POPULARITY
Novelist and writer Jonathan Coe is our guest this week. He is the author of several novels which your host holds dear, including What A Carve Up! and The Rotter's Club and his latest book, Bournville, is published this week. A master of social & political satires, state-of-the-nation sagas and generation-spanning comic narratives, Jonathan often plays with the form and, as we find out, before he discovered influential writers such as B.S Johnson and Flann O'Brien he was introduced to experimental comic prose via Spike Milligan's 1963 novel Puckoon. His enthusiasm for comedy as a youth drove him to seek out more Milligan as well as the likes of David Nobbs and he built up a sizeable library of comic novels, sitcom tie-in books and comedy books in general. He talks to Tyler about the comedy and humour he grew up with, especially the work of Milligan, and how it informed his way of looking at the world. 'Bournville' will be published by Viking on 3rd November. Read a review of it here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/oct/30/bournville-by-jonathan-coe-review-hugely-impressive-state-of-the-nation-tale
The brilliant Sanjeev Bhaskar joins Barry and Bob for a delicious pint and an equally nourishing chat.Warning: there is some very strong language used sparingly, but nothing you won't have heard before, and it's all in the context of punchlines.By the way, in the heat of the moment, Sanjeev said that Bart Simpson's catchphrase was "kiss my shorts," but he wanted us to let you know it's actually "eat my shorts". No need to write in if you're someone who prides themselves on pedanticism (copyright, David Nobbs).With many thanks to the Kites (Mark Allen, Jack Cryer and Matt Hodgson) for the tremendous theme music.You can hear more from the Kites here!Please rate, subscribe and tell your friends - it really makes a difference to how many people will manage to find us! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Writers Weekend festival (part 2): Novelist & poet Reshma Ruia, literary agent John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton, writing mentor Adrienne Dines & festival organiser Sara Gangai all talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the UK's prime gathering for unrepresented authors to find an agent. This year the festival is online because of Covid. But the author-agent meet-ups are happening as much as ever. And there'll be all sorts of other attractions - celebrity author talks, workshops, writers' circles, plot development, how to improve your writing & discussions. The main Writers Weekend is 24-27 June, 2021 - with the Writers’ Circles starting 16 May. You'll find details here https://writersweekend.uk - the slogan is "from inspiration to publication". In this episode we hear all about the Writers Weekend; about authors who have found agents at past events; how to use condiments to solve your plotting problems (Cruet Wars... Game of Spoons... at the DWLC - the Desperate Writers Lunch Club); the worst pitch that agent John Baker ever received; what an agent like him is looking for; how to get publishers interested in your comic or fantasy novel; the challenges of writing a multicultural book when authors are accused of cultural appropriation; & how to ensure your story has "emotional geology". And we also hear about these authors: Lissa Evans, Helen Fields, MG leonard, Tracey Corderoy, Derek Miller, Robert Fabbri, Alison Sherlock, Claire Dyer, Tammye Huf, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Jasper Fforde, Ben Aaronovitch, Joe Abercrombie, CM Waggoner, Gabriela Houston, AM Shine, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, David Nobbs, Tom Sharpe, Stella Gibbons, Diana Gabaldon, Chris Riddell, Helen Dennis, Kerry Fisher, John Cleese, Kira-Anne Pelican, Peace Adzo Medie, Ernest Hemmingway, Beverley Birch & Jeanine Cummins. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Writers Weekend festival (part 1): Novelist & poet Reshma Ruia, literary agent John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton, writing mentor Adrienne Dines & festival organiser Sara Gangai all talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the UK's prime gathering for unrepresented authors to find an agent. This year the festival is online because of Covid. But the author-agent meet-ups are happening as much as ever. And there'll be all sorts of other attractions - celebrity author talks, workshops, writers' circles, plot development, how to improve your writing & discussions. The main Writers Weekend is 24-27 June, 2021 - with the Writers’ Circles starting 16 May. You'll find details here https://writersweekend.uk - the slogan is "from inspiration to publication". In this episode we hear all about the Writers Weekend; about authors who have found agents at past events; how to use condiments to solve your plotting problems (Cruet Wars... Game of Spoons... at the DWLC - the Desperate Writers Lunch Club); the worst pitch that agent John Baker ever received; what an agent like him is looking