It is not a normal person who wants to go onstage and make thousands of strangers laugh every night—this celebration of comedy by a veteran comedy critic is also a story of lives lived to excessA look at one of the modern world's most dominant and compelling art forms, this book would not be complete without covering comedy's dark side. Homing in on the scandals that have surrounded some of light entertainment's biggest stars, the book tells it as it is, featuring quotes from those that were there at the time. It reveals how the devoted laughter of fans never seemed to be enough for these moody, prickly, ego-driven entertainers, how they would constantly seek more thrills when the curtain came down, how offstage antics of certain comedians would make even rock stars blush, and the number of comedians who have had to deal with paternity suits would make a book in itself. This book addresses the question Are comedians naturally dysfunctional, or does the stress and pressure of the job make them dysfunctional? It takes a particularly odd person to want to pursue comedy as a career, and, as this book reveals, the behavior of comedians once they are successful in their chosen career makes them even odder. From Russell Brand slashing his chest onstage to Jo Brand trashing a friend's car on the motorway, Bruce Dessau has heard it all.

Beyond a Joke: Inside the Dark Minds of Stand-Up Comedians

Humor & Entertainment

Dessau, Bruce

Humor

RANDOM HOUSE UK

The first full-length biography of the brilliantly funny British actor, famed for his starring roles in ³Mr Bean² and ³Blackadder.²

Rowan Atkinson

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature

Orion Pub Co

This is a celebration of the father of stand-up comedy. It is 25 years since Connolly leapt to fame on the Michael Parkinson show; since then his masterly ability to enthral an audience has been the envy of every stand-up comedian.

The Funny Side of Billy Connolly

TRAFALGAR SQUARE +

In W&amp;N's large illustrated format, this is a fully illustrated, affectionate celebration of Rowon Atkinson's career. He first came to prominence in the late 1970's in the classic comedy serires Not The Nine O'Clock News. His ability to strange mannerisms with a natural acting abiltiy set him up to achieve great success as the darstadly Blackadder. In the 1980's he created Mr Bean, now an international success; in August 1997, a major movie "Bean" will be released. This book trces his career and celebrates the talents and life of a true comic original.

Bean There Done That: The Life and Times of Roan Atkinson

Orion Media

The first full-length biography of the brilliantly funny British actor, famed for his starring roles in "Mr. Bean" and "Blackadder."

Beyond a Joke: Inside the Dark World of Stand-up Comedy

A fully illustrated companion to the TV show. It includes script extracts, complete episode guides to all five series, behind-the-scenes descriptions of the making of the show, and details of set and costume design and special effects. It also contains quotes from cast and crew.

The Official Red Dwarf Companion

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Titan Books, Ltd.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Dessau, Bruce. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Dessau, Bruce

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Dessau, Bruce. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Beyond a Joke: Inside the Dark Minds of Stand-Up Comedians

Rowan Atkinson

The Funny Side of Billy Connolly

Bean There Done That: The Life and Times of Roan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson

Beyond a Joke: Inside the Dark World of Stand-up Comedy

The Official Red Dwarf Companion