Brung Up Proper by Jason Manford
04/10/2011 … Jason Manford’s autobiography is so full of authentic Northern ‘we we poor but we were happy’ charm that you can almost hear the Coronation Street theme play…
Latest Books
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.
Tue 04 October 2011
Tue 27 September 2011
The Book That’s More Than Just A Book Book by Peter Kay
27/09/2011 … There are absolutely no surprises in Peter Kay’s Christmas tour tie-in, which itself is no surprise.
Wed 21 September 2011
Comedy Techniques, by Brian McKim and Traci Skene
21/09/2011 … Comedy Techniques make the bold promise: ‘From improv to stand-up, and from satire to slapstick, here’s an essential guide to get yourself a cult following…
Tue 13 September 2011
Comedy Rules, by Jonathan Lynn
13/09/2011 … For a man who was half-responsible for Sir Humphrey Appleby’s elaborately long-winded obfuscations in Yes Minister, Jonathan Lynn’s combination of memoir and…
Wed 31 August 2011
How Not To Write A Sitcom, by Marc Blake
31/08/2011 … The first thing to check with any ‘how to…’ guide is the credentials of its author.
Fri 29 July 2011
Armed And Dangerous by James Brandon
29/07/2011 … This ‘performer’s guide to dealing with hecklers and interruptions’ is hilarious – but for all the wrong reasons.
Tue 26 July 2011
Comedy And Error, by Simon Day
26/07/2011 … Let’s start with my prejudices: I’ve never been a massive fan of Simon Day’s work.
Sat 25 June 2011
Funny People by Roy Smiles
25/06/2011 … In the Happy Families of life, what else could Mr Smiles be, other than a comedy writer? Briefly in a double-act called Smiles and Kemp, Roy has forged a much more…