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Tough Crowd

How I Made and Lost a Career in Comedy

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Tough Crowd

By: Graham Linehan
Narrated by: Graham Linehan
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About this listen

Having cut his teeth in music journalism, Graham Linehan became the finest sitcom writer of his generation. He captured the comedy zeitgeist not just as the co-creator of Father Ted but also with The IT Crowd and Black Books, winning five BAFTAs and a lifetime achievement award.

Then his life took an unexpected turn. When he championed an unfashionable cause, TV commissioners no longer returned his emails, showbiz pals lost his number, and his marriage collapsed.

In an emotionally charged memoir that is by turns hilarious and harrowing, he lets us into the secrets of the writing room and colorfully describes the high-octane atmosphere of a sitcom set. But he also berates an industry where there was no one to stand by his side when he needed help.

Bruised but not beaten, he explains why he chose the hill of women and girls' rights to die on—and why, despite the hardship of cancellation, he's not coming down from it any time soon.

©2023 Graham Linehan (P)2023 Graham Linehan Activists Politics & Activism Comedy Funny Witty Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

"A must-read. Funny and utterly compelling." (Jonathan Ross)
All stars
Most relevant  
Amazing. Great story and well told. And important collection of stories at this time. Highly recommended

Fantastic

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I have loved all of Graham’s shows over the years and was appalled at the cowards who discarded this genius for not accepting the new extremist religious ideology referred to commonly as gender ideology.

That appalling chapter of his life aside, if you’ve ever loved his shows this book is for you.

Thank you, Graham

Fantastic, thank you Graham

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Graham Linehan is a funny funny man. You can't deny. Father Ted and IT Crowd. But the harrassment and bullying he and so many other people who just want to protect women and children is sad Mark on this point in history. It's disgusting. Keep writing Graham, fuck em, we love you xxxx

Emotional and so relevant for these dark times

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Perhaps gender ideology hasn’t touched your life? Not yet? It will. Want to understand what’s been happening? Read this book. Graham Linehan is a brave truth teller who has paid a heavy price. If justice and sanity prevail then we will see the unravelling of the monstrous gender madness that has taken hold of our society and preyed on our vulnerable youth and erased the hard won rights of women.

A must read

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Loved this book. Not only did it give me an insight into the world of comedy writing but it shone the spotlight on the nastiness and cruelty of transactivists. It also highlighted how hurtful it is to remain silent while others carry the banners for YOUR freedoms and rights.

Step up! Speak out!!

Transactivists are the MOST unkind.

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A well written account of a funny and successful Scotsman brought down by the least of people acting in a rabid mob. Parts made my blood boil and I had to stop for a day or two. But well worth the listen. So great hearing the author’s voice.

Fantastic, funny and sad

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Thank you Graham! Great book, amazing journey. I truly hope you're right that we've turned the corner. If you are right, it will be because of you and the other few brave souls that have fought against this madness.

Thank you Graham!

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Literally two halves. A fascinating insight into (a) comedy writing by a true master, and (b) the experience of being canceled for gender critical views. Anyone remotely interested in either should read/listen to it.

Striking

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Graham Linehan is unlike many others; willing to fight the good fight against the homophobic and misogynistic, “right side of history”. A fascinating look into his early writing career and subsequent cancelling for his ability to see the writing on the wall and stand up for the rights of children, gays and lesbians, and biological women.

A brave truth teller

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A great read from one of the best comedy writer’s in the world. Shame on those people trying to shut Graham up for speaking up about the erasure of women’s rights.

Brilliant

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