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The Very Best of Linda Smith: I Think The Nurses Are Stealing My Clothes
Linda Smith was the brilliant mainstay of Radio 4's The News Quiz, Just a Minute, and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue for many years. She was just establishing her career on TV through blistering performances on Have I Got News for You, QI and Room 101, when she died of ovarian cancer in 2006. Linda was one of the few women to conquer the male dominated world of comedy and she had the wit and the charm to win over millions of male and female fans in equal measure. She had an eye for the absurdities of modern life and loved to prick the egos of the pompous and the vain. When she called David Blunkett 'Satan's bearded folk singer', it was a simple statement of fact. No wonder then Linda was voted the 'wittiest person alive' by Radio 4 listeners in 2002. This collection of her material, from her early stand-up to her radio days, is a must-have for any comedy fan.
365 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 2, 2012
Blimey, this was a hard read - two weeks to get through 365 pages of book. And to be honest, it felt like longer sometimes. But, for that I blame the format much more than the material.
The book intersperses transcripts and scripts from live shows, radio and TV appearances with memories of Linda by friends and colleagues throughout her career. Unfortunately scripts and transcripts that sounded great on stage or on the radio don't necessarily read quite so smoothly. Which is a shame, as the sections written specifically for the collection by friends and colleagues all read very well, and the scripts and transcripts have some genuinely laugh-out-loud funny sections in them.
The book presents a trip through Linda's career, successfully highlighting just how funny she could be and how well liked she was by her colleagues, but the book suffers overall because of the format.
The book intersperses transcripts and scripts from live shows, radio and TV appearances with memories of Linda by friends and colleagues throughout her career. Unfortunately scripts and transcripts that sounded great on stage or on the radio don't necessarily read quite so smoothly. Which is a shame, as the sections written specifically for the collection by friends and colleagues all read very well, and the scripts and transcripts have some genuinely laugh-out-loud funny sections in them.
The book presents a trip through Linda's career, successfully highlighting just how funny she could be and how well liked she was by her colleagues, but the book suffers overall because of the format.
October 5, 2009
As a devoted fan of all things Radio 4 (except the Archers and Quote Unquote) Linda Smith’s absence from the News Quiz and Just a Minute is still felt sorely.
So, when Luke recently left this book at my house as a “thank-you” I was delighted and read it almost immediately. It contains a selection of her material, from earliest stand-up to classic Radio 4 performances and sell-out shows, and some fond memories from contemporaries such as Jeremy Hardy, and Jo Brand.
Although much of the material is dated, and the written words suffer from the lack of Linda’s delivery, there are plenty of gems that reflect her gentle yet ruthless humour, and her contempt for authority and hypocracy.
A couple of short favourites: ” ‘Palisade’ – what the queen drinks” and “Jesus didn’t like eggs. He gave rise to the Easter Egg but tragically never got to try one”. Genius.
So, when Luke recently left this book at my house as a “thank-you” I was delighted and read it almost immediately. It contains a selection of her material, from earliest stand-up to classic Radio 4 performances and sell-out shows, and some fond memories from contemporaries such as Jeremy Hardy, and Jo Brand.
Although much of the material is dated, and the written words suffer from the lack of Linda’s delivery, there are plenty of gems that reflect her gentle yet ruthless humour, and her contempt for authority and hypocracy.
A couple of short favourites: ” ‘Palisade’ – what the queen drinks” and “Jesus didn’t like eggs. He gave rise to the Easter Egg but tragically never got to try one”. Genius.
March 14, 2021
Very disappointing . Not a biography as I expected.
Very disappointing as it seems that the publisher asked several of Linda Smiths mates to write the forward to her biography and couldn’t decide which one to choose ( as they all say pretty much the same thing). He used them all interspersed with transcriptions of some of her live performances. I lost count of the number of times the joke about Neil Kinnocks policy on paying the Poll Tax is repeated. Add some scripts of sketches which just do not come to life, and you have a thoroughly wretched book, although I cannot comment on the second half as I gave up about half way.
Such a shame, this very funny lady deserved a much better publication to be remembered with.
Very disappointing as it seems that the publisher asked several of Linda Smiths mates to write the forward to her biography and couldn’t decide which one to choose ( as they all say pretty much the same thing). He used them all interspersed with transcriptions of some of her live performances. I lost count of the number of times the joke about Neil Kinnocks policy on paying the Poll Tax is repeated. Add some scripts of sketches which just do not come to life, and you have a thoroughly wretched book, although I cannot comment on the second half as I gave up about half way.
Such a shame, this very funny lady deserved a much better publication to be remembered with.
February 27, 2010
Linda Smith was a great comedian and stalwart of Radio 4. She died of cancer in 2006. This book was compiled by her long-term partner and spans her entire career, from her early stand up in small comedy clubs, through some of her radio and TV stuff to her final shows when she had made it big.
In reading this, I could really hear Smith's voice coming out of the pages. She had a very wicked sense of humour and it's apparent on every page. Not every joke sticks, but enough do to leave you coming away with an appreciation of her.
In reading this, I could really hear Smith's voice coming out of the pages. She had a very wicked sense of humour and it's apparent on every page. Not every joke sticks, but enough do to leave you coming away with an appreciation of her.
January 27, 2014
As Andy Hamilton pointed out in his contribution to this tribute to Linda Smith, stand-up is not really a literary form. Reading transcripts of stand-up comedy routines, even those from somebody like Linda Smith, are never as good as when they are actually performed. That said, in a time when even the feeblest joke on Facebook will prompt comments of LOL, there were times when I actually did laugh out loud. This book is not a replacement for Linda performing live or being a guest on The News Quiz or QI, but for anybody that enjoyed her work, it is pretty much a must read.
November 20, 2011
Picked up this book at the Nottingham Uncon.
I struggled a bit with reading this, it's material that's probably funnier when performed. Interesting to read what her friends have to say.
I struggled a bit with reading this, it's material that's probably funnier when performed. Interesting to read what her friends have to say.
June 21, 2020
An excellent reminder of the comic genius of Linda Smith. I laughed out loud several times which is exactly the point
May 1, 2021
Funny, moving and at times sad this is a good introduction to and reminder of the very funny lady that was Linda Smith.
April 11, 2016
I've read the other reviews, and yes this is a sometimes a tad disjointed read. But it is also like sitting around with friends, reminiscing about a truly original comic great, who sadly died too young. The scripts are wonderful, particularly the later ones. Relax and you can hear Linda's voice so clearly.
February 21, 2015
Sounds like the paper and audio books are different with the commentary much more limited in the audio (which I read).
Got going and then stopped - metaphor?
Enjoyed it more as a piece of social history than as a showcase of the best features of LS.
Got going and then stopped - metaphor?
Enjoyed it more as a piece of social history than as a showcase of the best features of LS.
October 1, 2012
Gosh, I miss her!
September 29, 2013
strange reading observational comedy many years after the events but I still like her dry wit and the second half was especially good, it had me chuckling away :-)
June 16, 2020
Very funny compilation of a much missed comedian with touching tributes from friends and colleagues.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews