Laughlines: Simon says

Thirty-two-year-old Amstell first got in on the comedy circuit during his teens, becoming the youngest finalist of the BBC New Comedy Awards.

Having garnered a cult following while presenting Channel 4’s Popworld from 2000 to 2006 (he reduced an emotionally-fragile Britney Spears to tears by asking if she thought she’d “gone a bit nuts”), Amstell was brought on board as fill-in host of iconic quiz series Never Mind The Buzzcocks during Mark Lamarr’s absence. He went on to be the show’s permanent host from 2006 to 2009, winning a shedload of awards in the process, such as ‘Best Entertainment Performance’ (Royal Television Society) and ‘Best Comedy Entertainment Personality’ (British Comedy Awards). Currently focusing on the heady world of stand-up, Amstell visits these shores this fortnight for two performances – in Dublin’s Vicar St. on May 5, and Belfast’s Ulster Hall (6).
Also making his way around the country is US ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham. The Texas-born performer is a regular on Comedy Central, and is probably best-known for his (funny-but-quite-creepy) character Achmed the Dead Terrorist. Catch Dunham when he stops off at Belfast’s Odyssey on May 4 and Dublin’s O2 (5).
Another visitor from across the pond this fortnight is legendary US comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The king of stand-up takes to the O2’s stage May 13.
Limerick man Pat Shortt meanwhile embarks on a nationwide tour, taking in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre (May 5), Roscommon Arts Centre (11) and Clifden Station House, Galway (12). PJ Gallagher heads is at Vicar St. (4), the Cork Opera House (5) and the INEC, Killarney (11), while The Nualas plays in the Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork (12). Magician Paul Daniels brings Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow (amazing) to the Waterfront, Belfast (4) and Cork Opera House (7), while Gift Grub runs in the TLT, Drogheda (4, 5) and The Hub, Cillin Hall, Kilkenny (11).