Barry Cryer: Same Time Tomorrow?: The Life and Laughs of a Comedy Legend

by Bob Cryer

Foreword by Sandi Toksvig | WATERSTONES' BEST BOOKS OF 2023: ENTERTAINMENT

'Give this book to everyone you know - NOW!' Miriam Margolyes
'This is a joyous, uplifting book' Observer
'He was so funny and such fun and here he is again in all his rib-tickling glory' Gyles Brandreth

'I don't know how long I've got left … I don't even buy green bananas anymore'

When the legendary comedian Barry Cryer died in January 2022, there was a vast outpouring of grief, appreciation and anecdotes – from the general public and fellow comics alike. Now, his son, Bob, is doing what Barry's humility did not revealing the story of the man behind the jokes.

This book is an ode both to Barry's incredible life and to the lessons he so generously imparted on the art of comedy during his sixty-year career. Stretching from the music halls of the fifties, via working alongside everyone from Morecambe and Wise to Kenny Everett and David Frost, and into more recent times as a stalwart of Radio 4's long-running I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, where he worked with Rob Brydon and David Mitchell among many others, this book is a hugely entertaining insight into the life of a true comedy legend. Bob also shares a range of exclusive material unique to the Cryer family – including family photos, memorabilia, oral recordings, interviews with friends and colleagues (among them Michael Palin and Eric Idle) – as well as Bob's own personal reflections on living and working with a comedy icon.

Laced with candour, warmth and filled with his trademark humour, Barry Same Time Tomorrow? is not just a wonderfully witty and affectionate biography of a father by a son, but a heartwarming insight into a vanishing era of comedy.

Genres: Biography, Comedy, Humor, Nonfiction

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2023

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny biography of Barry Cryer doesn't disappoint

[Shirley Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Son says famous Dad was a nice chap. A few funny anecdotes thrown in. Perfectly adequate but not my scene. Book club choice. If I am to read a biography I probably need there to be controversy and revelations (there is a tame one in this!). Shelved.

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful biography of Barry Cryer, written by his son. The book gives you an insight into Barry’s comedy development. The one thing that stands out is his ability to embrace the new generation, take for example his relationship with Kenny Everett. A funny tribute to one of comedy’s unsung heroes.

[Rick Bach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit more sentimental than I expected but a nicely written appreciation of a very funny and well liked man.

[Marianna Mullarkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely tribute to a talented man. Had the joy of meeting Barry Cryer and saw him as an after dinner speaker. He was lovely.

[Colin Murtagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

For most my life, Barry Cryer has been around, even if I wasn't always aware of it. Sure, I'd seen him sometimes on some panel shows, or some game shows, even heard him on the Radio on I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. But at that time, what I wasn't aware of was who he was also writing for, and for people of a certain vintage, it was the golden age of UK comedy. From Danny La Rue, through to Kenny Everert, Baz was the go to guy for a script or a gag.
This book is not only a biography of the man, to a large extent it's a history of comedy in the early years. The satire boom, TW3, the birth of the Pythons, through to the rise of the alternative Scene, there was always someone Barry would be working for, and through his story, the story of comedy at the time is told.
This is a warm loving Biography, written by his son Bob. It's been said that Barry was one of the nicest guys in show business, and this comes through. While Bob doesn't shy away from the problems he had in later life, or from Barrys issues as a parent, the obvious love he has for him shines through. It is a little odd reading a biography however where the subject is called Dad.
While not purely fixed to a timeline, the book is in roughly chronological order, with the odd diversion here and there, which makes it feel more personal, closer to a conversation and reminiscing. And there is plenty of that. It's packed with stories and anecdotes, and no book about Barry would be complete without a few of his jokes.
It's a wonderful tribute to a sadly missed entertainer.

[Salli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed really. Now this was clearly written in a very short time, published in the year after death, also written by someone very close to the subject, his son. It is pleasantly written and easy to read. And on the positive it is always wonderful to have the words almost from the horse’s mouth as it were. It is super to hear all about the famous names too, from another side.
But it feels under analysed and veers almost into unabashed worship (Almost because some of his faults are recognised but apologised for) It's never going to be easy to write this book and you need to choose to write either chronologically or thematically and the book really does neither. I'm finding myself in 1960 one minute and in 1980 on the next page. It’s also hard to not see the father through the sons eyes.
I like the jokes at the start of each section and I get the picture of a lovely man with a gift for humour ;a person whom I admired but I feel a need for some deeper analysis - some way of more fully understanding him in his context.

[Joe O'Donnell · Rating 2 out of 5]

When a doting son writes a biography of his beloved father, it would be unrealistic to expect a hatchet job or a glut of sordid revelations. This is doubly the case when the subject is as revered as Barry Cryer, who had long attained national treasure status before he passed away in 2022. His son Bob does an excellent job at capturing Cryer’s generosity of spirit, how his persona “radiated benevolence”, and his unsurpassable skill as a raconteur. But his understandable reverence for his father and still palpable grief makes for a constrained read. Where “Same Time Tomorrow?” does work is where it allows space for Barry Cryer’s jokes and anecdotes – essentially his greatest hits – to breathe across the page.

[Brian Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely homage to his father showing the wide range of Barry's career, his extraordinary comic talents and writings and a writing CV that is unlikely to be surpassed . Starting in the music halls the book traces Barry's career through several decades , which reads like a history of British comedy .Several of his favourite jokes are printed . Barry comes over as a lovely man , who encouraged and promoted new comedians . His appearances on I'm sorry I haven't a clue are testimony to his quick wit and enthusiasm . The writer clearly has a genuine love of his father and his achievements , which come through in the book .

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book club choice and wouldn't have been something I selected but that is the joy of book club.

As not growing up here I didn't really get the references and for me there was no real substance to the book but rather a love letter to his dad. There is nothing wrong with that it is just not for me

[Grant S · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s hard to be critical about a book written much like a tribute by a son to his Dad so I’ll keep it brief. It started out well with plenty of laughs but the last two thirds it drifted and towards the end I was saying to myself ok I get it to the point I could have skipped the Epilogue. All that said my eyes watered at the beginning and again at the end and that’s no bad thing. Happy the Man.

[Simon Dane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle and tender tribute from son to father of a comedic life well lived. Barry Cryer is up there, for me at least, with the likes of Ronnie Barker and it was great to be reminded of some good old fashioned jokes and anecdotes. I will remember these for family gatherings!

[Ray Smillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few reviews moaning about the lack of juicy stories showing the dark side of Barry Cryer. He didn't have a dark side. Always thought he came over as a genuinely nice guy with a great sense of humour and appreciation of the absurdities of life. This biography confirms my opinion.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many classic stories told from a new perspective, and I learned a lot as well. Bob knows that everyone loved his father and warmly shares stories of his life.

[Hugo Collingridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely warm book about someone who seems to have been a lovely warm man. And every chapter starts with a funny joke. What more could you ask for?

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not many laughs, it’s the way you tell `em, and a bit verbose. A son honouring his dad.

[Ruth Gwinnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting tribute

Bob Cryer paints a "warts and all" portrait of his father" with love and honesty. Barry was one of Britain's best loved comediens.

[Gill Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was expecting more comedy. Very factual. Although some of the gags listed made me lough out loud.

[Andy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful career, well documented in this book. Learnt a lot more than I was expecting. A must read for fans