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Frank Skinner on the Road: Love, Stand-up Comedy and The Queen Of The Night
In this new volume of memoirs, Frank Skinner describes his experience of going back on the road doing stand-up again, after many years spent working mainly on television. His adventures on tour are by turns funny and moving as he meditates on growing older, the terrors and joys of trying to make a live audience laugh night after night and on the nature of comedy itself.
For the first time we read a comedian's account, in his own words, of how his act is put together; his return to a world of dark little clubs and the strange encounters he has there. But what is perhaps most startling and original about Frank Skinner's writing is his honesty nbout not only the highs and lows of his career, but more intimate and personal issues - male sexuality and matters of the heart.
For the first time we read a comedian's account, in his own words, of how his act is put together; his return to a world of dark little clubs and the strange encounters he has there. But what is perhaps most startling and original about Frank Skinner's writing is his honesty nbout not only the highs and lows of his career, but more intimate and personal issues - male sexuality and matters of the heart.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 21, 2016
I always enjoy plumbing the depths of the stand up comedian's mind set. They are often intensely under confident, nervous of their ability and angst ridden. This under side illuminated against their onstage personas I find to be incredible. Frank Skinner is no exception, he's an erudite, introverted deep thinker with a flip side cheeky, affable charismatic persona. I loved reading this book, his thought processes, his methods, his problems and worries and triumphs and failures. Plus there are a few good knob gags thrown in to make me laugh.
October 17, 2017
My well-thumbed copy of this book was picked up, and read yet again. Frank Skinner's On the Road offers a - excuse the pun - frank account of being a touring stand-up comedian, complete with witty observations and insecurities of a performer. As well as being a touring diary, following his absence from stand-up for television ventures, it provides an insightful look into Frank's life - including his philosophical musings. It is clever, funny and poignant - and no doubt I will pick it up, and give it another read soon.
November 21, 2010
I originally mistyped this up as "Frank Sinner"- quite appropriate really! Clearly a tortured Catholic, who enjoys the torture, Skinner reveals toe-curling episodes for laughs that often had me thinking "Too much detail, Frank"! The banana girl - I wonder if she'll ever get 'round to reading this? The words "tortured comic" kind of summed this book up and I struggled with the endless naval gazing and analysis of what makes something funny. Not thinking about it too much might be a start.
February 17, 2011
Frank Skinner is a man I very much admire, I love his stand-up shows & his autobiography is one of the funniest books I've ever read, a real treat.
But this book seems to be a different story, it has none of the charm or humour of his first book. It is simply an diary of his return to stand-up comedy after a 10 year absence, but like most diarys it doesn't make for particulary exciting reading and while the writers self doubt and constant questioning of his comedy is humble, it eventually becomes unbearable to read. There's very little of Franks story left to be told after his previous effort, and as a result I'd deem this book as unfortunately unnecessary.
But this book seems to be a different story, it has none of the charm or humour of his first book. It is simply an diary of his return to stand-up comedy after a 10 year absence, but like most diarys it doesn't make for particulary exciting reading and while the writers self doubt and constant questioning of his comedy is humble, it eventually becomes unbearable to read. There's very little of Franks story left to be told after his previous effort, and as a result I'd deem this book as unfortunately unnecessary.
December 27, 2020
The best book about being a stand-up comedian workshopping a new show, trying jokes out and learning where one's passions lie. A great sequel to the memoir.
March 17, 2020
I found myself snorting with laughter on the bus while reading this, having to contain genuine loud guffaws. I also found myself angling my Kobo screen away from the potential sight of the lady sat next to me. Skinner’s story about a groupie and a banana was very funny, but very, very filthy…
This is an intriguing delve into the mind of Frank Skinner, with some interesting reflections on creativity, comedy and aging rolled into it. And, a lot of very funny stuff too.
The book is Skinner’s diary from when he headed off on tour for the first time in ten years (at the age of about 50), after time spent being much more famous on TV. Has he still got it, whatever “it” might be? Can the more mature, and rich, man of 50 still strut his stuff like his younger self that won awards at the Edinburgh fringe? Can he cope now that he doesn’t drink or chase groupies?
This is great read – Skinner on stage is a storyteller (stories packed full of gags), and it seems he tells a good story in the written page too. The narrative follows disastrous first gigs in Montreal, a troublesome, work in progress two weeks at the Edinburgh fringe and then, all 100 and something dates of big theatres across the UK, to generally huge acclaim. On the way he shoves in lots of very funny stories, incidents and reflections on the tour, elaborations on some of the gig’s routines – Skinner weaves humour into it all. Does he do this because he knows the book is a reflection on him, the comedian so we, the punters, demand laughs? Can he stop himself?
