Latest news with #StuartGoldsmith
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Luke McQueen: Comedian's Comedian review – lord of mischief gatecrashes the popular podcast
The Comedian's Comedian podcast, in which comic Stuart Goldsmith interviews one standup per episode, has now featured more than 500 guests. But never the tricksy comedian Luke McQueen. So this show opens with a real (or is it?) phone call to Goldsmith, during which McQueen demands to know why he's never been on the podcast. The answer is of little consequence. McQueen has a sample of Goldsmith's voice so he can create a compliant AI version of the podcast host and record his own episode live on stage. McQueen's past work on stage and TV has delighted in playing with the truth. He pretended to be the scorned former double-act partner of Jack Whitehall, lured audiences into a show on the false promise that Frankie Boyle would be there, and publicly debased himself to win back a fictional girlfriend. His persona, simultaneously high-status and desperate for approval, returns in Comedian's Comedian, while McQueen explores AI, ambition and the nature of artistic vulnerability in deliciously fresh ways. The conceit is that he wants this interview to showcase him as a 'misunderstood artist', but his AI interviewer has other ideas, and undermines him with questions about his lack of fame, family and driving licence. There is tension between the pressure for comedians to bare their souls to achieve success, and McQueen's conviction that true bravery means taking risks that might not pay off. And it's all cut through with enjoyably grotesque jokes about McQueen's online activities, a memorable segment featuring alter ego Professor Franklin, and an uncomfortable encounter with McQueen's teenage self. There's a heady mix of introspection and mischief as McQueen pulls the rug multiple times, teasing that we might finally get to see behind the metaphorical (and at one point, literal) mask. Directed by Jordan Brookes, it's relentless fun from a master of ambiguity. At Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh, until 24 August All our Edinburgh festival reviews
RTÉ News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Stuart Goldsmith: The stand-up comedian standing up to climate change
Climate change is no laughing matter. It's such a big, huge thing to talk about that most people wouldn't think it's good material for their comedy... But, Stuart Goldsmith is one comedian who thought - why not?! He's the host of the internationally renowned Comedian's Comedian Podcast and he is our special guest on the latest episode of Ecolution. Listen to the Ecolution podcast on RTÉ, Apple or Spotify now. Over the years, Stuart has interviewed some superstars of comedy, including Jimmy Carr, Bo Burnham, Kathy Griffin, Sarah Millican and James Acaster to find out the habits and processes that help them to create - and cope. The podcast has had over 25 million downloads. In recent years he has turned his attention to the climate crisis. It is now the main topic of his stand-up and the core of his recent special - Spoilers. Stuart says: "Spoilers is about the climate crisis. It's a frank and funny look at how we can all do more to alleviate our own dread and combat inertia. You'd think it would make you feel worse, but it leaves you feeling impatient and full of energy. It won Best Show 2023 at Leicester Comedy Festival and was one of the best-reviewed shows at the Edinburgh Fringe." We spoke with Stuart about how to communicate your fears, help people be better informed about our environment, and create change from a very different perspective. While we are all in a good mood, this edition of the Ecolution Panel looks at some good news stories. It's very easy to think it's all bad, but there are so many amazing people doing great things to help our planet. Press play above as Evie and four young climate activists from the Irish Schools Sustainability Network (ISSN) tell us more.
