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Remember when you were a kid, and you used to go round to a friend's house to see if they were playing? Well, as adults we're not supposed to do that. Which is a shame... because Dave Gorman likes playing. He REALLY likes games. So he knocked on the biggest door you could ever imagine - the internet - and asked 76,000 people if they fancied a game. This is the story of what happened next.
If someone called you a "googlewhack", what would you do? Would you end up playing table tennis with a nine year-old boy in Boston? Would you find yourself in Los Angeles wrangling snakes, or would you go to China to be licked by a performance artist? If your name is Dave Gorman, then all of these things could be true.
A control freak looks for love (women who leave wet teaspoons in sugar bowls need not apply). ‘I haven’t woken up with a cup of tea by the bed for seven years. It seems such a small thing but it’s one of a thousand things I miss about having someone around to take care of me. I have spent my entire adult life getting things the way I want them and all I want now is someone to give it all up for.’ Jon Richardson. Is your filing faultless? Your CDs, apostrophes, cutlery all in the right places?
James Acaster has been nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award five times and has appeared on prime-time TV shows like Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and Russell Howard's Stand Up Central. But behind the fame and critical acclaim is a man perpetually getting into trouble. Whether it's disappointing a skydiving instructor midflight or hiding from thugs in a bush wearing a bright red dress, James is always finding new ways to embarrass himself.
In this book I have attempted to solve each and every one of life's problems. And I have succeeded. Dear Listener, Using letters, emails, tweets and telegrams I will show you how the things in your life that make you sad, low or anxious can soon appear trivial, insignificant and like a fish. In short, I will butter your parsnips.
For the first time, comedian Jack Dee reveals the highs and lows of his early life and disastrous day jobs. You don't just wake up jaundiced and bitter; it's taken Jack years of dedication and commitment to brew his unique cocktail of disillusionment and bile. What turned this once optimistic young man into a grumpy middle-aged git? Was it working in an artificial-leg factory?
Remember when you were a kid, and you used to go round to a friend's house to see if they were playing? Well, as adults we're not supposed to do that. Which is a shame... because Dave Gorman likes playing. He REALLY likes games. So he knocked on the biggest door you could ever imagine - the internet - and asked 76,000 people if they fancied a game. This is the story of what happened next.
If someone called you a "googlewhack", what would you do? Would you end up playing table tennis with a nine year-old boy in Boston? Would you find yourself in Los Angeles wrangling snakes, or would you go to China to be licked by a performance artist? If your name is Dave Gorman, then all of these things could be true.
A control freak looks for love (women who leave wet teaspoons in sugar bowls need not apply). ‘I haven’t woken up with a cup of tea by the bed for seven years. It seems such a small thing but it’s one of a thousand things I miss about having someone around to take care of me. I have spent my entire adult life getting things the way I want them and all I want now is someone to give it all up for.’ Jon Richardson. Is your filing faultless? Your CDs, apostrophes, cutlery all in the right places?
James Acaster has been nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award five times and has appeared on prime-time TV shows like Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and Russell Howard's Stand Up Central. But behind the fame and critical acclaim is a man perpetually getting into trouble. Whether it's disappointing a skydiving instructor midflight or hiding from thugs in a bush wearing a bright red dress, James is always finding new ways to embarrass himself.
In this book I have attempted to solve each and every one of life's problems. And I have succeeded. Dear Listener, Using letters, emails, tweets and telegrams I will show you how the things in your life that make you sad, low or anxious can soon appear trivial, insignificant and like a fish. In short, I will butter your parsnips.
For the first time, comedian Jack Dee reveals the highs and lows of his early life and disastrous day jobs. You don't just wake up jaundiced and bitter; it's taken Jack years of dedication and commitment to brew his unique cocktail of disillusionment and bile. What turned this once optimistic young man into a grumpy middle-aged git? Was it working in an artificial-leg factory?
Genius is the comedy series, broadcast on Radio 4, that sees Dave Gorman and a celebrity guest chew over ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes "genius" inventions from the public. Genius invites listeners to air those incredible concepts that strike after one-too-many drinks at the pub: not necessarily ideas that are worthy, or even very well thought through, but have a hint of genius.