On the way Skinner’s constant obsession is whether he is any good or not. It’s a an interesting look at the professional comic – there’s nothing that funny about the process of being funny. He analyses every gag and every gig – the whole tour is a constantly evolving beast requiring nudges to individual routines, dropping some, elaborating others and re-jigging the order, a constant reading and re-reading of the audience and a constant examination of the self. At the end he reaches some sort of conclusion – it’s all a rehearsal, there is no “finished” product.
If you like Frank Skinner the comedian, then I think you’ll like this book; there’s lots of laughs but it’s also a fascinating look at creativity in general and the never-fulfilled quest for perfection.
This is an intriguing delve into the mind of Frank Skinner, with some interesting reflections on creativity, comedy and aging rolled into it. And, a lot of very funny stuff too.
The book is Skinner’s diary from when he headed off on tour for the first time in ten years (at the age of about 50), after time spent being much more famous on TV. Has he still got it, whatever “it” might be? Can the more mature, and rich, man of 50 still strut his stuff like his younger self that won awards at the Edinburgh fringe? Can he cope now that he doesn’t drink or chase groupies?
This is great read – Skinner on stage is a storyteller (stories packed full of gags), and it seems he tells a good story in the written page too. The narrative follows disastrous first gigs in Montreal, a troublesome, work in progress two weeks at the Edinburgh fringe and then, all 100 and something dates of big theatres across the UK, to generally huge acclaim. On the way he shoves in lots of very funny stories, incidents and reflections on the tour, elaborations on some of the gig’s routines – Skinner weaves humour into it all. Does he do this because he knows the book is a reflection on him, the comedian so we, the punters, demand laughs? Can he stop himself?
On the way Skinner’s constant obsession is whether he is any good or not. It’s a an interesting look at the professional comic – there’s nothing that funny about the process of being funny. He analyses every gag and every gig – the whole tour is a constantly evolving beast requiring nudges to individual routines, dropping some, elaborating others and re-jigging the order, a constant reading and re-reading of the audience and a constant examination of the self. At the end he reaches some sort of conclusion – it’s all a rehearsal, there is no “finished” product.
If you like Frank Skinner the comedian, then I think you’ll like this book; there’s lots of laughs but it’s also a fascinating look at creativity in general and the never-fulfilled quest for perfection.
July 12, 2022
I've enjoyed Frank's stand-up and television work for years and I don't know why it's taken me this long to read his second book after I read the first back in 2002. If you are also in this position, read this book! It's an enjoyable, witty read.
In my opinion the first book is better but this one was still good. Whilst still autobiographical this book only covers a very small snapshot of time where Frank is coming out of stand-up retirement after 10 years and is writing a new show, trying out material, doing Edinburgh and finally touring the finished show. It isn't really a follow-up to the first book, it is more of a diary of the production of a stand-up show, it's an insightful read in to the inner workings of a stand-up comedian's mind.
I really enjoyed reading about how Frank approaches the writing process for his shows and his opinions on performing and the Edinburgh Fringe. I was also shocked to see like the rest of us he suffers with self-doubt at times particularly about whether he can still equal the younger comedians on the circuit. There is a lot of introspective thinking about what makes things funny and paragraphs of jokes that didn't make the final cut for the show, I liked these to begin with but there is a lot of them and obviously they lack Frank's delivery so they don't always hit the mark (although you could argue that they didn't anyway as he cut them from his final show).
In addition to comedy he writes about his relationship and also Catholicism in detail, both topics which have the potential to be quite dry but Frank is a master of storytelling and thankfully the book never veers in to boring recital.
I can't imagine him reading reviews for his book 15 years after it was first published (or maybe that's the perfect time to read them when you can file them in the past?) but after reading this book and discovering that Frank takes his reviews so seriously and the amount of distress they cause him I wanted to end this review on a positive note - it's a great, honest, interesting read. I'd recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Frank or of stand-up comedy in general.
In my opinion the first book is better but this one was still good. Whilst still autobiographical this book only covers a very small snapshot of time where Frank is coming out of stand-up retirement after 10 years and is writing a new show, trying out material, doing Edinburgh and finally touring the finished show. It isn't really a follow-up to the first book, it is more of a diary of the production of a stand-up show, it's an insightful read in to the inner workings of a stand-up comedian's mind.
I really enjoyed reading about how Frank approaches the writing process for his shows and his opinions on performing and the Edinburgh Fringe. I was also shocked to see like the rest of us he suffers with self-doubt at times particularly about whether he can still equal the younger comedians on the circuit. There is a lot of introspective thinking about what makes things funny and paragraphs of jokes that didn't make the final cut for the show, I liked these to begin with but there is a lot of them and obviously they lack Frank's delivery so they don't always hit the mark (although you could argue that they didn't anyway as he cut them from his final show).
