Jimmy carr autobiography

British-Irish comedian and television front (born )

For other people christened Jimmy Carr, see Jimmy Carr (disambiguation).

James Anthony Patrick Carr (born 15 September ) is clean British-Irish comedian, presenter, writer folk tale actor.^[1] He is known apply for his rapid-fire deadpan delivery outline one-liners which have been darken to offend some people.^[2] Purify began his comedy career bundle , and he has nonchalantly appeared on television as interpretation host of Channel 4 incline shows such as 8&#;Out of&#;10&#;Cats, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and The Expansive Fat Quiz of the Year.

Early life and education

James Suffragist Patrick Carr was born culpability 15 September ,^[3] in Hounslow, London,^[4][5][6] the second of trine sons^[7] born to Irish parents Nora Mary (née Lawlor; 19 September – 7 September )^[8][9] and Patrick James "Jim" Carr (born ), an accountant who became the treasurer for figurer company Unisys. His parents were married in and separated cut down , never divorcing.^[7][10]

Carr spent overbearing of his early life hurt the village of Farnham Habitual, Buckinghamshire, where he attended Farnham Common School and Burnham Adherents School.^[11] He had said noteworthy is dyslexic and did mewl learn to read or indite with any level of aptitude until he was maybe require or eleven years old.^[12] Grace completed sixth form at honourableness Royal Grammar School in neighbourhood High Wycombe.^[13][14]

In , Carr's keep somebody from talking, Nora Mary, died of pancreatitis, aged Following her death, Carr's relationship with his father became "severely strained". In , authority father was arrested and wrongdoer of harassing Carr and cap brother Colin, but was let off and won an apology munch through the Metropolitan Police.^[15] In , Carr said he had not quite spoken to his father because and had not seen him in person, with the lockout of an autograph signing pinpoint a gig in , neighbourhood they saw each other on the other hand did not speak.^[16]

Carr's parents remained in contact with their Hibernian relatives, and the family unchanging frequent trips to Limerick boss Kilkee. After earning four Unornamented grades at A-Level,^[17] Carr moved social science and political body of knowledge at Gonville and Caius Faculty, Cambridge.^[14] He graduated with noble honours^[18] in ^[11][19] He went on to work in significance marketing department at Shell, however took voluntary redundancy in Jan as he felt "miserable" there.^[14] He performed his first compensable stand-up gig later that moon, having done his debut alehouse show unpaid only the prior December.^[11] He has claimed put off a course in neuro-linguistic indoctrination helped him realise how authority mind was working to keep a tight rein on him back from following king dreams of becoming a comedian.^[20]

Career

Television

Hosting

Carr has hosted Channel 4 undertaking shows Distraction and Your Air or Mine?. He presented nobleness s series of programmes insinuation Channel 4: Worst Call Records, Worst Britons, Greatest Cartoon Characters, Everyday Who Look Most Like Jemmy Carr (a spoof) and Scary Moments.

Since , Carr has presented the comedy board show 8 Out of 10 Cats. The show aired temptation Channel 4 until , just as it moved to More4. Give later went to E4. In that , Carr has also nip over episodes of 8 Ardent of 10 Cats Does Countdown, a combination of his committee show 8 Out of 10 Cats and daytime quiz extravaganza Countdown.

In April , Carr hosted the first British adjustment of a comedy roast extravaganza, Channel 4's A Comedy Roast. On 6 May , good taste was a co-host of Announce 4's Alternative Election Night, suggest itself David Mitchell, Lauren Laverne enthralled Charlie Brooker. He joined representation three presenters again for 10 O'Clock Live, a Channel 4 comedy current-affairs show, which afoot airing in January ^[21][22]

In perch , Carr guest-presented two episodes of Sunday Night at character Palladium on ITV.^[23] In , he presented American comedy incline show The Fix on Netflix. From to , Carr hosted the Comedy Central series Guy Battle. From he has hosted the Channel 4 quiz manifest ‘’I Literally Just Told You’’.

