# Comedy
Last month
January 2023
# Tommy Tiernan
FreeNow pulls sponsorship from The Tommy Tiernan show after comedian's taxi driver joke
The comedian has apologised privately to RTÉ presenter Emer O’Neill and said he will not continue to use the joke in his act.
Last year
2022
# events guide
At a loose end after Christmas? From 5K runs to pantos, here's what's happening across the country
There are many events taking place to get people out of the house if they want to, with some being more strenuous than others.
# 3Arena
Peter Kay to visit Dublin for first live tour in 12 years
Tickets will go in sale from 10am Saturday and Kay will play Dublin’s 3Arena on the 6 and 7 of April 2023
# Dara O Briain
BBC's Mock the Week to end after 17 years
The BBC has axed the programme to “create room for new shows”.
# RIP
Tributes paid to British comedian Barry Cryer after his death aged 86
The comedy star has been remembered by comedians and celebrities.
All time
# RIP
Former Saturday Night Live comic Norm Macdonald dies of cancer
He became known for his esoteric impressions.
# RIP
'One of the funniest of all time': Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman dies aged 94
Millions of viewers knew the actor as the self-absorbed neighbour Phyllis in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
# attendance numbers
Government's Covid plan could be 'tweaked' to allow arts and entertainment venues open safely, says minister
An arts task force says the Living with Covid plan requires an urgent review.
# UK
Eddie Large, star of comedy double act 'Little and Large', dies after contracting coronavirus
The comedy star was in hospital being treated for heart failure.
# Emmys
Game of Thrones wins top drama Emmy as Fleabag dominates comedy awards
Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who also created the series, won the award for outstanding writing in a comedy series.
# frayed
'What was Zeus playing at?': A tour with a difference is hoping to get more people into art
It’s part of a new arts festival taking place in Dublin next week.
# Apology
Billy Connolly tells fans he's 'not dying, not dead' amid health fears
“Sorry if I depressed you, maybe I should have phrased it better.”
# Absolutely Fabulous
'North Star of British comedy' June Whitfield dies aged 93
Her career spanned seven decades and included roles in Absolutely Fabulous, Terry and June and Eastenders.
# Improv
'What is this magic, how are they making this up as they go along?'
Improvisers from all over the world are performing in Dublin this week.
# Madhouse
New PJ Gallagher show looks at when his mum moved 6 men with schizophrenia into the family home
It was part of a move to get people out of institutions and into the community. The story is explored in the new show Madhouse.
# Event Guide
4 events for... comedy fans looking for a side-splitting laugh
Give yourself a giggle at these events across the country
# Channel 4
Derry Girls is the most-watched TV show ever in Northern Ireland
The comedy, set in the 1990s during The Troubles, has received rave reviews.
# are you having a laugh
4 events for... live comedy fans (or anyone wanting to cheer up their January)
Whether you’re into sketch or stand-up, we’ve got you covered.
# nowhere fast
Alison Spittle on sexism, friendship, and how the midlands made her funny
We talked to the comedian about her brand new TV show, which debuts tonight.
# Northside Southside
Irish comedy show Damo and Ivor to hit the big screen
Damo and Ivor first appeared on YouTube back in 2011.
# black-tie affair
The White House correspondents' dinner went ahead without Trump (but he still got roasted)
The US President said he was glad he stayed away from ‘the Washington swamp’.
# friesian
BBC apologises for Tommy Tiernan joke about Arlene Foster
The comedian was appearing on Radio Foyle in Derry.
# omgwaca
Aisling Bea stood up for all Aislings and stole the show on Sunday Brunch this morning
Queen Aisling.
Voices
Has political correctness gone mad? 'Comedians must be allowed to offend'
Comedians are at the forefront of a battle against an assault on free speech, writes Seán Connolly.
# john player blue
Ever go drinking in a field while your mam thought you were at a sleepover? This sketch is for you
Those were the days.
# edwin sammon
'When I told people I had cancer, because I'm a comedian I had to say I wasn't joking'
We spoke to the comedian about his new show.
# off air
"Every show has its time": Republic of Telly to go after eight years of comedy
The RTÉ show had run for 15 seasons.
# lyonsey
People are loving this comedian's attempts to pronounce Irish names like they're spelled
TAD-A-GUH.
# bend and snap
18 new Irish Snapchatters to make your feed 100% more interesting
Liven up yer auld Snaps!
# it's a bit dry
Foil Arms and Hog have identified every argument your family will have on Christmas Day
It’s all coming down the line to you!
# no joke
American comedian's gig in Saudi Arabia cancelled after complaints by Islamic hardliners
Mike Epps was due to perform next week.
# ditch the script
'Improv can tell us a lot about ourselves, it's very liberating'
There’s a greater vulnerability associated with improv than other forms of performance, Neil Curran explains why that doesn’t have to be scary.
# doom dah
Foil Arms and Hog have perfectly identified the 11 different ways of being late to work
The Blamer, the Gifter, the Judas… Which one are you?
# laugh out loud
'It's a squirm-a-thon for me': Bill Murray accepts America's top comedy award
After being handed the award, Murray gave it to a man in the first row of the audience and told the crowd to pass it around.
# macaulay culkit
The man behind the excellent Martin's Life is writing a full TV series
No word on if it will be anything like Game of Throws.
