The Rough Guide to British Cult Comedy

Book excerpt: The Rough Guide to British Cult Comedy is the ultimate guide to live and television comedy in Britain from the 1980s to the present day. From Ben Elton to Alan Carr, this book profiles fifty of the most influential cult comedy icons and discovers how they became household names. Throughout the book, there are tips from comedians and industry insiders, with a mix of amusing anecdotes and practical suggestions for writing and performing your own live show and sitcom. The guide reviews the top cult comedy on TV and in the movies, with a detailed focus on what inspired them and what they in turn inspired. "Comedy Stories" looks at the highs and lows of performing live comedy with tales of the rowdiest hecklers and strangest audiences. The book comes complete with a round up of the best dvds, books and comic websites available.