Jongleurs at Christmas

"It's Christmastime - there's no need to be afraid..." Bob Geldof and Midge Ure had clearly never played Jongleurs at Christmas.

I jest. For a start I would never slag off my employer (see news article about the voice of London Underground who got sacked...). Jongleurs do fine Christmas gigs (for the punter) in that they offer a full night of entertainment, a decent dinner, disco afterwards, etc etc. And they get punters into a comedy club who would never ever come to comedy, so in that sense it's bringing stand-up to the masses. They're tough on the comedian though. Bristol this weekend - normally one of the nicer Jongleurs - was full of work dos (80 electricians was the biggest party), and the danger of work dos is that one person wants to be there. The other 79 wanted to go bowling or to paintball. So they sit there, arms folded, staring. You work hard for every laugh.

But the club rewards you, with nice pay, the most professional and attentive staff of any club, and a lovely hotel with sauna, pool and jacuzzi. So for those reasons it's been a lovely weekend. But dodging a guy vomiting as I walk on stage (at 9pm - so not late) certainly doesn't make for the easiest of gigs.

Kudos to the other acts for their part in a fine weekend. MC Andy White was genial and always a nice fella offstage (even though he beat me on The Weakest Link 4 years ago - AND I was the strongest link in the first round...), Gina Yashere wowed us with tales of the comedy circuit in LA (she's cracking America as we speak), and Jason John Whitehead was most kind in his helpful reminders to me that at this time of year, we ain't comedians - we're cheerleaders. So forget the clever jokes - get 'em cheering and keep on smiling...