The kettle’s on at Comedy Cottage, and I’m delighted to welcome you to my new Patreon!
For more than thirty years, I’ve been writing about British comedy, interviewing its stars and gathering stories along the way. Some have found their way into books and live events. Others are waiting in notebooks, recordings and boxes in my archive — ready to be shared.
My Patreon is a new place to bring those stories to you through podcasts and videos, memories of the comedy legends I’ve known and worked with, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of my books and appearances.
One of the first videos explores a Carry On Screaming! press booklet and includes a very special story about the unforgettable Fenella Fielding.
There’ll also be opportunities to ask questions, suggest subjects and join the comedy conversation. I’d love this to become a welcoming community for everyone who enjoys British comedy.
The Complete and Utter Incomplete Works of Terry Jones
If you are visiting this site no doubt you have just finished Seriously Silly: The Life of Terry Jones or perhaps you have just stumbled across this, in which case you can order a copy here.
The purpose behind this TERRYOGRAPHY is to celebrate all of Terry’s work in one place and include the areas of his career which did not make the cut (books sadly don’t have elastic pages, but websites do!)
1961
The Chairs: Writer & Director
1962
The Good Person of Setzuan: Actor
Isis: Writer, Editor & Designer
A Month in the Country: Actor
1963
****: Writer & Performer
Isis: Writer, Editor & Designer
Loitering With Intent: Writer & Performer
Professor Taranne: Actor
1964
The Carrier-Baggers: Writer & Performer
Festival Magazine: Writer & Performer
Hang Down Your Head and Die: Writer & Actor
Isis: Writer, Editor & Designer
The Oxford Revue: Writer & Performer
Seven-A-Side: Writer
1965
Anyone for England?: Writer
Billy Cotton’s Music Hall: Writer
Changing Gear: Writer
The Kathy Kirby Show: Writer
The Ken Dodd Show: Writer
The Love Show: Writer
Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life: Writer
The Oxford Line: Writer
Photo Copyright Annabel Leventon
1966
The Frost Report: Writer & Actor
The Frost Report on Britain: Writer
The Illustrated Weekly Hudd: Writer
The Kathy Kirby Show: Writer
The Lance Percival Show: Writer
The Late Show: Writer & Performer
1967
Aladdin: Writer
The Frost Report: Writer
The Frost Report On Everything: Writer of ‘Report on the Village Fete’
Frost Over Christmas: Writer
Frost Over England: Writer
The Illustrated Weekly Hudd: Writer
Late Night Line-Up: Writer & Performer
The Late Show: Writer & Performer
Line-Up Review: Writer & Performer
Plymouth Arts Festival: Writer & Performer
A Series of Bird’s: Writer & Script Editor
Twice a Fortnight: Writer & Actor
1968
The Best of Twice a Fortnight: Writer & Actor
Broaden Your Mind: Writer & Actor
Diversions!: Lyricist
Do Not Adjust Your Set: Writer & Performer
Do Not Adjust Your Stocking: Writer & Performer
Four Degrees Over/Three to One On: Writer
Horne A’Plenty: Writer
It’s Marty: Writer & Actor
24 Hours: Writer & Actor
1969
According to Dora: Writer
Christmas Night with the Stars: Writer
The Complete and Utter History of Britain: Writer & Actor
The Curse of the Vampire’s Socks and Other Doggerel: Poet
East of the Moon: Adapted from Fairy Tales
40 Minutes ‘Scarfe’s Follies’: Interviewee
The Illustrated London News ‘A Place in the Pillory’: Interviewee
Jackanory ‘Nicobobinus’: Writer & Presenter
The Last Resort: Guest
The Monty Python Gift Boks: Writer
Monty Python’s The Final Rip Off: Writer & Performer
Open Air: Guest
Starlog magazine ‘Confessions of the World’s Greatest Liar’: Interviewee
Twenty-Two Years of The Two Ronnies: Writer
1989
Around the World in 80 Days ‘The Challenge’: See-off-er
De película: Guest
The English Programme ‘Models of Writing – Argument and Persuasion’: Writer & Presenter
Erik the Viking: Writer, Actor & Director
Film ’89: Interviewee
The First 200 Years of Monty Python: Interviewee
Lunettes noires pour nuits blanches: Guest
Monty Python Sings: Writer & Performer
Monty Python’s Flying Circus: Just the Words: Writer
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Writer & Performer
Showbiz Today: Guest
Sunday, Sunday: Guest
13 East ‘The Switch’: Writer
Today on NBC: Interviewee
The Utterly, Utterly Amusing and Pretty Damn Definitive Comic Relief Revue Book: Writer of ‘Hendon’ & ‘Horace’
Woman’s Hour ‘Shivering Peaks’: Actor
Photo Copyright Jones Family Archive
1990
The Complete Ripping Yarns script book: Writer
8:15 from Manchester: Guest
Hay Festival ‘Comedy Writing’: Debater
Omnibus ‘Life of Python’: Interviewee
Wogan: Guest
1991
The Complete A Poke in the Eye (with a Sharp Stick): Writer & Performer on ‘Court Room Sketch’, ‘So That’s the Way You Like it’, ‘Lumberjack Song’ & ‘Crunchy Frog’
L.A. Story: Actor as the voice of Sara’s mother.
So This is Progress: Writer & Presenter
The Very Best of Rowan Atkinson: Performer
Wogan: Guest
1992
Fantastic Stories: Writer
Going Live!: Guest
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles: ‘Barcelona, 1917’: Actor & Director
1993
The Beast with a Thousand Teeth: Writer
A Fish of the World: Writer
Jackanory ‘The Slow Ogre’, ‘The Star of the Farmyard’ & ‘Ship of Fools’: Writer & Presenter
The Late Late Show: Guest
1994
Arts Programme ‘Python at 25’: Interviewee
Best of the Balls: Writer & Performer
Clive Anderson Talks Back: Guest
Dead Parrot Society: Writer & Performer
The Fly-by-Night: Writer
Instant Monty Python CD Collection: Writer & Performer
Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Book: Writer
Late Night with Conan O’Brien: Guest
Life Before and After Monty Python: The Solo Flights of the Flying Circus: Interviewee
The Sea Tiger: Writer
The Ultimate Monty Python Rip Off: Writer & Performer
Photo Copyright Andrè Jacquemin
1995
Crusades: Writer & Presenter
The Fairly Incomplete and Rather Badly Illustrated Monty Python Songbook: Writer & Performer
Radio Times ‘Richard the Lionheart was a Thug!’: Interviewee
1996
Blazing Dragons: Creator & Executive Producer
Blazing Dragons video game: Creator & Actor
Crusades: Writer
Empire magazine ‘The Full Monty’: Interviewee
The Goblin Companion: A Field Guide to Goblins: Writer
Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail: Writer, Game Announcer, Performer & Director
The Nearly New Monty Python’s Flying Circus Datebook: Writer
The Rutles Anthology: With Thanks
Space Ghost Coast to Coast ‘Explode’: Actor
Strange Stains and Mysterious Smells: Based on Quentin Cottington’s Journal of Faery Research: Writer
Twenty-Five Years of The Two Ronnies: Writer
The Wind in the Willows: Writer, Actor, Composer & Director
1997
Douglas Adams’s Starship Titanic: Writer
The Empire Awards: Recipient of the Inspirational Award for Monty Python
Fierce Creatures: Based on ‘The Fierce Animal Policy’
The Knight and the Squire: Writer
Late Night with Conan O’Brien: Guest
Monty Python’s Life of Brian laserdisc: Director’s Commentary
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life video game: Actor
Omnibus ‘Reeves and Mortimer: The Film’: Interviewee
Ruby: Guest
1998
An Awfully Big Adventure ‘Kenneth Grahame’: Interviewee
Ancient Inventions: Writer & Presenter
Blazing Dragons: Creator & Executive Producer
The Daily Show: Guest
Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Journal: Writer
Monty Python Live at Aspen: Performer & Interviewee
Starship Titanic video game: Actor
1999
Asterix and Obelix Take On Caesar, English version: Writer & Actor
The BFI London Imax Signature Film: Director
Le Créateur: Actor
Long Live the Dead Parrot – 30 Years of Python: Interviewee
Python Night – 30 Years of Monty Python: Writer & Performer (Incorporating From Spam to Sperm: Interviewee; Pythonland: Interviewee)
Monty Python’s Life of Brian at the (Roman) Empire, Leicester Square: Interviewee
Roy & H.G.’s Planet Norwich: Guest
30 Years of Monty Python, A Revelation: Guest
This Morning: Guest
Photo Copyright Jones Family Archive
2000
The Boy in Darkness: Storyteller
Doug Fisher Tribute: Writer & Performer
Fairy Tales: Writer & Reader
Gladiators – The Brutal Truth: Writer & Presenter
Help! I’m a Fish, English version: Actor
The Lady and the Squire: Writer
Top Ten ‘Comedy Records’: Interviewee
What a Performance! ‘Madcap’: Interviewee
2001
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones ‘Espionage Escapades’: Actor & Director
The Big Schmooze: Guest
Comedy Lab ‘Knife & Wife’: Actor
Omnibus ‘Douglas Adams: The Man Who Blew Up the World’: Interviewee
The 100 Greatest Films: Interviewee
The 100 Greatest Kids TV Shows: Interviewee
The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations: Writer & Presenter
2002
Bedtime Stories: Writer
CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 30th anniversary edition ‘My Love Affair with Beer’: Writer
Dinotopia: Actor
Doodlez ‘In roaf boat’: Actor
Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python: Composer
The Hidden History of Egypt: Writer & Presenter
The Hidden History of Rome: Writer & Presenter
Lady Cottington’s Fairy Album: Writer
Peter Cook: A Posthumorous Tribute: Writer, Performer & Director
Readers and Writers Roadshow: Guest
Roger’s Profanisaurus – From the Pages of Viz: Foreword
The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time, US edition: Writer
Spike Milligan: I Told You I Was Ill… – A Live Tribute: Performer
The Surprising History of Sex and Love: Writer & Presenter
2003
Bitter Jester: Interviewee
Concert for George: Writer, Composer & Performer
Education Tips No. 41: Choosing a Really Expensive School: Actor
The Meaning of Making ‘The Meaning of Life’: Interviewee
The 100 Greatest Christmas Moments: Interviewee
The Pythons By The Pythons: An Autobiography: Writer
This Week: Guest
Timeshift ‘Missing Believed Wiped’: Interviewee
Who Murdered Chaucer? A Medieval Mystery: Writer
2004
Arena ‘Remember the Secret Policeman’s Ball…?’: Interviewee
Medieval Lives: Writer & Presenter
The Mystery of the Missing Morsel of Murder at Moorstones Manor: Writer & Interviewee
The Sunday Programme: Guest
The Terry and Gaby Show: Guest
Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives: Writer & Presenter
Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives book: Writer
Today with Des and Mel: Guest
The Unsteady Chough: Writer & Actor
Photo Copyright – Robert Ross Comedy Cottage Collection
2005
Fawlty Towers Revisited: Interviewee
How Do You Like Iceland?: Interviewee
Life, the Universe and Douglas Adams: Interviewee
The New Paul O’Grady Show: Guest
Nos Zamis Lé Hyens: Interviewee
The Story of 1: Presenter
Terry Jones’s War on the War on Terror: Writer
Written & Directed by Preston Sturges: Audio Commentary on Sullivan’s Travels
2006
Anna and the Moods: Narrator
Barbarians: Writer & Presenter
Greatest Ever Comedy Movies: Interviewee
HARDtalk Extra: Guest
TheLife of Graham: The Authorised Biography of Graham Chapman: Interviewee
Locked Out: Actor as Un SDF
Monty Python’s Personal Best ‘Graham Chapman’ & ‘Terry Jones’: Writer, Performer & Presenter
What a simply wonderful book. I sit here, a 60 year old in my knights who say Ni T shirt and all I can say is thank you Robert, you have made me feel like I knew Terry
Terry’s wistful “Or did I dream it…” has been my go to since 1979 when I’m not sure about something I was sure I was sure about. Really enjoying the book!
Just finished. Feel quite sad but even more thoroughly convinced that Terry was my favourite Python. 🐍
I’m looking at getting to the statue ceremony in my happy place; so many childhood memories of CB and the beautiful North Wales coast. A fantastic tribute. Can’t wait to see it!
A wonderful book. As an ex cinema manager, the two films that would always stop me in my tracks whenever I entered the auditorium were The Pythons Holy Grail & Life of Brian.
I’ve just finished reading the book and have been. Swept along on waves of laughter and finally, tears, what an absolute joy of a read. Thank you Robert for a Tour (or Terry?) du Fource
Born in 1956 in north east of England I was brought up on all the comedy shows mentioned in your book. Monty Python were my heroes. Your book has brought back so many memories and I am so grateful now knowing more about Terry Jones. What a man and what a life. Thank you for sharing his life with me. Love it.👍👍👍
So many things I didn’t know about Terry from a creative perspective. I’ve got lots to see and read. A restless & generous spirit with a genuine love of doing as much as he possibly could. The dementia chapters were very sad and touching. A good read and some lovely photos.
A wonderful book on a wonderful polymath. Well done. Terry is fondly remembered by my brothers and me here in NZ – his work lit up our adolescence and brought joy to our lives. Arohanui Terry. Gone but not forgotten
Thank you for this book!
The virtual Terryography is such a brilliant idea!
Here’s an addition:
IIn “TimeOut: 1000 Films to change your life” (2006), there is a lovely contribution by TJ about his love and admiration for Buster Keaton.
“To Buster, with love”,pp 168-171
Looking forward to the statue reveal in Colwyn Bay! 🙂
Monty Python was the first comedy that really stuck to me since I was young. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to watch it when I was so young but I thank my brothers for that! Just finished reading the book and I absolutely loved it. I knew Terry Jones was brilliant but didn’t realize all the other important work he brought to life to the audience. Thank you to everyone involved in creating this wonderful autobiography. Terry Jones is amazing!!!
So many memories of my teen years when friends and I would be out late at night and instead of vandalism and other occasionally interesting teen pursuits we delighted in reciting Monty Python sketches as we walked through countless streets. My love for the Monty Python team has never faded and I am so proud that my 26 year old son shares the same enthusiasm for Python. Thank you for the book and to my son who bought it for me!
Oh dear Terry, how missed you are. This book was absolutely beautiful, and had me bawling my eyes out by the end. I miss him very much. He’s the reason why my sense of humor is the way it is. What a wonderful read. Robert, you are a terrific writer and a great friend to Terry. Thank you.
How Well Do You Know … Classic British Sitcoms?: The 100% unofficial ultimate quiz book
The perfect gift for fans of the UK’s best comedy shows, from Dad’s Army and Fawlty Towers to Blackadder and the Vicar of Dibley!
Think you know all there is to know about these classic British sitcoms? I don’t believe it!
***
What is the alcoholic drink of choice of Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous?
In Only Fools and Horses, Rodney initially believes Trigger received his nickname because he is handy with a gun, but what is the real reason?
The tiny fictional village of Dibley is situated in which English county?
***
How well do YOU know your classic British sitcoms? It’s time to sharpen your pencils and wits… and let’s hope no one is calling you a ‘stupid boy’ by the end of it!
If you purchase through our Amazon links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work.
The Carry On Girls – Paperback Edition
Whether it is the seaside postcard bubbly blondes of Barbara Windsor, the hysterically historical leading ladies of Joan Sims, the coquettish authoritarians of Hattie Jacques, or the statuesque confidence of Valerie Leon, the Carry On girls are stoic, sexy and fiercely independent.
In this lavish celebration of a pioneering generation of comedy actresses who continue to radiate charm and contemporary relevance, a few home truths are revealed and some myths are debunked; but, above all, some of the best-loved icons of British entertainment are given fitting affection and respect.
Robert and Gemma are delighted to have provided new audio commentaries for Are You Being Served? The Movie and Two-Way Stretch for the Kino Lober Blu-ray releases.
The Blu-ray’s are now available to pre-order ahead of their releases:
Screwball shenanigans are served in this feature-length 1977 movie version of Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft’s beloved BBC television series that has become one of the most popular British comedies in PBS history! While London’s Grace Brothers department store undergoes renovations, the staff is treated to a continental holiday in sun-kissed Costa Plonka where they tangle with the local cuisine, swap cheeky lust letters—and are caught in the middle of an armed rebel insurrection. Join Mr. Humphries (John Inman), Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden), Captain Peacock (Frank Thornton), Mr. Lucas (Trevor Bannister), Miss Brahms (Wendy Richard), Mr. Grainger (Arthur Brough), Mr. Rumbold (Nicholas Smith), Mr. Harman (Arthur English) and Young Mr. Grace (Harold Bennett) as the bullets and knickers fly!
Product Extras :
Audio Commentary by Authors and Comedy Historians Gemma and Robert Ross
In this caper-comedy classic of 1960s British cinema, the great Peter Sellers (The Ladykillers, The Pink Panther) stars as cocky criminal “mastermind” Dodger Lane, who has been concocting the perfect robbery in prison. With two cellmates he intends to break out of jail, steal a fortune in diamonds from a rich Maharajah, and then break back in. He only has a few days left of his sentence to serve and his alibi couldn’t be any tighter. As long as the operation runs smoothly, what could possibly go wrong? Everything—in one of Sellers’ funniest farces packed with a rib-tickling rogues’ gallery of British comedy legends: Lionel Jeffries as the hilariously humiliated prison officer; Wilfrid Hyde-White as a bogus vicar; David Lodge as the meat-headed muscleman; and Bernard Cribbins in the nice young man part. Riotously directed by Robert Day (The Green Man).
