Last updated: 24 November 2008
Conventional jokes don't do it for the comic writer, actor and comedienne, she explains.
"I don't do jokes - but then I don't do leotards, eating KitKats in public, or trams.
"Whenever I hear the words: 'Did you hear the one about...', it brings back memories of standing on the Comedy Store stage - in my woolly singlette and penis-proof trousers facing a crowd of yodelling rugby fans who'd mistakenly rolled up to the wrong venue. The strip club was upstairs.
"Was this a successful gig? Well I got paid...
"Anyway, haven't we all got addicted to the funny sound bite type of panel show - where derision, sartorial posturing and random word associations make up the content?
"Recently someone said to me, 'I just have to look at your face and I laugh.' If only I'd known that before - I could saved hours trying to think up funny lines - but it wasn't a compliment, I was auditioning for Lady Macbeth.
"But if push comes to shove, laughing depends on a fleeting moment of recognition and that's all really. So hearing about people trapped in circumstances beyond their control as long as it's true (and there's some nice facial punctuation), and I'm on the floor. It's always more fun that way. That's not a joke by the way..."
