October 14th 2023.
Ed Byrne has been winning over audiences with his observational comedy for the past three decades. His big break came when he was chosen to appear on Jonathan Ross' Big, Big Talent Show. After that, he went on to become a regular on primetime TV panel shows such as Mock The Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You, and The Graham Norton Show.
Now, Ed is touring his most serious show yet - Tragedy Plus Time. This show is based on the idea that comedy requires a tragic experience plus time to process it. The concept was thought of by Steve Allen, not Mark Twain, as many people believe.
Ed's show is inspired by the death of his brother Paul Byrne last year. But as Ed explains, he wasn't about to "wallow in grief". Instead, he combines jokes with his reflections on life in a way that has earned him an average of 4.6 stars across 22 write-ups at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Though Ed has been in the comedy industry for decades, he has noticed a change in recent years. With the headlines of predators on the circuit, Ed has taken it upon himself to ask around and make sure he's in the loop.
He believes that Russell Brand was allowed to get away with his alleged behaviour because of the TV industry, rather than the comedy world.
Ed also believes that female comedians may face invisible barriers in the industry. For instance, Ed has experienced small venues offering accommodation on the promoters' couch, which is not an ideal situation for a female comedian.
As Ed puts it, "If you're a woman on your own in your 20s and you're expected to sleep on some dude's couch, that's not okay."
Ed's latest show is a testament to his ability to tackle serious topics with his signature wit. It's clear that Ed knows how to navigate the deep, as well as the surface, of comedy style.
Ed Byrne has been a major figure in the comedy world for over three decades now, having rocketed to fame in the mid-1990s with his big break on Jonathan Ross' Big, Big, Talent Show. He has since appeared on a range of primetime TV shows including Mock The Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You, and The Graham Norton Show. But now, Ed is touring his most serious show yet.
Tragedy Plus Time is Ed's best-rated show ever, and explores the idea that comedy requires a tragic experience and some time to process it. This idea is famously attributed to Mark Twain, but was actually coined by TV personality Steve Allen. It's clear that Ed can swim in the deep as well as lark around on the surface of comedy.
The show is based on the tragic death of Ed's brother Paul Byrne last year. Ed was determined that it wouldn't be a show where he simply wallowed in grief, and instead has managed to craft a set that is both funny and reflective. Despite this, Ed still laments that he didn't get five stars from The Guardian - purely because there were too many jokes in it.
Ed has also spoken out about the recent allegations of sexual assault, rape and emotional abuse against comedian Russell Brand. He believes that Brand was allowed to get away with his alleged behaviour because of the TV industry, rather than the comedy world. He also believes that female comedians still face some invisible barriers, such as being expected to stay in the accommodation offered by promoters, regardless of whether it's an innocent situation or not.
Ultimately, Ed's reflections on the comedy world come from decades of experience, and demonstrate his ability to think beyond the surface level of comedy. It's clear that Ed is a master of his craft, both on and off the stage.
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