In addition to comedy he writes about his relationship and also Catholicism in detail, both topics which have the potential to be quite dry but Frank is a master of storytelling and thankfully the book never veers in to boring recital.
I can't imagine him reading reviews for his book 15 years after it was first published (or maybe that's the perfect time to read them when you can file them in the past?) but after reading this book and discovering that Frank takes his reviews so seriously and the amount of distress they cause him I wanted to end this review on a positive note - it's a great, honest, interesting read. I'd recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Frank or of stand-up comedy in general.
January 6, 2026
I read this soon after I read his first book, which I found boastful and irritating.
This is excellent though. Cool Britainnia and all that has gone, he isn't on TV, and he is returning to stand-up, whilst staying faithful to his partner (who he married in 2025).
The book is thoughtful, humble, wise and funny. He is so excellent about Catholicism that I briefly thought of taking up the religion I was baptised into but never confirmed. Nah. I am still an atheist. But it was still very interesting.
I would like to give the book four and a half, but you can't do that here, so I went for the full five.
This is excellent though. Cool Britainnia and all that has gone, he isn't on TV, and he is returning to stand-up, whilst staying faithful to his partner (who he married in 2025).
The book is thoughtful, humble, wise and funny. He is so excellent about Catholicism that I briefly thought of taking up the religion I was baptised into but never confirmed. Nah. I am still an atheist. But it was still very interesting.
I would like to give the book four and a half, but you can't do that here, so I went for the full five.
March 22, 2023
Skinner can be an interesting, clear and clever writer. He's also revealingly honest when writing about himself. As a result I can't help but find him to be an objectionable little sh*t with some disturbing attitudes towards women.
May 31, 2020
4 out of 5 rather than 9 out of 10
I'm a big Frank Skinner fan and he would be very suspicious if a review got 5 stars. Very enjoyable read.
I'm a big Frank Skinner fan and he would be very suspicious if a review got 5 stars. Very enjoyable read.
July 5, 2020
An enjoyable read. I read it not knowing much about him and came away thinking he was a lot more intelligent than I gave him credit for. Want to read his autobiography next.
October 7, 2022
A bit hit and miss ,laugh a couple of times but not a funny book or that interesting.
March 21, 2023
Highly entertaining.
January 29, 2024
I would like to write, 'Why should I bother with the ruminations of a gnarly comedian?' (the essence of the book). But then I loved it. And I felt sad when I finished!
February 1, 2013
This account of Skinners return to stand up comedy after a 10 year break in 2007 belies the idea that comedy cannot be analysed. Indeed Skinner uses a journal/diary format to riff effortlessly about the nature of (his) comedy; the stand up tour of the country itself and his genuine love for his tempestuous partner Cath (of the manga eyes) along with myriad other observations; anecdotes and excerpts from his finely honed and scored routines as they evolved over the tour. Skinner can really write and manages to perfectly capture particular moments- observations about towns and cities; venues; favourite art works and the contradictions in his own crude comedic persona and the non-drinking, intellectualised Roman catholic that he actually is. Time and time again, in a sort of confessional manner that draws the reader in he admits his actual vulnerability. the insecurity caused by a positive comment that he can only dissect for any caveat or back handed compliment. There is also the trademark razor sharp wordplay and a justification for crudity as from a naughty schoolboy rather than a genuinely nasty piece of work. At times his riffing is pitch perfect in its ability to allow the reader inside his personal philosophy and hang ups. Indeed, his concern about trying to gauge the success of routines from gig to gig verges on the paranoia suggesting an insecurity that is gold plated. Skinner claims such well sketched stories are based on a daily journal that he keeps though I doubt he has time to really maintain this. Still, a thick volume for posterity may be on the cards!! There are so many things that Skinner covers that this book would bear re-reading several times at least if only for his observations about Art, music and religion which appear honest and if you forgive the pun- surprisingly Frank! The publisher has chosen to include some reviews at the back of the volume of Franks stand up tour but they are often badly reproduced and very small print which makes them difficult to read. Overall though this book was a compulsive read and does much to confirm Skinner as a top notch comedian and a top notch writer to boot.
