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The Project COMEDY Podcast

The Project COMEDY Podcast

By The Nutter With a Bow (And Dog!)

A podcast by military veterans doing stand up comedy, for anyone that loves a laugh and wants to make others do the same. Turning military banter into quality comedy. Being funny - and sometimes educating funny.
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Season 3 Episode 7 - If I Were Prime Minister for a Day - A Morons Guide to Politics and its Humour

The Project COMEDY PodcastMar 13, 2024

00:00
01:21:43
Season 3 Episode 7 - If I Were Prime Minister for a Day - A Morons Guide to Politics and its Humour

Season 3 Episode 7 - If I Were Prime Minister for a Day - A Morons Guide to Politics and its Humour

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...

Mar 13, 202401:21:43
Season 3 Episode 6 - Punching Up, Punching Down

Season 3 Episode 6 - Punching Up, Punching Down

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...

Feb 14, 202443:23
Season 3 Episode 4 - A Professional's View 2 - With Nik Coppin

Season 3 Episode 4 - A Professional's View 2 - With Nik Coppin

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

Jan 31, 202401:21:39
Season 3 Episode 5 - Dealing with Triggers and Military Language

Season 3 Episode 5 - Dealing with Triggers and Military Language

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...!

Jan 31, 202401:20:30
Season 3 Episode 3 - Crowd Work

Season 3 Episode 3 - Crowd Work

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...

Jan 09, 202459:12
Season 3 Episode 2 - Preparing for and reflecting on our first stand up comedy gigs

Season 3 Episode 2 - Preparing for and reflecting on our first stand up comedy gigs

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...!

Dec 06, 202301:02:04
Season 3 Episode 1 - Why Was It That We Started Doing Stand Up Comedy?

Season 3 Episode 1 - Why Was It That We Started Doing Stand Up Comedy?

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...

Nov 23, 202301:09:02
Season 2 - Episode 11 - What is Unique and Why's it Important?

Season 2 - Episode 11 - What is Unique and Why's it Important?

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...!

Aug 02, 202301:20:23
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Revisit the Fringe

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Revisit the Fringe

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...

Jul 19, 202301:07:41
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Taking Big Steps

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Taking Big Steps

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...!

Mar 22, 202301:07:55
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Getting the Most Out of a GIg - The Unsaid Rules

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Getting the Most Out of a GIg - The Unsaid Rules

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...!
Feb 22, 202301:12:08
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Playing with Civvies Part 1

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Playing with Civvies Part 1

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...?

Feb 08, 202301:15:44
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Squeaky Bum Time

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Squeaky Bum Time

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.
Jan 25, 202301:00:49
Season 2 - Episode 5. What is Woke? Why should I Funning Care?

Season 2 - Episode 5. What is Woke? Why should I Funning Care?

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...!
Nov 02, 202259:19
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Making Set Stick

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Making Set Stick

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.
Aug 17, 202201:00:24
Season 2 Episode 3 - From Frightful to Funny

Season 2 Episode 3 - From Frightful to Funny

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)…
Aug 10, 202201:12:36
Season 2, Episode 2 - Not Your Standard Gig

Season 2, Episode 2 - Not Your Standard Gig

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.
Aug 03, 202201:11:27
Season 2, Episode 1 - What's the point of comedy festivals

Season 2, Episode 1 - What's the point of comedy festivals

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.
Jul 27, 202201:07:35
Episode 12 - One Liners. Fast Fun not Fast Food.

Episode 12 - One Liners. Fast Fun not Fast Food.

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...!

Jun 15, 202201:03:37
Episode 11 - Who the Fun Do You Think You Are? Comedy Characters.

Episode 11 - Who the Fun Do You Think You Are? Comedy Characters.

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.

Jun 08, 202255:19
Episode 10 - In The Good Old Days…

Episode 10 - In The Good Old Days…

Comedy was so much funnier when we were young… We need to reclaim the humour of a more innocent age…! Because nothing says family entertainment better than wall-to-wall racism, blanket misogyny, white men in dinner jackets doing blackface, 30 minutes of Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman gags and an honest belief that the N Word is a term of endearment not a racial slur. Or was it?
Jun 01, 202201:28:07
Episode 9 - That's A Bit Dark

Episode 9 - That's A Bit Dark

Service personnel are infamous for having a dark sense of humour. Why is that? Is it a bad thing? Is it something they can take to a stand up stage? Is dark humour restricted to service personnel and veterans? And do mainstream comedians use it? We jump into the gutter, get dirty and examine the pros and cons and look at why we sometimes need dark humour and where it's relevant.
May 25, 202245:20
Episode 8 - Do You Have A Clean Set?

