Andy Zaltzman

Andrew "Andy" Zaltzman (born 6 October 1974) is a British comedian and author who largely deals in political and sport related material. He has worked extensively with John Oliver; their work together includes Political Animal, The Department, and The Bugle. His performance style is centered on verbal dexterity, and on his love (and extensive use) of puns, especially in extended "pun runs" (for example, within The Bugle podcast^[1]).

Early life

Zaltzman is of Lithuanian Jewish ancestry. He is the son of South African sculptor Zack Zaltzman and the older brother of Helen Zaltzman, of The Allusionist and Answer Me This! podcasts. From his prep school, Holmewood House School in Langton Green, Kent, he then attended the private Tonbridge School. He has a degree in Classics from University College, Oxford. While at university, Zaltzman was sports editor for The Oxford Student.^[2]

Career

Stand-up

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Zaltzman has been performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe since 1999, when he was a finalist in the prestigious So You Think You're Funny? new act competition along with Josie Long, Russell Howard, and David O'Doherty.^[3]

His debut full length Edinburgh Fringe show Andy Zaltzman versus the Dog of Doom received a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Perrier Comedy Awards in 2001.^[4]

In 2004, Zaltzman began – initially with John Oliver – hosting Political Animal, a stand-up show where different acts perform political themed material; Zaltzman has hosted solo since 2006. Political Animal later transferred to BBC Radio 4.

Zaltzman also appeared in a late night show with fellow stand-ups Daniel Kitson, David O'Doherty, and Alun Cochrane entitled The Honourable Men of Art, at The Stand in 2006 and 2008.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Zaltzman performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the first time in April 2007, winning the coveted Piece of Wood Award, given to the best show as voted for by other comedians.^[5]

Other

In 2011, Zaltzman appeared as a guest stand-up comic on Russell Howard's Good News Extra. In 2013 he also contributed a review of that year's World Snooker Championship to BBC Television's regular coverage of the event.^[6]

Since mid-2014, Zaltzman has toured Satirist 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]

From June 10, 2016 Andy is hosting Zaltzman's Sumer of Sport podcast published by The Guardian.

The Bugle

Since October 2007 Zaltzman and John Oliver have co-hosted The Bugle, a weekly satirical comedy podcast. The Bugle was initially hosted by The Times; however, in December 2011 it was announced that the newspaper's sponsorship would cease^[8] and the podcast has since been independent, relying upon listeners' contributions to continue.^[9]

The Bugle continues to be successful as an independent entity, appearing regularly in iTunes' Comedy podcast top 10 list.

Writing

Zaltzman has worked with Rory Bremner on a number of projects, these include Transatlantic, a US election special for BBC Radio 4 and several series of Bremner, Bird and Fortune.^[10] In June 2007, BBC2's The Culture Show commissioned Zaltzman and John Oliver to write a mock farewell speech for departing Prime Minister Tony Blair. The speech was then animated by Triffic Films, with the voice of Blair played by Bremner.^[11]

In November 2008, his first book, entitled Does Anything Eat Bankers?: And 53 Other Indispensable Questions for the Credit Crunched, was published.^[12]

Radio

In July 2009, Zaltzman hosted a Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 5 Live entitled Yes, It's The Ashes, taking a comic look at the 2009 Ashes.^[13]

Zaltzman presented his own four part BBC Radio 4 programme in December 2009 entitled Andy Zaltzman's History of the Third Millennium, Series 1 of 100. Also featuring Rory Bremner and Bridget Christie, the show contained stand up and sketches focusing on the last 10 years.^[14]

Zaltzman is a regular co-host, along with comedians Al Murray and Rebecca Front of the satirical news programme 7 Day Sunday (also broadcast as 7 Day Saturday). The show has been running on BBC Radio 5 Live since starting in January 2010.^[15]

Zaltzman is also an occasional guest on the on-line cricket radio commentary station Test match Sofa and on TalkSPORT's cricket show Howzat. More recently he has appeared on Test Match Sofa's successor www.guerillacricket.com and was an occasional member of the team when they broadcast the programme from a central London sports bar for the 2015 Ashes.

In 2016 Zaltzman became the scorer for Test Match Special on BBC Radio 4 on the Sri Lankan tour of England.

Cricinfo

Zaltzman is a huge fan of cricket and in November 2008 began a regular blog for Cricinfo, named "The Confectionery Stall" after a famous piece of commentary by Richie Benaud, where he described a shot by Ian Botham during his innings at the third Ashes Test Match at Headingley, in 1981 as having "gone straight into the Confectionery Stall and out again".^[16][17]

Zaltzman's blog covered the 2011 World Cup for Cricinfo, supported by a number of podcasts.^[18] Zaltzman has also appeared on Guerilla Cricket and played for the Authors XI cricket team.^[19]

Personal life

Zaltzman's wife is a barrister and they have two children, a daughter born January 2007 and a son born December 2008. Zaltzman delivered his son at home due to his wife entering labour suddenly.^[20] He is also the older brother of Helen Zaltzman.

Works

• Does Anything Eat Bankers?: And 53 Other Indispensable Questions for the Credit Crunched. Old Street Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-1905847938^[21]

References

External links

• John Oliver's favorite Zaltzman puns
• Official site
• The Bugle
• The Confectionery Stall
• Andy Zaltzman on Chortle
• Andy Zaltzman on Twitter