Ben elton played the lead role, with colin friels as sly and jacqueline mckenzie as rachel. By using the web site, you confirm that you have read. Ben elton laughing at the 80s rik interview 1 youtube. Best ben elton book author ben elton has written several books but which one is the best. Ben elton, the first casualty is worth the read more of a before going to bed book. Ben elton bio, married, wife, net worth, ethnicity. A well researched novel based on the horrors of world war 1. As such my expectation was high for this book, a time travel story with the infamous wit of ben elton. In addition to his hugely influential work as a standup comic, he was cowriter of tv hits the young ones and blackadder and sole creator of the thin blue line and upstart crow. Maybe the x factor could be the next target for his savage political wit. It was a truly wonderful book particularly focusing on both sides of the infertility issue.
The book is funny but not funny enough and you have to read through a lot of boring pages to get to funny bits. Ben eltons main characters in this book are not original either, they are just caricatures of actual judges on the x factor or similar shows. Apr 30, 20 ben elton laughing at the 80s rik interview 1 duration. Ben elton made his debut as a published author in 1984 with the nonfiction book bachelor boys. Now, after a 15 year absence, the godfather of modern standup returns to the medium he did so much to define.
The plot is essentially this the world of x factor. Ben elton s time and time again is a decent read that explores the consequences of a time loop allowing a time traveller to change events in the past. Clingers, blingers and mingers ben elton book bananas in. This book really opene3d up my eyes to what actually goes on in programmes like the x factor. Always topical, ben elton centres his new book around the credit crunch. Im sure this has been mentioned before but i have just finished reading chart throb by ben elton. Ben eltons new novel is as topical as it is possible to be. A badboy hollywood director is terrorized by a pair of mass murderers inspired by his violent films, in this tepid satire from british playwright and first novelist elton. Ben elton live 2019 more than 30 years ago, ben elton exploded into the national consciousness hosting channel 4s ground breaking saturday live. Chart throb by ben elton meet your next favorite book.
Elton lives in fremantle, australia near perth with his sophie and three children. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. Eltons latest novel suggests that his journey to fullblown curmudgeon is. His style in the 1980s was leftwing political satire. See all books authored by ben elton, including two brothers, and time and time again, and more on. The central target is the sort of tv talent show represented by the x factor or, to be more. Although ben elton has made the female judge on the chart throb panel a transsexual exrock star if you really believe that the x factor is a talent contest which the best singer will win, you may like to skip this book, especially if you see sharon osbourne as a lovely motherly person who hates to send any of the contestants home. Ben elton bio, married, wife, net worth, ethnicity married biography who is ben elton.
It was released in hardback on 6 november 2006 in the uk, and 9 january 2007 in the us. Below is a list of ben elton s books in order of when they were originally released. Featured on the book show on sky arts on 19 november 2009. Famous satirising big brother and chart throb riffing on xfactor.
Ben elton laughing at the 80s rik interview 1 duration. As well as dead famous, it will really make you cynical of the whole selection process for big brother and the pop shows such as x factor. Below is a list of ben eltons books in order of when they were originally released. We will rock you oct 08, 20 aug 24, 2014 directed by ben elton story and script by ben elton musicaloriginal. Ben elton became a standup comedian primarily to showcase his own writing, but became one of britains biggest live acts. It was a good story as i thought it would be being written by ben elton. He has also since published thirteen novels and written the longest running musical. Its oscar night, and bruce delamitri has just garnered best director accolades for his ironic masterpiece ordinary americans body count. If you like ben elton you might like similar authors sue townsend, paul torday, mark watson, christopher brookmyre, tony parsons. He has published 15 novels and written the musicals we will rock you, love.
Benjamin charles elton is an english comedian, author, playwright, actor and director. Ben elton has 51 books on goodreads with 141828 ratings. Upon reconstructing the story at all bases, it is obviously well researched it gives you a look into the true psychological effects an physical effects during world war 1. The plot is essentially this the world of x factor and by proxy the osbournes is parodied to the extreme, outlining the. Elton has an annoying habit of repeating messages in the draft which adds little. Clingers, blingers and mingers ben elton book bananas. Ben eltons chart throb is the successor to x factor and the novel follows the lives of the judges and contestants in what can be generally described as a satire. Fasttalking, witty comedy show starring the comedian ben elton with a weekly guest appearance from ronnie corbett who delivers his comic monologues from his famous rocking chair. It is a satire of the x factorpop idolstyle reality tv programmes.
