Can't Stand Up for Sitting Down

by Jo Brand

The Stand-Up while Sitting Down Years...

Jo Brand tells the story of how she crawled to fame and fortune, managed to persuade someone to marry her and had some children at an age when she should have been in a bath chair on the seafront. In this second volume of her memoirs, Jo recounts her life on TV, the attempts to tart her up for the screen, good times on the radio (oh the joy of no makepu[ and a curry-stained dressing gown), running the marathon, rally driving, her numerous, occasionally extremely inebriated, Edinburgh festival appearances, her 'acting' career, and much, much more.

Jo Brand is one of our best-loved comedians, according to a quote she made up. This memoir is full of hard-won wisdom, hilarity, and her views on life, laughs, friendships, and all the good and bad things in the world. If she was Prime Minister, the country would be in even more of a mess than it is.

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

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Josephine "Jo" Grace Brand is a BAFTA winning English stand-up comedienne, writer and actress.
Commencing her entertainment career with a move from psychiatric nursing to the alternative comedy stand up scene and early performances on Saturday Live, she went on to appearances on The Brain Drain, Channel 4's Jo Brand Through the Cakehole, Getting On and various television appearances including as a regular guest on QI. In 2003, she was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy.

Reviews

[Margitte · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay.

Jo Brand is an outstanding comedian. BUT!..... This book bored me -- yes almost into a second menopause. And that's sad. I prefer to watch her quirky, quick-witted, sometimes hilariously silly shows. She's better on stage than on paper. Sad but true. For me at least. Brilliant comedian, yes.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this volume much better than her first, probably because I like to hear comics discuss their craft. I enjoyed listening to her tales of touring, attempting to soak up local color and diffusing hecklers. I enjoyed her discussion of the alternative comedy scene in the 1980s and the reaction against Margaret Thatcher. Ms. Brand never talks ill of anyone (except Milton Berle) and even when she says what she does not like about Thatcher, I mostly has to do with the Prime Minister's lack of a sense of humor. The volume covers the author's first television appearance up to her current series "Getting On" -- a show that is so phenomenal that fans who turn to this book to get more of that wit and wisdom will come away disappointed. But if you are familiar with the intersection of British standup and television, you should enjoy yourself, especially if you like listening to comedians talk. There is also a little bit about getting married and becoming a mother late it life, but that felt like more of a diversion from the bulk of the material.

[Angela Moore Garden Tea Cakes and Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-4 stars

[Ceri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, so I said I wouldn’t be reading anymore celeb biogs, I’m a sucker for punishment I know. However, this was at the top of the ‘to be read’ pile and I quite enjoyed her first biog. As Brand was a psychiatrist nurse before being a comedian then at least she has some interesting stories to tell.

This book chronicles her career from leaving nursing to starting as a stand up comedian. She writes about her rise and includes chapters such as good and bad clubs which she has enjoyed doing her routines at. I quite like her, she seems very down to earth with a dry, sarcastic sense of humour.

In another chapter she says ‘I have narrowed down my favourite comedy moments to half a dozen, leaving out an incident in a hotel with two comics which I’m sworn not to repeat’. I personally find this annoying, why put it in the book without more of an explanation, even though she’s probably just letting the two comics know she hasn’t forgotten the incident, just send them an email, not mention it in your book!

The rest of the book ambled along nicely although I can’t help feeling it was written in ‘blog’ form. Naming her favourite books, films and plays in theatre’s. Disappointingly there wasn’t a list of her favourite cakes, one I would have enjoyed :)

This was an ok book, the usual comedian standard. Thankfully this has been written up to her life so far so we won’t be having another book for a good few years.

[Jennifer Chatten · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably a 2.5 star book for me. I finished reading it with a lot of respect for Jo Brand. She comes across as kind but uncompromising in her morals. Her views are her views and she has the guts to stand by them and speak out for people who aren't able to speak out for themselves. She is also extremely honest with the reader and it feels like her voice talking to you through the pages. But I really don't think she enjoyed writing this book! It's divided into three sections and particularly the first section (Trying to be Funny - about her stand up career) felt really strained and vague, but also repetitive. Some chapters are just lists of places and people and really weren't engaging at all. I was glad I persevered, because I enjoyed the second and third sections ("Being Jo Brand" and "The Box") a lot more. There were still some list sections in these as well, but they felt like a more interesting read. I feel a bit mean giving this two stars, because I actually think I like Jo Brand more as a person after reading this book.... But I just didn't really like the book itself!

