The Rough Guide to British Cult Comedy

Thorough, well-written and at times a laugh-out-loud read, this book offers a complete crash course for anyone interested in the history of British cult comedy. Ever wanted to learn more about that unique "British sense of humor", well Julian Hall explores and describes this in the perfect amount of detail. Hall writes about fifty iconic British comics, many television shows, and, my own personal favorite chapter, a wonderful look at the birth and growth of American comedy and it's influence on British comedy. The book is an instuctional read for both those knowlegeable about comedy and those new to the subject matter. Hall provides wonderful references for further investigation, as well as a smart and witty style of writing that could earn himself a place in his own book. This is a must read!

If you want to get up to speed with the UK comedy scene and find out what US comedians and comedy shows influenced British comedy from Eddie Izzard to The Office then this book is the one for you. There's a blog for the book too which is really helpful.