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Tough Crowd

How I Made and Lost a Career in Comedy

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Tough Crowd

By: Graham Linehan
Narrated by: Graham Linehan
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About this listen

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.

©2023 Graham Linehan (P)2023 Graham Linehan
Activists Funny Comedy Witty Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

"A must-read. Funny and utterly compelling." (Jonathan Ross)

What listeners say about Tough Crowd

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Overall throughly enjoyable but sad read.

Awful to think that someone so gifted can upset idiots so much that he loses his marriage !

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Linehan is redeemed!

Linehan tells his story well.
First half is an entertaining read about his time as a comedy writer, the second half is the story of modern tragedy as trans zealots deliberately burn his career and livelihood to ashes.
It is a warning to all of us how social media has allowed the most driven deranged to take control of the social discourse.
Hope the success of this book helps him get his life back on track.

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A fascinating dive into the fickle world of show-business

Above all, this is a gripping book. I was hooked by his account of working in the comedy industry; a young writer during the golden age of sitcoms in the 90s and early 00s, and then, by turns appalled and shocked by the abuse and betrayals that he has had to endure, while standing up for the rights of the most vulnerable in society. It is also heartening to read about the love and devotion Linehan has for his family. The man is a legend.

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Up with this sort of thing!

If you are Irish and of a certain generation then Graham is at least partially responsible for creating a platform for us to genuinely laugh at ourselves and love ourselves in equal measure and that is no mean feat. What has been done to him by the industry seems to be the other real scandal written about in these pages. The writing is frank, witty, sometimes laugh out loud funny but the sense of betrayal is palpable. I honestly can’t believe he sounds so measured when talking of how the business treated him. All in all he’s a quare fella.

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Honest Biography, insightful, extraordinary

Listening to Graham's story in 2023 while some of the world still hasn't woken up is both fascinating and sad. I'm pleased I opted for the audio book, there's something about hearing someone read their own story. As the strap line suggests it's a book of 2 part's, a frank account of the rise and fall of Graham's career in comedy with humour along the way. Pretty sure this is not where the story ends.

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Starman

Eloquent, intelligent, righteous. Thank you . Oh and I forgot, you are so fucking funny x

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The courage of this man

Details of his supporters gave me hope; I hope the future holds more happiness for him.

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The right side of history.

I’ve followed Grahams career since Father Ted & was horrified by his treatment at the hands of the TRA & other ‘allies’. Betrayed and shamed by those close to him, who will eventually find they are the ones on the wrong side of history. I’ve also lost ‘friends’ for speaking up & like Graham, I to have a daughter and would do anything to fight for her rights and keep her safe. This is a brave and courageous man risking everything to tell the truth & expose the evil lies, misogyny and child cruelty at the heart of this puritanical religion. I’ve never been more proud of my Irish blood than today. Thank you.

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Funny, moving, astonishing

I was never a fan of eg Father Ted, but loved hearing how the ideas and teamwork evolved through the production process. And important to hear this contemporary view of how fundamentalism and ideology can sweep through culture. Looking back at some historic events, we wondered how people allowed it to happen, or went along with it. Now we get to experience it.

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Brilliant!

Really enjoyed the audio book it’s hilarious in places and infuriatingly sad in others. You are on the right side of history Graham please keep fighting the good fight mate! This lunacy cannot win

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