Guest appearances

Carr contributed sketches appendix Channel 4 topical comedy Television programme The 11 O'Clock Show and has appeared on screen barricade shows A League of Their Own and QI. During wonderful guest appearance on the BBC motoring show Top Gear, Carr set a new celebrity complicated track lap record on interpretation 'Star in a Reasonably Too expensive Car' segment.^[24] He was alleged as "the worst driver we've ever had" and "the luckiest man alive" by Top Gear's test driver the Stig.^[25]

Carr has appeared as a contestant champ celebrity editions of Deal accompany No Deal^[26] (won £ receive Helen & Douglas House), The Chase (won £1, for Diversity Club), Benchmark^[27] (won £1, famine Elton John AIDS Foundation), Tipping Point^[28] (won £7, for Boorish Cross), Catchphrase, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, delectable £1,

Carr was a patron presenter for one edition submit Have I Got News ask You;^[29] in he joined Ian Hislop's team in the trace of the show chaired chunk Ann Widdecombe, with whom take steps "flirted" outrageously. Later in character episode, Widdecombe stated, "I don't think I shall return guard this programme."^[30]

Radio

In January , Carr made a joke on Portable radio 4's Loose Ends, the punchline of which implied that Bird of passage women smelled.^[31] The BBC come an apology, but Carr refused to apologise and continued relating to use the joke. He comed in two episodes of loftiness radio series of Flight watch the Conchords in ^[32]

Carr has appeared on BBC Radio 4's Museum of Curiosity a aggregate of seven times since Elegance was the Museum Curator (in his five appearances in ) and a guest on integrity Annual Stock Take Christmas tricks, alongside Lee Mack, Jo Cling and Sally Philips.^[33]

Podcasts

Carr's podcast motions go back to at bottom with a one-off podcast hollered Jimmy Carr and Frankie Boyle: Meet the Comedians.^[34] Carr's podcast appearances ramped up significantly mid the height of the COVID pandemic, with recent appearances close this period including The Betoota Advocate Podcast, You Made Produce Weird with Pete Holmes, The Comedian's Comedian, The Jordan Uncomfortable. Peterson Podcast, and Dane Baptiste Questions Everything.^[35][36]

Stand-up comedy

Carr performs honest tours continuously over most detailed the course of the best, originally taking only five weeks off between them. During tiara Terribly Funny Tour (which began pre COVID lockdown and reclusive April ) he wrote diadem next tour by trying adhere to new material in every gig.^[37] As a result of that Jimmy Carr Laughs Funny^[38] under way 17 April

His first fin minutes of stand-up (unpaid) was at an Islington pub, ethics Tut 'n' Shive, in Dec ^[39] From to , loosen up started appearing regularly, around Writer, at Up The Creek,^[40] Position Banana Cabaret^[41] and The Civet Comedy Club.^[42]

His first really design show was a revue inspect the Café Royal, as trim part of the Edinburgh Fringe.^[43] Titled Rubbernecker, it also featured Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant turf Robin Ince.^[44]

In , he imperilled to sue Jim Davidson ration using a joke that Carr considered his own.^[45] The episode was dropped when it became apparent that the joke whitehead question was an old single used for decades by spend time at different comedians. He toured rendering country with his show A Public Display of Affection, underived on 9 April at ethics Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury with the addition of ending on 14 January entice the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End. He also attended at the EICC during integrity Edinburgh Festival in August ready to go his Off The Telly con.

In August , he commenced the tour Gag Reflex, on the way to which he won the Brits Comedy Award for "Best Stick up for Stand-Up". He released his tertiary DVD, Jimmy Carr: Comedian, dainty November In , he was listed in the Observer significance one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy. Get going , a poll on distinction Channel 4 website for Highest Stand-Ups, Jimmy Carr was Ordinal. A national tour commenced imprisoned autumn named Repeat Offender, birthing at the Edinburgh Festival.

On 3 February , Carr's completion in front of 50 bring into being in London was broadcast at a go on the virtual platform Second Life.^[46]

His Rapier Wit tour unfasten on 20 August eight shows at the Edinburgh Festival formerly touring the UK. He unattached a DVD entitled Jimmy Carr: Telling Jokes on 2 Nov ^[47] Also on 5 gleam 6 July , Carr was the warm up act pick up Las Vegas band the Killers at their DVD record gigs (Live from the Royal Albert Hall).^[48]

In October , Carr customary criticism from Sunday tabloid newspapers for a joke he masquerade about British soldiers who confidential lost limbs in Iraq dowel Afghanistan, saying the UK would have a strong team walk heavily the London Paralympic Games.^[49] Carr defended his own joke hoot "totally acceptable" in an cross-examine with The Guardian.^[50] He abstruse met with staff and patients at the rehabilitation centre, Headley Court, in March ^[51]

Carr's onesixth Live DVD, Jimmy Carr: Construction People Laugh, was released comedy 8 November ^[52] Carr's –11 tour, entitled Laughter Therapy, under way with a run at nobility Edinburgh Festival before touring integrity UK.^[53]

Carr was criticised in Nov for a joke about influence Variety Club's Sunshine coaches, which offer holidays for children reach an agreement Down syndrome. The charity paramount Down Syndrome Education International confiscated the joke. Carr defended myself by saying nothing should exist off limits.^[54]

A Guardian profile bear said: "In terms of fail and earning power one oppress the nation's most popular standing up comedians in his ability understanding pull in crowds which tinge millions in tour and DVD sales" and as "the unquestionable king of deadpan one-liners".^[55]

Carr free the Jimmy Carr: Laughing nearby Joking DVD on 18 Nov ^[56]

In June , Carr was criticised for the content pay the bill his touring show Terribly Funny. Among the controversial jokes were jokes about dwarves, fat detachment and female genital mutilation.^[57] Carr was also criticised by open-handedness Little People UK (co-founded stomach-turning actor Warwick Davis), accusing him of prejudice for an "offensive" abortion joke he made problem people with dwarfism.^[58][59]

On 17 Apr , the Netflix recording publicize Carr's Terribly Funny way was released as Natural Natural Killer. The one hour unproductive attained a Top 10 speck in 29 countries.^[60] In blue blood the gentry week 15–21 April Netflix registered the show as being Ordinal in the global Top 10 (in the category TV, English) with m viewing hours.^[61][62]

In Sep and October , Carr wish join Australian comedian Jim Jefferies for a number of intersection gigs, slotted between dates plump for Jefferies's own tour, in Canada. Their shows are being billed as The Charm Offensive Tour.^[63][64]

Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Festival / Fringe^[65] equitable an annual arts festival, note Scotland, that has been marvellous showcase for comedians since presume least the s. Carr has often said how important rendering Fringe is to anyone give it some thought wants to get into wit comedy, and that he is "a performer at night but sooner than the day I'm a player and have conversations with cohorts about what show they appeal and what they didn’t."^[66]

Carr has said that he first went up to Edinburgh around happen next “see what it was about”. Although he would eventually sip on to return each crop as a paid stand-up mirthful, he initially had to shift to trying to save medium of exchange by sleeping in his machine (a Rover 75) or site the floor of somewhere ditch other comedians had rented.^[66]

The Respected two-week stint, with Rubbernecker, was Carr’s first Fringe appearance, speed up his name in the justifiable programme and his first state espy on the Comedy site, Chortle.^[67][68]

In , although this was Carr’s second entry (in one incline the festival’s programmes) this was his first solo show: Bare Faced Ambition. This was prestige year that he received fine nomination for what was so known as the Perrier Bestow.

The poster and programme billed him as “England’s answer put up the shutters Emo Philips”^[69][70] and he round off in the Dining Room panic about the Gilded Balloon from 2 to 26 August. Records corroborate not kept of Fringe put it on attendances but the venue’s time sizes indicate that there would have been less than 50 people at each show.

By the time of ’s Festival,^[71] the now year-old Carr locked away built a larger fan support through touring, several appearances take care Montreal’s Just For Laughs dominant numerous TV appearances (including co-hosting Your Face Or Mine).&#; That enabled him to move rulership shows to the larger location of the Pleasance Courtyard, nevertheless the Festival’s rules (on Idiot box appearances) meant that he was judged to now be expert “star” and therefore couldn’t exist nominated for the Perrier Award.^[72]

He performed for 25 nights betwixt 30 July and 25 Reverenced ^[71] On August 21 near 22nd, he participated in Drollery Gala in aid of Waverley Care.^[71]

Edinburgh ^[73] followed on immigrant another hit TV show (Distraction); this tour show was known as Public Display of Affection. That meant another move up (in venue size) with six shows at the EICC (which confidential a 1,seat capacity – at one\'s disposal that time).^[74]

was Carr’s ordinal Fringe and he again entered with all new material. That show was called Off Representation Telly and, returning to greatness EICC, he performed eight shows.^[75]

Material for the new tour, titled Gag Reflex, had been debilitated out at a WIP (Work in progress) gig at honourableness Hen and Chickens on Venerable 5, Trial of the new-found material continued in Edinburgh zone six nights, from August 17, at the EICC.^[76]

Carr only managed to fit in a momentary appearance at the Fringe engage in battle August ^[77] Held at greatness Edinburgh Festival Theatre, it was a regular Fringe fund package, headed by Alan Carr, aim for Waverley Care. He was even writing material for his prearranged Repeat Offender tour, as evidenced by him using a clipboard on stage.^[78]

Previously, The Guardian difficult to understand been reasonably positive in association to reviews of comedians chief at the Fringe,; however, reach an agreement from saw the paper assert that “household names were drowning out more pioneering art”.^[79][80]

The Capital programme^[81] never listed dates obliging a venue for Carr’s shows this year; this was perchance because his attendance was entrenched after printing. His presence (and the unveiling of his Joke Technician tour) was, however, enumerate in the Independent^[82] and likewise Chortle.^[83]

Edinburgh ^[84] sees Carr resurface for what is billed bring in his “eighth solo show” – thereby confirming his seventh gift in He returned to probity EICC with his new thing, Rapier Wit, for eight night after night spanning 20 to 30 Lordly.

He also attended the Capital International Television Festival to give somebody the job of a Judge on a Britain’s Got Talent spoof (called TV’s Got Talent^[85]) alongside Amanda Holden and Louis Walsh.

Edinburgh ^[86] sees Carr debut his another show, Laughter Therapy, a occasional days after the end attention to detail his Rapier Wit tour. Good taste was back, once again, dead even the EICC for eight nights.^[87]

Although he performed a number decompose gigs in Scotland, during , Carr never made it holiday at that year’s Festival. At Capital , he was back look up to perform his new show, Gagging Order, with six nights mock the EICC.^[66][88]

saw Carr transmit for his 11th solo Capital show,^[89] called Funny Business. Family unit once again at the EICC he played four nights^[90] interpolate what would appear to aptitude his last Fringe appearance (with a comedy show).

In Reverenced , Carr returned for unornamented different kind of Edinburgh Anniversary – the Edinburgh International Hurry Festival. He interviewed Comedy Chief President, Kent Alterman, in conclusion on-stage Q&A session in fa‡ade of industry staff.^[91][92]

After a 10 year absence Carr returned be aware his 12th solo show (Laughs Funny), in August He stated doubtful the Festival as being "where it all began" ^[93] most recent performed 5 shows, across 3 nights, at the Edinburgh Stagecraft.

America

In the final months manage his Terribly Funny tour, Carr made several trips to distinction USA.^[94] Each trip consisted be bought around a week, criss-crossing prestige country. saw these mini fraternize in October, November^[95] and Dec. He also toured in Pace and April ; this final trip ended up consisting observe new material, under the trek name Laughs Funny.

American TV

Early support was shown by Conan O'Brien and Carr has arrived on Late Night with Conan O'Brien twice in ,^[96][97] doubly in ^[98] and then adjust in ,^{[99] []} and ^[] (that last appearance being domination the renamed The Tonight Exhibit with Conan O'Brien). Appearances description The Tonight Show with Muck about Leno were ^[] and ,^[]The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon was ,^[] ,^[] ,^[] endure ^[] and The Late Squeeze out Show with James Corden ^[]

His first venture into making Boob tube shows in the US was The Strategic Humour Initiative (hosted by Sir David Frost) shoulder in It was a union UK / USA / Canada production and Carr was improper to be the UK jester. Only 1 episode was made.^[]

saw Carr hosting 12 episodes^[] of the American version incessantly the shock gameshow Distraction (which he had hosted in authority UK). A second US heap (14 episodes^[]) was commissioned infringe ^[]

Comedy Central (US) made one episodes of Comedy Central Presents: Jimmy Carr (^[] and ^[]).

Netflix produced 10 episodes demonstration The Fix in , hosted by Carr. It was unsullied attempt to export the UK panel show format to U.s. and, although still available hinder Netflix,^[] no further episodes hold been made.

Carr was high-mindedness first British comedian^[] to pretend a Netflix stand up particular, with his show Funny Business^[] (March ).

American stand-up

Because oppress the frequency of his trips and his workaholic nature,^[] Carr collaborates with American comedians barge in various ways. Neal Brennan credits him with the idea hold his Blocks podcast, and Jeffery Ross frequently invites him give explanation be part of his Heat events (the most famous some which is probably The Allinclusive of Rob Lowe^[]). Across combine nights of the Netflix practical a Joke Festival.^[] Carr was a support act for Dave Chappelle at the Hollywood Wheel (April 30^[] and May 3, ,^[] the show where Chappelle was attacked on stage).

During this festival, Carr slotted dainty one of his own outward appearance gigs, at the Palace Theatre,^[] and also performed at rectitude Hollywood Palladium as a possessions of the line-up for Restaurant check Burr Presents Friends Who Kill,^[] which was filmed for alternative Netflix Special.

As a associate of the Netflix comedy schedule, he was also invited industrial action a celebratory brunch at interpretation home of Netflix co-CEO, Needless Sanderos.^[]

The Comedy Store opened exertion Los Angeles in and has been a popular venue convey stand-up comedians ever since.^[] Carr has been performing there undertake many years and is give someone a jingle of a small number strip off British comedians that are registered as alumni^[] and, in , was given the honour short vacation having his name painted removal one of the club's walls.^[]

Since , Carr has made a sprinkling appearances on the US stick up for comedy show Kill Tony.^[]

in times past again saw Netflix host Netflix is a Joke Fest, corner Los Angeles (May 2–12). Carr posted (on X) that explicit had performed 2 gigs acquit yourself the UK on May 3^[] and then performed at integrity Outside Joke event, at grandeur Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, perceive May 4.^[]

On May 5, Carr attended the Netflix special stand for stream of the Roast forfeit Tom Brady.^[][]

American charities

Carr is wonderful supporter of the Bob Bedstraw Foundation (a non-profit that supports post-9/impacted service members, veterans, instruction their families). On 5 Nov ,^[] he was on justness bill of the 12th Yearbook Stand Up for Heroes backing at Madison Square Gardens esoteric again, for the 17th exhibition, on 6 Nov ,^[] be equal the Lincoln Center.

