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Articles by subject: comedy

D'oh my God: faith in The Simpsons (by Andrew Mueller, January/February 2012 ): This year, The Simpsons celebrate their 25th birthday and their 500th episode. Andrew Mueller pays homage to the family we can all believe in
Q&A: Andy Hamilton (by Editorial Staff, January/February 2012 ): Comedian and writer Andy Hamilton on being a ‘wavering agnostic’ with sympathy for the Devil
Q&A: Al Murray (by Editorial Staff, November/December 2011 ): The Oxford-educated, history-loving comedian behind the hugely popular Pub Landlord tells New Humanist what it’s like living with the nation’s favourite guv’nor
Nine highlights from Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People (by Editorial Staff, November/December 2011 ): The best bits and the inside scoops from three years of our seasonal rationalist jamboree
Repeat offender: New Humanist interviews Ricky Gervais (by Editorial Staff, September/October 2011 ): Ricky Gervais on his new shows, shock comedy and why God loves him really
Briefing: Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People (by Adam Rutherford, September/October 2011 ): Adam Rutherford remembers getting atheists reciting the Lord's Prayer at last year's rationalist jamboree
Book review: How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran (by Jenny Bunker, July/August 2011 ): Jenny Bunker enjoys Caitlin Moran's flippant feminism
God & Devil: Country Songs (by Andrew Mueller, July/August 2011 ): Five tracks about God, and five about the Devil. Selected by Andrew Mueller
Q&A: Marcus Brigstocke (by Editorial Staff, July/August 2011 ): Between the arrogant believers and the smug atheists stands a lone comic, with only a successful career for comfort.
Endgame: Miles of sex (by Laurie Taylor, March/April 2011 ): Laurie Taylor talks dirty
Heathen's greetings (by Stephanie Merritt, November/December 2010 ): They thought it was a joke when Robin Ince said he was going to mix atheism, comedy and Christmas. But, reports Stephanie Merritt, he’s having the last laugh
Diary: What did the Romans ever do for us? (by Natalie Haynes, November/December 2010 ): Nothing, it turns out. They did it all for themselves, the selfish so-and-sos. Natalie Haynes explains
It's all just words (by Caspar Melville, September/October 2010 ): Blasphemer, failure, hypocrite, comedian – Stewart Lee tells Caspar Melville why he’s so offensive
Endgame: Time is money (by Laurie Taylor, September/October 2010 ): Laurie Taylor keeps his meter running
Endgame: Never give up (by Laurie Taylor, July/August 2010 ): Laurie Taylor looks through a glass darkly
Q&A: Tim Minchin (by Editorial Staff, July/August 2010 ): As he prepares for his first ever arena tour, we catch up with rising rationalist star Tim Minchin
Diary: Best of the worst (by Robin Ince, July/August 2010 ): There are no bad books, just special ones says Robin Ince
Who's who? (by Laurie Taylor, May/June 2010 ): Laurie Taylor checks his references
Endgame: Aura & out (by Laurie Taylor, March/April 2010 ): Laurie Taylor balances his chakras
Bad Faith Awards 2009: Pope Benedict XVI emerges victorious (by Paul Sims, January/February 2010 ): After a tightly fought campaign, and more than 7,000 votes cast, we announce the winner of our coveted 2009 Bad Faith Award
Praise Jshua (by Richard Herring, November/December 2009 ): Surely Easter is the time of year when we should spare a thought for the Messiah's less successful competitors? Here's Richard Herring, from the November issue, on one who never quite made it.
Endgame: Crying out loud (by Laurie Taylor, November/December 2009 ): Laurie Taylor meets national treasure Barry Cryer
Jihad jokes (by Roger Davidson, November/December 2009 ): Who dares make fun of Islam? Canadian television, apparently. Roger Davidson tunes in
Diary: Backward step (by Maureen Younger, September/October 2009 ): Comedian Maureen Younger is unimpressed by the return of the rape joke
What kind of humanist are you? (by Editorial Staff, July/August 2009 ): Are you hardline or happy, hedonist or hounded? Answer the questions below and find out how far your personality suits your philosophy
God Trumps Part II (by Christina Martin, March/April 2009 ): Still struggling to choose the top religion? Pigeonhole yourself for all eternity with the second part of our cut-out-and-keep metaphysical card game. Devised by Christina Martin, illustrated by Martin Rowson
Diary: Science friction (by Natalie Haynes, March/April 2009 ): It seems even sci-fi geeks can indulge in a spot of retrospective offence, says Natalie Haynes
Endgame: What's my line? (by Laurie Taylor, March/April 2009 ): Laurie Taylor stands up for himself
Editorial: Fine lessons (by Caspar Melville, January/February 2009 ): Funny how atheists enjoying themselves can be so threatening to believers
Diary: Trump cards (by Christina Martin, January/February 2009 ): Our religions game seemed to annoy everyone. Result! says Christina Martin
Bad Faith Awards 2008 (by Paul Sims, January/February 2009 ): Following a tough campaign and a hard-fought election, we can finally announce last year's most scurrilous enemy of reason
Uncertainty principle (by Laurie Taylor, November/December 2008 ): Alexei Sayle tells Laurie Taylor why he no longer has to be right all the time
Editorial: Vive la Revolución! (by Caspar Melville, November/December 2008 ): Amid the battered bankers and pessimistic pundits why are humanists so happy?
