Andy Zaltzman
| Andy Zaltzman | |
|---|---|
 Zaltzman performing at the2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe | |
| Birth name | Andrew Zaltzman |
| Born | 6 October 1974[citation needed] London, England |
| Medium | Stand-up, radio,podcast |
| Alma mater | University College, Oxford |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Genres | Political comedy |
| Relative(s) | Helen Zaltzman(sister) |
| Notable works and roles | |
Andrew Zaltzman(born 6 October 1974) is a British comedian who largely deals in political and sport-related material.
He has worked withJohn Oliver,with their work together includingPolitical Animal,The DepartmentandThe Bugle.Since 2016 he has been astatisticianforBBC Radio'sTest Match Specialcricket commentaries, and since 2020 the presenter ofRadio 4'sThe News Quiz.
Early life
[edit]Born inHammersmith,west London,[1]Zaltzman is ofLithuanian-Jewishancestry. He is the son ofSouth Africansculptor Zack Zaltzman and is the older brother ofHelen Zaltzman,ofThe AllusionistandAnswer Me This!podcasts.
From hisprep school,Holmewood House SchoolinLangton Green,Kent, he then attended the privateTonbridge School.He graduated inClassicsatUniversity College, Oxford.While at university, Zaltzman was sports editor forThe Oxford Student.[2]
Career
[edit]Stand-up
[edit]Edinburgh Festival Fringe
[edit]Zaltzman first performed at theEdinburgh Festival Fringein 1999, when he was a finalist in the prestigiousSo You Think You're Funnynew act competition along withJosie Long,Russell HowardandDavid O'Doherty.[3]
His debut full-length Edinburgh Fringe showAndy Zaltzman versus the Dog of Doomreceived a nomination for Best Newcomer at thePerrier Comedy Awardsin2001.[4]
At the2004 Edinburgh Festival FringeZaltzman began – initially with John Oliver – hostingPolitical Animal,a stand-up show in which different acts perform political-themed material; Zaltzman has hosted solo since2006.Political Animallater transferred toBBC Radio 4.[citation needed]
Zaltzman also appeared in a late-night show with fellow stand-upsDaniel Kitson,David O'DohertyandAlun CochraneentitledThe Honourable Men of Art,atThe Standin 2006 and 2008.[citation needed]
| Year | Show name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | So You Think You're Funny | New act competition. Finalist |
| 2000 | The Comedy Zone | New act showcase |
| 2001 | Andy Zaltzman versus the Dog of Doom | Nominated for Best Newcomer at thePerrier Comedy Awards |
| 2002 | Andy Zaltzman Unveils the 2002 Catapult of Truth | |
| 2003 | Edinburgh and Beyond | Showcase. With John Oliver andRob Deering |
| 2004 | Erm... It's About The World... I Think You'd Better Sit Down | With John Oliver |
| 2005 | John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman issue a list of demands and await your response with interest | With John Oliver |
| 2006 | Andy Zaltzman Detonates 70 Minutes of Unbridled Afternoon | |
| 2007 | Andy Zaltzman, 32, Administers His Emergency Dose of Afternoon Utopia, Steps Back And Waits To See What Happens | |
| 2008 | Andy Zaltzman Boldly Unbuttons The Cloak of Civilisation, But Is Perplexed And Perturbed By What He Finds Lurking Beneath | |
| 2010 | Andy Zaltzman Swears to Tell the Truth, Half the Truth, and Everything But the Truth | |
| 2011 | Andy Zaltzman: Armchair Revolutionary | |
| 2013 | Andy Zaltzman: Satirist for Hire | |
| 2014 | Andy Zaltzman: Looks At Some Of The News (briefly) And Is Confused By Most Of It | |
