Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Tough Crowd
- How I Made and Lost a Career in Comedy
- Narrated by: Graham Linehan
- Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Tough Crowd
Buy Now for £18.29
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
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.
Critic reviews
"A must-read. Funny and utterly compelling." (Jonathan Ross)
What listeners say about Tough Crowd
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Matt Bendoris
- 02-11-23
Funny, beautifully written and narrated
Like many I loved Father Ted and the IT Crowd and like many I was mugged by politicians we’d elected who suddenly couldn’t define a woman and voted through self ID (in Scotland) on our behalf while telling us there was no debate. But Graham started asking questions and paid a terrible price for his journalist curiosity. But Graham will be on the right side of history, I also hope he gets his TV career back (if he wants it) because there’s nothing quite as funny as a Linehan sitcom. So well done Graham, you have the heart of a lion and shame the majority of us with your bravery.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- CheerUpCharlie
- 07-11-23
Moving, insightful and humourous, thanks Graham!
Graham's story into comedy is fascinating. His integrity and courage is inspiring. The words he wrote in remembrance of his father are so moving. what a ledge.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- pixiepie123
- 29-10-23
A cracking read from a man of courage.
I’ve loved many of Graham Linehan’s creations, Father Ted, Black Books, The IT Crowd so it was a pleasure to learn how they came to be. Graham tells his story with honesty and dignity, and of course, plenty of humour along the way. He lays bare the betrayal of his peers, but how this has led to finding true friendship along the way.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Derek
- 01-11-23
A wonderful book
Funny and moving, this book should serve as a testament and warning to the madness that is being forced on us all.
Getting the back story of the creation of masterpieces such as "The IT crowd" and "Father Ted" is a joy. No "Black books" though? Or did I miss that bit :)
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Boland
- 28-10-23
God-like genius. Five stars.
An absolutely wonderful book and incredibly narrated. A gold-mine of tips if you're interested in writing comedy.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- JK Prowling
- 17-12-23
Fantastic book
A brilliant listen, with lots of details about the creation of some of my favourite shows.
It's a cautionary tale into how cults work, and how our society has been taken over by the mad fad of the fanatical transgender cult.
I transitioned in 2005 and have been horrified to see what the trans rights movement has become.
Graham, if I ever met you in real life I'd give you a big hug and buy you a drink. Keep fighting, the majority of trans folk are perfectly decent but there are some very bad apples out there and you are standing up to their nonsense.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. S. D. Clark
- 04-11-23
A true hero
Graham has stood by women, gay people and children and staunchly defended their rights against a dangerous ideology. Fabulous book
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- M.B.
- 27-10-23
Honest biography
Have just listened to the whole book, easy to listen to, honest biography outlining events in his life- plan to rewatch all of Father Ted and the IT crowd and listen to the book again as very enlightening with regards to the comedy industry.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fletch
- 23-11-23
Human kindness.
Enjoyed this book.
Nice to hear the story of a man who has brought so much happiness to so many.
Thank you for your work Graham.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- fificapetown
- 18-01-24
The sheer lunacy of Grahams cancellation
Fabulous account of both his early days and rise to fame and for me the most compelling part was his stand for women. What a guy! Thank you Graham!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!