Fight!: Thirty Years Not Quite at the Top

by Harry Hill

A TIMES BEST COMEDY BOOK OF 2021

'The funniest man in the world has written the funniest book in the world.' DAVID WALLIAMS

'A brilliant insight in to what it takes to go from regular funny bloke to one of the best stand ups I've ever seen.' LEE MACK

'Proper laugh-out-loud funny, fascinating, and doubles up as probably the best book of advice on how to be a comedian I've ever read. A must for anyone who's interested in the business of laughter.' JOE LYCETT

'The funniest book I've read in years.' ADAM KAY

From a childhood spent making smoke bombs, killing wasps and carving soap in 70s Kent, Harry Hill then found himself in charge of hundreds of sick people as a junior doctor. Out of his depth and terrified, he chucked it all in to pursue his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian. Battling his way through the 90s Comedy circuit he quickly rose to become a household name and one of the UK's most celebrated comics, almost making it to the top of the showbiz tree . . .

From being chased around a car park by an angry heckler, getting fired from Capital Radio and watching every episode of Freaky Eaters , to a bizarre assassination attempt and cutting up Simon Cowell's trousers, Harry takes an honest and hilarious look at the ups and downs of his life and career through the lens of what didn't go right.

He shares his secrets on how to be a great comedian, finding joy in failure and creativity in struggle, whilst never forgetting that life is short . . .

What readers are saying about Fight!

'Hilarious... recommended unreservedly' *****
'Lots of laughs and memories of days gone by' *****
'A great book... I could not put it down' *****
'Beautifully written and great fun' *****

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Comedy, Autobiography, Humor, Memoir

320 pages, Hardcover

Published June 14, 2022

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was funny in parts as it reviewed his medical training in London and his comedy career to date

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fight! is a cleverly written autobiography that mixes the serious narrative of Harry's journey with the silliness you'd expect from such a fine comedian.

The book touches on most of your Hill favourites, missing a few larger projects out, one of which being You've Been Framed, which was surprising.

The chapters about his time as a doctor were eye opening to say the least.

The best thing about this book bar the silliness is the honesty. I've always liked Harry Hill the entertainer. After reading this book I really think I'd like 'Harry Hill' the person.

I got something in my eye reading Harry's words about Sean Lock in the acknowledgements.

A solid autobiography. It's as enjoyable as Bob Mortimers in my opinion but there really is only one way to find out which is best...

FIGHT!

[Louise Bath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read, and I thoroughly recommend it. It's honest, direct, very silly, and a fascinating account of Harry's origins as Matthew Hall MD, taking in everything from his childhood and early forays on-stage to his disastrous X-Factor musical, and beyond.

As with Bob Mortimer's And Away..., Fight! paints a vivid picture of Hill's earliest days as an entertainer. This followed his decision to ditch a secure life in medicine - for which he didn't feel 100% suited - in favour of following his dream to become a stand-up comedian.

Hill's searingly honest about projects he's worked on, refreshingly unafraid to talk about what didn't work and why, and doesn't soft-soap in any way. He admits when he made bad decisions, and doesn't attempt to shift the blame when these resulted in failure. In fact, he's positively blunt at times. But he's also fiercely loyal to his friends and to those with whom he's enjoyed working, taking them with him to other projects where possible.

What I really enjoyed about this book, as well as the footnotes, was how well it's written, how enjoyable it was to read, and how it steams along like a little train. In addition Hill's voice is very clear, and very articulate.

Above all, what comes across is an unpretentious performer with a unique view of the world, who chose to follow his dreams because, as he says, "Life is short".

[Thom Mckiernan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened via Spotify. Interesting and funny but seems like I only like Harry as a comedian but in real life, not so much

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“…but it was topical. A month later it would have gone for nothing. The point is I was probably first with that Madonna gag - what you don’t want is to be the last. Then it’s the opposite of sharp - it looks lazy and sad…”

A craftsman crafting his craft whilst changing it to keep interesting… top tip of small notebooks for any creativity! Breakdowns on some of the classic jokes (beds beds beds). Hill has such a random but thrilling career - and that is why we like you. Enjoying the quirky side of life and seems to have made it his life ambition to mix it all up and subvert the standard to bring in the silly whilst always having the air of understanding that life can be serious so why try and make it more so? A comforting, open character that many can relate to, as the performer in him wants, and many of us need. As I often still repeat, you’ve got to have a system… If you’re a fan of the surreal mixed with old skool approach (badger parade dichotomy!) this completely delivers on a behind the curtain insight. I wish I would have accepted that signed script in that random moment but I was overawed! I take an imaginary comedy trilby and doff it in honour

“I remember, this is how it feels…”

[Anthony Buck · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read about a guy whose work I've always enjoyed. For me it suffered in comparison with bob mortimers book, which I also read recently and found a lot more engaging. But this was still good.