Mock the Week and Outnumbered's Hugh Dennis with an hilarious and insightful exploration of the changing image of Britain and Britishness.
Hugh Dennis has secretly been worrying about what being "British" meant for nearly a decade, ever since his friend Ardal O'Hanlon had told him in passing that he was the most British person he had ever met. Hugh was unclear whether he was being praised, teased, vaguely insulted, or possibly all three - because it has always been very difficult to know how to feel about being British.
Genius: Series 2 sees Dave Gorman and celebrity guests including Chris Addison, Armando Iannucci, and Brian Sewell chew over ridiculous, unworkable, but sometimes genius inventions, schemes, and policies of the public.
Passive aggression. Road rage. Snarky tweets. Queue jumpers. Idiots who are #justsaying. Fat shamers. Victim blaming. Furious waitresses who refuse to sell you a hot dog... We are ruder than we've ever been. In this incisive and very funny book, Danny Wallace investigates the new wave of rudeness that threatens to overwhelm us. He travels the world, visiting our rudest critics, interviewing psychologists, psychiatrists, bellboys, cab drivers, bin men, barristers, politicians, a limo driver called José and at least one expert in cooked meat production.
Ricky with comedian chums and eminent guests discuss the big issues. Entertaining, thought-provoking and often taboo-crunching chat about ethics, science and art. Featuring Huey Morgan, Ben Bailey Smith, Professor Brian Cox, David Baddiel, Robin Ince, Richard Dawkins, Noel Gallagher, and Sean McLoughlin.
David Mitchell, who you may know for his inappropriate anger on every TV panel show except Never Mind the Buzzcocks, his look of permanent discomfort on C4 sex comedy Peep Show, his online commenter-baiting in The Observer or just for wearing a stick-on moustache in That Mitchell and Webb Look, has written a book about his life.
You’ll already know Greg Davies as Mr Gilbert, the psychotic Head of Sixth Form in 'The In-betweeners' (Channel 4) and 'The In-betweeners Movie', and as the most out-of-shape member of 'We Are Klang' (BBC Three).‘Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog’ is Greg’s hotly anticipated debut stand-up show. A critically lauded sell-out smash hit at the Edinburgh festival where it picked up a prestigious nomination for the Foster’s Comedy Award (formerly the Perrier) followed by a 100+ date, twice extended national tour.
Ricky with comedian chums and eminent guests discuss the big issues. Entertaining, thought-provoking and often taboo-crunching chat about ethics, science and art.
Isy woke up one day in her late 20s to discover that the invisible deal she'd done with her best mates - that they'd prolong growing up for as long as possible - had all been in her head. Everyone around her is suddenly into mortgages, farmers' markets and nappies rather than the idea of running naked into the sea or getting hammered in Plymouth with 80-year-old men.
The hilarious memoir from award-winning comedian Bridget Christie. When Bridget Christie walked into her local bookshop, she thought she'd come out with a book. And maybe a calendar of cute photos of cats (hopefully unlike you've just done). The last thing she thought she'd be leaving with was the need for a new wave of feminism and the start of an incredibly successful career.
In his fascinating and hilarious BBC Radio 4 stand-up show, comedian and quizzer Paul Sinha shines a light on the important historical moments that you never got taught at school and explains why so much of what you did learn is wrong. There will also, as ever, be puns.
Jason Manford is firmly established as one of the country's favourite stand-ups and is up there with the best northern comedy legends. His career began one night in a pub in Chorlton when a comedian didn't arrive for his set and Jason, the 17-year-old glass collector stepped in to fill the gap. From that point on he's never looked back, until now that is.... This is the story in his own words of everything that lead up to that fateful moment – a colourful tale of growing up with lots of family and not enough money, of getting by and sticking together.
Nowadays, the world is full of people trying to tell us things. So much so that we have taught our brains not to pay much attention. After all, click the mouse, tap the screen, flick the channel and it’s on to the next thing. But Dave Gorman thinks it’s time to have a closer look, to find out how much nonsense we tacitly accept.
Suspicious adverts, baffling newspaper headlines, fake twitter, endless cat videos, insane TV shows where the presenters ask the same questions over and over.…
Can we even hear ourselves think over the rising din? Or is there just too much information?
