British comedy shop
News
Charlie Higson to publish monarchy book with Jim Moir illustrations
The Fast Show starCharlie Higson has writtenWillie, Willie, Harry, Stee, a book dubbed "an epically short history of our kings and queens".Jim Moir - better known asVic Reeves - has provided the illustrations.
Ben Elton pens his autobiography, 'What Have I Done?'
Ben Elton has written his autobiography, withWhat Have I Done? pledging to reveal the true stories behind his iconic sitcoms such asBlackadder,The Young Ones andUpstart Crow, while taking a "deep dive" into his private and public life.
Seriously Silly: The Life Of Terry Jones to be published this winter
Terry Jones is to be the subject of a new authorised biography, withSeriously Silly: The Life Of Terry Jones, including a foreword byMichael Palin.
Rhys James is to publish his first book
Rhys James has written his first book.You'll Like It When You Get There: A Life Lived Reluctantly, due to be published in August, is described as "a refreshingly honest look at modern life, and how to get out of living it".
New book imagines Kenneth Williams's 90s life
A new book pays tribute to the celebrated comic talentKenneth Williams, imagining his infamous diaries and a continued career five years beyond his1988 death.
FYI
Features
Soupy Twists Again!
AuthorJem Roberts outlines the return of his officially authorisedFry & Laurie celebration - plus, an Audible giveaway!
Gavin & Stacey: The quiz
To whet your appetite ahead of the newGavin & Stacey special, we've pick ten brain-teasers from abrand new quiz book about the show to test your knowledge.
The Taskmaster Day
An extract fromAn Absolute Casserole: The Taskmaster Compendium, which explains what a filming day at theTaskmaster house is like.
Rhys James talks about his Spilt Milk special
Rhys James has a new stand-up special out to stream (and a single copy on DVD). We talk to him about getting into comedy, evolving a show and his New Year's resolutions.
Rogue Pun: Ultimate Lister - Tom Salinsky takes a deep-dive into Red Dwarf
He's watched every episode ofRed Dwarf for a new book, often multiple times - so what doesTom Salinsky reckon is the classic series' clunkiest special effect, ever?
Product news and reviews from elsewhere
Review: My Previous Life In Comedy by Johnny Ball
Naturally shy, Ball was initially so nervous he had to incorporate a paper bag he breathed into to calm himself into his opening line. But he soon learned to work a room, and established himself on an exciting club circuit of the Swinging Sixties.
Chortle, 2nd April 2025The Iceman: The Final Block review
The Iceman is surely the act most widely cited to illustrated the weird and wonderful state of the fertile post-punk alternative cabaret circuit which birthed the modern stand-up scene.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 28th March 2025Johnny Ball on his days as a 'bag of nerves' comic
An extract fromJohnny Ball - My Previous Life In Comedy.
Johnny Ball, The Guardian, 26th March 2025Penguin to publish 'definitive annotated edition' of Terry Pratchett's Night Watch
Penguin Modern Classics is to publish a "definitive annotated edition" ofTerry Pratchett'sNight Watch, one of his Discworld novels.
Lauren Brown, The Bookseller, 11th March 2025Mark Steel: The Leopard In My House review
From readingThe Leopard In My House,Mark Steel's uncompromising account of his punishing encounter with throat cancer, you might expect him to be a diminished force on stage. The book describes in vivid detail how the treatment savaged his epiglottis, leaving him unable to speak, eat or drink while sapping him of every last scrap of energy. Yet 18 months after his diagnosis, his voice and his passion are undimmed.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 9th March 2025