The Project COMEDY Podcast

There's nothing more boring than politics. Or is there. It's the one thing that touches each of our lives if we like it or not. So is there humour in it? We push the boundaries by going Newsnight-Lite (or Politics without aiming to be political)... 3 Comedians write 2 policies each - one serious, one dafter than our current politicians - and we have to guess which is fun or serious - plus chat about political comedians and the joke that is modern life...

This time we talk about where the line is by using the Punching Up and Punching Down model - Trigger Warning - we'll get close to the edge, but never cross it... If you worry about if you can get away with your jokes on the stage, this is the episode to listen to. Plus we add a new feature... We're doing a Roast Battle between our contributors... This week it's Gabe v Sean - make sure to vote if you agree with Jay and Jamie's call...

In this episode we're joined by professional comedian, Nik Coppin who talks to us about his career and explains why it's great to see new comedians joining the circuit - especially seeing veterans trying out stand up comedy. He also discusses common mistakes he sees on the circuit and gives us a review of what he thinks of the Project COMEDY Ambassadors stand up skills

It'It's a scary scary world right now. We're seeing conflicts all over the world - and that can be very triggering for far too many veterans. So how do you maintain your mental well-being? We argue that doing Stand Up Comedy is beyond helpful... So let's examine the language we used to use - and how it confuses the fun out of the civvies we meet... Because every veteran could make a stand up routine with that kind of material... And you can fight the triggers by looking for the funny...!

Time to feel the fear and do it anyway...! This time we talk about Crowd Work... We're joined by the amazing Jay Sodgar, there's scat talk, loads of fun and loads of info. If you've wondered what it takes to start using crowd work in your routines, we can't think of a better place to start...

How do you prepare for your first ever stand up gig? Let us try and help...! Even if you've done a few gigs, or ever a few hundred, reflecting on that first gig - or the first few - may give you a few reminders of what you want to enhance, polish, avoid or revisit... The Project COMEDY Ambassadors reflect and our Newbie shares his concerns... And we end up with an amazing hit list that defines success...!

The Project COMEDY crowd returns with a lighthearted review of why they do stand up comedy - not only as veterans, but as recovery and why it has so many transferable skills. This time they are joined by a total newbie - and while he hasn't gigged yet, he's been writing great material and is building his skills to be a successful act. Just by listening, you might just get the same skills...

Some bands do cover acts, comedians never do... To make it on the Stand Up Circuit you have to bring new material, not steal other act's stuff... But it takes more than that to be a real comedian that actually gets booked... and continue to get booked. In this episode we talk about why originality, being unique and not acting like a d**k might help your path on the Stand Up circuit. 3 Open Mic acts and a Professional Comedian take the piss - and there is a warning order for the last few minutes... We're normally dark... But we attempt to break the envelope in the last few minutes... That's what were here for...!

So what did we we learn from doing the fringe in Brighton. What could you learn? What would we change? This is veterans updating others about the truth about doing a fringe festival...

What are the big steps you need to take to become a successful comedian. We discuss the ones we know about - plus (PLUG WARNING) we advertise our bid new, exciting event, promote a load of charities and let one of our ambassadors become the media whore he really is - Oh and Jay Sodagar is with us this episode - any you'll realise why it's so amazing for the Project COMEDY Ambassadors if you listen...!

There are a few 'secret' rules about being a comedian on the circuit. A few dos and don't. A code of conduct. A quiet etiquette. So stuff that...! Let;s share what we've discovered - so you're one step ahead. Plus, we'll explain why it matters, what it does for you as a person, what it does for you as a comedian and what it does to prove you're not just a veteran, but a decent human being. Learn these few tricks - and you're already ahead... Plus, we'll make you laugh as you learn - else we wouldn't be Project COMEDY...!

Are civvies that different than veterans? Let's find out...! In this episode we're joined by Pip Harris (Comedian and booker on the the South Coast - that has the the misfortune to gig with Project COMEDY Ambassador Jay Saunders) and Jordy Loz (a vet that not only independantly started Stand Up, but has become a BIG booker for new talent)... We tried, and failed to stay on topic - but we learned so much in this episode... And you'll have too many social media and podcast chanenels to follow by the end. But we PROVE... This is epic transition for vets, Mental Health and self confidence... Even this single episode has encouraged the ambassadors to do more...! What can you do...?

Too scared to perform? It's the most common response we get when we suggest people give Stand Up a go - "It's too scary". But is it? Sure there are things that make us nervous, things that make us doubt what we're doing. So let's be brave and talk about those things... Once we have, you'll see that it's more than worth the effort to "feel the fear and do it anyway" - it's nowhere near as scary as military service - and the benefits for mental health and well-being are outstanding.

Many vets, indeed the public, think that unless your woke - you can't be a comedian? Is that true? What the fun is woke anyway? Who do you submit your jokes to in order to find out if (1) they are funny (2) you're permitted to tell them... Fuck that! Funny is funny...! Just don't be a coconut... (Begins in C, ends in T and has U and N in the middle.) The Project COMEDY Ambassadors examine what WOKE means - agree on some concepts and disagree on many others. We're not going to give you the "accepted" answer... Just ours... And we may well be wrong. At least we've thought about it and decided that the key is... Revealed in the episode...!

How do you take a collection of gags and turn them into a routine? What order do you put your set in? Is it an art or is it a science. Gabriel, Jamie and Jay discuss what they've learnt about creating their sets... They also discuss 2 of the larger comedy news stories of the week as well as examine some new material ideas.

Is there a chance to turn the crap there is in everyday life into the funny stuff. Not just for the day-to-day grind, but to take to a Stand Up Comedy audience? Jay and Gabe explore the ideas… Standby for some controversial subjects - but we don't cross the line (if there is one)…

Not all stand up gigs are the same. Rather than standard comedy nights, there are the likes of Gong Shows, Set Lists, Roasts, Q&As and Competitions. Gabe and Jay examine the different types of gigs and the kind of preparation they take - including psychological preparation. Plus the give Set Lists a random attempt to try and practice what they preach.

We kick off Season 2 with a lighthearted (and occasionally rude - you know what we're like) look at comedy festivals - with a focus on Edinburgh. What do these festivals do for comedians. Plus we start with a quick review of some of the larger stories that happened while we were away. Once again joined by our amazing friend and mentor - Jay Sodagar.

To close off season one, we thought we give you the greatest thing comedy can do - fast fun - short change... One liners...! How the f*** do you make that happen, be funny and not be puns that kids make. The Combat Comics that are the Project COMEDY Ambassadors try and work it out... And invite a good mate to tell them they're just stupid f***ers...!

Jamie and Jay explore the arena of portraying a character when delivering stand up. Are there pros and cons? Who's good at it? Why could it be a good idea to consider? And, indeed, doesn't every stand up comedian assume a character the second the step on stage? Let's go role-play... And we can talk about comedy afterwards if we've still got the energy.