Magners Paramount Comedy On Tap is the hottest comedy event on the student calendar, providing top stand-up acts at universities, as well as offering students the chance to try their luck at stand-up with our Funniest Student competition.
The final was once again held at the world famous Comedy Store in London and this year it was Geordie Ric Wharton from Southampton Solent University who claimed the title.
Ric’s set covered a range topics from his own version of Celebrity Big Brother - You've Been Stalked - to some genuinely below the belt gags that had the crowd in stitches.
The panel, which included award-winning comedian Robin Ince, Off The Kerb talent representative Anthony Butler and Paramount Comedy’s Head of New Comedy Kathleen Hutchison, described his performance as ‘faultless’.
Ric’s win makes it two in a row for Southampton Solent, as last year’s winner Hannah George also studies there.
We chatted to our newly crowned winner to see what he made of the whole thing…
So, how do you feel about winning?
It still hasn’t sunk in. It’s really overwhelming. I’ve never so much as won even a raffle in my life!
Did you ever think you may be in with a chance?
That was about my thirtieth gig so I was confident of my material, but it was definitely my best performance yet.
How did you feel about performing in The Comedy Store?
I felt quite at home, it gave me a lot of confidence to be in such a place really. I really enjoyed every moment; I was just staring off into space a lot of the time in amazement. Three weeks ago I was performing in front of thirty people at a Student Union gig and then I’m at The Comedy Store. It was an amazing feeling.
About two coach loads of supporters came up from Southampton, how did you feel about having so many of your mates there?
I much prefer a clean slate with an audience as half of my mates that came along had already heard my set so I would rather have performed to a room full of strangers. But since I’ve won they’ve been fantastic, I think I’d be laying drunk in a ditch somewhere if they hadn’t been there to take me home after the final!
You got heckled by a fellow Geordie during your set, did you find that off putting?
Basically I said that it’s not quite the same in the North East, where I’m from and I got a knee jerk reaction from a fellow Geordie in the crowd out of Newcastle pride I think! But it was all quite tongue-in-cheek on both sides so when the crowd just cheered at how I played up to it I felt fine.
What made you decide to enter Comedy on Tap?
I knew about the competition from Hannah, as she does the same course as me at Solent and I knew she’s won it the year before. She said I should enter it but what happened was I went to another Student Comedy final on the deadline day of Paramount’s competition and to be honest with you after that I just really wanted to do another competition so as soon as I got home I emailed over my YouTube clip from those awards so I could enter the Paramount competition.
How did you feel about competing up against your course mate Paul Longley?
Well, it was great to be able to share that experience with him. I thought Paul was brilliant though, it was only his eighth gig as well, and most of them were just student gigs.
What did you think of our MC Patrick Monahan?
Patrick Monahan was absolutely excellent at getting the crowd into the gig. I think he’s probably one of the best compares I’ve certainly ever been on stage with. He sent me a text after the show to say well done actually.
Have you done many stand up gigs before?
I think I’m up to 31 or 32. I’d done the Celebrity You’ve Been Stalked gag, where I talk about the Chuckle Brothers on a raunchy night out, a few times before the Comedy Store though - after one gig people kept coming up to me in the urinals going “to me, to you!”
How long have you been performing?
Before I got into Solent I was doing this open-mic night in Newcastle called Long Live Comedy. The first time I did it I just I went along because I’d always wanted to try it, although it was also because my brother made a bet with me to do it. For my first gig, it went well but I was on a rocky path with my girlfriend at the time so she was sitting in the crowd giving me evils whilst I was doing my set, which was a bit off putting!
Who’s your biggest comic inspiration?
I’ve seen a couple of good acts in the North-East, with guys that nobody’s ever really heard of. To this day, the funniest set I’ve ever seen, was done by an unknown guy at an open-mic night in Newcastle. And, I really like the headline act Brendan Burns at the final as well; it was the first time I’d seen him and I thought he was hilarious. I think Jack Dee was the first comedian I ever saw on telly. I was in year 4 at school at the time, my older brother brought it home for me to watch and I’ve been influenced by his work ever since.
For the final we had the three judges sitting on the stage next to you like the X Factor. Did that make you nervous?
I thought they were all actually quite nice. And the thing is, on my Solent course we have to perform stand-up in front of the class during our Tuesday lesson and the course leader gives us feedback. It’s quite similar to what the judges were doing on the night, so that made me feel more at home. Robin Ince was on the judging panel and I’m a big fan of his and so I didn’t want to go up on one of the biggest stages of all and for him to say “actually I don’t find you funny”, so that was a bit nerve wracking. I remember when I started the set I started talking about computer games and turned to him and said “look I’m sorry, I’m not sure you’re gonna like this!”
