Saturday Night Peter: Memoirs Of A Stand-Up Comedian (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
A very funny and witty autobiography. This takes up the story from when Peter first won a comedy award until the end of the Mum Wants a Bungalow tour. The references are mainly about stand up appearances, there is very little about the TV stories but for me what was most impressive and funny was Kay's ability to make everyday situations appear witty and amusing. There may be some embellishment in the stories but nothing seems contrived. Well worth reading. I’ve got so many books just-started and half-read at the moment that my reading life has become a bit of an organisational reading nightmare. With a frantic workload being balanced over two parts of the UK, I needed a book to balance me and to help put my reading on-track again. This book was the perfect choice and – on top of this – it’s humble and funny. What’s not to like???Peter Kay has always been my comedian of choice and this book goes a long way into explaining the success of his comedic career. From humble roots, his particular branch of Northern (English/UK) nostalgia-driven observational comedy stands out alone within the home-grown market and within this book he attempts to analyse his comedic style and career progression.What I like about this book is that everything seems un-contrived, raw and close to its origins. Kay doesn’t seem to buy into star treatment but just seems to see comedy and fame for what they are. You get a strong sense that Kay appreciates some of the finer trappings of fame but that it’s just not within his interests to abuse them. This only boosts his reader appeal where amongst pages of touring and personal anecdotes he throws in his old jokes and, guess what, due to their authenticity – they’re still funny after all these years! Hence, this book is a gem to read for anyone who has faithfully followed Kay’s career – a must read for the true devotees. Garlic bread, t’internet, t’Egypt and accounts of biscuit-dipping can all be found here although I must say that The Cars’ ‘pork pie’ remains a favourite musical analysis of mine (and how I howled at the MEN Arena Manchester when I heard it in the flesh)! As a side issue, reading the book made me think of how it would/could appeal to un-UK audiences and my answer is honestly that I don’t know. I think this book is a great reference book for all would-be/could-be comedy writers the world over but, saying this, the comedy is contextual and the overriding appeal will probably be for nostalgia prone Brits who have an uncanny knack of relating to the ever-true gospel of Kay.Just love the man. A great read and a classic!
What do You think about Saturday Night Peter: Memoirs Of A Stand-Up Comedian (2009)?
As with the first book - this had me laughing out loud. Brilliant :)
—katlej
Laugh out loud book. Just as good as the first
—BMDay
