Tony Dunn joins Tickets Still Available to talk about the data behind stand-up comedy and what it tells us about the industry.

Tony is the creator of Comedy IQ, a platform analysing comedians' social media, touring, podcasts and more. We discuss how comedy has changed over the years, why television is struggling to introduce audiences to new comedians, and whether going viral online actually translates into selling tickets.

We also get into the rise of comedy podcasts, the success of Finn vs History, the challenges facing working-class comedians, and whether the industry is becoming harder to break into. Plus, we discuss AI, the future of comedy, and why having financial security might be the biggest advantage an aspiring comedian can have.

If you're interested in how comedians build an audience, what makes a career successful, or what the numbers reveal about the comedy industry, this one's for you.

Tony's Links

ComedyIQ.co.uk

Instagram

TikTok

Substack

My Links

📷 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎶 TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠☕ Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📧⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMail⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, I’m chatting with the wonderful North Belfast comedian Ciaran Franco about the highs, lows and general madness of trying to make a living in comedy.

We get into his experience of the Edinburgh Fringe, the friendships that keep comedians going, and why he thinks the Northern Irish comedy scene needs more support. Ciaran also talks about how stand-up helped him channel his anxiety into something creative, why he’s worried about AI, and what happens when comedians start getting a bit too comfortable with success.

Plus, we chat about the reality of selling tickets, the importance of giving up-and-coming comedians a chance, and his plans to take the leap into comedy full-time.

Ciaran also runs No Joke, bringing comedians together for live shows. If you’re in Dublin, check out the upcoming No Joke: November 12 Dublin Takeover and go along to support the comedy scene.

🎟️ Tickets for No Joke: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/no-joke-november-12-dublin-takeover-tickets-2003205911807

If you enjoy the episode, give No Tickets Available a follow, and remember to support live comedy by getting out to see a show. You might just discover your new favourite comedian before everyone else does.

Ciaran's links

instagram

tiktok

linktree

My Links

📷 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎶 TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠☕ Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📧⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMail⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Andrew Ryan joins Ruairi on Tickets Still Available—and no, not the BioShock villain.

Fresh from finishing three and a half years on breakfast radio, Andrew talks about choosing comedy, life on tour, becoming a dad, his love of documentaries, and living as a Southerner in Northern Ireland. There’s also chat about podcasting, politics, true crime, jury duty, and the strange reality of sharing a name with a video-game megalomaniac.

A warm, funny conversation with one of Ireland’s best-loved comics—and an absolute gent throughout, despite a few technical gremlins.

Follow Andrew Ryan online and catch him live if he’s coming your way. Subscribe to Tickets Still Available for more conversations with comedians, creators and interesting people.

Under appreciated comics

⁠Mark McCarney⁠

⁠Josh Pugh⁠

⁠Paul McCaffrey⁠

⁠Zoe Lyons⁠

⁠Sarah Keyworth⁠

Andrew's links

Website

Instagram

Youtube

tiktok

My Links

📷 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎶 TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠☕ Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📧⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMail⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

my power is waning bottom text gang.