Saturday Night Peter: Memoirs of a Stand-up Comedian

by Peter Kay

CENTURY, 9781846053634,

Genres: Autobiography, Nonfiction, Biography, Humor, Comedy, Celebrity

258 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Kay's stand-up career told by Peter… i.e. comedically. Very funny, and also heart warming as Peter gives a cheery and engrossing tale of how he worked his way up the comedy ladder to become the superstar he is now. Did I mention that it is very funny? 8 out of 12

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve got so many books just-started and half-read at the moment that my reading life has become a bit of an organisational reading nightmare. With a frantic workload being balanced over two parts of the UK, I needed a book to balance me and to help put my reading on-track again. This book was the perfect choice and – on top of this – it’s humble and funny. What’s not to like???

Peter Kay has always been my comedian of choice and this book goes a long way into explaining the success of his comedic career. From humble roots, his particular branch of Northern (English/UK) nostalgia-driven observational comedy stands out alone within the home-grown market and within this book he attempts to analyse his comedic style and career progression.

What I like about this book is that everything seems un-contrived, raw and close to its origins. Kay doesn’t seem to buy into star treatment but just seems to see comedy and fame for what they are. You get a strong sense that Kay appreciates some of the finer trappings of fame but that it’s just not within his interests to abuse them. This only boosts his reader appeal where amongst pages of touring and personal anecdotes he throws in his old jokes and, guess what, due to their authenticity – they’re still funny after all these years! Hence, this book is a gem to read for anyone who has faithfully followed Kay’s career – a must read for the true devotees. Garlic bread, t’internet, t’Egypt and accounts of biscuit-dipping can all be found here although I must say that The Cars’ ‘pork pie’ remains a favourite musical analysis of mine (and how I howled at the MEN Arena Manchester when I heard it in the flesh)!

As a side issue, reading the book made me think of how it would/could appeal to un-UK audiences and my answer is honestly that I don’t know. I think this book is a great reference book for all would-be/could-be comedy writers the world over but, saying this, the comedy is contextual and the overriding appeal will probably be for nostalgia prone Brits who have an uncanny knack of relating to the ever-true gospel of Kay.

Just love the man. A great read and a classic!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and very informative. A great insight into backstage antics as well as life on the road

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny book - this takes us through Peter's early days of doing stand-up in small clubs through to the end of his best-selling "mum wants a bungalow" nationwide tour. Plenty of recollections of those days and some snippets of his comedy routines.

One of my favourite bits was where he is called to stand in for Al Murray at a corporate entertainment event after the organiser wanted someone who could be guaranteed not to swear as the audience might be offended. Peter is waiting in the wings to go on as the organiser is explaining to the audience why they've got a replacement act that night. Peter is then finally introduced and goes on and opens the act with the immortal line "Fuck me, I thought he'd never shut up" which brought the house down - the rest of the act was expletive free though, but what an opening! (page 129 if you want to read this bit for yourself)

[Martin Kilbane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great account of Peter Kay's years as a stand-up which finishes at the end of the "Mum Want's A Bungalow" tour- a tour poignant for me as I went to one of those gigs and it was my first ever arena gig experience.

Back to the book, this was more structured than his previous Sound Of Laughter book, so had an easier flow as opposed to his initial scattered approach. Also great to read parts of his material, which you will be familiar with if you have seen the DVDs. Good to see they still draw a smile to your face.

This book is definitely worth the read if you are a fan or have enjoyed his stand up material.

[Polly Tiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Peter Kays first book and loved it. So I got his second book. He describes a journey from small venues to arenas. I had to reread it to fully comprehend the incredible journey he had on the tour that just kept on getting larger and larger venues. Now when I see his shows they're even better to me because I have read what he has said about performing his shows. I do like these young comedians. They are so funny. Not like the racist sexist comedians of years ago that I never found funny.

[Siobhan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light-hearted account of Peter's rise to fame & fortune with many insights of the less than glamorous lifestyle of stand-up comics on tour. You will probably only read this if you like Peter Kay but it is full of amusing stories that should appeal to all. The photos help to illuminate the text. There is no place for the private side of Peter. I would liked to have found out more about his mother and her influence on his career and his father is not mentioned, at all. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more funny than his first book! I laughed out loud quite a lot whilst reading this (and got a fair few funny looks!) I think it helps that I'm from the same town and so when he talks about phrases he uses, I completely understand! It was interesting to read more of his back-story and I guess it shows that anyone can make it if they are good enough and are prepared to put in the effort.

This man is a legend... 'nuff said.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second part of Peter Kay's autobiographies. This time he focuses on his work as a stand up comedian. I have to say that I didn't expect it to be as good as his first book, but it was. I loved hearing of his experiences and I loved hearing the stories behind his successes. I particularly enjoyed reading about the filming of his stand up DVDs which I loved when they were released. Has it really been 8 years since his last one was filmed?

