The comedians paradise

Marvin McCarthy
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Stand-Up
  • Updated Weekly

Join comedian and promoter, Marvin McCarthy each Sunday at 8pm UK time as he interviews the mavericks of the comedy world.

  1. 5d ago

    I Spent £4,000 to Perform to Zero People at the Fringe

    In this episode, we talk to West Yorkshire comic Liam Tully, who recently made headlines in Edinburgh Live after joking that playing to an empty room for four days in a row "must be a record". Liam opens up about the brutal reality of the festival circuit, what happens when nobody turns up to your venue at the Rotunda Theatre, and how a single self-deprecating TikTok video flipped his fortune overnight. In a hilarious twist of fate, Liam's empty-room dilemma perfectly mirrored the exact theme of his 2026 Fringe show, "Adult-ish"—a stand-up hour exploring what happens when life's expectations don't quite match up with reality.From dealing with fierce internet trolls (including a memorable run-in with a user calling themselves "Scottish Beyonce") to being secretly photographed by critics in the pub, Liam shares a bittersweet, unfiltered look at surviving a month on stage. We delve into the strange psychology of online antagonism, the overwhelming solidarity found within the comedy community, and the heartwarming moment a fan from Germany came seeking life advice after a show.

    I Spent £4,000 to Perform to Zero People at the Fringe

  2. Sep 27

    An American Comic in Barcelona

    🎙️ Welcome to another episode of The Comedian's Paradise! In this episode, we sit down with Barcelona-based stand-up comedian Mariah Girouard to look behind the scenes of her fearless Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, 'Trauma Made Me Hot'. Mariah shares her fascinating journey of moving from Massachusetts to Spain, and how she managed to turn an incredibly dark, real-life survival story—a true crime tale of a man who tried to kill her—into a hilarious, tightly crafted comedy show. We dive into the fine line between true comedic structure and "trauma dumping", the differences between quick-fire American jokes and vulnerable British storytelling, and why shows like 'Fleabag' handle tragedy so perfectly. ✨ Watch/listen now to explore how a comedian transforms real-life horror into award-worthy stage material. If you would like to know more on Mariah, you can go on her Linktree at https://linktr.ee/mariahbgirouard. You can follow this podcast on Youtube at https://bit.ly/41LWDAq, Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3oLrmyU,Apple podcasts at https://apple.co/3LEkr3E and you can support the pod on:https://www.patreon.com/thecomediansparadise.

    An American Comic in Barcelona

  3. Sep 20

    Starting clown at 30

    What does it take to master the art of the fool? In this episode, we sit down with award-winning British physical comedian, master mime, and clown David Hoskin.Fresh from acclaimed runs at Soho Theatre and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, David unpacks his time training at the legendary international theatre school, École Philippe Gaulier. We delve into the psychological power of "embracing the flop", the precise mechanics behind his hit comedy-horror show A Haunted House, and how he treats awkwardness on stage as a creative superpower.Whether you're an aspiring performer, a theatre maker, or just a massive fan of surreal alternative comedy, this deep dive offers a fascinating peek behind the curtain of contemporary physical theatre.Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast for more exclusive chats with leading creative voices! If you would like to know more on David, go on his website at https://www.davidhoskin.com/.You can follow this podcast on Youtube at https://bit.ly/41LWDAq, Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3oLrmyU,Apple podcasts at https://apple.co/3LEkr3E and you can support the pod on:https://www.patreon.com/thecomediansparadise. #ComedyPodcast #AlternativeComedy #ClownLife #PhysicalComedy #PodcastEpisode #PhysicalTheatre #MimeArtist #PhilippeGaulier #ClowningAround #StageCraft #StartingOverAt30 #CreativeJourney #LateBloomer #EmbraceTheFlop #CreativePivot

    Starting clown at 30

  4. Sep 13

    From 'White Van Man' to Stand-Up Comedian!