Ben elton is a british author, comedian, director and playwright. Ben elton is no longer wearing a shiny suit, at least not today hes in a pair of black slacks and a leather jacket which is on the long side of dodgy and while hes happy to sprinkle. Sep 14, 2019 ben elton live 2019 more than 30 years ago, ben elton exploded into the national consciousness hosting channel 4s ground breaking saturday live. Following his characters from their days at university, through the highs of their careers and domestic lives and up to the point where financial crisis hits and turns their pampered, blissful lives around. He was a part of londons alternative comedy movement of the 1980s and became a writer on series such as the young ones and blackadder, as well as continuing as a standup comedian on stage and television. This is the first book ive read by ben elton, and i dont think it will be the last. Ben elton was born on may 3, 1959 in london, england as benjamin charles elton.
The story revolves around the occurrences during the latest series of the hit reality star search programme, chart throb. I found it to be a very accurate portrayal, and it touched a nerve, as i am currently trying to start my own family. Ben eltons multiaward winning career as both performer and writer encompasses some of the most memorable and incisive comedy of the past thirtyfive years. Interview with rik taken from the channel 4 documentary laughing at the 80s where he and ben elton talk about the instigation of the young ones. I enjoyed this book but found some of the writing a bit lazy. This is ben eltons 11th novel and, this time, he has picked on marathon tv talent shows, specifically the x factor, which his chart throb has apparently usurped. Shop for vinyl, cds and more from ben elton at the discogs marketplace. He could make his central characters a control freak, a middleaged. It is a satire of the x factor pop idolstyle reality tv programmes plot summary.
The characters are wholly believable with the snobbery and self righteousness of the upper classes, the excellent kingsley with his unwavering beliefs, to the squaddies that were used as cannon fodder shining through. Dec 04, 2010 ben elton rips the reality world apart in order to expose the underlying rot that is the foundation for a large proportion of the celebrity culture and it was a riveting read. He is a writer and actor, known for the young ones 1982, much ado about nothing 1993 and maybe baby 2000. Ben elton was a central figure in the choice dramatization scene in britain in the 1980s, and his thriving has continued as he spread out onto the stage, the novel composed work, and musicals.
Ben eltons multiaward winning career as both performer and writer. I probably already knew some of it but this book confirmed this and more. He led the british alternative comedy movement in the 1980s, as well as writing such infamous series as blackadder and the young ones. Ben elton is a champion amongst the best and whole deal comedic creators and performers on the planet. This is ben eltons 11th novel and, this time, he has picked on marathon tv talent shows, specifically the x factor, which his chart throb has. My first ben elton read, and it was surprisingly good. He was the writer of the series such as the young ones, blackadder and was a part of londons alternative comedy movement of the 1980s. Nov 11, 2007 ben elton is no longer wearing a shiny suit, at least not today hes in a pair of black slacks and a leather jacket which is on the long side of dodgy and while hes happy to sprinkle.
Discover fantastic savings on high quality ben elton books and buy online today. Ben elton is a popular english comedian, actor, author, playwright, and director. His recent contemporary novels, such as dead famous satirising big brother and chart throb riffing on x factor. Apr 28, 2008 ben eltons main characters in this book are not original either, they are just caricatures of actual judges on the x factor or similar shows. Popcorn by ben elton and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Ben eltons career as both performer and writer encompasses some of the most memorable and incisive comedy of the past twenty years. It is a satire of the x factor pop idolstyle reality tv programmes.
Oct 06, 2012 interview with rik taken from the channel 4 documentary laughing at the 80s where he and ben elton talk about the instigation of the young ones. Ben elton, author of popcorn and dead famous returns to blistering comic. The plot is essentially this the world of x factor and by proxy the osbournes is parodied to the extreme, outlining the corruption that we could see but choose to. See more ideas about ben elton, stand up comedians and stand up show. Ben elton s main characters in this book are not original either, they are just caricatures of actual judges on the x factor or similar shows. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. Ben elton was born in fitzrovia, london, england in may 1959. British comedian, author, playwright, actor and director. I was hoping that time and time again would perhaps be a satirical romp through time or at least with a thick vein of the authors humour running through it. Benjamin charles elton born 3 may 1959 is a british comedian, author, playwright, musical librettist, actor and director. It was a joint production by the bbc and the abc the british and australian national broadcasters. Stewart lee 12 give it to me straight, like pear cider thats made from 100%.