What Are You Laughing At? - Episode 12 - Mark Thomas & Caroline Norris

Episode 12 - Mark Thomas & Caroline Norris

07/24/12 • 72 min

We're back! After a busy few months, WAYLA? returns for more top-quality discussion about comedy - and now in a studio! In this show, host Dave Cohen is joined by activist comic Mark Thomas to talk about his Edinburgh show Bravo Figaro!, all about opera and his dad; and top comedy producer Caroline Norris, the brains behind smash-hit childrens' sketch show Horrible Histories, BBC Three's Dead Boss, and Jack Dee's new Sky Atlantic series Don't Sit In The Front Row. Join the trio - plus British Comedy Guide editor Aaron Brown - to discuss the late, great Eric Sykes; the Edinburgh Fringe; the history of Horrible Histories; compliance, and the BBC. Special thanks also to Daniel Cainer for his assistance in the recording of this episode. You can catch his highly-praised musical storytelling show The Jewbadour on the Free Fringe throughout August.

Previous Episode

Episode 11 - Andrew Ellard

Dave Cohen and James Cary are joined by top script editor Andrew Ellard. Together they discuss ITV's latest moves back into the field of sitcom, and Andrew's impressive CV, including The IT Crowd (with Graham Linehan) and Red Dwarf (with Doug Naylor). Andrew also talks about his work co-writing The Brian Butterfield Movie with James and Peter Serafinowicz, as well as the use of Twitter in the comedy industry, and more in-depth writing discussion including the mechanics and use of character and gags.

Next Episode

Episode 13 - Sean Hughes

In the first WAYLA? podcast of 2013, Dave Cohen and BCG editor Aaron Brown are joined by Sean Hughes. The comedian, novelist and actor is back on tour with a life-affirming show about death. He chats with Dave and Aaron about his career; early 1990s sitcom Sean's Show; how the stand-up industry is changing; the differing motivations between stand-up, acting and writing; and the cult of celebrity. The trio also discuss the ratings hits of broad-humour sitcoms Miranda and Mrs. Brown's Boys, and ask whether comedy is becoming too cruel.