    Join host Marvin McCarthy on The Comedians Paradise as he chats with stand-up comedian and writer Scott Adams about his hit Edinburgh Fringe show, The Van Man Can!. Discover the reality of juggling a UK delivery driver job with live comedy, mastering crowd work, and building a sustainable career on the British comedy circuit. Tune in for unfiltered backstage stories and sharp stand-up insights from a true festival maverick. Here is an overview of what we discussed: [[02:45]] Being a van driver, public observation, and the reason I had to change my accent as a British 'white van man' [[14:07]] [[14:07]] Bizarre roadside observations and why witnessing a lady eating a bogey is so incredibly weird [[18:00]] [[18:00]] Exploring the most haunted roads and paranormal highway myths across the UK [[19:00]] [[19:00]] Unfiltered delivery horror stories and the absolute worst houses I have ever visited on my route [[26:00]] [[26:00]] The freedom, daily realities, and perks of being your own boss and being self-employed [[31:00]] [[31:00]] My comedy origin story and exactly how I started out on the live UK stand-up circuit [[34:52]] [[34:52]] Entering the lion's den: gigging with big-name headline comics when first starting out in comedy [[39:27]] [[39:27]] An insider look at London's famous Lions Den comedy club and what ultimately happened to the venue [[40:31]] [[40:31]] The truth about controversial 'pay-to-play' comedy gigs and navigating the live gigging circuit [[43:12]] [[43:12]] Navigating the financial realities and industry gatekeeping of the modern comedy scene [[45:42]] If you like what you here from Scott, you can reach him on his Instagram at @scottadams07. You can follow this podcast on Youtube at https://bit.ly/41LWDAq, Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3oLrmyU,Apple podcasts at https://apple.co/3LEkr3E and you can support the pod on:https://www.patreon.com/thecomediansparadise. #standupcomedypodcast #comedypodcast #interviewingcomedians #podcastinterview #standupcomedian #TheComediansParadise #ScottAdams #StandUpComedy #UKComedy #ComedyPodcast #EdFringe #WhiteVanMan

    From 'White Van Man' to Stand-Up Comedian!

  5. Sep 6

    Unionising Canadian Comedy with Sandra Battaglini

    In this interview we chat to the brilliant Sandra Battaglini, she is an award-winning stand-up comic who spearheaded a historic grassroots movement to unionise Canadian comedy, founding CASC(The Canadian Association of Stand-up, Sketch & Improv Comedians) and partnering with Unifor/CFU to secure essential performer benefits. Here is an overview of what we discussed: 00:00 – Introduction to Sandra Battaglini and Her Mission 02:48 – Sandra's Journey into Comedy and Activism 05:46 – The Formation of a Comedian's Association (CASC) 08:53 – Lobbying for Change in the Canadian Comedy Landscape 11:57 – The Impact of Unionization on Canadian Comedians 15:02 – Challenges and Changes in the Canadian Comedy Scene 17:50 – Personal Growth and Business Mindset in Comedy 21:00 – The Future of Comedy and Community Building 24:11 – Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Social Media and Comedy 26:50 – The State of the Canadian Comedy Industry 33:27 – The Struggles of Comedy and Unionization 36:43 – Life Beyond Comedy: Personal Insights 42:14 – The Unexpected Path to Comedy 48:23 – Workplace Dynamics: Comedy vs. Hospitality If you would like to know more on Sandra, you can go on her website at https://www.sandrabattaglini.com/ or follow her on Instagram at sandrabattaglini. You can follow this podcast on Youtube at https://bit.ly/41LWDAq, Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3oLrmyU,Apple podcasts at https://apple.co/3LEkr3E and you can support the pod on:https://www.patreon.com/thecomediansparadise. #standupcomedypodcast #comedypodcast #interviewingcomedians #podcastinterview #standupcomedian

