Archived press release

Top funnymen launch made-up jokes competition - win VIP tickets to LIVEstock 2009

14 October 2009

- Dan Antopolski, who is launching the competition as part of Friends of the Earth's campaign for planet-friendly farming and performing at the comedy gig, is available for interview along with other performers - contact the Friends of the Earth press office

- YouTube footage of Dan talking about the event is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMPL5ACJDeI&feature=channel_page

Edinburgh award-winning funnyman Dan Antopolski, 'In the Loop' star Chris Addison and Friends of the Earth have thrown down the gauntlet to aspiring comedians with the launch of a new competition for the funniest made up animal joke - and the winners will bag tickets to see Stephen Merchant, Russell Howard, Richard Herring and more perform at LIVEstock 2009 at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo.

The creators of the five funniest animal jokes - as judged by Antopolski and Addison - to reach Friends of the Earth by Monday 2 November will win VIP tickets to Friends of the Earth's LIVEstock event where they will see their jokes read out on stage by the comics. The overall winner will also receive a pair of Eurostar tickets.

Dan Antopolski and Chris Addison are performing alongside Marcus Brigstocke, Russell Howard, Richard Herring, Francesca Martinez, Stephen Merchant, Lucy Porter, Mark Watson and Razorlightat LIVEstock - a one-off evening of comedy and music in support of Friends of the Earth's Food Chain Campaign. The environmental charity is raising awareness of the link between factory-farmed meat and dairy and deforestation and calling on the Government to support planet-friendly farming.

One of Dan Antopolski's animal jokes was voted funniest joke at this year's Edinburgh Fringe festival: "Hedgehogs. Why can't they just share the hedge?"

Dan Antopolski said:

"From rainforests to honey bees, industrial and factory farming is trashing the planet, but action by the Government could set us on the path towards planet-friendly food and farming.

"LIVEstock will see a host of the UK's best comedians calling on the Government to fix the food chain - you could win VIP tickets and be part of the show by entering Friends of the Earth's animal jokes competition."

Chris Addison said:

"If you think you're funnier than factory farming, have a crack at making up a joke about animals for Friends of the Earth's competition - you could win VIP tickets to LIVEstock where you'll see Dan Antopolski and I telling your joke on stage."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Tickets for LIVEstock are available for between £25 and £45 at www.foe.co.uk/livestock

2. Meat and dairy farming causes 18 per cent of global climate-changing emissions - more than all the world's transport. Animals in factory farms are fed on soy, which is driving deforestation in South America as forests are cleared for soy plantations.

3. Friends of the Earth's Food Chain Campaign is calling on MPs to reduce the environmental and social damage caused by the meat and dairy industry. For more information on the campaign see http://www.fixthefoodchain.com/

4. Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. For further information visithttp://www.foe.co.uk/.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust