David Stubbs (II)
- Journalist
Press clippings
Book review: Different Times: A History Of British Comedy, by David Stubbs
The British sense of humour. We pride ourselves on it. We're funny people, right? And that's good ... isn't it? After reading David Stubbs's new book, Different Times: A History Of British Comedy, you might not be so sure.
Neil Mackay, The Herald, 9th September 2023Book review: Different Times: A History of British Comedy, by David Stubbs
There are some beautifully crafted pen-portraits of humour's high-water marks in this history of British mirth-making, writes Aidan Smith, but it's a shame the author couldn't have taken his subject a little less seriously.
Aidan Smith, The Scotsman, 17th August 2023Different Times by David Stubbs review
It's an ambitious scope for one book to cover the entire history of British comedy, even 'just' the last century or so.
Chortle, 2nd August 2023From Python to The Young Ones, how British comedy and music became forever linked
As he releases a new book looking back at the history of British comedy, writer David Stubbs explains how it's always found an unlikely friend in music.
David Stubbs, Rolling Stone, 2nd August 2023Militant humourlessness: A pseudo-history of British comedy leaves one depressed
A book about classic British comedy by a person who hates classic British comedy doesn't sound like a very entertaining proposition - and, as Different Times by David Stubbs demonstrates, it isn't.
Tim Dawson, The Critic, 31st July 2023History of British Comedy by David Stubbs review
From Basil Fawlty to Russell Brand, this sneering critque lectures us about what we're allowed to find funny.
Jenny Colgan, The Times, 30th July 2023British comedy is no laughing matter, at least in this writer's hands
David Stubbs has created a readable social history, even if his diatribes and humourlessness jar with his subject.
Darragh McManus, The Independent (Ireland), 29th July 2023Different Times by David Stubbs review
Tony Hancock, The Goons, Dad's Army and Little Britain and the rest get a drubbing from a 'cisgender, Oxbridge' critic.
Roger Lewis, The Times, 22nd July 2023Should vintage comedy be judged by today's standards?
David Stubbs takes exception to racist jokes in Fawlty Towers - but comedy depends on the assumptions of the time, and precognition is no use says Joel Morris.
Joel Morris, The Spectator, 20th July 2023Punching up: how British comedy became kinder and more inclusive - without losing its edge
As British politics has got crueller, our comedy has gone in the opposite direction, becoming a haven of decency and diversity. In this extract from his new book, Different Times, David Stubbs asks if these gentler comics are the new cutting edge.
David Stubbs, The Guardian, 17th July 2023