October 22, 2009
As open and honest (and frank, let’s just get that pun out of the way right now) as his autobiography was, this details Frank Skinner’s return to stand-up after a break of 10 years. He’s blunt in what has led him to this point - he’s not on TV anymore, his chat show died, the second series of his sit-com wasn’t even shown (a fact he revels in telling) - and realises that people think he’s past it (something that seems to be confirmed with a cringe-making appearance on a TV quiz show). So he decides to go back on the road, to what he started out as and this book charts his progress, from the first ‘trial-run’ gigs right through to the aftermath of the tour. Along the way, we see the act come together (snippets and occasionally big chunks of routines) and share Skinner’s anxiety and stresses (the man does worry) as to what does or doesn’t work, why this gig went well and that one didn’t and - above all else - his desire to always put on a good show. With bits of autobiography thrown in - his courtship of Cath, some fall-out from his various tour-based one-night-stands in the past - this is a strong, amusing, poignant, heartfelt memoir that never feels less than 100% honest. A terrific book, this is well worth a read.
August 10, 2012
Whenever you see Frank Skinner on the telly he is full of a confidence and assuredness that makes him very watchable and entertaining.
On The Road tracks Franks as he returns to the front line of stand up comedy where he plied his trade before reaching the dizzy heights of TV and as is so often said of similar books, is an open and honest one at that!
Confidence and morale are low and anxiously a large tour, Edinburgh Festival and ongoing relationship challenges confront him deadon and this book documents the 3month journey filled with personal ups and downs.
Considering Frank doesn't read any reviews, On The Road is the largest and importantly personal review of his life over those troubling times - I wonder whether he has read it back?!
On The Road tracks Franks as he returns to the front line of stand up comedy where he plied his trade before reaching the dizzy heights of TV and as is so often said of similar books, is an open and honest one at that!
Confidence and morale are low and anxiously a large tour, Edinburgh Festival and ongoing relationship challenges confront him deadon and this book documents the 3month journey filled with personal ups and downs.
Considering Frank doesn't read any reviews, On The Road is the largest and importantly personal review of his life over those troubling times - I wonder whether he has read it back?!
October 8, 2015
Do you know what I really liked about Frank Skinner: On the Road ? His reflections on his Catholic faith. The dirty jokes you'd expect from Skinner are there. The insight into the comic performers world promised by the book's summary is there. But there is every so often a few pages of him thinking and contemplating the religious realm. In most books by comedians you find yourself waiting for more jokes and classic bits. But here, I found myself really enjoying the quite moments in between. I guess, if anything, I would have been interested in seeing Skinner balance these two sides of his personality: the dirty comic and the tortured catholic. Maybe next time.
August 30, 2013
Oh, I do like Frank. I'm glad I missed most of his "laddish" years, because it might have put me off him a bit. The discussion of Catholicism in this book is wonderful. It's funny to read this account of a tour in what, 2007? because I know so much about what's happened to him since. I'm wanting to shout "get your money out of AIG, you idiot!" and tell him he's making the right decision to be with Cath.
This book made me happy the same way Frank's podcast does, but at a deeper, more honest level that he couldn't really do on a morning radio show.
This book made me happy the same way Frank's podcast does, but at a deeper, more honest level that he couldn't really do on a morning radio show.
January 14, 2012
This is an introspective book that analyses stand-up to within an inch of its life in a very charming and intelligent way.
I'm not sure that the Fantasy Football crowd will enjoy the philosophical speculations as much as I did, but never fear, there are plenty of cock jokes.
I found myself making a list of books to pick up, or ideas to Google cos Frank supplies a glut of interesting stories as he meanders through his thoughts.
I preferred this to his other autobiography.
I'm not sure that the Fantasy Football crowd will enjoy the philosophical speculations as much as I did, but never fear, there are plenty of cock jokes.
I found myself making a list of books to pick up, or ideas to Google cos Frank supplies a glut of interesting stories as he meanders through his thoughts.
I preferred this to his other autobiography.
April 26, 2012
I read this thinking it might be as funny as Frank's autobiography. It wasn't but it was still a good read, charting the author's return to stand up. There were some good one liners and some humorous situations, but the book really exposed the fragile psyche of the stand up comedian, an occupation that most of us would associate with confident performers. Look forward to more from Mr Skinner.
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May 24, 2015Frank Skinner has almost everything I want in a man: he's from Birmingham, he's funny, intelligent, well-read, shows moments of generosity and tenderness and is absolutely filthy! Like the man, this book has it all!"
December 4, 2009
Funny, awkward, very open - can Frank go back to doing standup after the easy life of TV ?
January 1, 2012
A great read, written by a very bright man who loves his subjects (himself, stand up comedy) while also knowing just what's wrong with them.
June 12, 2012
Nice insight into Frank's comedy diary, witty throughout and entertaining.
April 23, 2013
Love frank but sometimes felt a bit bored. Ok overall
April 4, 2023
After reading his autobiography, I was really looking forward to this one.
Well it didn't fall that flat but did stagger. The dullness of touring translated into the dullness of reading about it
Well it didn't fall that flat but did stagger. The dullness of touring translated into the dullness of reading about it
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews