Catherine Tate: Laugh it Up!

by Tina Ogle, Brian Milton

From the argumentative teenager Lauren Cooper to the foul-mouthed Nan Taylor and the effete Derek Faye, Catherine Tate’s myriad roles on The Catherine Tate Show have made her a landmark in contemporary comedy. Her success is no flash in the pan, however, but instead a product of nearly two decades spent in show business. This insightful biography follows Catherine from her early struggles with obsessive compulsive behavior through her initial television appearances. Her breakthrough starring alongside Dawn French in the comedy series Wild West is also covered, as is her recent success as the fiercely independent Donna Noble on Doctor Who , her little-known performances in the theater, and her private life with her husband and daughter. Drawing on interviews with many of those who have worked most closely with Catherine over the years, this is the complete portrait of this hilarious and hugely talented actress.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2008

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read and I learnt a bit that I didn't already know about her, but it was quite repetitive.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

With a languid and opinionated writing style, I am always surprised when I read a biography from the UK. They do not seem to be as objective and direct as U.S. bios. I learned a lot about Catherine Tate but a lot more has happened since this publication in 2008. One strength of this book was a comprehensive list of all the characters from the Catherine Tate show. And I liked this quote, "Comedy has to be eight parts recognition, one part shock, and one part exaggeration."