Critical condition: how comedy coverage at Edinburgh fringe

My colleague Lyn Gardner wrote last week about "a critical exodus from the fringe by the mainstream press", and I share her concerns. The issue is discussed in comedy circles too: I've spoken to several PRs who say they haven't had much to do at this year's fringe, because coverage in the mainstream press is so diminished. Of course, the flourishing of alternative critical voices online is an exciting development, but perhaps not yet an adequate replacement – as one confrontation last week made clear.

Emmys 2014: What Is Your Pick for Top Comedy?

In advance of the Emmy Awards on Aug. 25, we’re asking you to tell us who deserved their nominations and who else should have been nominated. Next up is best comedy series. Take a look at this alternate list — it’s made up of the actual nominees; popular and critical favorites that weren’t nominated; and my own choices. Cast your votes in the comments, and let us know who’s still been left out.

Sketchy situations: when comedy troupes split up

Breaking up is hard to do if you're part of a comedy group where the numbers no longer add up. Pappy's and the Birthday Girls relive the horrors of rejigging their lineups

Sketch troupes have limited life spans. They split up and reform. They lose and gain members. They change shape and rebrand. Cardinal Burns started out as a three-piece called Fat Tongue. Pappy's began with four. Before Cowards settled, there were seven of them – the other three being Alex Horne, Mark Watson and T4's Rick Edwards.

Ten free comedy shows at the Edinburgh festival 2014

From Luisa Omielan’s feelgood hour to Liam Williams’s pensive set, here are 10 fringe shows where you pay on the way out

Just as there is some dross on the paid fringe, there is gold in the free bit. As ever, the Free Fringe is the landing strip for comedy’s outsiders and experimenters. Over the past few years more and more professional acts have moved over from paid to free, liberating themselves from large upfront costs and obsessively checking ticket sales. Here are 10 super shows where you pay nothing to get in (but you do pay to get out).

Nelly Leads “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” Mike Brown Protest

(AllHipHop News) St. Louis rapper Nelly’s home state has been embroiled in protests for over a week. The town of Ferguson has been the site of ongoing demonstrations stemming from the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown at the hands of a local police officer. The Country Grammar creator recently showed support for the slain teenager at a charity event in Los Angeles.

[ALSO READ: Politicians & Palestinians Address Police Use Of Tear Gas Against Ferguson Protesters]