[Stephen Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid autobiography, which felt honest and insightful.

At times, especially when describing his childhood it felt a bit like one of those look back documentaries as Matthew / Harry gave us some colour about the decade, historical context and various parallels and contrasts to todays values, especially in relation to the easy and safe world children experience growing up in todays world. His personal insights chronicling his path into medical school, practice and professionalism were one of the main reasons I wanted to read this, to find out more about the man under the oversized collar. His childhood obsession with explosives and fire forming his interest in chemistry and science, his introduction to the drama club while studying to become a doctor were excellent to read. Forming a double act doing medical based routines before moving away from the science link and discovering his solo surreal voice. There were some brutally honest tellings of his internal thoughts and anxieties whilst a doctor, being on call, panic in-front of patients relatives, incorrect information being delivered, admin errors and very often the wrong tone of voice. The anxieties coming back when he put himself forward in lockdown when he volunteered to help out and return from retirement to the medial sector in a time of crisis.

His rise to fame and the comedians he lived with, performed with and admire are all represented with a plethora of insightful anecdotes. His experiences at the Fringe and observations on how the festival has changed over the years were great. He also gave a surprising amount of attention to exposing his writing process, analysis of his and other comedians show structures, and of the various TV programs he was in. I find these parts the most interesting, as a lot of writers / comedians aren’t willing to disclose this.

The section about TV Burp was a highlight, as I always wondered how hectic and stressful it was for Harry and the rest of the writing team to sift through so much content, find things to riff on and make it funny.

His exposure of the pressure from TV bosses, the ratings battles, new show commissions were eye opening and showed it to be a roller coaster of stress, relying a lot on luck but constantly on the precipice of failure, often with no relation to the quality of the material. It covered the vast majority of his career that I’m aware of and then some… although other than a sentence or two it was strange that nothing was mentioned about You’ve Been Framed - I don’t known if there was a contractual clash, or perhaps a conflict with someone hence not mentioning it?

I don’t think I knew about his work on the X-Factor musical, which although I’m not a fan of the original show I think I would have found it to be one of the rare examples of me enjoying a musical - when it’s lampooning something else. The story of its development, seeing approval from Simon Cowell and in-jokes sounded very witty.

Listened on audiobook, read by Harry. It felt surprisingly short and I would of been happy for this to go into more detail, which I suppose is a good thing.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a mixed bag, It’s an easy, enjoyable read about the comedy industry and there are lots of interesting and funny little anecdotes about Harry’s career but I just couldn’t warm to him. It probably needs to be said that I wasn’t a fan before reading this book and I haven’t previously enjoyed his humour style so this book didn’t change that, I read it because I like reading comedian autobiographies and it was also 99p.

It is an autobiography but it is primarily focused on his career so after a couple of brief childhood chapters it moves quickly on to his medical career before covering various projects that he has worked on from his early days starting out in comedy up until more recent projects prior to lockdown. He completely misses out You’ve Been Framed which seems odd when it is one of his better-known projects, it makes me wonder why he didn’t talk about it? Which is another reason that I didn’t love this book, it’s a very shallow look at his career, nothing is mentioned in depth and you don’t really learn anything about him as a person, however I liked that he didn’t shy away from talking about projects that hadn’t gone as well as he had hoped such the Stars in Their Eyes reboot or the X-Factor musical.

The NHS chapters really made me feel uneasy, maybe I’m missing a bit of the intended humour within these chapters but when he describes Doctors not really running to cardiac arrest emergency call outs it just made me feel disheartened and sad and made me glad that he chose a career in comedy because working in a caring profession obviously wasn’t for him.

