Comedy comes in different forms – there’s the energetic clowning of Lee Evans, or the cringe-inducing embarrassment of Alan Partridge, or the sophisticated wit of classic sitcom Yes Minister. Whatever our individual tastes, the best comedy all has a physical effect on us: there’s no faking the laughter.
The best comedians do more than make us laugh, their work is funny and brilliant and true. Comedy can expose the ridiculousness of everyday life. It can grapple with serious issues. It can be as simple as someone slipping on a banana skin. Or, as in Kevin Hart’s hilarious, heartfelt autobiography, it might just change your life.
We’ve selected 10 of the best sellers in comedy to make you laugh out loud and alter your perspective.
Surprisingly Down to Earth, and Very Funny is the funniest and most intimate memoir of a comedian you may or may not have heard of. Brian Limond, the star of Limmy’s Show, provides the listener with an intimate insight into his own mental health, where he explores his struggles with anxiety and suicidal thoughts and what he has done to overcome these. But this is not just an exploration into one man’s mental health, but a hysterical autobiography exploring everything from how Limond made his own sketch show, to his life as a father, and his struggles with alcoholism. Tackling seriousness with humour and wit, this audio is an eye-opening piece of entertainment.
Five-time Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee and Mock the Week television star James Acaster is undoubtedly an acclaimed comedian. However, in Classic Scrapes, we are shown the side of him we rarely see - a man who is constantly getting into trouble. Originating as a feature on Josh Widdicombe’s radio show, this audio explores the countless ways that Acaster has embarrassed himself, from disappointing a skydiving instructor at the very worst time, to hiding in a bush from thugs wearing a dashing bright red dress. Full of bizarre and hilarious stories, Classic Scrapes is guaranteed to have the listener in stitches.
British comedian Joe Lycett graces the listener with this weird, wonderful, and unconventional guide to life in his audiobook Parsnips, Buttered. The risk-taking comedian attempts to solve every single one of life’s problems with his valuable life experience and the lessons he has learnt along the way. Lycett walks the listener through some captivating conundrums, from navigating social media and battling internet trolls, and shocks listeners when he delves into the topic of taking down multinational conglomerates and defeating international terror groups! Packed with wisdom and endless laughs, this audio will have the listener in grave danger of laughing out loud in public.
Narrated by Partridge himself in his instantly-recognisable tone and style, Nomad describes Partridge’s journey through a place he once knew very well - Great Britain. In this "journey journal", Partridge recalls the places and people he encounters, all whilst pondering matters large and small. Full of witty commentary and nuggets of wisdom, Nomad explores the nooks and crannies of not just Britain, but also Partridge himself. In this audio, Partridge’s journey through Great Britain also describes his personal journey, as the listener is taken on an interesting and intimate journey through Britain and the life of a man who becomes better than he was before.
I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons tells the rags-to-riches story of the charismatic Hollywood box-office star Kevin Hart. From his humble beginnings, entering the world as an "accident" and growing up in North Philadelphia with a drug addict father and an abusive mother, Hart defied the odds to become one of the most recognisable comics and film stars in Hollywood today. In this inspiring autobiography read by Hart himself, we discover how Hart’s life has been a collection of chapters that he has written himself, much like the chapters in this intimate account of his extraordinary life.
This best-selling audiobook recounts the life of one of Britain’s most loved comedians, Michael McIntyre. Through the iconic voice of McIntyre himself, he recalls his life from his childhood mischief, his humble beginnings in the comedy scene, to his astounding success in comedy and television today. McIntyre will leave the listener in awe as he tells his story, from selling only one ticket for his gig at Edinburgh Festival to selling half a million tickets on his national tour. With McIntyre recounting his intimate and hilarious experiences, including his botched attempts at romance and run-ins with fellow characters on the comedy scene, his debut Life and Laughing audiobook will have the listener in stitches from the very start.
From a journalist who writes about both important and unimportant stuff, this work by Joel Golby shows the serious and non-serious realities of life from a man who is self-professed bad at living it. Joe Golby has had a hard reality, with both of his parents being dead, his father being an alcoholic, and having a complicated relationship with alcohol himself. However, he will also cheat his way through a game of monopoly and writers enthralling articles entitled "A Man S**** on a Plane So Hard It Has To Turn Around and Come Back Again". In an audiobook that thrives on reality and honesty, this listen is a comfort for any lost and confused people like Golby, with a healthy dose of dark humour for good measure.
After keeping the British nature entertained and enthralled between the 1980 and 1988 period, this full radio series of Yes Minister and the complete BBC television soundtrack of Yes Prime Minister will keep the listeners thoroughly entertained once again. Following the exploits of Rt Hon Jim Hacker MP, who later becomes Prime Minister, and his diligent team of helpers, Hacker and his team serve as a timeless example of government bureaucracy and administration. This series includes an unforgettable episode that the late former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stars in as herself. The Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister audio collection will have the listener laughing from the very first scene.
The British comedy veteran Lee Evans makes his audiobook debut with his The Life of Lee autobiography. The popular stand-up comedian has graced stadiums across the world with his sell-out tours - but he hasn't always been a great success. This hilarious listen is packed with funny anecdotes and moving stories, performed by Evans himself in his typical tongue-in-cheek manner. From growing up on a council estate in, to being labelled as a failure in school, and even working as a turkey plucker - Evans takes the listener through the dark lows and feel-good highs of his unconventional journey to success.
In this twist on the show ‘Mr and Mrs’, which allows panellists to bring any partner they choose, including their dad, cousin, best friend or mother-in-law, the listener will get to find out just how well famous comedians and the people in their lives know each other. Find out the answers to burning questions like “Who would play Romesh Ranganathan in a film of his life?” and “What would Jonathan Agnew do if he wasn’t a cricket commentator?”. With an all-star panellist list including Rachel Riley, Richard Madeley, Katherine Ryan and Sarah Millican, this series collection will have the listener howling with laughter.
