discussion about the unique shape, colour and positioning of vaginas.Kate Copstick: “There is a fucking tsunami of under-talented people who fondly imagine they can be stand-up comics.. There’s too many people with absolutely fuck-all skill coming into comedy.”Martin Soan: “There’s something getting rather distasteful about the comedy industry”John Fleming:

Comedy Cafe owner Noel Faulkner reveals the background to the club’s closure and possible re-birth in a perfect-sounding venue in February. Why a benefit show for the club would be “scandalous”. Why Malcolm Hardee’s Wibbley Wobbley is about to sink. The racism and sexism of club owners. How club owners schedule acts. The blame game played by comedians. Why booking women can be sexist. Why Friday night audiences are worse than Saturday night audiences. Plus rumours of a risk to the Comedy Store, the Night Czar of London and Copstick sings (again).http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

How Michael McIntyre succeeded in UK comedy. Why Louisa Omielan and Tom Binns are succeeding. The late Addison Cresswell’s talent. Five-year career plans. Copstick’s health, career and balls. The tragic closure of the Comedy Cafe in London. The effect of free entry clubs on pay-to-enter clubs in the UK. Is it necessary as a comic to play the UK comedy circuit or is there another way? The pointlessness of comics performing to comics and not ‘real’ audiences. And Copstick sings. Again.http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

Often controversial London comedy club owner Martin Besserman talks to critic Kate Copstick and blogger John Fleming in a noisy Mama Biashara emporium.Martin on being mugged in a Manchester hotel. Why running a comedy club is getting more difficult. The problem (or not) of ’free’ shows. Misleading advertising. Jack Whitehall’s virginity. Patrick Monahan’s hugs. PLUS... Is it impossible for women to be sexist? Flirting and sexism in comedy. Alison Moyet. The lack of any political correctness in Kenya. The talent of Jessica Martin. And Copstick’s shocking time in an underground room with Bobby Davro.http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

After a disastrous attempt to record a podcast with Kate Copstick in Kenya, John Fleming (with raging toothache) talks to double Malcolm Hardee Award winning stand-up Becky Fury sitting on a freezing dockside bench outside the Wibbley Wobbley boat in Rotherhithe, a few feet from where Malcolm Hardee drowned in 2005.With the wind loudly hitting the microphone and a helicopter appearing overhead…What does a relative newbie think about the UK comedy industry? Has she sketched-out the 5-year plan promoter Hils Jago recommends comics should have? Why did a film-maker want to make a documentary about her?Is she going to have to polish turds and play the game? Why does she re-write William Blake poems? What IS success if you are a Buddhist comedian? And will she reach a satisfying climax?http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

Amid the drama of a very dodgy internet connection, critic Kate Copstick on the generosity of comedian Janey Godley and the Puppetry of The Penis man… on the screamingly camp men on British Airways… on the tasteless sexist posts of Britain’s mysoginist liberal Left attacking Donald Trump’s glamour model wife… on why Hillary Clinton maybe shows why women should not run for Presidential office. And I propose that New Jersey-born comic Jerry Sadowitz should stand as US President.At only 15 minutes - and despite the internet chaos - this could be the perfect taster for those who have not yet experienced the rants, inanities and insanities of The Grouchy Club Podcast.http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

Guest Chris Dangerfield and Kate Copstick attack social justice and political correctness and the Third Wave of Feminism. Plus the success of Andrew Lawrence, Richard Gadd and Doug Stanhope… Being a student with lots of sex, drugs and money. Plus is liking Robin Williams and Bob Monkhouse un-cool? The lottery of getting on television, the downsides of having an agent and how alternative comedy descended to the mainstream.Dangerfield on the Edinburgh Fringe: “I was terrified. I’d been in the Sun with this show. I’d got the whores to sponsor it. I’d built it up. But I didn’t have a show…”Dangerfield on political correctness: “Freedom of speech is over, because hate speech has been invented and hate speech is just the end of free speech because anything can be classed as hate speech if you nominate it.”Dangerfield on drugs: “I’ve done a lot of drugs in my time and I like a lot of drugs - they’re interesting, they’re exciting. If you don’t abuse them, I think they can add to your life… But, if you like heroin, th

Even more of a double act than a comedy podcast this week… In a Hallowe’en edition, we ramble on about Copstick’s health, Kenya’s unburnt witch, South Africa’s planned “pile of wank” to ban satire, a “spectacularly good” UK comedy club and Scotland’s White Heather Club. PLUS Are Sam Simmons and Spencer Jones suitable for Live at The Apollo? Ordering drugs from Chris Dangerfield. Comics faffing about at the start of their acts. What makes a good comedy MC? Comperes who mess-up their introductions and entire shows. Susan Calman is irritating. Copstick nominates her funniest video line of the century. PLUS Barry Cryer’s colostomy bag and the BBC complaint. Lewis Schaffer described as a “dwarf planet”. And why are many comedians so self-destructive?http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

Copstick, on OxyContin, in a wildly busy Mama Biashara shop, tries and fails to find UK comedy news. Her plan to become a nun. The joys and talent of Miles Jupp. The horror of the Donald Trump & Hillary Clinton election debate. Plus Copstick has a go at the “smug, self-satisfied” UK haters of US Trump supporters and “the castles of cunts that have been in power since time immoral”. Plus international airline chaos and the woes of flying charity goods back from Kenya to London. Plus Copstick forces John to sing.http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

Why middle class comics were so shocked by Brexit.After an interrupted start with Copstick in camp in Kenya, back to our normal disjointed style - on the decline of British comedy clubs, the collapse of the Invisible Dot and Chatty Man Alan Carr; the rise of Ivan Brackenbury and Bill Bailey.Plus the Centre for Comedy Studies Research, a threat to break Tim Renkow’s legs, Stephen Bailey rejected by the BBC for being ‘working class’ and the annoying failed Referendum Remainers who moan endlessly but do nothing.John’s quote of the week: “Comedians are sort of out-of kilter with the real public. They’re in kilter with the people who go to comedy clubs (who) tend to be middle class. But they are out-of-kilter with the mass of voters, which is why Brexit was such a shock.”Copstick's quote of the week: “The Twiterati don’t like the working classes. Brexit was, by and large, a working class vote.”http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouc

Tim Renkow’s new BBC TV sitcom A Brief History of Tim - comedy critic Kate Copstick pitches herself for a role...With Mitch Benn and Jon Holmes sacked from "The Now Show", a plea for more comedy and less PC on BBC Radio.Plus Copstick spurns the live Grouchy Club in London for a mercy dash to Kenya on the rumour of “a demon drinking blood”. And how she became the voice of British Railways.Copstick's quotes of the week: “I don’t think diversity for diversity’s sake is ever a good idea - certainly not in comedy”+"Estonia has the best-looking women in the world”And, eventually, Copstick sings again.http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com

Sexism, Kate Smurthwaite, wolf whistles, Sarah Chew, Emily Hill, babes and FemiNazis. Are terms of endearment from men sexist? Are wolf whistles the equivalent of war crimes? Have I got tuberculosis? Kate Copstick gets her tits out in front of Jordan. Janey Godley and The Only Way Is Glasgow. Why a doctor thought it was a bad idea to treat Copstick. Porn films and the improvised children’s TV show No 73.http://www.grouchyclub.co.ukYou can also download this audio podcast from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/grouchy-clubs-mostly-about/id977279883John Fleming posts occasional blogs at: http://blog.thejohnfleming.com