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Where Do Comedians Go When They Die?: Journey of a Stand-Up
Jerome Stevens makes people laugh for a living. Or he tries to... The stand-up circuit is a world of extremes where money talks, agents slither and hecklers throw mince pies. It's hard to balance the demands of touring with family life - especially when Jerome is a star everywhere except his own home and his seven-year-old son is his biggest critic.
Follow Jerome as he moves from the blind terror of a first open spot to being hounded out of Wales by an angry mob of brewery staff. As he chases the elusive beast that is laughter, meet violent bouncers, paranoid celebrities and humourless producers all competing to milk the comedy cash cow. But exactly who is having the last laugh when he finds himself thrown into a Chinese prison?
Fizzing with the one-liners and surreal humour for which Milton Jones is famous, this is an authentic, hilarious story of the life of a stand-up comedian, written by the real deal.
Follow Jerome as he moves from the blind terror of a first open spot to being hounded out of Wales by an angry mob of brewery staff. As he chases the elusive beast that is laughter, meet violent bouncers, paranoid celebrities and humourless producers all competing to milk the comedy cash cow. But exactly who is having the last laugh when he finds himself thrown into a Chinese prison?
Fizzing with the one-liners and surreal humour for which Milton Jones is famous, this is an authentic, hilarious story of the life of a stand-up comedian, written by the real deal.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
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121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 12, 2024
A comfort read while on holiday, I could sense Jones’ comedy through the lines but wished for more quips and one-liners. Still this was written before I started following the author around the TV shows so probably he has refined his style since the publication. All in all, an interesting insight into the life of a comedian before stand-up really took off in Britain. The story of his sister’s illness was a sobering thread through and given with much sensitivity. I enjoyed it and would read more by him.
July 31, 2023
A good bit of fun from one of my favourite comedians. Semi-autobiographical, mixed with adapted stories and anecdotes from other comics, which were gratifying to recognise when I did, this narrative snapshot of a comedian's journey and lifestyle was as funny and entertaining as you'd expect from Milton, oozing his zany onstage personality, but also delivering a few poignant explorations of the human condition.
July 10, 2022
The butler did it.
I wasn't sure what to expect, based on Milton Jones' comedy -- which I've only seen from binge-watching Mock the Week. It was much less surreal, and had more heart. The only surreal thing about it is the plot, and that's not "holy-shit-what-the-fuck?" surreal, it's just odd.
I wasn't sure what to expect, based on Milton Jones' comedy -- which I've only seen from binge-watching Mock the Week. It was much less surreal, and had more heart. The only surreal thing about it is the plot, and that's not "holy-shit-what-the-fuck?" surreal, it's just odd.
July 17, 2019
Very much a stream of consciousness, very entertaining.
February 21, 2020
Rated one star because I just couldn’t finish this book...it wasn’t working for me which is sad because I do love Milton Jones as a comedian.
September 15, 2013
As a big fan of Milton Jones, an English comedian well known for his Hawaiian shirts and deadpan one-liners, it truly pains me to say that I found this, his first novel, a big disappointment.
The story of Jerome Stevens, an up and coming comedian. This felt a bit like a biography in as much as, written by someone who has been-there-and-done-that, it is obviously a very authentic read of life as lived on the comedy circuit. And indeed, though you couldn't mistake the not altogether likeable Jerome Stevens with Milton Jones, there are one or two comedians who, though renamed, readers may recognise - I'm sure I spotted Russell Brand and possibly Michael Barrymore in there.
Not unlike his stand-up persona (and as you'd probably expect) Milton writes with a wonderful turn of phrase. Though, just as you might also predict, whilst not exactly full of one-liners, his writing style is a bit erratic, the threads of the story not so much hopping as hurdling all over the place.
Amazing as a comic, I feel certain Milton has an equally amazing story in him. However, in my opinion, this isn't it.
Copyright: Petty Witter @ Pen and Paper.
The story of Jerome Stevens, an up and coming comedian. This felt a bit like a biography in as much as, written by someone who has been-there-and-done-that, it is obviously a very authentic read of life as lived on the comedy circuit. And indeed, though you couldn't mistake the not altogether likeable Jerome Stevens with Milton Jones, there are one or two comedians who, though renamed, readers may recognise - I'm sure I spotted Russell Brand and possibly Michael Barrymore in there.
Not unlike his stand-up persona (and as you'd probably expect) Milton writes with a wonderful turn of phrase. Though, just as you might also predict, whilst not exactly full of one-liners, his writing style is a bit erratic, the threads of the story not so much hopping as hurdling all over the place.
Amazing as a comic, I feel certain Milton has an equally amazing story in him. However, in my opinion, this isn't it.
Copyright: Petty Witter @ Pen and Paper.
June 10, 2016
This was a curious one. I feel like it'd be a good pair with Lee Macks autobiography Mack the Life.
Overall, I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it. Despite hitting a reading slump I kept thinking about wanting to continue reading this one. That being said, even from the beginning I'm not sure it reached it's full potential. The story was resolved and the book was quite insightful and interesting, but it wasn't necessarily satisfying.
