Jeremy Hardy Speaks Volumes: words, wit, wisdom, one-liners and rants

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The best of the best from the Comedians' Comedian 2020

'If you loved Jeremy Hardy, or if you know anyone who did, this is the most brilliant present because it's got every part of his voice in it' DAWN FRENCH

'Well good evening, my name is Jeremy Hardy and I'm a comedian who likes to make wry witty satirical observations about the society we live in -- but I prefer to keep them to myself, thank you very much.'

Edited by his wife, Katie Barlow and his long-time producer David Tyler, this comprehensive celebration of Jeremy Hardy's work is introduced by Jack Dee and Mark Steel. Further reflections on Jeremy come from Rory Bremner, Paul Bassett Davies, Jon Naismith, Francesca Martinez, Sandi Toksvig, Victoria Coren Mitchell, Andy Hamilton, Graeme Garden and Hugo Rifkind. Katie Barlow also provides a moving Afterword.

Jeremy Hardy, who died in February 2019, was perhaps the most distinctive and brilliant comedian to arise from the 80s Alternative Comedy circuit. He regularly entertained the millions who heard his outrageous rants on The News Quiz, his legendary singing on I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, or his hilarious monologues and sketches on the award-winning Jeremy Hardy Speaks to The Nation and Jeremy Hardy Feels It.

Often referred to as 'the comedian's comedian', Jeremy's comedy could be both personal and political, ranging in topics from prison reform to parenting, from British identity to sex. His comedy could be biting, provocative and illuminating, but it could also be surreal, mischievous and, at times, very silly. And while Jeremy's unwavering socialism was a thread that ran throughout his comedy, his greatest skill was that, whatever their political beliefs, Jeremy always brought his audience along with him.

Jeremy Hardy Speaks Volumes is a fitting celebration of this brilliant comedian. Introduced by Jack Dee and Mark Steel and containing material from his stand-up to his radio monologues and political satire to the joyfully silly gems, as well as tributes from his friends and fellow comedians, it is curated to encompass everything about Jeremy that fans adored. Edited by Katie Barlow and David Tyler, Jeremy Hardy Speaks Volumes is wise, daft, outrageous, personal and, above all, very funny: like Jeremy himself.

'Ground-breakingly brilliant, off-the-register funny' JACK DEE

'A one-off. Part genius, part naughty schoolboy' SANDI TOKSVIG

'Unfussy, unshowy, principled, self-deprecating, hugely loved and admired by his fellow comedians and funnier than the lot of us put together' ROR

Reviews

If you loved Jeremy Hardy, or if you know anyone who did, this is the most brilliant present because it's got every part of his voice in it - Dawn French

Ground-breakingly brilliant, off-the-register funny, compassionate and caring - Jack Dee

A glorious friend and a mischievous comedian - a clown and a commentator all at once - Mark Steel

Jeremy Hardy was a one-off. Part genius, part naughty school boy . . . there was no one to match him for his brilliant understanding, his satire and his straightforward ability to make us sob with laughter. How many evenings he made he radio theatre rock with delight. - Sandi Toksvig

Jeremy Hardy was so special and brilliant and mischievous, a miracle of a person. - Victoria Coren-Mitchell

Unfussy, unshowy, principled, self-deprecating, hugely loved and admired by his fellow comedians, and funnier than the lot of us put together. A unique comedian and a lovely man. - Rory Bremner

He chose to use his comedy to change the world, rather than to fill stadia - Richard Osman

He would light fires of indignation with his blazing wit - Independent

Author Bio

Jeremy Hardy became a stand-up comedian in January 1984, and went on to win the Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1988. A regular on BBC Radio 4, Jeremy was best known for his appearances on panel shows The News Quiz and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, as well as for Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation - which ran for ten series - and Jeremy Hardy Feels It.

Jeremy died on 1 February 2019. He is survived by his wife, Katie Barlow, and his daughter, Elizabeth. This collection is edited by Katie and Jeremy's long-time producer, David Tyler. He was posthumously awarded the Comedians' Comedian Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2020.