Did nerves bother you up on stage?
Something told my stomach half way through that I should be nervous, I could feel myself cramping up a bit so I had to pace about the stage a bit. But the people I came up with looked after me so much, making sure I ate before the show and stuff because I was nervous and they were all amazing.
You’re studying a Comedy Writing and Performance at Southampton Solent, do you think that’s helped you to develop your stand-up material?
To be honest since coming to Solent, the course lecturer Dr Chris Ritchie really took me under his wing and he sorted me out with a student gig that was held at Jonglers, which before The Comedy Store, I’d say that was my best gig.
How do you come up with your material?
During open-mic nights I do different material each week, so what I did at The Comedy Store was like a condensed version of that really. When I started I used to say what I thought a comedian should say, now I feel like I’m more at home of stage, I’m more myself. I don’t try to hide my accent or anything like that, my material just rolls of my tongue more fluently.
What did you make of the prizes? E.g. your gawdy cup, gigs courtesy of Off The Kerb and the opportunity to develop an idea with Paramount Comedy.
Well the cup’s probably going to rust away as I drank a pint of Newcastle Brown Ale out of it on the train back to Southampton after the final! I don’t think my Mum is going to be too happy when I take it home. Getting gigs courtesy of Off The Kerb has just blown my mind really as to be honest if they book me 365 gigs a year I’d go to them all and I’d be grateful for it.
So, what’s next for you?
Well, that’s a tough one. The highest thing I set myself up to do so far was perform at The Comedy Store, so I don’t know where to go from there really as I still feel really overwhelmed by the whole thing. A comedy agent came up to me on the night and offered me £100 for a showreel. It was only last year I was doing ten-minute gigs for a tenner a pop and I was over the moon at that because it was like a pound a minute!
Do you want to become a regular on the comedy circuit?
I couldn’t stop doing stand-up now. I wouldn’t know what else to think about. I started the course at Solent with the intention of writing comedy scripts but to be honest I feel more at home doing stand-up.
Wednesday 19 March 2008
Watch The UK's funniest Student
Watch Ric Wharton - the UK's Funniest Student. The clip's from last week's final of the Paramount funniest student competition at the Comedy Store
Monday 3 March 2008
Paramount Student Comedy - Finalists
We posted the Universities earlier but here are the names of the finalists who'll be fighting it out today week to be crowned the UK's funniest student.
Ian Llewellyn Rowe (Brunel)
Dave Howarth (Leeds)
Paul Longley (Southampton Solent)
Ric Wharton (Southampton Solent)
Sam Pacelli & Tom Houghton (Kent)
Micky Anderson (Edinburgh)
A big well done! We're looking forward to seeing them all on stage at the Comedy Store!
Ian Llewellyn Rowe (Brunel)
Dave Howarth (Leeds)
Paul Longley (Southampton Solent)
Ric Wharton (Southampton Solent)
Sam Pacelli & Tom Houghton (Kent)
Micky Anderson (Edinburgh)
A big well done! We're looking forward to seeing them all on stage at the Comedy Store!
Paramount's Student Comedy Competition - latest!
With one week to go before the 2008 Paramount Funniest Student Competition final, the universities being represented have been announced. These are Brunel, Leeds, Southampton Solent, Kent and Edinburgh.
Tuesday 26 February 2008
Thursday 21 February 2008
Robin Ince to judge final
I've just been sent a press release from Paramount Comedy announcing that Ricky Gervais’s support act/best mate/whipping boy Robin Ince will be part of the judging panel at this year's final. Robin will add to the list of comedy heavyweights present on the night including Patrick Monahan, resident warm up for BBC1’s “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross”, who will host the night and if.comedy award winner Brendon Burns, who'll be performing.
Last Call for Student Comedy Competition
Paramount Comedy have issued a last call for entries to their Funniest Student Competition 2008! The finalists will get to perform at the Comedy Store on 10 March
Wednesday 20 February 2008
If you'd rather watch
Here are some clips on the Paramount Comedy website if you'd rather watch. The choice includes Peter Slater,
Nathan Caton and Dutch Elm Conservatoire.
Nathan Caton and Dutch Elm Conservatoire.
Friday 15 February 2008
Student Comedy Final Free Tickets
For free guest passes to the Paramount Funniest Student 2008 final at London's Comedy Store on 10 March send an email to press@paramountcomedy.com
Thursday 7 February 2008
Patrick Monahan to Host Student comedy final
Patrick Monahan, resident warm up for BBC1’s “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross”, will be one of the hosts at the Magners Paramount Comedy On Tap Funniest Student 2008 final.
