What does the man behind Blackadder actually think about modern comedy?
Ben Elton, multi award-winning comedian writer, novelist, director and lyricist joins Romesh to discuss his new autobiography, 'What Have I Done?’' and share with us how he went from being a 10-year old auditioning for amateur theatre, to writing some of the most-loved British sitcoms including Blackadder, The Young Ones and more.
From going to University with Rick Mayall, getting the call to work with Queen and how the We Will Rock You Musical really came about, to what happened when Blackadder got cancelled and why he loves Mr Bean so much.
Plus: a classic question from Shanthi, a rant about mobile phones and an unexpected modelling pitch to M&S. Don't miss it.
A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform.
00:00 - Intro
02:50 - Ben’s autobiography
04:49 - On reviews and critics
09:09 - A gift for Ben
12:54 - Ben’s route into writing
15:34 - On stand up
21:32 - Challenging sexism and politics
24:10 - On Improvising
26:13 - The real story of Blackadder
37:55 - Ben’s favourite work
39:30 - On negative headlines
40:56 - Upstart Crow with David Mitchell
43:32 - Triumph and disaster
45:03 - Shanthi’s question to Ben
48:35 - On We Will Rock You
01:01-40 - Misquoted
01:16:55 - Saying what you want to say
01:18:28 - Modelling pitch
01:19:02 - Outro
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