| 2016 | Andy Zaltzman: Plan Z | |
| 2017 | Andy Zaltzman: 2017 – The Certifiable History. | |
| 2018 | Right Questions, Wrong Answers. | |
| 2019 | Andy Zaltzman: Satirist For Hire – Blindfold Cliff-Edge Unicorn Brexit Britain Bogus Prime Minister Democrageddon American Elections Cricket World Cup General State of the World Specials. |
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
[edit]Zaltzman performed at theMelbourne International Comedy Festivalfor the first time in April 2007, winning the covetedPiece of Wood Award,given to the best show as voted for by other comedians.[5]
Other stand-up
[edit]In 2011 Zaltzman appeared as a guest stand-up comic onRussell Howard's Good NewsExtra.In 2013 he also contributed a review ofthat year's World Snooker Championshipto BBC Television's regular coverage of the event.[6]
Since mid-2014 Zaltzman has touredSatirist for Hire,where questions and comments are solicited from potential or confirmed audiences (usually via email or social media) before performing at venues, giving parts of the show a constantly evolving order and structure.[7]In December 2014, Zaltzman performed at theLord's Tavernerscharity Christmas lunch.[8]
Radio, podcast and TV
[edit]The Department
[edit]Zaltzman and John Oliver gained their first big break when they teamed up withChris AddisononThe Department,a short-running radio show based on the premise that Chris, Andy and John, were a three-man organisation brainstorming to solve society's problems.[9]
The Bugle
[edit]Zaltzman has co-hostedThe Bugle,a weeklysatiricalcomedypodcast,since 2007.
From October 2007 until June 2016, the podcast was hosted by Zaltzman withJohn Oliver.In June 2016, Oliver left the show because of other commitments. The show was officially relaunched on 24 October 2016. Producer Chris Skinner remained on the show along with Zaltzman and a rotating group of co-hosts. The first set of new co-hosts includedWyatt Cenac(US),Hari Kondabolu(US),Tiff Stevenson(UK),Nish Kumar(UK),Alice Fraser(Australia),Anuvab Pal(India),Tom Ballard(Australia) andHelen Zaltzman(UK).
The Buglewas hosted byThe Timesuntil December 2011[10]and the podcast has since been independent, relying upon listeners' contributions to continue.[11]
In 2016 the podcast relaunched and became a member of theRadiotopiapodcast network. In December 2018 it was announced thatThe Buglewould be leaving Radiotopia.[citation needed]
Other radio, podcast and TV
[edit]In July 2009 Zaltzman hosted a Saturday morning show onBBC Radio 5 LiveentitledYes, It's The Ashes,taking a comic look at the2009 Ashes.[12]
Zaltzman presented his own four-partBBC Radio 4programme in December 2009 entitledAndy Zaltzman's History of the Third Millennium, Series 1 of 100.Also featuring Rory Bremner andBridget Christie,the show contained stand-up and sketches focusing on the last 10 years.[13]
Zaltzman was a regular co-host, along with comediansAl MurrayandRebecca Front,of the satirical news programme7 Day Sunday(also broadcast as7 Day Saturday). The show had been running on BBC Radio 5 Live since starting in January 2010.[14]
Zaltzman is also an occasional guest on the online cricket radio commentary stationTest Match Sofaand onTalksport's cricket showHowzat.More recently he has appeared onTest Match Sofa's successorguerillacricketand was an occasional member of the team when they broadcast the programme from a central London sports bar for the 2015 Ashes.
