Reviews of books about comedy, including biographies of comedians old and new, and (occasionally) books by comedians. To have a book considered for review, send a copy to Chortle, 112 Norman Road, London, E11 4RL.
© Mirrorpix/Alamy 23/01/2026 … Probably the most illustrious and best known nursery for comedy in the UK, the Cambridge Footlights has a cultural legacy that’s unrivalled.
24/11/2025 … The Cambridge Companion To Stand-Up Comedy is a collection of essays on the history and state of the art from lecturers and professors around the world.
03/09/2025 … There’s no point putting any jokes in this review.
Review of a compelling portrait of a trainwreck of a stand-up
12/06/2025 … A macho mythology surrounds the hard-bitten, hard-living road comic, especially in the US, drawing on the romanticised nobility of the travelling troubadour/sage…
First volume of the TV icon's memoirs covers his time as a club comic
02/04/2025 … Here’s a peculiar bit of showbusiness trivia for you: Who compered the Rolling Stones’ first nationwide UK tour? The answer – as you’ll have…
Jay Richardson reviews the new novel about predators on the comedy circuit
13/02/2025 … Not a week goes by without revelations of showbusiness toxic male behaviour.
© Takahiro Kyono via Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Jay Richardson reviews Yvonne Innes's official biography of her husband
25/10/2024 … He is forever associated with The Beatles and often referred to as 'the seventh Python’.
16/10/2024 … Miranda Hart garnered plenty of headlines last week for her revelatory new memoir, disclosing her chronic illness and the news that she’s finally found love…
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