Have you ever wondered where comedians come from? Why is it that one person is a funny bloke down the pub while another actually makes a living by standing up in front of an audience telling jokes? And where does all that material come from? Well, young Lee McKillop used to wonder that too.Growing up in his parents' pub, small and wiry in a world of bigger and chunkier specimens, Lee quickly learned that cracking jokes was a way to get attention. After a somewhat random series of j...

Was William Mack Lee an imposter who lied about being General Lee's former slave in order to gain favor, or did he really proudly serve as General Lee's cook and servant during the Civil War?According to his own account, William Mack Lee (1835-1932) was born in Westmoreland County, Va. He was raised at Arlington Heights, in the house of General Robert E. Lee. He was cook for General Lee during the civil war and his body servant. He was with him at the first battle of Bull Run, seco...

Try Dry is your ultimate guide to Dry January. Feel happier and healthier in 2024 with this no-nonsense official guide to an alcohol-free month.DID YOU KNOW foregoing our nightly tipple, even just for a few weeks, can lead to**:**- Deeper sleep- Improved mood- Fresher skin- More energy- Extra cashTry Dry, with its invaluable resources from the experts at Alcohol Change U...

Lee Mack, Bafta award-winner and host of BBC One’s ‘They Think It’s All Over’, star of ITV’s ‘The Sketch Show’ and BAFTA Award winner, stars in this hilarious six-part comedy show as heard on BBC Radio 2. Participating in the manic mix of sketches and stand-up are special musical guests Toyah Willcox, Midge Ure, Suggs, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Tom Robinson and Tony Hadley. Lee is also joined by comedians Noel Britton, Mick Miller, Milton Jones, Rhod Gilbert, Mike Wilmot and Aussie Trevor Crook...

Brought to you by Penguin.Where do comedians come from?Why is it that one person is a funny bloke down the pub while another actually makes a living by standing up in front of an audience telling jokes?And where does all that material come from?Well, young Lee McKillop used to wonder that too.Growing up in his parents' pub, small and wiry in a world of bigger and chunkier specimens, Lee quickly learned that cracking jo...

The star of TV’s ‘Not Going Out’ hosts more mayhem in a collision of comedy, music and carefully rehearsed chaos. Taking part in the manic mix of sketches and stand-up are special musical guests: former Spice Girl Melanie C, ABC’s Martin Fry, Erasure’s Andy Bell, Jamelia, Alison Moyet and Level 42’s Mark King. Lee is also joined by comedians Andrew Maxwell, Phil Nichol, Jason Byrne, John Hegley, Mark Watson and Will Smith. Ably assisted by long-suffering sidekick Angela McHale and house ba...

Four more series of the popular panel show, in which celebrity guests donate an exhibit of their choice to an infinite imaginary museumJoin eminent Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and distinguished Curators Lee Mack, Bridget Christie, Alice Levine and Holly Walsh, as they source more strange and wondrous objects to fill Galleries 13 to 16 of the ever-expanding comedy edifice.Adding to the display cases and plumping up the plinths are a host of illustrious...

Three series of funny natural history tales from Lynne Truss, featuring a star cast of narratorsRecorded in front of a live audience, these wry, funny tales introduce us to the varied creatures who make their homes on the shoreline, in garden ponds and in our attics. In 18 comic monologues, they reveal the truth about what life is really like in their respective habitats - and it's much more eventful than you might think...Tidal Tales from the Rock Pool...

Seven series of sensational live stand-up comedy from the nineties and noughtiesStand-up fans rejoice - this cracking collection contains a whole seven series of top-drawer comedy, recorded live at London and Manchester's legendary Comedy Store and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Enjoy over eleven hours of laughs from some of the biggest and best stand-ups on the circuit, hosted by three fantastically funny compères: Simon Bligh, Ross Noble and

A control freak looks for love (women who leave wet teaspoons in sugar bowls need not apply).‘I haven’t woken up with a cup of tea by the bed for seven years. It seems such a small thing but it’s one of a thousand things I miss about having someone around to take care of me. I have spent my entire adult life getting things the way I want them and all I want now is someone to give it all up for.’ Jon RichardsonIs your filing faultless? Your CDs, apostrophes, cutlery all in t...

Brought to you by Penguin.Rob Brydon - star of Gavin and Stacey, Steve Coogan's partner in The Trip, and one of Britain's favourite comedians - tells the funny and frank story of his slow ascent to fame and fortune in Small Man in a Book.A multi-award-winning actor, writer, comedian and presenter known for his warmth, humour and inspired impressions, Rob Brydon has quickly become one of our very favourite entertai...

You don't just wake up jaundiced and bitter. It's taken Jack years of dedication and commitment to brew his unique cocktail of disillusionment and bile.From grumpy pensioners to 'gifted' children, from self-pitying farmers to well-meaning primary school teachers, Jack pulls no punches in this fearless assault on everyone and everything ... apart from militant Islamists. Jack would like to make it clear he has no problem with them at all.Once you've read this book you'll never...