God Trumps Part I (by Christina Martin, November/December 2008 ): Struggling to choose the top religion? Can't decide between Bible-thumping evangelism or benign, gentle Buddhism? Make the process fun and easy with God Trumps, our cut-out-and-keep metaphysical card game for all the family. Devised by Christina Martin. Cartoons by Martin Rowson.
Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People (by Robin Ince, November/December 2008 ): Now in its fourth year, our Christmas shows are becoming an institution. Curator Robin Ince explains the origins of our yuletide rationalist romp, and past performers Ricky Gervais, Simon Singh, Richard Herring, Natalie Haynes and Ben Goldacre with some seasonally inappropriate winterval witterings
Stop Me If You've Heard This by Jim Holt (by Natalie Haynes, September/October 2008 ): Natalie Haynes is not amused by a new study of humour
Religion is bullshit (by Robin Ince, July/August 2008 ): From philosophy to fart jokes George Carlin always got there first, says Robin Ince
Caution, falling moguls (by Michael Bywater, July/August 2008 ): Is he a loser, a kvetcher, a fatalist or a comic genius? Michael Bywater goes in search of the real Woody Allen
Magical mystery tour (by Natalie Haynes, July/August 2008 ): Natalie Haynes goes in search of spiritual enlightenment
Diary: Return to the Festival (by Arnold Brown, July/August 2008 ): Twenty-five years after his first Edinburgh appearance, Arnold Brown's hoping to become an overnight sensation
Diary: Give us a hug (by Peyvand Khorsandi, March/April 2008 ): Peyvand Khorsandi pays a visit to Amma – India's hugging saint
Jesus my boyfriend (by Christina Martin, July/August 2007 ): Comedian Christina Martin was all set for her big break - an appearance on the syndicated Paramount Comedy hour. Then she committed an unpardonable offence
Diary (by Robin Ince, March/April 2007 ): Comedian Robin Ince is blinded by science
Diary: Comic timing (by Shappi Khorsandi, January/February 2007 ): Shappi Khorsandi reflects on the glamorous life of an atheist stand-up
Offend who you like, just don't mention religion (by Christina Martin, Web Exclusive, November 2007): On the stand-up circuit disabled people are fair game. Yet mocking God can get you banned, says Christina Martin
Laughs around the world (by Natalie Haynes, Web Exclusive, February 2008): No matter where you're from, humour is the international language, says Natalie Haynes
New Humanist Advent Podcasts (by Editorial Staff, Web Exclusive, December 2008): Richard Dawkins, Ricky Gervais, Dara O'Briain, Tim Minchin, Ann Druyan, Simon Singh, Marcus Brigstocke, Stephen Fry and a host of other atheist angels speak up for their scientific saviour in our 24-bite-sized podcasts
Film review: Religulous (by Fred Rowson, Web Exclusive, April 2009): Debunking faith on screen is a confused business, finds Fred Rowson
Which Pope Am I? (by Christina Martin, Web Exclusive, May 2009): Thinking of taking the reins in Vatican City? Wondering how your Papacy might pan out? Size up your Christian credentials by taking our exclusive personality test (Devised by Christina Martin)
Film review: Brüno (by Fred Rowson, Web Exclusive, July 2009): Sacha Baron Cohen's latest has its flaws. But it's still hilarious, says Fred Rowson
Film review: Four Lions (by Fred Rowson, Web Exclusive, May 2010): A film that laughs at suicide bombers but doesn't offend anyone? Chris Morris's big screen debut is the mouse that didn't roar, says Fred Rowson
Growing up godless (by Catie Wilkins, Web Exclusive, August 2010): “Should you tell your four-year-old you believe we are all alone in a godless universe? My Dad did, and I turned out OK. Discounting the fact I am a comedian..." Catie Wilkins on her atheist upbringing
Space for laughs (by Matthew Adams, Web Exclusive, March 2011): As comedian Helen Keen’s Radio 4 series on the history of rocket science begins, she tells Matthew Adams why it’s a subject with room for the serious and the absurd