Description
Book Synopsis'Read any history of the Nineties in Britain and you will read about Britpop, Blair, the birth of the Premier League and the rise of new lads. I played no part in any of these events. Growing up in a tiny rural village on Dartmoor, no bands came within 100 miles, all the local farmers voted Tory, our nearest football team was in the fourth division, and the closest I got to being a new lad was when my older brother let me drink some of his Hooch.' In Watching the Nineties, much-loved comedian Josh Widdicombe tells the story of a strange rural childhood, the kind of childhood he only realised was weird when he left home and started telling people about it. From only having four people in his year at school, to living in a family home where they didn't just not bother locking the front door, they didn't even have a key. Using a different television show of the time as it's starting point for each chapter Watching the Nineties is part-childhood memoir, part-comic history of 90s television and culture. It will discuss everything from the dangers of recreating Gladiators in your front room, to Josh's belief that Mr Blobby is one of the great comic characters, to being the only vegetarian child west of Bristol. Together it tells the story of the end of an era, the last time when watching television was a shared experience for the family and the nation, before the internet meant everyone watched different things at different times on different devices, headphones on to make absolutely sure no one could watch it with them.
Trade ReviewYou know when your mate does something really impressive, and you look at them with a renewed sense of admiration? That's how I feel about Josh's book. Beautifully written, cleverly crafted and charmingly funny. -- Adam Hills
If you read only one book by Josh Widdicombe this year, make it this one -- Jack Dee
A wonderful blend of nostalgia, hilarity and personal anecdotes that only Josh Widdicombe could deliver -- James Acaster
Brilliantly observed -- Romesh Ranganathan
Warmth, wit and Widdicombe - with big laughs and pure nostalgia at its heart. Made me want to watch Neighbours with him. Twice.' -- Danny Wallace
This book is genius -- Dawn O'Porter
Fantastic -- David Baddiel
A '90s TV throwback dream -- Katherine Ryan
Annoyingly very funny -- Sean Walsh
Retro heaven -- Alan Carr
Brilliantly funny and nostalgic -- Russell Kane