He has appeared onThe Weekly with Charlie PickeringonABC Televisionin Australia since 2015.[15][16]
In 2016 Zaltzman became the scorer forTest Match SpecialonBBC Radio 4on the Sri Lankan tour of England.[citation needed]From 10 June 2016, he hostedZaltzman's Summer of Sportpodcast published byThe Guardian.From 17 November 2017, he co-hostedThe Urnbelievable AsheswithFelicity Ward,a podcast published by theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation.[8]
In 2017 he wrote and performed a three-part series on ancient philosophy includingStoicism,EpicureanismandCynicismforBBC Radio 4.[17]
In 2018, along with comedian and occasionalThe Bugleco-hostAnuvab Pal,he wrote and performed inEmpire-ical Evidence,a look at the rise and fall of the British Empire produced forBBC Radio 4.[18]
Having hosted one of three series ofThe News Quiz,sharing duties withAngela BarnesandNish Kumarin 2020.[19]Zaltzman has been the permanent chair since 2021,[20]with the exception of 2024 where he shared hosting duties with comics includingGeoff Norcottdue to cricket broadcasting duties.[21][22]
On 5 January 2024 Zaltzman was the winner of BBC'sCelebrity Mastermindwith a specialist subject ofAuguste Rodin.[23]
Zaltzman is a contestant in the eighteenth series ofTaskmaster,alongsideBabatunde Aléshé,Emma Sidi,Jack DeeandRosie Jones,as announced in May 2024.[24]
Writing
[edit]Zaltzman has worked withRory Bremneron a number of projects; these includeTransatlantic,a US election special forBBC Radio 4,and several series ofBremner, Bird and Fortune.[25]In June 2007,BBC2'sThe Culture Showcommissioned Zaltzman and John Oliver to write a mock farewell speech for departing Prime MinisterTony Blair.The speech was then animated by Triffic Films, with the voice of Blair played by Bremner.[26]
In November 2008 his first book, entitledDoes Anything Eat Bankers?: And 53 Other Indispensable Questions for the Credit Crunched,was published.[27]
Video games
[edit]Zaltzman played the host ofThe Bugpodcast in 2020'sWatch Dogs: Legion,alongside hisBugleco-host Alice Fraser. The show is highly satirical and takes direct inspiration fromThe Buglein its approach and delivery.[28]
Cricket
[edit]Zaltzman is a huge fan ofcricketand in November 2008 began a regular blog forCricinfo,named "The Confectionery Stall" after a famous piece of commentary byRichie Benaud,where he described a shot byIan Bothamduring his innings at the thirdAshesTest Match atHeadingley,in 1981 as having "gone straight into the Confectionery Stall and out again".[29][30]Alongside Jarrod Kimber, he hosts a podcast on cricket known asThe Cricket Sadist Hour.
Zaltzman's blog covered the2011 World Cupfor Cricinfo, supported by a number of podcasts.[31]
Zaltzman has also appeared on the internet radio siteGuerilla Cricket,and has played for theAuthors XIcricket team.[32]
Zaltzman was the statistician onTest Match Specialfor the three-matchWisden Trophyseries betweenEnglandandWest Indiesin July 2020 and between England andPakistana month later.[citation needed]Whilst travelling to cover England's tour of Pakistan for Test Match Special in October 2024 he travelled with equipment for England wicket keeperJamie Smithwhose wicket keeping pads had not arrived in time for him before travelling.[33]
Personal life
[edit]Zaltzman's wife is abarristerand they have two children, a daughter born January 2007 and a son born December 2008. Zaltzman delivered his sonat homewhen his wife went intolaboursuddenly.[34]His sisterHelen Zaltzmanis a comedian and podcaster.[35]He has played club cricket for Penshurst Park Cricket Club nearTonbridgein Kent.[33]
Works
[edit]- Does Anything Eat Bankers?: And 53 Other Indispensable Questions for the Credit Crunched.Old Street Publishing, 2008.ISBN978-1905847938[36]
References
[edit]- ^"Index entry".FreeBMD.ONS.Retrieved28 August2020.
- ^ "Andy Zaltzman – The Comedy Club".The Comedy Club Limited. Archived fromthe originalon 5 March 2009.Retrieved22 April2009.
- ^ "Russell Howard interview – 'That's me and the Fringe done'".The Scotsman.3 October 2008.Retrieved9 May2009.
- ^ "if edy – Newcomers".ifcomedy. Archived fromthe originalon 11 March 2009.Retrieved22 April2009.
- ^ "Comedy Festival Awards – Piece of Wood".Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Archived fromthe originalon 22 April 2009.Retrieved22 April2009.
- ^"Andy Zaltzman on the World Snooker Championships 2013".Archivedfrom the original on 22 December 2021 – via youtube.
- ^"Andy Zaltzman: Satirist for Hire (Review)".Chortle.co.uk.Retrieved26 June2015.