The event will take place at London's Comedy store on 10 March and will also feature a set with our special guest, if.comedy award winner Brendon Burns.
From what I hear, the competition is hotting up and with two weeks to go before the deadline for submissions, the final should be a great night!
The event will take place at London's Comedy store on 10 March and will also feature a set with our special guest, if.comedy award winner Brendon Burns.
From what I hear, the competition is hotting up and with two weeks to go before the deadline for submissions, the final should be a great night!
Comedy Club's Online Joke Competition
This month's online joke competition from the Comedy Club features a bunch of railwaymen looking at a big bush on the track. Have a go at beating the 13 attempts at a caption that have been made so far!
Tuesday 5 February 2008
Fabio Capello - The truth is out!
Trust The Spoof to come up with the real inside story on how the new England coach is coping with speaking to his new group of players in a language he only started learning six weeks ago. Great stuff!
Tuesday 29 January 2008
Exclusive Interview with Off The Kerb
We caught up with Anthony Butler, Talent Representative for Off the Kerb, who are working with Paramount Comedy on the Funniest Student competition.
We asked him about the competition, how things went last year and thoughts on the 2008 edition.
What is the Funniest Student competition?
The Funniest Student competition is designed to promote and provide a platform for new comedy talent from the UK’s student community. It’s part of Magners Paramount Comedy On Tap, which is a network of more than 150 university comedy shows at numerous student venues across the UK, and is produced by ourselves at Off The Kerb Productions in association with Paramount Comedy.
Where did the idea of the competition come from?
Comedy On Tap started back in 2002 and as the network started to establish itself we began to look at ways we could expand on the regular shows in a way which could bring the wider student community together. Open Mic nights have long been popular with students and one thing that both Off The Kerb & Paramount Comedy have always been keen to do is encourage new comedy talent, so taking that a step further and launching a contest of this kind seemed a natural progression.
You held your first nationwide competition last year, how did that go?
It went really well. The final itself featured 5 very strong contestants; I think myself and the other judges - Kathleen Hutchison, Paramount Comedy’s Head Of New Comedy, and comedian Robin Ince - were surprised at how high the standard was. What was great about the competition too is that it seems to have provided a starting point for the finalist’s careers; particularly last years winner Hannah George who has since begun to create a name for herself on the stand-up circuit.
So you’re looking forward to this year’s competition then?
Yeah. We’ve had a good response from applicants this year, but the deadline isn’t until 25th February, so anyone who wants to enter has until then to do so. This year’s final should be great too – Patrick Monahan is once again booked in to host proceedings, whilst If.Comedy (formally the Perrier Award) winner Brendon Burns will be doing a headline set for us. I’m looking forward to what I’m sure will be a fantastic night.
Applications for Magners Paramount Comedy On Tap Funniest Student 2008 will be accepted until Monday 25th February. For more information or to apply please visit www.paramountcomedy.com
The final will take place on Monday 10th March at The Comedy Store, London. To apply for guest list tickets please e-mail press@paramountcomedy.com
We asked him about the competition, how things went last year and thoughts on the 2008 edition.
What is the Funniest Student competition?
The Funniest Student competition is designed to promote and provide a platform for new comedy talent from the UK’s student community. It’s part of Magners Paramount Comedy On Tap, which is a network of more than 150 university comedy shows at numerous student venues across the UK, and is produced by ourselves at Off The Kerb Productions in association with Paramount Comedy.
Where did the idea of the competition come from?
Comedy On Tap started back in 2002 and as the network started to establish itself we began to look at ways we could expand on the regular shows in a way which could bring the wider student community together. Open Mic nights have long been popular with students and one thing that both Off The Kerb & Paramount Comedy have always been keen to do is encourage new comedy talent, so taking that a step further and launching a contest of this kind seemed a natural progression.
You held your first nationwide competition last year, how did that go?
It went really well. The final itself featured 5 very strong contestants; I think myself and the other judges - Kathleen Hutchison, Paramount Comedy’s Head Of New Comedy, and comedian Robin Ince - were surprised at how high the standard was. What was great about the competition too is that it seems to have provided a starting point for the finalist’s careers; particularly last years winner Hannah George who has since begun to create a name for herself on the stand-up circuit.
So you’re looking forward to this year’s competition then?
Yeah. We’ve had a good response from applicants this year, but the deadline isn’t until 25th February, so anyone who wants to enter has until then to do so. This year’s final should be great too – Patrick Monahan is once again booked in to host proceedings, whilst If.Comedy (formally the Perrier Award) winner Brendon Burns will be doing a headline set for us. I’m looking forward to what I’m sure will be a fantastic night.
