- Hardcover: 400 pages
- Publisher: Preface Publishing (15 Oct 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1848091303
- ISBN-13: 978-1848091306
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.6 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 243,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Book Description
The official, definitive, exhaustive, complete, history and doings of the antidote to panel games: I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. With Forewords by Graeme Garden, Barry Cryer and Tim Brooke-Taylor.
Product Description
'It's a great missing piece of the jigsaw - people go on endlessly about Python and Peter Cook, which is all well and good but there's basically this great corpus of work stretching for decades - and consistently good. I mean very very few traditions ... I can't think of one! I mean, Christ, it's forty-five years! A major piece of work, and universally loved.'
So says John Lloyd, brains behind Blackadder, QI, Spitting Image, and so much besides - all shows with a massive debt to I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. Together they form a body of work stretching across five decades, from Cambridge in 1960 to today's world-beating Antidote to Panel Games, a laughter-bringer which has inspired unparalleled adoration in millions over fifty series. The Clue Bible tells the whole story, from Footlights to Broadway to the ferret-filled madness of Radio Prune - comedy's answer to the rock & roll revolution of the sixties. Offering an exhaustive guide to the comedy world that brought us Mornington Crescent, besides episode guides, glossaries and rare facsimiles, the book will take the story right up to the present day, celebrating the lives of Willie Rushton, Sir David Hatch and of course, the irreplaceable Humphrey Lyttelton. With exclusive input from the Teams, plus Bill Oddie, Stephen Fry and many more, this is the long overdue authoritative, entertaining and above all, very silly lasting celebration of an unsung comic legacy that both shows so richly deserve.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The first half of this, largely, excellent book traces the careers of a small group of satirists and comedians from Cambridge Smokers to Clue via Footlights, revues, I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, The Goodies, Hello Cheeky and numerous other less well remembered projects and, over that time, there are comedy connections to most of the greats of the last 40 years. It is only half way through that we are finally introduced to Humph, Barry and Willy.
The author tries to make a case for ISIRTA being the greatest of all radio scripted comedy. Having been too young to have listened to it when first broadcast I have only encountered it far down the line via, the wonderful, BBC Radio 7. As the author writes in another context perhaps you had to be there at the time.
Of course after nearly 40 years Clue has undergone massive changes in style - if not in cast. Most of the early years got wiped by the BBC long ago but those episodes left are a much gentler affair than the current, barely broadcastable, riot with its systematic victimisation of Lionel Blair and the infliction of Jeremy Hardy's "singing" on an unsuspecting world. It was a succession of young producers - Perkins, Mayhew Archer on - who slowly transformed the game into what we know now. Jack Dee has the right personality and wit to keep it going.
I am sure some people saw this title and feared it was a cut and paste rush job to exploit the good will we all had for Humph. Nothing could be further from the truth, this book has clearly been pieced together by a decent writer over a long period and with significant input from most of those involved over the best part of 50 years. My one criticism is that the author likes everyone a little too much. There are hints that there were tensions - Oddie's moods, Cleese's ego, Kendall being the "token" woman and marginalised, Rushton not even trying to contribute to games he disliked - but these are not really explored. What we are left with is a celebration of people and programmes much loved by a large number of people. As Neil Young said, long may they run.
The author tries to make a case for ISIRTA being the greatest of all radio scripted comedy. Having been too young to have listened to it when first broadcast I have only encountered it far down the line via, the wonderful, BBC Radio 7. As the author writes in another context perhaps you had to be there at the time.
Of course after nearly 40 years Clue has undergone massive changes in style - if not in cast. Most of the early years got wiped by the BBC long ago but those episodes left are a much gentler affair than the current, barely broadcastable, riot with its systematic victimisation of Lionel Blair and the infliction of Jeremy Hardy's "singing" on an unsuspecting world. It was a succession of young producers - Perkins, Mayhew Archer on - who slowly transformed the game into what we know now. Jack Dee has the right personality and wit to keep it going.
I am sure some people saw this title and feared it was a cut and paste rush job to exploit the good will we all had for Humph. Nothing could be further from the truth, this book has clearly been pieced together by a decent writer over a long period and with significant input from most of those involved over the best part of 50 years. My one criticism is that the author likes everyone a little too much. There are hints that there were tensions - Oddie's moods, Cleese's ego, Kendall being the "token" woman and marginalised, Rushton not even trying to contribute to games he disliked - but these are not really explored. What we are left with is a celebration of people and programmes much loved by a large number of people. As Neil Young said, long may they run.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Almost as many pages as the bible and yes split into two testaments! The first section concentrates on Footlights and I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again. I was surprised at the talent that that radio programme generated and who wrote it.... The second section is all about "Clue" and Chairman Humph. It has some very insightful commentary from members of the team and was fascinating to read.
Definitely worth buying if you like Clue.
Definitely worth buying if you like Clue.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a book that you *can* judge by its cover - it shows Humph and the rest of the 'ISIHAC' gang in a pose based on Leonardo's 'Last Supper'. Inside is an in-depth history not only of 'Clue' itself but of its predecessor 'I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again' and of other Radio 4 comedies including 'Hello Cheeky!' starring Tim Brooke-Taylor and Barry Cryer.
I believe there are two types of people in the world - those who love 'Clue' and those who haven't discovered it yet. The former will adore this book and with any luck it will encourage the latter to seek out this comedy gem.
I believe there are two types of people in the world - those who love 'Clue' and those who haven't discovered it yet. The former will adore this book and with any luck it will encourage the latter to seek out this comedy gem.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Grrr. Kindle shortcomings spoil this
While the content of this book is interesting and informative (at least if you've enjoyed "I'm Sorry I (fill in appropriate extension here)"), if a little overlong - 480 pages... Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Brooke
The best pictures are on the radio ... not on the Kindle
Other reviewers have adequately described and praised this book so I won't retread those paths except to agree that it certainly is an excellent, interesting and insightful history... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Henry B
Beats sleeping pills
ISIHAC has often restored my will to live, and now this detailed history is helping me get to sleep. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Violent Elizabeth
Not just a history of Clue but ISIRTA as well!
Quite a lengthy tome really at 466 pages - I get the feeling that Jem Roberts is a real fan of the programme. Read more
Published 14 months ago by R T
ISIHAC perfection
Any ISIHAC fan will find this a perfect addition to their collection. Brilliant stories and jokes.
Published 18 months ago by Biologymiss
Thorough but slightly disappointing
I bought this because I am a huge fan of I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again and can chant all the catch phrases. Read more
Published 21 months ago by oldandcynical
humour
Are you having a laugh? They obviously are. If you love the radio show you will love this.
Published on 20 April 2010 by G. Callan
A bible isn't always an easy read...
This book could do with some serious cuts. I am very pleased that it was bought for me as a gift as I would have felt frustrated had I paid out the full price myself. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2010 by Rigsby
Too much information
Being a long time devotee of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, this book seemed to be right up my street. The title `The Clue Bible - a fully authorised history of I'm Sorry I Haven't a... Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2010 by Bantam Dave
Clue Bible - result!
This was well received as a gift for a Clue fan who rarely finds time to read books. But he's had his nose in this book ever since, with much chuckling to be heard!
Published on 2 Jan 2010 by Jacqueline Pye
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