- ^ab"The Urnbelievable Ashes Podcast".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Retrieved8 December2017.
- ^"Perrier winner and nominees profiled".27 August 2005.Retrieved8 November2017.
- ^Goodman, J.David."Times of LondonCancels Comedy Podcast That Mocked Murdoch ".Media Decoder Blog – New York Times.Retrieved1 February2012.
- ^"The Bugle Podcast".thebuglepodcast.
- ^"Cricket show for comic Zaltzman".Chortle.co.uk. 7 May 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 10 May 2009.Retrieved8 May2009.
- ^"BBC – BBC Radio 4 Programmes – Andy Zaltzman's History of the Third Millennium, Series 1 of 100".BBC.Retrieved1 February2012.
- ^"BBC – BBC Radio 5 live Programmes – 7 Day Sunday – Episodes".BBC.Retrieved1 February2012.
- ^"The Weekly with Charlie Pickering (TV Series)".Radio Times.Retrieved8 June2022.
- ^"Andy Zaltzman Tour".Beyond The Joke.3 November 2021.Retrieved8 June2022.
- ^"BBC Radio 4 - My Life as a..., Series 1, Stoic".BBC.Retrieved5 January2019.
- ^"BBC Radio 4 - Empire-ical Evidence, Series 1, Episode 1".BBC.Retrieved5 January2019.
- ^"Nish Kumar, Angela Barnes and Andy Zaltzman to host The News Quiz".BBC.Retrieved19 April2020.
- ^"Andy Zaltzman announced as the new chair of Radio 4's the News Quiz".
- ^https:// bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/clyv9q977lro
- ^https:// bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0023nzm
- ^"BBC One - Celebrity Mastermind, 2023/24, Episode 7".BBC.
- ^Mensah, Katelyn (30 May 2024)."Taskmaster season 18 line-up confirmed: Rosie Jones, Jack Dee and more join cast".Radio Times.Retrieved3 October2024.
- ^ "Avalon Entertainment Limited – Andy Zaltzman Profile".Retrieved22 April2009.
- ^Culture Show - Tony Blair Farewell Speech - BBC Two.YouTube.31 May 2007.Archivedfrom the original on 22 December 2021.Retrieved2 September2015.
- ^"DOES ANYTHING EAT BANKERS? And 99 Other Questions to Cheer Up the Credit Crunched".oldstreetpublishing.co.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 20 January 2009.Retrieved28 March2009.
- ^"Watch Dogs Legion's Podcasts Are Great When They Aren't Constantly Restarting".kotaku.Kotaku. 3 November 2020.
- ^"BBC Sport - Richie Benaud - much more than a cricket commentator".BBC Sport.Retrieved2 September2015.
- ^"Cricket World Cup 2011 - Running between the Cricket - Video diary".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved2 September2015.
- ^"On the Road with Zaltzman".ESPN Cricinfo.Archived fromthe originalon 18 January 2012.Retrieved1 February2012.
- ^"The Authors XI".cricketworld.13 May 2013.Retrieved2 September2015.
- ^abShemilt, Stephen (4 October 2024)."Stats and pads - Zaltzman delivering Smith's kit".BBC Sport.Retrieved4 October2024.
- ^"The Bugle 57 – Hats off to Obama, shoes off for Bush".London: TimesOnline. 21 December 2008.Retrieved15 May2009.[dead link]
- ^Cain, Sian (2 September 2014)."All in the family: the Zaltzman comedy siblings"– via theguardian.
- ^Does Anything Eat Bankers?: And 53 Other Indispensable Questions for the Credit Crunched.ASIN1905847939.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- 1974 births
- Living people
- Alumni of University College, Oxford
- British stand-up comedians
- Comedians from Kent
- Comedians from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
- Cricket statisticians
- English male comedians
- English people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent
- English people of South African-Jewish descent
- English podcasters
- Jewish English comedians
- People educated at Holmewood House School
- People educated at Tonbridge School
- People from Hammersmith
- People from Royal Tunbridge Wells
- 21st-century British comedians