Laughlines was pleased to be among the invited comedy glitteratti at the final of RTE’s New Comedy Awards where Macy Gray and Daniel O’Donnell were spotted rubbing shoulders with Ireland’s brightest new comics. Michael Downey, Jerome Holland and Naessens & Rooney all gave fine performances live on The Late Late Show, but it was Neil Delamare who triumphed with an engaging set that impressed the pants off the judges, who included Roseleen Linehan, D’Unbelievables’ Pat Shortt and Brendan O’Connor. Also present on the night were semi-finalists Priscilla Robinson, Eamonn Farrell and John McDermot. After the show The judges and Pat Kenny dropped by to congratulate all involved while Billy Magarth consoled the runners-up with bottles of bubbly. The partying continued in Reynards until the very early hours with a brief hiccup at the door when winner Neil was initially refused admission!

Catherine Maher is a Bull Island script-writer who also takes to the stage occasionally with a particularly girly take on modern life. Her latest project is a sit-com for RTE television based around the myths and legends of ancient Ireland which should be broadcast in late 2002.

Erstwhile ‘Cellarman Paddy Courtney leaves the hallowed halls of the International Bar this month when he follows in the footsteps of Jason Byrne and Tommy Tiernan for a one-off gig at the Shelter, Vicar Street on Saturday, November 24th when he’ll be supported by the aforementioned Michael Downey.

Punters at The Cuban Brothers' recent gig at The Laughter Lounge in Dublin were excited and delighted when one half of the double-act, Miguel Mantovani, decided to strip naked and run through the audience. According to our on-the-spot reporter, “it was more a case of slim panatella than Castro Cuban, but then it was an extremely cold night…” The Laughter Lounge, Galway, at the GPO have asked Laughlines to remind you that the ticket price for the Sunday comedy night includes complimentary admission to the late night club, Sugar, at the venue.

Respect to the guv’nor Brendan Grace who recently completed a sold-out run at the Gaeity theatre and sent Laughlines a copy of his Good Grace, It’s Brendan video to thank us for our support. Aaahh!

Corkonian comic Michael Mee takes his latest one-man-show to his native city when he visits the Lobby Bar for one night only on Sunday, November 25th. Mee’s material concerns wry if hugely witty observations on his hometown. Hopefully they’ll get the joke, ‘cos he’s only a little guy, like.

While sports-comedy – Jumpers For Goalposts, They Think It’s All Over, Apres Match – and pop-comedy – Never Mind The Buzzcocks and, uh, The Lyrics Board – are established humourous genres, a new stage show which comes to HQ in Dublin manages to combine laughs and lap-dancing! Will Strip For Food is an hilarious look at the lives, and the routines, of five exotic dancers performed and written by a group of US lap-ladies. The play visits HQ at The Irish Music Hall Of Fame for three weeks only from November 14th.

A man who won’t be attending the above depravity is hotpress humourist Ken Allen who supplies us with the following gem in his continuing series Clean Joke of the Fortnight: Q. How do you kill a circus? A. Go for the juggler! Harumph!

Coming soon: Olaf Tyaransen’s Big Book Of Herbal Remedies.