[Daniel Penfold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very funny and witty autobiography. This takes up the story from when Peter first won a comedy award until the end of the Mum Wants a Bungalow tour. The references are mainly about stand up appearances, there is very little about the TV stories but for me what was most impressive and funny was Kay's ability to make everyday situations appear witty and amusing. There may be some embellishment in the stories but nothing seems contrived. Well worth reading.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a big fan of autobiographies, but this one had me up till 2am the other night. It is written much the same way as Peter does his stand up shows, starts on one things, moves to something else, then back to the original.

The stories about he tells about getting into stand up are very funny (hence being up till 2am).

Worth a read

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read as is the first book, I like the way he writes, it's highly believable and just as I would rite it down if it was me. I hope there is going to be another chapter in this story and I will deff be top of the queue to read it.
Besides I want to know if his mum did get that bungalow lol

[Antonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny book and a very easy read. He has a skill - say risquee or controversial things with a cheeky little grin that will make you titter and giggle - and sometimes spit your tea out with unexpectedly laughter.

One for the Brits, as you need to know who Peter Kay is, but otherwise very good.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud book. Just as good as the first

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read into how Peter Kay got started, his first gig on Parky. When your reading it you cant help yourself, but read the book in his Lancastrian accent, it reads better!

[ghostly_bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

CAWPILE 6.00
3.5 STARS

Read as part of the Orilium Spring Equinox April 2025.
I really enjoy Peter Kay's writing, I read his most recent offering last year and really enjoyed myself so I had to pick this one up when I saw it.
A quick, easy read with some fantastic insights into the world of stand up comedy.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun easy read.

[George Collison · Rating 5 out of 5]

why did I feel like a proud dad reading this?

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a reluctant buy, but when I saw this at £3.50 in Sainsburys I thought it was worth a gamble. I've found one or two gems now discounted at Sainsburys - Amazon may well be cheaper but sometimes instant gratification is best.

I'm not a massive fan of Peter Kay, the stand-up. He's the sort of comedian my parents like - and like rock 'n' roll, you don't want to share this interest with your mum and dad. It was never an issue with music - I liked the Clash and the Sex Pistols whereas my mother liked the Batchelors, and I prefer more edgy comedians like Rich Hall and Ed Byrne.

Anyway to the book - it is very very good indeed. Peter Kay's sense of humour is far deeper than his stand-up suggests and this book captures it brilliantly. It also covers his life on the road (very funny) and also the preparation that he put in to make it as a top-selling stand-up - not so funny, but very interesting.

All in all, the best £3.50 I've spent in a long time. I've since purchased his first book - heavily discounted of course.

[John Holliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Havnt really seen much of Peter Kays comedy, just the odd bit here and there, managed to pick this book up in a charity shop, 5 books for £2, all good ones but thats by the by.....didnt think I was going to enjoy the book but then started to get into it.....really enjoyed it, my kind of humour....will have to look out for some of the DVDs. This is the second autobiography and guess what....I have just picked up the first volume from the same charity shop......looking forward to reading it, and will treat it as a prequel...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually find comedians write good autobiographies and this is no exception. It has great anecdotes, my favourites being about Kiss playing in Manchester and Liam Gallagher’s coat choice. I didn’t realise when I bought this book that it was a follow up to Kay’s The Sound Of Laughter. I’ve since bought the Sound Of Laughter because a) Kay keeps plugging it in Saturday Night Peter and b) I’m very amused by his writing. He’s warm and funny. Like all good books that touch on British comedy Russ Abbot is mentioned, as are the Krankies.

[Harry Burnside · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an entertaining book. Not great literature, which always takes me about 3 months to read each book, but a book in six days suited me for a change. I think Peter achieved what he set out to do, write a review of his years in stand up which contained so many funny anecdotes and had me putting the book down and head for you tube to see some of the work he was referring too.
A very pleasant and page turning book.

[Libby Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - but then Im a Peter Kay fan. It gives great insight into a comedian’s life on the circuit- the hard work, traveling and fast food diet that accompany this. Plenty of funny PK anecdotes to make you laugh put loud

[Carrie-Jennifer Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Peter Kay and have recently finished the Sound of Laughter which I thoroughly enjoyed both when it came out and when I read it again recently. This second 'memoir' book was also really good, dated in some areas, but generally a good and interesting read.

[Jack Youd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A follow up from his previous book ‘The Sound of Laughter’, this book follows the immediate years after that and Peter Kay’s rise to selling out arena’s. A book filled with many funny stories and jokes from the life of an up and coming comedian. Great read.

[Michael Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kay is a decent enough writer and is warm in the retelling of his life, but you have to say this is a bit of a lazy cash-in with the amount of chunks of his stand up just copied and pasted in there. Given the book is only 250 pages with this, there’s not much there.

[Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the most funniest autobiographies i have ever read just goes on from the sound of laughter which is just slightly funnier but a really laughout loud read.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it ❤️

[Paul Ingrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

stopped reading it after one chapter which was mundane and to be honest quite dull. Brilliant comedian but this did nothing for me at all. Perhaps I needed to have read his autobiography first.

[Cameron Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny read going through the life of Peter Kay, often found myself laughing at some of the stories shared, despite also seeing them during a recorded performance of his!