[Elaine Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd of Jo's autos I have read - the funniest part for me was when Jo was getting quietly married - she didn't want anyone to know other than those invited and it was all top secret. Jo has a friend called Waggly - who happens to remind me of the character Alice Springs from Vicar of Dibley - anyway she was invited to the wedding and that she was to tell no one - on the day of the wedding she had to get a taxi to the church but she wouldn't tell the taxi driver where she wanted him to take her!!

[Catherine J. · Rating 1 out of 5]

God, I hated this book. Jo, there's more to writing a biography than just listing things you did. There was *nothing* to capture the reader's attention in this book. Her first autobiography was leaps and bounds better. Also, she said some unforgivable things about Canadians, which means she can go fuck herself.

[Ken Sampson · Rating 2 out of 5]

[19 Dec 2024] This is a light-touch book, easy read and mostly amusing memoir. It tells the story of her leaving her job as a senior Psychiatric Nurse at the Maudsley Hospital in London and starting her career as a stand-up comedian. It describes the comedy circuit and how she struggled to establish herself and then slowly, but surely gets onto TV, the stage and radio and becomes a regular face to the public. There are small glimpses of her life, her family and background, but essentially it's about her work and career. It is not a work of literature, but then anyone knowing Jo Brand wouldn't expect it to be and she sticks to her irreverent, humorous, gently mocking style, with the occasional expletive.

My two issues are some of it lapses into prolonged dullness. Listing gigs I have done, my favourite books, films, theatre productions as if they were lifted out of her diary feels like padding, is uninteresting and is disappointing. Few people, I suspect, would read about the life of Jo Brand to pick up book recommendations, particular as most appear to have been selected as required reading for the anti-capitalist, metropolitan socialist. You get the view that Jo doesn't indulge herself in stretching or challenging her world-view or exposing herself to people who reach different conclusion to her self.

The issue is her constant references to her socialist political beliefs (nothing wrong with them) but frankly, her hatred, rudeness and intolerant attitude to anyone who doesn't share them is irritating.

A very easy read, interesting at times, but overall there is too much padding and page after page of what, in my opinion, is dull mundane reading. Also the political virtue signalling and lack of tolerance is tiresome, reflecting the London left-wing circles she moves in. Does it tell you very much about her as a person? No not really.

[Keith Messenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second part to the Jo Brand autobiography, published in 2010 (the year after Part 1) is very funny and somewhat enlightening. Whereas the first part (Look Back in Hunger) focuses on Brand’s upbringing, early career as a psychiatric nurse and her just getting started as a stand-up comedian, this part covers her ‘entertainment’ (stand-up, TV, ‘acting’) career from approx. the mid-1980s through to 2010. Brand comes across as a relatively retiring (even shy) person, self-effacing and honest, but committed to her outlook (which is, essentially, from a left-of-centre political viewpoint) on life. There are some interesting sections on the ‘business’ (favoured-unfavoured stand-up clubs, pros and cons of life as a stand-up, close friends and colleagues) plus an insight into Brand’s cultural tastes (favourite films, books, plays). There are references to Brand’s personal-family life, but she recognises (correctly, I would say) that exposure to the ‘public gaze’ is likely to cause more trouble than its worth. All-in-all, a very level-headed, dedicated and talented individual – a rare commodity in these times, I would say.

[Matzen Sen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe this is the second part of Jo's autobiography series, and tells the story of her rise to fame (or at least renown) and the development of her career up to the time the book was written (around 2010). Unlike the first instalment, this book was a lot less engaging and had much less of a narrative structure; the parts that covered her early years on the comedy circuit and experiences in television were interesting, but much of the remaining sections felt like filler: lists, information given in bullet points, random musings strung together without much structure or purpose. Like the first book, I picked this one up from a charity shop, and over the last few weeks I've come across some of her other books in charity shops - but after slogging my way through this one, I left them well alone.

2.5 stars

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Jo Brand!
She speaks her mind, she's absolutely hilarious and she will always remind me of my beautiful Nan because she liked her too and knowing she read this years ago is like a hug from her but bittersweet as well.
Love and miss you always Nana, the most beautiful person inside and out❤🥰

[F Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried to like this book as I enjoy watching Jo on TV, but it just wasn't for me. I stuck with it to the end, as I hoped it was building up to something...but it just bumbled on from one half-story to the next. Repetitive and no laugh-out-loud (or even quietly) moments.
I wouldnt recommend this book to anyone, but I will give her first book a read if ever I spot it in the local library.

[Dannielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF, gave up around page 60. Unfortunately totally boring. Pretty much just lists things she’s done and after having a look at other reviews it doesn’t get better and continues like this throughout. Not interesting to read, not funny and the writing style is just bland too. I really don’t recommend.

[Tiffany Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. Very straight to the point, very ordinary. I love how there is no pretending to be polite for the sake of it. It is terrible the way people have treated her News people and so-called fans alike, Absolutely amazing memoir.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Jo Brand all the way so if you like her you’ll like this. Conversely, if she’s not to your taste..... Buy something else.

One note: it’s vignettes of her life, not linear nor a true biography.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Jo Brand and quite enjoyed this book but it wasn't wonderful. There are a lot of lists: comedy venues, towns, films, favourite books and films, that seemed to be just filling the pages. I'm not really interested in reading about comedy venues I've never been to!

[Ruth Gwinnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Entertaining as the Author!

The author (predictive text keeps her coming out as "No"!) has for a long time been 1 of my favourite entertainers. She is a true role model and has never conformed to what women are supposed to look and behave like. This book was a joy to me!

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy Jo Brand's sense of humour and was looking forward to reading this book, however I found it a bit drawn out in parts. Disappointing.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic insight into the world of Jo Brand, loved comedian and intelligent quips flow freely from this open and honest book, well worth the read.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read into Jo's life, funny and entertaining.

[Claire Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great light hearted easy to read book .

[Eburd · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a jumble collection of moments from tours & gigs Jo has done rather than an autobiography.
Disappointed

[Antony Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

From AntonySimpson.com:

Can’t Stand Up for Sitting Down is Jo Brand’s second autobiography following on from Look Back in Hunger. I really enjoyed Look Back in Hunger, so much so that I wrote a book review: Book Review: Look Back In Hunger by Jo Brand. I couldn’t wait to read Can’t Stand Up for Sitting Down, so did it satisfy my expectations?

Brand starts with an author’s note stating that this book is more a collection of memoirs rather than a chronological writing of significant events in her life like Look Back in Hunger. The book is split into three distinct sections: Trying To Be Funny, Being Jo Brand and The Box.

Trying To Be Funny is about her comedy career but it felt really vague. I remembered how Brand wrote quite detailed accounts of her time as a Psychiatric Nurse in Look Back in Hunger, yet when writing about her more recent comedy career it lacked details.

Being Jo Brand is about her personal life. In this section Brand gives her opinions about what she likes; as well as writing about her labour political values, her family and friends and what it’s like “being clocked” – recognised by members of the public.

The Box is mainly about TV, Radio and Celebrities. Brand includes a chapter entitled “Writing This Effing Book” were she writes about the volume of words needed to complete this book. Reading this chapter made it click in my head, the word I wanted to describe how this book felt to me: strained. It felt as though Brand stretched out her autobiography to fit into a second book. I had high expectations for this book and unfortunately it didn’t quite meet them.

However the book does have funny and interesting chapters and is well worth a read, especially if you’ve read Look Back in Hunger, as it completes her story.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmmm.... what to make of this?

Well, clearly Jo Brand has been prompted to keep churning out the books, clearly she finds it rather hard work... but as she says, she gets to stay home with her children whilst she does it. You can almost hear her thinking "Oh God [except that the word would not be God] what am I going to write" so it is a selection of rather random things - but then, that seems to be her life. Judging photographs for a charity calendar, discussing books on TV, doing stand-up comedy, panel games, rally driving (rally driving????), politics...

She falls into the trap of putting three or more names in a sentence, the hallmark of a bad autobiography and repeats herself dreadfully, especially explanations, as though it is a 'dip into' book.

And yet I find it quite endearing and rather different. In seeming desperation she has chapters on "Women on TV that I get on with" "My favourite books" "Favourite theatre trips" and so on... and ultimately it seems to add up to a more rounded picture of a real person - almost like a penfriend (am I showing my age?). A whole chapter is devoted to her smoking habit (it gets quite a bit of the rest of the book too) so I was rather surprised there wasn't another on alcohol...

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Look Back in Hunger I immediately purchased this book as I had enjoyed the first installment of Jo's autobiography series so much. In my opinion this book wasn't as good as the original but it was still a really enjoyable read.

This installment focuses a lot more on Jo's stand up career and I really enjoyed reading about her early experiences in the very male-orientated world of stand-up comedy in the late 1980's/early 1990's and her successes. This was my favourite part of this book, especially her insights in to dealing with hecklers, her lists of clubs and what they are like to perform at and anecdotes of her interactions with other comedians.

The reason I didn't enjoy this book as much as Look Back in Hunger is because I think at points it lost focus whereas Look Back in Hunger did not, there were sections in this book which were devoted to things such as Jo's favourite plays and it felt a little like she was struggling to fulfil her word count and as a result these sections didn't engage with me at all, instead they felt a chore to read.

Even though I didn't enjoy this book as much I would still recommend this as an interesting read, I liked Jo even more after I'd finished reading it, her warmth shines through.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many Americans, I suspect, I discovered Jo Brand through her appearances on QI, the delightful panel show led by Stephen Fry. When I spotted her book in the Museum of Comedy in London, I felt it was the perfect treat to commemorate a great trip and celebrate my love for English comedians. (Not to mention throw a few pounds the way of the Museum, which is a marvelous thing, and you must all visit right this very moment.)

The book is a collection of stories from Brand's career, humorous, reflective, background-insight-how-it's-done sort of tales, which I quite enjoyed. For American readers, you might find it more casual than you're accustomed to in autobiographies. (for UK readers, you must find a lot of American writing to be showy or too structured). I found it a straightforward, enjoyable read, and could easily see Ms. Brand sitting down in a group conversation telling these same stories. I won't say I could see her sitting in my living room, as I'm just not sure our friendship could overcome her love of Morrissey. (But I'd be willing to try)

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more a mix of anecdotes, opinions and memoirs rather than an autobiography as such, and it had a bit of an air of a publishers commission rather than something instigated by the author, but it was an interesting insight into both the life of the person and the world of the stand-up comedy circuit. I didn't think I was going to like Jo Brand as her politics and 'in your face' approach do not sit easily with me, but I did come away admiring her tenacity, her down-to-earth approach and her genuine desire to stand up for the marginalised. As she has got older and perhaps become more 'mainstream' she seems to have been able to transform her approach to new settings - radio, campaigning, TV hosting - without trying to cling to the public perception which originally made her name. Her enthusiasm for life comes through so this was a very positive read.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Liv Tyler and Drew Barrymore are my impossibly aspirational celebrity role models (naturally chubby gals who can really pull out all the stops for a film role, red carpet event, etc.), I think Jo Brand is my more realistic celebrity equivalent. She's a chronic procrastinator (you can always tell when I've got a deadline or, in this case, two deadlines, looming because I go through books like nobody's business), a "right fascist about spelling", and I may have found my new life credo in: "what I like best in life is reading books, preferably accompanied by a little light scoffing".

So I can absolutely forgive her that this autobiography is marginally duller (and much more poorly edited - repetition a-go-go!) than her last one.

[S.A. Ellis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't blame Jo Brand for this, I blame the greedy publishers who insist on dragging celebrity biographies into multi-volume affairs. There's only so much any human being can write about their own lives (unless they've lived mind-blowingly spectacular ones), and, if they're coerced into filling two (or more) instalments of a biography, you end up with a lot of filler.

There were bits of this I enjoyed, and I like Brand's style generally, but I don't need a list of her favourite books, favourite films, and favourite breakfast cereals. I might have made that last one up.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not as funny as the first volume of Jo's autobiography , but was still an enjoyable read, this is all about her efforts to be a stand up comic and some of the clubs she has played at good and very bad ! You have to have a thick skin to be an actress or comic it is not a career for the faint hearted. I love Jo's down to earth views on everything, especially the way she really doesnt care that much about her appearance,what a difference from some of the shallow stars of today !!