for; how to get publishers interested in your comic or fantasy novel; the challenges of writing a multicultural book when authors are accused of cultural appropriation; & how to ensure your story has "emotional geology". And we also hear about these authors: Lissa Evans, Helen Fields, MG leonard, Tracey Corderoy, Derek Miller, Robert Fabbri, Alison Sherlock, Claire Dyer, Tammye Huf, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Jasper Fforde, Ben Aaronovitch, Joe Abercrombie, CM Waggoner, Gabriela Houston, AM Shine, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, David Nobbs, Tom Sharpe, Stella Gibbons, Diana Gabaldon, Chris Riddell, Helen Dennis, Kerry Fisher, John Cleese, Kira-Anne Pelican, Peace Adzo Medie, Ernest Hemmingway, Beverley Birch & Jeanine Cummins. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Writers Weekend festival (part 3): Novelist & poet Reshma Ruia, literary agent John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton, writing mentor Adrienne Dines & festival organiser Sara Gangai all talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the UK's prime gathering for unrepresented authors to find an agent. This year the festival is online because of Covid. But the author-agent meet-ups are happening as much as ever. And there'll be all sorts of other attractions - celebrity author talks, workshops, writers' circles, plot development, how to improve your writing & discussions. The main Writers Weekend is 24-27 June, 2021 - with the Writers’ Circles starting 16 May. You'll find details here https://writersweekend.uk - the slogan is "from inspiration to publication". In this episode we hear all about the Writers Weekend; about authors who have found agents at past events; how to use condiments to solve your plotting problems (Cruet Wars... Game of Spoons... at the DWLC - the Desperate Writers Lunch Club); the worst pitch that agent John Baker ever received; what an agent like him is looking for; how to get publishers interested in your comic or fantasy novel; the challenges of writing a multicultural book when authors are accused of cultural appropriation; & how to ensure your story has "emotional geology". And we also hear about these authors: Lissa Evans, Helen Fields, MG leonard, Tracey Corderoy, Derek Miller, Robert Fabbri, Alison Sherlock, Claire Dyer, Tammye Huf, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Jasper Fforde, Ben Aaronovitch, Joe Abercrombie, CM Waggoner, Gabriela Houston, AM Shine, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, David Nobbs, Tom Sharpe, Stella Gibbons, Diana Gabaldon, Chris Riddell, Helen Dennis, Kerry Fisher, John Cleese, Kira-Anne Pelican, Peace Adzo Medie, Ernest Hemmingway, Beverley Birch & Jeanine Cummins. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Looks Unfamiliar is a podcast in which writer and occasional broadcaster Tim Worthington talks to a guest about some of the things that they remember that nobody else ever seems to. Joining Tim this time is writer Paul Kirkley, who wonders if anyone else recalls The Kids From Fame Again, the The A-Team tie-in novels, Del Amitri by Del Amitri, David Nobbs' Henry Pratt novels, video rental shop favourite The Beastmaster, BBC1 holiday filler The Saturday Picture Show, and TV Tops comic strip The Fantastic Adventures Of Adam Ant. Along the way we'll be finding out what Robert Smith takes on holiday, what happens when Dick Turpin runs head first at Sapphire And Steel, and why you should never obey Musical Youth lyrics to the letter. You can find more episodes of Looks Unfamiliar at http://timworthington.org/
Beware of the Leopard: the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy podcast
Mark Steadman, Jon Hickman and Danny Smith continue their mission to discuss everything in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy canon , in alphabetical order. Warning: This episode contains lots of swearing and sex talk. Dogs Arthur makes a passing reference to having a dog in the second radio episode, and the first book. So the panel asks “where's Arthur's dog?” Dolphins Dolphins are the second most intelligent species on earth, but did you know just how kinky they are? Danny reveals all. Domain of the King Is Elvis really dead, and are we forgetting him? The panel discusses Elvis in recent pop culture, and ask an academic question about the slipping of the King out of our cultural memories. Douglas Adams The panel embarks on some general appreciation of Adams' work inside and outside of the Hitchhiker's Guide , involving his Apple fandom and his friendship with Richard Dawkins. Jon Hickman's H2G2 Warsaw article Book recommendation This week we're recommending /The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin/ , by David Nobbs. Pick it up in audiobook form for free by taking out a free 30 day trial with Audible. Just head to audibletrial.com/leopard to get started. Get in touch Share your thoughts on Douglas Adams via feedback@btlpodcast.com. Follow @iamsteadman, @probablydrunk and @jonhickman on Twitter.