It was funny and the way it was written in almost a stream of consciousness was initially hard to follow but easy to get in the swing of. Parts of the writing felt a little immature but it was almost endearing.
Though I am biased because I do really love Milton Jones.
Overall, I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it. Despite hitting a reading slump I kept thinking about wanting to continue reading this one. That being said, even from the beginning I'm not sure it reached it's full potential. The story was resolved and the book was quite insightful and interesting, but it wasn't necessarily satisfying.
It was funny and the way it was written in almost a stream of consciousness was initially hard to follow but easy to get in the swing of. Parts of the writing felt a little immature but it was almost endearing.
Though I am biased because I do really love Milton Jones.
June 18, 2015
Published: 01/07/2012
Author: Milton Jones
Recommended for: people who like Milton Jones
I thought that this book was absolutely brilliant! I absolutely loved to read it, I found it really easy to get stuck into and hooked on. It took me a while to find the book and hoped then when I finally read it, I wouldn't have got my hopes up for nothing... but I was really glad I did read it. It's very well written, it flows nicely between the chapters, features alot of funny moments to make you laugh. I would definately recommend this book to people who are a fan of Milton Jones as it is written just like alot of his jokes.
Author: Milton Jones
Recommended for: people who like Milton Jones
I thought that this book was absolutely brilliant! I absolutely loved to read it, I found it really easy to get stuck into and hooked on. It took me a while to find the book and hoped then when I finally read it, I wouldn't have got my hopes up for nothing... but I was really glad I did read it. It's very well written, it flows nicely between the chapters, features alot of funny moments to make you laugh. I would definately recommend this book to people who are a fan of Milton Jones as it is written just like alot of his jokes.
November 25, 2014
I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to. I like watching Milton Jones on the telly, but I thought his novel might be like his stand up - a relentless succession of quips, which might become wearing over the length of a book.
I was very pleasantly surprised however. This very autobiographical novel has a good plot and characters - and yes, there are some funny bits too. It gives an interesting insight into a comedian's life and career - constantly mining every event and relationship for a nugget that can be turned into comedy gold.
It's a light, easy read, and very entertaining.
I was very pleasantly surprised however. This very autobiographical novel has a good plot and characters - and yes, there are some funny bits too. It gives an interesting insight into a comedian's life and career - constantly mining every event and relationship for a nugget that can be turned into comedy gold.
It's a light, easy read, and very entertaining.
December 21, 2014
This is good gentle reading although I think there is more to it than meets the eye. In theory it is fiction, yet the author is able to dig the knife in to certain audiences, promoters, MCs, comedians , the BBC etc. His name changes allow the reader to speculate. Who do you think Michael McIntire is? Apart from that , it is like anew genre - the bits in between. We pay to see the performers on stage, primarilty for the jokes. Here you get the post -gig thoughts on the way stuff. Enjoyable witty stuff.
February 16, 2012
I LOVE MILTON JONES!!! THOUGHT I'D JUST MAKE THAT CLEAR.
You see these men and women standing in front of us, they say a few words, and before long we are absolutely crying with laughter.
The book tells us what its like to tell jokes for a living, but with the Milton Jones twist.
Can't really say much more, you have to read it!
Can't wait for his biography!
You see these men and women standing in front of us, they say a few words, and before long we are absolutely crying with laughter.
The book tells us what its like to tell jokes for a living, but with the Milton Jones twist.
Can't really say much more, you have to read it!
Can't wait for his biography!
March 17, 2014
Although peppered with the one liners he's famous for, unfortunately Milton Jones semi auto-biographical 'novel' falls flat. There isn't much of a story, instead the narrative just stumbles through a series of set pieces and anecdotes - none if which are funny enough to make you forget that there is nothing of substance behind the occasional gag.
April 11, 2016
The reason the old cliché "write about what you know" exists is because when people do the results are often wonderful. This is one of those instances. This is a funny and believable novel and you get the impression that the fictional character of Jerome Stevens isn’t a million miles away from the actual Milton Jones. Some of the quirkiness put me in mind of Tim Vine.
April 30, 2014
I really wanted to like this, as I'm a big fan of MJ. In truth, though, it just didn't really grab hold of me, or really get me laughing. Gave up after a bit. Sorry Milton, though I still think you are great.
December 28, 2012
Written with a lot of heart and a unique approach to shedding insight to the life of a comic and the development of a career in entertainment.
June 29, 2014
Agree with Tracy.
November 5, 2013
Enjoyed this. Imagine it's more autobiographical than he makes out. Love it that 'he' (Jerome) is 38 (my age, for a few more weeks at least)... means I can relate to it quite well!
November 3, 2014
Really enjoyed this book. Very funny in places and a sneak preview behind the scenes of stand up comedy. Well worth a read.
March 6, 2014
Starts well, quite interesting about how stand-up comedy works, but falls apart in the second half for want of plot. By the end, it really was dying.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews