Standup is finally the big business the industry has hoped it would be ever since Newman and Baddiel played Wembley in the early 90s,” writes Stewart Lee (pictured) in his new book. He’s right, of course. Standups are everywhere now: all over the telly, topping bestseller lists, writing broadsheet newspaper columns and hosting chatshows. Oh,…
Stewart Lee gave up stand-up comedy in 2001 after deciding that his material was “arch, cynical, tired, fake, conceited, formulaic and flat”. He threw his energies into co-writing and directing Jerry Springer: the Opera, which earned him an Olivier Award, opprobrium and no money. In 2004, he began his comeback as an “alternative” comedian, and…