The Local Sweden

'Why is it funny to point out something that everyone already knows about Swedish culture?'

Fri, 14 May 2021 11:57:52 +0200

What's the worst social offence you could commit in Sweden? How do Swedish people react when they run into each other on the street? These are some of the cultural quirks TikTok marketer Liam Kalevi delves into in a series of viral videos.

Russell Howard: 'Brexit gave legitimacy to rabid nationalism'

Fri, 05 May 2017 08:59:00 +0200

Ahead of a run of Scandinavian tour dates in June, British comedian Russell Howard speaks to The Local contributor Veronika Chlumska about his thoughts on the world, the Nordics, Brexit and getting angrier.

'It's a dream to know Swedes will watch me in their pants'

Wed, 06 Apr 2016 12:41:57 +0200

You know those habits that Swedes think are totally normal but foreigners just don't get? One New Zealand stand-up comic has made a living out of them. And Swedes love Al Pitcher's style so much he's about to get his own TV show.

'We bring comedy to the tough things expats deal with'

Fri, 19 Feb 2016 07:36:28 +0100

Josh Lenn, originally from San Francisco, has been working in improvised comedy in Sweden for over seven years. He tells The Local how expat life is just like improvisation.

Five fun events to make you laugh in Sweden

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 09:00:00 +0200

Swedes are a surprisingly fun, as well as funny, bunch. Here are five events we hope will put a smile on your face this week as well as our regular interactive calendar of all the top events around Sweden.

What’s on in Sweden: May 21th – May 28th

Thu, 21 May 2015 09:00:00 +0200

US talkshow host Bill Maher is heading to Sweden for his first Europe tour, a star photographer will chat to visitors at one of Stockholm's trendiest museums and there's a half-marathon kicking off in Gothenburg - as usual, Sweden has something to offer everyone.

'Do the Swedes know what Cheetos are?'

Mon, 18 May 2015 18:41:42 +0200

Funny, intelligent and highly controversial, US comedian and talkshow host Bill Maher has won himself fans and enemies alike on both sides of the pond. Here, he tells The Local's Emma Löfgren how he thinks his particular brand of telling-it-like-he-sees-it comedy will fly when he hits the Swedish stand-up stage next week.

What's on in Sweden: March 26th - April 2nd

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:51:07 +0100

Alternative duo Say Lou Lou present their new album in Stockholm, and a musical tour of all the great American hits translated into Swedish hits the road. Here are some tips for fun activities over the next seven days.

'I see bike lanes and I just think 'Stoner''

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 10:59:00 +0100

US comedian Margaret Cho is touching down in Stockholm as part of her latest European ‘Mother’ tour. She tells The Local about beautiful Swedes, her love of dill and what the audience can expect from her latest show.

Swedes love it when you hold up the mirror

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:09:00 +0200

As he gets set to head out on another tour, stand-up comic Al Pitcher, a UK-born Kiwi who was voted Sweden's funniest man in 2011, explains why he turned to stand-up comedy in Sweden and what it's like to perform for Swedes.

US comedy star to make Swedish TV series

Fri, 10 May 2013 19:21:00 +0200

US comedienne and star of Parks and Recreations Amy Poehler will be involved in a new TV series that will be filmed and aired in Sweden, an English language comedy starring Poehler's own brother.

UK comic uses English to get laughs in Gothenburg

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:03:00 +0100

The Local chats with British comedian Paul B. Edwards about Swedish humour, the problems with anti-comedy, and the launch of his new English-language comedy show in Gothenburg.

God and Vikings: Ricky Gervais hits Stockholm

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:49:00 +0100

After British comedian Ricky Gervais performed in Stockholm on Sunday night, The Local’s Oliver Gee reflects on why a liberal Swedish crowd took such delight in the mostly dark humour.

Comedian Soran Ismail: 'Someone's gotta laugh'

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 16:19:00 +0100

In the first of a new series profiling Swedish newsmakers, The Local gets the lowdown on Kurdish-Swedish comedian Soran Ismail, who has been in the news recently for his starring role in the Sweden Democrat racist video scandal.

'We want Swedes and foreigners to laugh at their differences'

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:39:00 +0200

A new improv comedy show in Stockholm pokes fun at the cultural differences foreigners often encounter while living in Sweden. The Local catches up with American actor Josh Lenn, one of the show's creators, to find out more.

Comedian Al Pitcher in the Local Lockdown

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:22:00 +0200

With Sweden’s comedian of the year Al Pitcher releasing his first book this week, The Local catches up with him to find out more, and we preview our first ever “Local Lockdown” video segment.

Swedish comics set to storm Edinburgh Festival

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:06:00 +0100

Comedians from Sweden will be performing their trade at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and will be practicing their routines in English first in Stockholm.

Q&A with Swenglish comedy star Ben Kersley

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:36:00 +0100

Sweden’s only 'Swenglish' comedian, Ben Kersley, talks to The Local about his latest comedic venture, The Tuesday Chinwag, starring ‘three bespectacled English guys’ and music by Swedish Idol’s Nicholas Perry.

Al Pitcher: using English to make Swedes laugh

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:13:00 +0100

Sweden’s best male stand-up comedian is a Kiwi from London, and the last two and a half years of Al Pitcher's exile in Sweden have been the best in his career, contributor Jacob Sundberg discovers.

Britain's 'rudest' comic confronts PC Sweden

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:40:00 +0100

Roy 'Chubby' Brown, is coming to Sweden, leaving many - including Brown - wondering how somewhat more politically correct Swedes will react to his off-colour brand of humour, The Local's Geoff Mortimore discovers.