Russell Howard: The Good News, Bad News - The Biography

by Abi Smith

Good news, Russell Howard fans!It's time to take a butcher's into the mad, rib-tickling, insane yet lovable world of the one of the UK's favourite comedians.Abi Smith heads deep into the West Country to discover how people from as far as Midsomer Norton, Somerset to Minneapolis, USA fell in love with this energetic, mesmerising, boyishly blond Bristolian.How exactly has Russell, the kid who used to sleep with his underpants on his head in an effort to cure his acne, become the geezer who is now headlining shows at the O2 Arena, Wembley and the Royal Albert Hall?How has the timid boy who wouldn't speak at family gatherings because he was too shy become a TV panel-show heavyweight?How has the teen who wore his jeans back-to-front because he thought he looked like a cool rapper become an award-winning stand-up with a string of worldwide sell-out tours to his name?He might describe himself as the 'munter' of all his friends with his wonky teeth and lazy eye, but there is something rather special about this good-natured, good-fun dude whose favourite topics of stand-up quite often include his mother's hilarious antics.One things for sure, he might have been bullied at school, had haircuts from hell and missed out on a career as a footballer but he is certainly having the last laugh now - and we are in the front row laughing out-loud with him.

Genres: Nonfiction

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2017

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book a lovely personal insight into a very funny man.

[Ashly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did anyone even proofread this book? There are so many errors, it contains two chapter 14's! Not to mention all the words combined into one, and then words that are just wrong. I wanted to like this biography. Russell is a great comedian and I was looking forward to learning more about him, but the amount of errors I noticed make me question the rest of the information presented. Reading this was more frustrating than informative most of the time. It basically comes across as a really bad book report, just thrown together at the night before just to have something to turn in to the teacher.

[vgy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even the most casual Russell Howard fan will learn very little that they didn't already know about the comedian from this book. The majority of the text is rehashing bits from his stand-up shows and tv & magazine interviews. Also agree with the previous poster - there was a serious lack of editing and the whole thing felt very slapdash.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

although it's not a book by the comedian himself, the book was amazing to read and to learn about his way of helping new comedians come through by giving them the chance to appear on his show. i love his relationship with his family, especially his wonderful mum ninette. i would say that for me personally that it's a one time read but this is not aimed at all who read it.

[Lauren Boughey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved reading this book and finding out more about my favourite comedian's life. However, there are quotes in there that are used more than once and words that don't have spaces between them. Apart from that, a brilliant read.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Russell Howard!!! I hated this book. Terrible editing and flow. Once I started skimming, around page 60, I knew I wouldn’t finish it. I’ll just content myself with YouTube clips, because this book was unreadable.

[Carenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting biography on one of my favourite comedians, feel as though I know a lot more about him now

[Kelly Finnerty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been better if it was written by Russell himself as he's naturally funny. Good nevertheless.