The humour style just wasn’t for me, a lot of his humour seems to revolve around poking fun down on others and that’s not what I find funny. Some of the sketches he described in the book such as the one around Heather from EastEnders just felt a little too close to bullying to me but as I haven’t seen the actual sketch it might just be my interpretation of the description of it but there were several instances within the book where I felt the same. He seems to have a tight circle of friends who he appears to be loyal to and repeatedly works with which is nice but on the flip side whilst there is nothing wrong with not having hundreds of friends within the industry, I felt an element of sneer towards some of his peers at times. I enjoyed the book on the whole but it wasn’t a favourite and it hasn’t made me a fan.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were two elements to this book really, one being the standard anecdotes from his life and the other a snapshot into the process of making or commissioning TV shows and stand-up. Bar the odd line here and there the writing itself wasn't done for laughs, but Hill's comedy has often been a bit too wacky for me so this worked out well.

Unlike some others, the childhood section was relatively short and this was mostly about his comedy career, which is good as I wasn't that interested until he was studying medicine. He regularly points out that he isn't one for awards ceremonies and celebrity so perhaps there is a natural limit to the amount of showbiz content, but he kept it about comedy for the most part, and comedy was clearly central to his thinking even while he was a doctor.

In contrast to most other comedians' books, Hill talked about his act and how it worked with his fellow performers, without repeating elements of the routines verbatim, and this gave an insight into the dynamics of double acts and how different styles are received by audiences. Despite the success of TV Burp progress up to then was mixed, if still more successful than a typical comedian. The Burp chapter was interesting to me, outlining the process of making the show and the editorial guidance, as well as reflecting on different elements (though I am still at a loss as to what was funny about Wagbo each week, especially after an earlier takedown of Are You Being Served for doing the same jokes ad nauseum).

The prose was funny at times but the stories and reflections were generally the point of the chapters, rather than just the setup for jokes. Sometimes chapters seemed a bit too short, like the radio section, but in general I admired the way the writing process was integrated into the book, and not just into the 'how to do comedy' sections. For me, these insights lifted the book above those by other comedians but I think you would have to have a wider interest in comedy to enjoy these which might otherwise be a bit granular.

[Chris Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s very likeable but essentially has two insurmountable problems:

1. the more serious authorial voice of Matthew Hall and the sillier voice of Harry Hill do not comfortably mix together so, with a few exceptions, whenever Hall tries to get silliness it feels a bit like Hill’s delivery is still there so it feels accidentally a bit crass at times. He could have done more work at trying to separate those voices because it gets a bit jarring at times

2. it’s very hard not to think of Bob Mortimer’s book, because Bob brilliantly combines Bob the comic persona with his real essential Bobness. It deftly turns from silly to warmth to slight melancholy with little effort. It’s always rubbish to compare books like this, but because Bob’s autobiography is a triumph of several emotions it’s very hard not to think of it when Hall/ Hill can’t quite get the right tone

He’s absolutely at his best when he’s doing the stuff Stewart Lee does brilliantly, talking about his comic peers and particularly explaining the nuts and bolts of writing comedy. Those are fascinating sections, a comedian enthusiastically explaining how ideas are generated and then hammered into jokes. I could have read hundreds more pages like that

[Will Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was given this as a gift and it turned out to be a good one - really enjoyed it.

I have always had a fondness for HH, particularly his TV burp stuff, and now having read about his life and his comedy I'm more of a fan than before. A simply written, down to earth and honest account of Matthew Hall's life and his career as Harry Hill. Have been going back to watch his older output on youtube after reading this, and its brilliant. Such a quirky, interesting comedian, who found his own unique style rather than following the crowd, and also such a likeable guy.

A really easy read, full of interesting anecdotes interspersed with silly jokes that raised a few laugh-out-loud chuckles from me. Special shout out to the bits of the book where Harry describes his process and tips for writing and performing comedy. As a writer and someone interested in comedy these sections were absolutely fascinating.

[Books_3]

"That poor boy, dying - so sad, especially when all the birds were singing in the sky.
Even more tragic was that Terry looked so well when he sand it on Top of the Pops. Ain't life cruel?

-------

You think Einstein came up with E=MC2 whilst operating a leaf blower? No, he got the idea in front of a blackboard. You've got to expend a lot of chalk to be a success.

-------

David Quantic just has a bizarre way of thinking. So, for instance, Dave brought in a clip from Emmerdale, which really was just a shot of Zac Dingle in the foreground, but in the background, through a window, you could see a goat. 'Window goat on Emmerdale!' he said in his West Country twang, and for some reason, it got a laugh.

[Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realised I didn't know much about Harry Hill at all so after getting back into TV Burp, I decided to seek out his autobiography. He approaches everything so openly and I loved hearing about his decision to leave medicine for comedy and his thoughts on stand up comedy and being a comedian as a whole. I think this is the fastest I've devoured a book this year: I couldn't wait to get some time to myself whenever I could to pick up where I left off. Loved how it was written, not overly sentimental like some autobiographies but not necessarily glossing over things.