Applications for Magners Paramount Comedy On Tap Funniest Student 2008 will be accepted until Monday 25th February. For more information or to apply please visit www.paramountcomedy.com
The final will take place on Monday 10th March at The Comedy Store, London. To apply for guest list tickets please e-mail press@paramountcomedy.com
More from Hannah
To read more about Hannah's reaction to winning last year's Paramount Funniest Student Competition click here.
Friday 18 January 2008
Paramount Comedy Funniest Student - 3rd Testimonial
And finally ... from Adrian MacKinder
I am a regular on the stand up circuit and I agree this is a really good idea. I recommend anyone who thinks they're funny to enter. It's such a competitive business, these competitons are a really rewarding way of getting your talent noticed by the industry. This one is worth entering as Paramount is so high profile and the panel of judges are also of a high calibre, last year they had Jonathan Ross agent among the judges!
I went along to watch the last final and apart from the fucking brilliant opportunity to play at the Comedy Store in London, the winners got the chance to develop ideas for Paramount as well as high profile gigs set up. Last year's winner, Hannah George has become a very good friend of mine and she'll no doubt agree with me when I say that it really helped her get stuck in to the comedy circuit - and I'm not even getting paid by her to say this! Here's the link to enter this year's competition: http://www.paramountcomedy.com/live-gigs/comedy_on_tap/funny.aspx
I am a regular on the stand up circuit and I agree this is a really good idea. I recommend anyone who thinks they're funny to enter. It's such a competitive business, these competitons are a really rewarding way of getting your talent noticed by the industry. This one is worth entering as Paramount is so high profile and the panel of judges are also of a high calibre, last year they had Jonathan Ross agent among the judges!
I went along to watch the last final and apart from the fucking brilliant opportunity to play at the Comedy Store in London, the winners got the chance to develop ideas for Paramount as well as high profile gigs set up. Last year's winner, Hannah George has become a very good friend of mine and she'll no doubt agree with me when I say that it really helped her get stuck in to the comedy circuit - and I'm not even getting paid by her to say this! Here's the link to enter this year's competition: http://www.paramountcomedy.com/live-gigs/comedy_on_tap/funny.aspx
Paramount Comedy Funniest Student - 2nd Testimonial
Second testimonial on the facebook group, this time from Richard Bond. BTW - Yes Rich, you can enter again!!
Greetings all! i hope this generic message finds y'all well!
just to say that the paramount competition is awesome, it's like a dream come true for any young comedian and i heartily reccommend it.
Here's a question though, i entered it 2007 and made it through to the final (Hannah won, she deserved it, i love her, hasn't she got lovely hair, and an honest smile...and a very trustable chin...) can someone who is in my position enter again?
good to have a comedy group like this though...we're all in it together...
Rich
Xxx
Greetings all! i hope this generic message finds y'all well!
just to say that the paramount competition is awesome, it's like a dream come true for any young comedian and i heartily reccommend it.
Here's a question though, i entered it 2007 and made it through to the final (Hannah won, she deserved it, i love her, hasn't she got lovely hair, and an honest smile...and a very trustable chin...) can someone who is in my position enter again?
good to have a comedy group like this though...we're all in it together...
Rich
Xxx
Paramount Comedy Funniest Student
The facebook group Student Comedians has been getting a few testimonials on the Paramount Comedy Funniest Student competition. So, here's what they're saying.
1) From Hannah George!
Hello one and all,
Just thought I'd start a little thread to suggest entering this years Paramount Comedy Student Comedian of the Year Comp. I won it last year and it was fooking wonderful. I would seriously advise anyone to enter (so long as you're a student and have about five minutes of material!), pop over to the paramount comedy website to find out more; www.paramountcomedy.com. I entered on a whim last year and it gave me such a fantastic boost! Getting to play at the comedy store on my 10th gig was bloody marvelous....People bought me drinks all night....I think I gave myself alcohol poisoning...I got home...laughed for a bit...then promptly passed out. It was a very romantic evening.
Enter it. xx
1) From Hannah George!
Hello one and all,
Just thought I'd start a little thread to suggest entering this years Paramount Comedy Student Comedian of the Year Comp. I won it last year and it was fooking wonderful. I would seriously advise anyone to enter (so long as you're a student and have about five minutes of material!), pop over to the paramount comedy website to find out more; www.paramountcomedy.com. I entered on a whim last year and it gave me such a fantastic boost! Getting to play at the comedy store on my 10th gig was bloody marvelous....People bought me drinks all night....I think I gave myself alcohol poisoning...I got home...laughed for a bit...then promptly passed out. It was a very romantic evening.