Product Extras :
NEW Audio Commentary by Authors and Comedy Historians Gemma Ross and Robert Ross
Coming this Spring a New Collaboration between Jeffrey Holland and Robert Ross
Fondly remembered as Spike Dixon in Hi-De-Hi, Jeffrey Holland is one of our best-loved situation comedy actors. An invaluable member of the repertory company of writer and director David Croft, his many other television credits include Are You Being Served?, Dad’s Army, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Oh, Doctor Beeching!, and You Rang, M’Lord?
Written in collaboration with Britain’s foremost comedy historian, Robert Ross, producer and presenter of the hugely successful touring show Jeffrey Holland: Comedy Friends and Heroes, this unique memoir reveals the hilarious tales from Holland’s long and illustrious career, through the comedy greats that have inspired him, to the comedy colleagues with whom he has worked.
There will be heart-warming stories from his twenty-year association with Paul Shane and Su Pollard: BBC’s comedy ‘A’ Team of sitcom. There will be poignant and deep reflection on his all-time favourite comedian, Stan Laurel, and revealing stories of working with the great and good of variety theatre – from understudying Frankie Howerd in pantomime, to unforgettable encounters with Ben Warriss, the no-nonsense straight man of Jewel and Warriss fame, via many happy years as part of Russ Abbot’s Madhouse.
Not to mention blissful thoughts on the joy of The Goon Show, and the thrill of stepping into the huge shoes of Peter Sellers, when the crazy characters were resurrected for Goon Again!
Filled with the enthusiasm and affection, The First Rule of Comedy..! is a life told through the eyes of one of the true greats of the genre.
Robert’s latest book Best Sellers celebrates the work of Peter Sellers.
As creative force of The Goon Show, Spike Milligan was the architect of the lunatic style of humour that permeates the best-loved performances of Peter Sellers; a friend and colleague who Milligan considered: “one of the true comedy greats of the 20th century. He can hold his head up with the very best.”
And it is the comic genius of Peter Sellers that is the driving passion of this book. A labour of love by Robert Ross, Britain’s Comedy Historian, in which the well-documented wealth, wives, and weirdness of Peter’s personal life is referenced only when it fully impacts his happiest place: as an interpretive, dedicated, truthful actor.
Whether it is Doctor Strangelove; Inspector Clouseau; or Chance the Gardener, Sellers had the conviction and the control to become his characters.
It’s a legacy of laughter which still holds the world bewitched and enthralled; a legacy here put into historical and comical context.
Whether it is the seaside postcard bubbly blondes of Barbara Windsor, or the hysterically historical leading ladies of Joan Sims; the coquettish authoritarians of Hattie Jacques, or the statuesque confidence of Valerie Leon; the Carry On Girls are stoic, sexy, and fiercely independent.
In this lavish celebration of a pioneering generation of comedy actresses who continue to radiate charm and contemporary relevance, a few home truths are revealed, some myths are debunked, but above all some of the best-loved icons of British entertainment are given fitting affection and respect.
Written by Gemma and Robert Ross this is their first book collaboration together.
We are grateful to Valerie Leon for writing the wonderful forward for the book.
The book is now available to order from all good book shops and will be released on 23rd November 2023. Please subscribe the newsletter to keep up-to-date with all our latest news about the book.
We are delighted to launch, Write On Comedy, an association for writers and lovers of comedy.
The aim of the association is to celebrate writers of comedy, writers on comedy, comedy folk who write, and those who simply love comedy. We are a community of writers and readers. A place to share ideas, tips, and laughter.
For published authors and professional performers we aim to celebrate and promote your work to a wide audience. We also offer the opportunity to collaborate and connect with your peers, and build a stronger, better community.
For associates we will bring you the most up-to-date news on some of your favourite names in comedy, keep you informed of our up-coming events, created especially for you, and allow you priority places at our Book Festivals.
To mark the official publication of the Unbound tome dedicated to the Forgotten Heroes of Comedy, I was in conversation with Gemma over on the Comedy Historian Facebook page for a live and free and totally interactive chat about the book. It was just like old times!
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