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A History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 35 'Rik, Ben and Andy at the Edinburgh Fringe, 1983'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...2018-12-1941 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 34 'Peter Grahame's Diary 1986'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 o...2018-11-2651 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 33 'Felix Dexter Interview, 1990'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 impr...2018-10-301h 04A History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 32 'Linda Smith's Erith Joke'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 In this episode, Elspeth and Olly look through Linda’s old set-lists and unpublished recordings going back to the 1980s to trace the origins of the joke, and look into how it fits into her development as a comedian.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 yo...2018-09-1839 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 31 'Cabaret a Go Go'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 ne...2018-07-2645 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 30 'Tommy Cooper's Fez'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 fe...2018-06-2755 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 29 'Attila The Stockbroker's Notebook'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?
N...2018-05-1540 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 28 'Ivor Dembina's Pranksters Catalogue'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, Jenn...2018-04-2756 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 27 'Cave of Harmony'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 @HistComP...2018-03-2827 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 26 'The Lord Chamberlain's Blue Pencil'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 approa...2018-02-2150 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 25 'Lost Voice Guy Avoids Choosing His Own Leaflet'(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...2018-01-0844 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 24 'Arnold Brown's Scrapbook'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 wh...2017-12-1240 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 23 'New Variety Cabaret Agency'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...2017-11-1752 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 22 'Early Comedy Recordings Make Tom & Jimmy Cringe'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...2017-10-231h 01A History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 21 'Andy Hollingworth Chooses a Photo'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...2017-09-251h 04A History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 20 'Tony Allen comperes the Comedy Store'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 h...2017-09-1540 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 19 'John Hegley's Brown Paper Bag'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...2017-08-1840 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 18 'Matt Hoss Generates Pappy's Interview Metadata'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 Ol...2017-08-0945 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 17 'Harry Hill's Suit'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 re...2017-07-2849 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 16 'Bruce Dessau and the Comic Strip review'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...2017-07-1739 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 15 'Lynne Parker's Funny Women programme'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).2017-07-031h 09A History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 14 'Angela Barnes Chooses Post-it Notes'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 li...2017-06-0849 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 13 'Richard Herring's Sketchpad'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.2017-06-0154 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 12 'Josie Long's Sketchpad'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...2017-05-2540 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 11 'Pit Stop Tour 1985'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 c...2017-05-181h 08A History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 10 'Captain JJ Waller's Publicity Shot'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...2017-05-0831 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 09 'Porky's Red Wedge Cartoon'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 st...2017-04-2719 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 08 'Nick Toczek's Cracker'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...2017-04-2031 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 07 'Meccano Club Bookings Book'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...2017-04-1324 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 06 'Jim Barclay's Letter Of Complaint'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.2017-04-0723 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 05 'Mark Thomas's Absurd Object'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...2017-03-3049 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 04 'Robin Ince's Postcards'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!2017-03-2426 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 03 'Comedy Trade Union'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...2017-03-1627 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 02 'Alternative Cabaret Flyer'Welcome to another episode of A History Of Comedy In Several Objects with Oliver Double and Elspeth Millar. In this episode, we delve back into the depths of the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive to analyse an 'Alternative Cabaret' flyer. There is discussion of the style of the flyer, the context to the content and what comedy was like in the wave of alternative comedy. On top of this, we have a rare and exclusive clip of Alexei Sayle giving his commentary on the design of the flyer. Enjoy the episode.2017-03-0922 minA History Of Comedy In Several ObjectsEpisode 01 'Foodstuff'In this jam-packed inaugural episode, Olly and Elspeth discuss the origins of the archive, the project of the podcast and whether it’s possible to archive a performance. The featured item is a bit of foodstuff which once belonged to Josie Long and was used in her performance. Olly and Elspeth examine this uncannily desiccated object and the significance it has, whilst touching upon Elspeth’s ‘archivist’s guilt’.2017-02-2144 min