Read by Dave Gorman himself.
What disappointed you about Too Much Information?
Given Gormans' evident eagle-eyed monitoring of all things written, I worry about criticising his work, but here goes. The book left me feeling that a good writer had spent too much time on the internet compiling figures and tracing less desirable elements occupying that space. There are some engaging moments, but by the end, these get lost in the one track monotony of the book and perhaps the suspicion that the Gorman doth complain too much in places. Perhaps it was my mistargeted expectations but I was left cold. Not wrong with her performance though.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
What made the experience of listening to Too Much Information the most enjoyable?
Thankfully Dave Gorman reads his own book. His delivery and personal approach to his quirky view of life made this a gem for gorman fans
What was one of the most memorable moments of Too Much Information?
His usual eye for detail and the game of playing who puts the next customer bar on the conveyor belt...changed my life all be it in a very small way!
What about Dave Gorman’s performance did you like?
His energy and enthusiasm for the minutia that make up life. Mind boggling that he has the attention span to develop his ideas
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Dave Gormans' appreciation of the little things always leaves me wondering if I've missed the point and always makes me smile
Any additional comments?
Even though i'm a fan, as an audio book it did feel a little ranty at times, best in small doses
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Is there anything you would change about this book?
This book is actually just a recording of the TV series. Worthwhile if you like Dave Gorman on stage - which I do - but really a companion to the series rather than a book. Or maybe it is the other way round and the book came first
What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)
I had already heard most of the material so more a chuckle than a laugh
If this book were a film would you go see it?
This book is a TV series and I have seen it
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
If you could sum up Too Much Information in three words, what would they be?
Entertaining, factual, thought-provoking
Who was your favorite character and why?
Not applicable
Which scene did you most enjoy?
Not applicable
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Data overload
Any additional comments?
Gorman's storytelling style of stand-up comedy translates well into audiobooks. He makes lots of thought-provoking points about the sheer scale of data we are fed, how it is manipulated and how we are manipulated by it, and how little quality information it contains.
I have always found the author's easy-going style enjoyable, and this is no exception. Thoroughly enjoyed this title.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Dave Gorman has confirmed my worst fears. Ha ha! Only joking. Strangely this book has made me feel happier than a book about being happy. 15 Stars and 1 glove puppet badger.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is absolutely fantastic. Equal parts of cynicism and wet. Eloquently written and read by Dave this kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. At times hilarious and thought provoking at other I've emerged wiser and more skeptical of the digital world around me.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
What did you like most about Too Much Information?
Dave calls out the bs that has crept into modern life. Not in a snarky way but through real research and analysis. Then articulating his findings with real humor.
What did you like best about this story?
He gives a voice to things that you feel aren't quite right or manipulative but haven't had to time to work out why. After listening to this I immediately noticed a revlon advert "79% of 173 women agree".
You intuitively know this is strange and Dave tells you why.
What about Dave Gorman’s performance did you like?
He's a seasoned comedian and that comes through in his performance.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Looked like an mad man with my headphones in, laughing on the tube to this book.
13 of 17 people found this review helpful
a grumpy old man's rant with not many laughs although agree with most of content
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
At first it seemed very promising and quite exciting, but towards the end I couldn't relate to the 'problems' or as one could say the 'small print' the author keeps reading. It was funny at times and did make me spur laughter. However, somehow it didn't convince me or perhaps since I don't live in the UK anymore it is not exactly relevant to me anymore. The reading itself was very engaging though, very heartfelt.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
l am in agreement with what Mr Gorman is saying about more things he talk about in this book
Would you listen to Too Much Information again? Why?
I've already listened to it twice! And it's the sort of thing you could dip into, even selecting a chapter at random, for a bit of fun.
Have you listened to any of Dave Gorman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Yes I got "Dave Gorman Verses the World". This one is a little angrier and less sentimental, but always great to hear Dave's delivery of his own material.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Much genuine laughing out loud.
Any additional comments?
A really fun book. More a set of observations than an on-going story, and some re-use from the "Modern Life is Goodish" TV show, but such an enjoyable listen.