Steve visits the launch party and schmoozes with Rhod Gilbert and Nina Conti... Hoorah! Another chance for free drink and nibbles, at the official launch of the BBC Talent hunt for new comics, which will be broadcast on BBC 7 and Radio 4 later this year.
The choice of venue was not a natural one for comedy, an echoey white-walled art gallery in the middle of the day ¼ a fact noticed, to say the least, by each of the comics who took part.
My co-blogger Robin Ince hosted a line-up of winners from the past four
years: Rhod Gilbert, Nina Conti, Alan Carr and Jason John Whitehead, all of whom have established careers on the stand-up circuit since winning.
In a nod to the festival's most raucous late-night cabaret, Gilbert, noted: "It's early and dead the new Late and Live." To add to the occasion, the PA sounded as if it was supplied by Fisher-Price. And their returns department at that, by the sound of it, which was especially troublesome for a ventriloquist such as Conti.
Still the event was launched in the traditional way: with free quiche. Now the hunt's on for the new wave of comedy talent. If you think you've got what it takes, visit: www.bbc.co.uk/talent/comedyawards
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| Rhod Gilbert | Alan Carr |
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| Jason John Whitehead | |
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Steve visits the launch party and schmoozes with Rhod Gilbert and Nina Conti... 