[Miles Isham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The David Walliams blurb on the back says "the funniest man in the world has written the funniest book in the world". Well, yes he has, but this isn't that book. That book was Livin' the Dreem by Harry Hill, which I would rank right up there with the very best of Spike Milligan, get it! This is a semi autobiography which concentrates on the reality of building a career in comedy. I laughed alot but it's not a comedy. A really interesting insight into the business told in Harry's warm and funny style.

[Nikki Deeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fight! Is Harry Hill’s autobiography providing an insight to his medical and comedy career, giving advice on how best to enter the comedy industry.

This was an interesting read with some insight into Harry Hill’s career life. There isn’t much ‘personal life’ information within this book as he is a very private man so the book mostly focuses on his comedy success. An easy read, it is lighthearted, however, I wouldn’t say this is a ‘laugh-out-loud’ book. As an autobiography it does lack a little bit of the personal element.

[Chris Best · Rating 3 out of 5]

Few comedians have made me laugh as long and hard as Harry Hill so I was very keen to read this. There are plenty of chuckles and as a comedy and tv geek there is plenty of process to devour. The lows are covered in as much detail as the highs with some very honest options about the comedy industry. That said, as a self admitted sceptic of celeb culture, it can be a little dry unless you are a big fan of Mr Harry.

[Francesca Pashby]

I loved this, because it took me write back to my career from 1994-1997, when I worked as a PA for a comedy agent in London. And whilst I probably said hello once to Harry Hill in my entire life, all the people and places he mentioned were just so evocative for me ... it was a pure blast of nostalgia.

Plus I was always a huge fan of his stand up, "back me up on this", and he comes across as a such a sweetie!

[Ray Smillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually much better than I anticipated as I wasn't sure that Harry's offbeat humour would transfer well to print but he pulled it off. Don't share his love of musicals so found that section (tbh I didn't know he had written one) dull, plus some of his TV work wasn't mentioned however, it was entertaining on the whole.

[Lauren Lewsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fight! by Harry Hill follows his career from his school days to being a doctor, the Edinburgh Fringe, and TV success. This book is one of the few that actually made me laugh out loud while reading it.
I loved watching TV Burp on a Saturday evening and it was fascinating to hear how the show was made.
All in all, Fight! is an entertaining and funny read that raises your spirits.

[Charles Assadourian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and moving journey through the life of a beloved comedian. A great collection of tales from Harry’s life going into detail, interspersed with great laughs. My one critique is that some periods of life seemed a little rushed and reaching the last pages i got the sense that the author was keen to wrap things up.

[R7835 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a big fan of Harry Hill before I read this. Sometimes it's better not to get glimpses of the personality behind the star - there were certain things said and/or hinted at in the book that has really put me off him as a person. It would have been interesting to have read this if it had been published pre-2020's...

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved Harry Hill for his comedy style, and like he says there's rarely been any of the clown comedy over the few decades so he's had trouble with stocking an audience. A good biography if you like him!

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny, as you'd expect from such a naturally funny man.
Also fascinating insight into the world of comedy with chapters on dealing with hecklers, building your act, bad gigs, dealing with awards ceremonies etc...
One of the most enjoyable biographies I've read

[Becca Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Hill has just written my favourite comedy autobiography of all time (and I’ve read a fair few!). Honestly laugh out loud funny with a humility and openness that reminds me why I’ve loved Harry for all these years. An absolute joy

[Catriona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, interesting and sometimes very funny. I learned a lot about the bumpy road to stand up comedian success, and about what makes Harry Hill tick. This feels like an honest account of an unusual life.

[Jonny Mowat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laughed out loud many times. Reads in his voice, which I did not expect because his telly voice is wild. Very enjoyable hearing from a comic confident in their abilities, regardless of their career fluctuations. Really reminded me that TV Burp was a sacred blessing.

[Kev Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this on my way to England in the summer. Some moments were really hilarious, but there were some periods where the entertainment waned. The jokes at the beginning of each chapter were terrific, though.

[Sarah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and enjoyable listen (audiobook)

[meryl gormley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book, I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't much about Harry hill growing up in it, but never the less it was still an interesting read

[Hollie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m only the second person to leave a one star review of this book? Is everyone ok?