    Unionising Canadian Comedy with Sandra Battaglini

  6. Aug 30

    Winning the Malcolm Hardee Award by Eating Cheese

    In this episode of The Comedians Paradise, we dive deep into the mind of Edinburgh Fringe legend and Malcolm Hardee Award winner, Mark Dean Quinn. From his legendary cult status as the man who ate a kilogram of cheese on stage at 2:00 AM, to the rules of his chaotic new late-night alternative hit, Mark Dean Quinn Tries to Walk Towards a Flipchart, we explore what it truly means to make maverick comedy.We break down the evolution of audience interaction, why live comedy is shifting away from corporate influences, and the psychological relationship between a comedian and the audience's laughter. Whether you are a comedy nerd curious about the health implications of eating dairy for an hour on stage, or a performer looking to navigate corporate sponsorships without losing your joyful, unexpected spark, this episode is a masterclass in comic originality. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to the Fringe and Mark Dean Quinn 02:57 – The Unique Experience of Live Comedy 05:58 – The Evolution of Comedy and Audience Interaction 09:09 – The Relationship Between Comedy and Laughter 12:06 – The Cheese Show Phenomenon17:59 – Health Implications and the Future of Comedy 25:32 – The Art of Comedy and Performance 28:14 – Navigating Sponsorship and Publicity 29:55 – The Fringe Experience: Joy vs. Corporate Influence 36:05 – Creating Unique Comedy Experiences 39:11 – The Evolution of Comedy Shows 50:04 – Audience Dynamics and Engagement 54:19 – Finding Joy in the Unexpected If you would like to know more about Mark, you can follow his Instagram at mark_dean_quinn. You can follow this podcast on Youtube at https://bit.ly/41LWDAq, Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3oLrmyU,Apple podcasts at https://apple.co/3LEkr3E and you can support the pod on:https://www.patreon.com/thecomediansparadise. #edfringe2026 #markdeanquinn #malcolmhardee #thecomediansparadise #alternativecomedy #edfringe2026 #freefringe #edinburghfringe #livecomedy #podcast #edinburghfringe #edinburghfringecomedyfestival #edinburghfringe

    Winning the Malcolm Hardee Award by Eating Cheese

  7. Aug 23

    18 years of fringe festivals

    We talk to Josh "Bonesy" Rice is an Adelaide-based comedian, writer, and director who has been a staple of the international Fringe circuit since 2008. Widely known for his work with comedy group DamnitLeanne! and his regular appearances at Adelaide's iconic Rhino Room, he specialises in physical comedy, improvisation, and sketch writing. Here is an overview of what we discussed: [[03:19]] Fringes and Comedy Reviews [[05:49]] [[05:49]] Tall Poppy Syndrome and Cultural Differences [[12:30]] [[12:35]] Why I Like Small Fringes [[16:43]] [[16:43]] Adelaide's Year-Round Comedy Scene [[19:43]] [[19:43]] Flyering Strategies at the Edinburgh Fringe [[24:17]] [[23:00]] Targeted Flyering: Reaching the Right Audience [[23:42]] [[24:17]] Show Breakdown and Creative Process [[33:55]] [[25:40]] Character Spotlight: Lord Sharon [[26:05]] [[34:05]] The Art of Audience Interaction and Crowd Work [[39:00]] [[44:57]] Navigating ADHD as a Comedian [[49:32]] To check out his show Lost in Translation, head to the website: https://lostintranslation.com.au/. For sketches, follow @damnitleanne on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.. You can follow this podcast on Youtube at https://bit.ly/41LWDAq, Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3oLrmyU,Apple podcasts at https://apple.co/3LEkr3E and you can support the pod on:https://www.patreon.com/thecomediansparadise. #joshjonesyrice #lostintranslationshow #edfringe #adelaidefringe #edfringe2026 #edinburghfringe #comedyfestival #damenitleanne #18yearsoffringefestivals

    18 years of fringe festivals

  8. Aug 16

    15 years of puppets

    Professional puppeteer and clown Michelle Stein joins the podcast to chat about her 15-year career and her solo show Always Sometimes Maybe at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We dive deep into the rich history of alternative theatre, the art of physical comedy, and why the Fringe has shifted from a haven for eccentric artists into an expensive party for the elite. Plus, we debate the merits of Chicago deep-dish pizza and plug The Pieces—a spectacular circus show performing at the Underbelly Circus Hub. If you would like to know more on Michelle, you can go on her website at https://www.michelejoystine.com/ or go to her edinburgh fringe show:https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/always-sometimes-maybe. You can follow this podcast on Youtube at https://bit.ly/41LWDAq, Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3oLrmyU,Apple podcasts at https://apple.co/3LEkr3E and you can support the pod on:https://www.patreon.com/thecomediansparadise. #standupcomedypodcast #comedypodcast #interviewingcomedians #podcastinterview #standupcomedian

    15 years of puppets
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Join comedian and promoter, Marvin McCarthy each Sunday at 8pm UK time as he interviews the mavericks of the comedy world.

Information

  • Creator
    Marvin McCarthy
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Marvin McCarthy
  • Show Website
    The comedians paradise