Enter it. xx
Tuesday 15 January 2008
Paramount Student Comedy Comp
To save you hunting through the Paramount website to find the details of the competition you can go straight to the competition site here.
Student Comedy Competition
Hannah George posted this comment on our Facebook group over the weekend. I'm checking out the details and will get back with some more info asap.
Hello one and all,
Just thought I'd start a little thread to suggest entering this years Paramount Comedy Student Comedian of the Year Comp. I won it last year and it was fooking wonderful. I would seriously advise anyone to enter (so long as you're a student and have about five minutes of material!), pop over to the paramount comedy website to find out more; www.paramountcomedy.com. I entered on a whim last year and it gave me such a fantastic boost! Getting to play at the comedy store on my 10th gig was bloody marvelous....People bought me drinks all night....I think I gave myself alcohol poisoning...I got home...laughed for a bit...then promptly passed out. It was a very romantic evening.
Enter it. xx
Hello one and all,
Just thought I'd start a little thread to suggest entering this years Paramount Comedy Student Comedian of the Year Comp. I won it last year and it was fooking wonderful. I would seriously advise anyone to enter (so long as you're a student and have about five minutes of material!), pop over to the paramount comedy website to find out more; www.paramountcomedy.com. I entered on a whim last year and it gave me such a fantastic boost! Getting to play at the comedy store on my 10th gig was bloody marvelous....People bought me drinks all night....I think I gave myself alcohol poisoning...I got home...laughed for a bit...then promptly passed out. It was a very romantic evening.
Enter it. xx
Tuesday 8 January 2008
UK Sitcom News
I'm putting in a new link to a site on the latest UK sitcom news in the Comedy News / Gigs section. Should keep you all up-to-date with what's going on in telly land. Top story today is Chris Langham. No further comment required!
Monday 7 January 2008
Bizarre Students
This student may not be funny but he's certainly entertaining. Ever wondered what to do with all those beer cans cluttering up the house? Why not build a Ford Mustang
Friday 4 January 2008
German student Life
It seems student life in Germany is the same as it is here ... with one slight difference! :) Watch what I mean.
Thursday 3 January 2008
Let it Snow
Wednesday 2 January 2008
New Year Quotes
Mark Twain
New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions.
Brooks Atkinson
Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.
Bill Vaughan
Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to.
P. J. O'Rourke
The proper behaviour all through the holiday season is to be drunk. This drunkenness culminates on New Year's Eve, when you get so drunk you kiss the person you're married to.
Jay Leno
Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average… which means, you have met your New Year's resolution.
James Agate
New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.
Eric Zorn
Making resolutions is a cleansing ritual of self-assessment and repentance that demands personal honesty and, ultimately, reinforces humility. Breaking them is part of the cycle.
Bill Vaughan
An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.
Charles Lamb
New Year's Day is every man's birthday.
Oprah Winfrey
Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.
Mark Twain
New Year's Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.
Judith Crist
Happiness is too many things these days for anyone to wish it on anyone lightly. So let's just wish each other a bile-less New Year and leave it at that.
Anonymous
Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.
Joey Adams
May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions!
Anais Nin
I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.
Oscar Wilde
Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.
Anonymous
A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other.
Leonard Bernstein
From New Year's on the outlook brightens; good humour lost in a mood of failure returns. I resolve to stop complaining.
New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions.
Brooks Atkinson
Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.
Bill Vaughan
Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to.
P. J. O'Rourke
The proper behaviour all through the holiday season is to be drunk. This drunkenness culminates on New Year's Eve, when you get so drunk you kiss the person you're married to.
Jay Leno
Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average… which means, you have met your New Year's resolution.
James Agate
New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.
Eric Zorn
Making resolutions is a cleansing ritual of self-assessment and repentance that demands personal honesty and, ultimately, reinforces humility. Breaking them is part of the cycle.
Bill Vaughan
An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.
Charles Lamb
New Year's Day is every man's birthday.
Oprah Winfrey
Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.
Mark Twain
New Year's Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.
Judith Crist
Happiness is too many things these days for anyone to wish it on anyone lightly. So let's just wish each other a bile-less New Year and leave it at that.
Anonymous
Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.
Joey Adams
May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions!
Anais Nin
I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.
Oscar Wilde
Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.
Anonymous
A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other.
Leonard Bernstein
From New Year's on the outlook brightens; good humour lost in a mood of failure returns. I resolve to stop complaining.
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