Beware of the Leopard: the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy podcast
Mark Steadman, Jon Hickman and Danny Smith continue their mission to discuss everything in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy canon , in alphabetical order. Warning: This episode contains lots of swearing and sex talk. Dogs Arthur makes a passing reference to having a dog in the second radio episode, and the first book. So the panel asks “where’s Arthur’s dog?” *Dolphins* ** Dolphins are the second most intelligent species on earth, but did you know just how kinky they are? Danny reveals all. Domain of the King Is Elvis really dead, and are we forgetting him? The panel discusses Elvis in recent pop culture, and ask an academic question about the slipping of the King out of our cultural memories. Douglas Adams The panel embarks on some general appreciation of Adams’ work inside and outside of the Hitchhiker’s Guide , involving his Apple fandom and his friendship with Richard Dawkins. Jon Hickman’s H2G2 Warsaw article Book recommendation This week we're recommending The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin , by David Nobbs. Pick it up in audiobook form for free by taking out a free 30 day trial with Audible. Just head to audibletrial.com/leopard to get started. Get in touch Share your thoughts on Douglas Adams via feedback@btlpodcast.com. Follow @iamsteadman, @probablydrunk and @jonhickman on Twitter.
Andy Miller and John Mitchinson, a/k/a/ Leavis & Butthead, return with another episode of the podcast which gives new life to old books. In this episode they're joined by Jonathan Coe, author of The Rotter's Club and Oh! What A Carve Up amongst others, to discuss the life and work of David Nobbs, best known as the creator of Reginald Perrin. Join in the conversation on Twitter: twitter.com/BacklistedPod And Facebook: www.facebook.com/backlistedpod/
Last Word is presented by Reeta Chakrabarti this week. She will be remembering: The comic writer and novelist David Nobbs - we speak to his friend and fellow writer Jonathan Coe about the man who invented the 1970s anti-hero Reginald Perrin; Frances Kelsey, the scientist whose concerns about the drug Thalidomide prevented it from being approved in the US; Kyril Zinovieff, who as a child in Russia saw Rasputin, and as a spy for Britain encountered Hitler; The Italian fashion designer Elio Fiorucci, who introduced the world to skintight vinyl jeans; And the musician Harry Pitch, the harmonica player who performed everywhere from jazz clubs to opera houses. Producer: Neil George.
It's Perrin, but not as we know him - fast forward/rewind to 2009 for Simon Nye & David Nobbs' revival starring Martin Clunes.
Phil Cornwell is back and joined by Mike Leigh, Writer David Nobbs, and Bill Daniel, chair of Spurs Canada! The boys talk Benteke, Harry Kane, and the great excitement of White Hart Lane. We play Asteras Tripolis on Thurday, but is it almost too winnable? Grab one of the last few tickets for our live show with Jimmy Greaves - http://live.spursshow.net Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh A Playback Media Production http://spursshow.net
David Nobbs has written over 20 novels, for a range of leading British comedians, and also wrote The Fall and Rise of Reginal Perrin. His most recent novel, 'The Second Life of Sally Mottram', looks at what happens when the novel's hero tries to bring Transition to her struggling Yorkshire town.
As the final preparations are made for the arrival, in Yorkshire, of the world's most famous cycle race, Front Row comes from Britain's largest county with a special edition dedicated to the first cultural festival to accompany the Tour de France. Kirsty's guests include Maxine Peake on making her stage debut as a playwright with the premiere of Beryl; David Nobbs, the creator of Reginald Perrin, discusses his new novel which is set in a small town in the Pennines; Graham Watson on photographing every Tour de France since 1983, and a visit to the Fields of Vision, a project which has turned farmers' fields into works of art.