As Jimmy Carr says in his book The Naked Jape, explaining a joke is like dissecting a frog
This week the Standard gave remarkable Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy star John Hurt the Alexander Walker Special Award for his contribution to film. The best is yet to come, he tells Nick Curtis
Fresh from winning Best Actress for her gritty performance in Tyrannosaur, Olivia Colman talks to Nick Curtis about her career gear change and making the move from comedy to tragedy
With Hollywood's movie business in crisis, film producers are transforming their greatest hits into musicals in the hope of making it big in the West End
Sienna Miller is expecting a baby with boyfriend Tom Sturridge, her stepmother Kelly Hoppen said today.
In a first for London's leading theatres two women, artistic director Josie Rourke and producer Kate Pakenham have taken charge of the Donmar. Change is coming, they tell Nick Curtis
It was the headline on a tabloid magazine that threw me. "DOI star Heidi Range Hits Back," it squawked. What on earth did DOI stand for? Was it a variant on the American acronym DUI, for driving under the influence? Or was it something else? Dirty Old Ingrate? Decidedly Odd Irishwoman? It took me a while to work out that Range, a sometime Sugababe, was appearing in ITV's Dancing on Ice.
Like many before him, actor David Harewood had to go to America for his career breakthrough. He has found it in an Obama-endorsed, Golden Globe-winning TV series about the terrorist threat called Homeland. This one, he tells Nick Curtis, is opening doors
Having trouble sticking to that New Year diet? Exercise regime failing to kick in again, is it?
Actor Sir Ian McKellen has bought the historic pub next to his east London home. He explains why to Nick Curtis
The Time Lord has been eclipsed by a very modern Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Nick Curtis explains why we're now watching the detective
The tastes of Peru and Brazil promise to be this year's treats for London foodies, says Nick Curtis
As well as the Olympics, Paralympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, 2012 will see London swamped with cultural events that will make it the hottest city on earth this year, says Nick Curtis
It began last summer when I was cycling, slowly and with exaggerated courtesy, on one of those paths in Hyde Park which are not cycle paths but which get me to my destination slightly faster.
An elderly, well-dressed gentleman wagged an angry finger at me, even as I took to the grass to give a wide berth to both him and to his large dog, which was squatting in the middle of the thoroughfare. Stopping to look back once I'd passed him, I saw him harrumphing off with his dog in tow but a large turd left defiantly behind. A great steaming coil gifted to every park user. That'll teach me for flouting the No Cycling signs, eh?
It was the year of riots, financial crises, Slut Walks and a royal wedding, but how well do you remember it all? Nick Curtis tests your news knowledge
Still believe we live in a classless society? Take a glance at the 9pm primetime slot on Christmas Day for the two main terrestrial channels and you'll be promptly disabused
As the BBC launches a season of programmes to mark the 200th anniversary of the great novelist's birth, Nick Curtis invites you to test your knowledge of the perennially popular London author
Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon is the latest singer-songwriter to apply his pop talent to a new musical - Swallows and Amazons is so much more than a jolly adventure, he tells Nick Curtis
Before me as I write this are some humans in the most pitiful state imaginable. It was the Standard's Austerity Christmas party last night

We sent one lucky family off to experience inspirational Iceland. Read the full story here.
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