Legendary comic Barry Crimmins kickstarted Boston's comedy scene in the 1980s, testified to the Senate against AOL.com profiteering from child pornography, and is to this day both a political firebrand and an intensely kind man.

We talk about his new special "Whatever Threatens You", released this week by Louis CK; political comedy and being your own trusted source; and Barry also acknowledges the personal cost of a life of activism.

See Stu on tour next Spring - www.comedianscomedian.com/tour

Support the podcast - www.comedianscomedian.com/donate

Purchase Barry's new special - https://louisck.net/purchase/barry-crimmins-whatever-threatens-you

Sweaty, bearded turbo-clown Paul Currie's shows are stuffed with unforgettable images, feelings and smells. Beloved of comedy's intelligentsia, this award-winning performer doesn't let go of your heart until the last cornflake is eaten and the last tear shed.

We discuss the cultural ecology of his native Northern Ireland; the difficulties of working in isolation; and we also talk about how the apparent vogue for clowning affects a veteran performer.

See Stu on tour in 2017! www.comedianscomedian.com/tour

Support the podcast your way at www.comedianscomedian.com/donate

Buy Stu's album "Extra Life" atwww.comedianscomedian.com/shop

A small-town girl who realised pretty late she was a giant lesbian, Cameron Esposito has evolved into a hilarious alpha-female hero comic. We talk about body-shaming, power-stances and side-mullets, and why this next decade is going to be awesome for women...Support the podcast with a recurring donation at http://www.comedianscomedian.com/donate

Erudite stand-up, amazingly elastic improviser, and Goldsmith facial-resembler, John Robins is hitting his stride. We talk about the difficulties of changing gear mid-career, treating writing shows like writing essays, and being driven by shame.

Extra material at www.comedianscomedian.com/robins

Support the podcast your way at www.comedianscomedian.com

Buy Stu's album "Extra Life" atwww.comedianscomedian.com/shop

Find tickets for John's podcast live tour at www.elisandjohn.com

Multiple Tony and Olivier Award-winner, and Emmy-nominee Tim Minchin went from gigging keyboardist, to Royal Albert Hall smash hit, to Dreamworks director. We explore the dynamic between Tim's easy-going exterior and his internal driving force, learn his true feelings towards his own voice, and find out how he feels about death...

Support the podcast with a recurring donation at www.comedianscomedian.com/donate

Why is Emmy-nominated South-African satirist and comedian Loyiso is treated like a rock-star by his nation's politicians? We explore the ability of SA comics to be outsiders to both UK and US culture, talk about his forthcoming Vimeo special, and learn why some comic ideas in the Xhosa language are untranslatable... Support the podcast at www.comedianscomedian.com/donate

Is Lewis Black the angriest man in America? We discuss Lewis' origins in theatre, his turnover of topical material, particularly in an election cycle, and the trigger points from which he derives his explosive creativity. We also find out why silence is where you hear the joke... 

A provocative and genuine comic, Tiff pulls apart her subject matter like a terrier, mining huge laughs from political, topical and personal subjects. We talk about agency, process and sexism, and explore the creative opportunities afforded by her stewardship of London's "Old Rope" new material night.

At the top of his game, stand-up Bill Burr is conquering the planet with an extraordinary creative ferocity. He delights in unsettling audiences by saying the un-sayable, before justifying his comic position with inspiring verve. We learn the tricks he uses to break out of routine onstage, explode the myth of finding one's voice, and also have a really invigorating argument about privilege...

There's dry, and then there's Todd Barry. On his "Crowdwork" tour, Todd's skill in low-energy one-liners allows him to spin unexpected angles into truly original audience interaction. We discuss writing habits, beating ideas to death onstage, and how it feels to play two different fictionalised versions of himself simultaneously...