Showing results by narrator "Ben Elton" in All Categories

A series of apparently random murders draws amiable, old-school Detective Mick Matlock into a world of sex, politics, reality TV and a bewildering kaleidoscope of opposing identity groups. Lost in a blizzard of hashtags, his already complex investigation is further impeded by the fact that he simply doesn’t ‘get’ a single thing about anything anymore. Meanwhile, each day another public figure confesses to having ‘misspoken’ and prostrates themselves before the judgment of Twitter. Begging for forgiveness, assuring the public 'that is not who I am'.

Ground-breaking, satirical and anarchic, The Young Ones introduced alternative comedy to mainstream TV, and made household names of its writers and performers. It ran for two series on BBC Two between 1982 and 1984, winning a host of devoted fans and a BAFTA Award for its second series. Collected here are all the dysfunctional foursome's manic adventures.

What Has Ben Elton Done? For the first - and only - time, Ben tackles this question head on in his frank, forthright and entertaining autobiography. Taking a deep dive into his life and times, both private and public, to reveal the true stories behind iconic hits such as The Young Ones, Blackadder and We Will Rock You, his pioneering routines hosting Saturday Live, which birthed a revolution in stand-up comedy, and so much more.

Ex-rocker Vernon (Adrian Edmondson) is a former front man for a punk rock band called The Plague. After living off his wife for the last two decades and spending most of his time in the pub, the two are getting a divorce and he has to move in with his kids. He is genuinely excited about having the chance to be young again, but Max and Milly – and their flatmate David – are mortified.

Friday Night Live was a late night programme that pushed comedy on TV to new levels. Most TV comedy at that time was a rather safe affair full of middle aged comics and impersonators. Friday Night Live brought in a new generation of comedians; some from the growing club circuit and some along the path from University. Volume 2, Another comic who got an enormous boost from Friday Night Live was Harry Enfield. He introduced two great characters--the loveable Greek kebab shop owner Stavros, and the less loveable but equally funny Loadsamoney, the plasterer who boasted about his earnings in the booming late 80’s. Included here also is his Northern cousin Buggerallmoney--ah the north south divide! Other great tracks are to be found by Robbie Coltrane, Jo Brand and the wonderful Dame Edna Everage.