Episode 8 - Do You Have A Clean Set?

What the fun are you going to do if you're offered a gig, but they stipulate that it has to be a Clean Set… No F-ing, no Geoffing. No crude, no rude…! Are you going to turn the gig down? Or are you going to build a set that suits. We chat about what is meant by a clean set, why it could be useful to have a few ready and talk about what subjects you should use and what to avoid - if any?
May 18, 202257:20
Episode 7 - Are You Taking The Piss..? - Yes...! It's Called Self-Depreciation

Episode 7 - Are You Taking The Piss..? - Yes...! It's Called Self-Depreciation

Too scared to laugh at yourself? Are you missing the magical treat that gets an audience to love you? Yeah, you're centre stage... But who made you the most important person in the room. The Project COMEDY Ambassadors talk about self-depreciation, why it enables you to connect to an audience, the professionals that use the technique - then try to be rude about their own services... And turn on each other - in a banter way - and that's VERY different to bullying...!

May 11, 202258:15
Episode 6 - Past and Present - Pros and Cons

Episode 6 - Past and Present - Pros and Cons

What are the pros and cons of trying to be an up-to-date comedian making jokes about current affairs? Or is it better to play with historical topics? Can veterans be effective at writing material about the past or present. And to be honest, we didn't know - so we gave it a go and talked about professional comedians that use current affairs or history to really give their routines impact. It's given us new material, so maybe it'll inspire you to create some new stuff as well...!
May 04, 202201:08:39
Episode 5 - Where Do You Find Original Gags?

Episode 5 - Where Do You Find Original Gags?

Being able to tell other peoples jokes can make you popular at party, wedding, wake or even a barrack. mess, flat or tent... But on the stand up circuit, you can only tell gags that "you" have created... You can't borrow a laugh... So, how do you find new funny - that even the Pros haven't taken to the stage...? The Project Comedy Ambassadors not only discuss how - but demonstrate how to do so...!
Apr 27, 202259:17
Episode 4 - Cancel Culture v Self Censorship

Episode 4 - Cancel Culture v Self Censorship

Is Cancel Culture a real thing? Do you get punished for telling jokes about certain subjects? Or is it a matter of reading the room or who is going to see your performance? The Project COMEDY Ambassadors discuss (with some rather fruity language and examples) what they've seen and discovered.
Apr 20, 202201:04:07
Episode 3 - Why Do Stand Up Comedy - A Professional's View

Episode 3 - Why Do Stand Up Comedy - A Professional's View

We all know that Veterans think they're funny... But are they actually good enough to be Stand Up Comedians? Are they really funny, or just offensive because they have no social Off Switch? Who better to ask than, not only a professional comedian, but the poor fool that trained the #ProjectCOMEDY Ambassadors...! The one and only Mr Jay Sodagar... Brace yourselves for strong language. adult themes and jokes that would have made you blush on a NAAFFI Break... We never pretend to be nice or normal...But we are Funny...!
Apr 13, 202201:08:34
Episode 2 - The Joy of Stand Up with Other Veterans

Episode 2 - The Joy of Stand Up with Other Veterans

Three of the Project COMEDY Ambassadors finally met for the first time (rather than via Zoom) and gigged together! Following the gig, all four Ambassadors discuss what doing Stand Up in front of flesh-and-blood humans, what's different from the Zoom circuit and what it gave them. They also discuss meeting their mentor, Jay Sodagar, chat about next steps and set themselves a comedy challenge.
Apr 06, 202245:17
Episode 1 - Why Do Stand Up - The Ambassador's Views

Episode 1 - Why Do Stand Up - The Ambassador's Views

Why on earth would a veteran want to get into Stand Up Comedy? Indeed is it even worth the effort. The Project COMEDY Ambassadors talk about their comedy journeys and what they've discovered. All comedy fans will be interested in what they have to say - even civilians! (Editor's note: The boat Gypsy that is Jay has WiFi that even Aldi refuses to sell - so excuse him sounding worse than his normal West Country accent!) Use #projectcomedy in Twitter to get our attention.
Mar 30, 202249:49