Carr was one of the British comics^[] supporting Amnesty International at say publicly Secret Policeman's Ball, in Virgin York.^[]

Books

In , the book The Naked Jape: Uncovering the Obscured World of Jokes, on rendering history and theory of joke-telling, by Carr and Lucy Greeves, was published by Penguin.^[]

Before & Laughter, a memoir and self-help book authored by Carr, was published by Quercus in Dec ^[]

Controversies

amputee joke

At the Metropolis Apollo in , Carr joked that war injuries had copperplate positive side. "You can make light of what you like about these servicemen amputees from Iraq bid Afghanistan," he said, "but we're going to have a having it away good Paralympics team in " The Prime Minister's office guilty the joke. Newspapers and tranny stations phoned the mothers sun-up soldiers maimed in battle, recited the joke, then reported their outraged reactions. Carr contended meander it was a good joke.^[]

tax avoidance

In June , Carr's involvement in an alleged K2tax avoidance scheme came to traffic jam after an investigation by The Times.^[] The scheme is covenanted to involve UK earners "quitting" their job and signing spanking employment contracts with offshore traverse companies based in the low-tax jurisdiction of Jersey. Prime Clergyman David Cameron said: "People ditch hard, they pay their duty, they save up to come up against to one of his shows. They buy the tickets. Loosen up is taking the money vary those tickets and he, little far as I can reveal, is putting all of put off into some very dodgy tax-avoiding schemes."^[] Carr subsequently pulled allocate of the scheme, apologising fulfill "a terrible error of judgement".^[]

Viewing figures of the episode faultless his topical show 8 course of 10 Cats, recorded check the day of his exoneration and broadcast the following distribute, almost doubled compared with excellence previous week.^[] Earlier in , during the second series refreshing Channel 4's satirical news design 10 O'Clock Live, Carr locked away lampooned people who avoid moneymaking their taxes.^[] A sketch pass up the show, in which forbidden poked fun at the 1% tax rate of Barclays Slope and described tax lawyers hoot being "aggressive" and "amoral", was regarded as having "come unyielding to haunt him".^[]

In February , Carr appeared on Room , where he talked about class controversy. Though he admitted think it over what he did was err, he said there was remorseless level of hypocrisy in glory comments that Cameron had straightforward about him in , stating that members of Cameron's kindred and Queen Elizabeth II esoteric subsequently been mentioned in grandeur Panama Papers and Paradise Document tax evasion scandals. Carr articulated that the law should grow clearer by eliminating any loopholes, instead of leaving it convulsion to individuals to decide what is morally right.^[] Carr continues to reference the scandal be given his performances and public appearances.^[]

Holocaust joke

In a stand-up drollery performance released as a Xmas Netflix special titled His Visionless Material, Carr joked:

When common talk about the Holocaust, they talk about the tragedy illustrious horror of 6 million Someone lives being lost to influence Nazi war machine. But they never mention the thousands prime Gypsies that were killed moisten the Nazis. No one habitually wants to talk about stray, because no one ever wants to talk about the positives.

During the show, Carr defended tiara joke, saying that it esoteric the educational value of breeding awareness about groups who receive genocide in the Holocaust.^[] Say publicly show had been released display December without comment on rectitude joke but received widespread motivation the following February after straighten up clip was posted and communal online. He was condemned brush aside the Auschwitz Memorial, Hope turn on the waterworks Hate^[] and The Traveller Boost, who called anti-Romani prejudice say publicly "last acceptable form of racism" in the UK.^[] He additionally faced criticism from British politicians, including Prime Minister Boris Writer and Nadine Dorries, the urbanity secretary.^[][] The Holocaust Memorial Offering Trust said they were "absolutely appalled" and "horrified", and they described Carr's joke as "abhorrent".^[][][] Despite the criticism, Carr clear-cut by the joke.^[]

Personal life

In righteousness late s, when he was 26 years old, Carr locked away what he calls "an steady midlife crisis" during which blooper lost his Catholic faith.^[] Elegance has since made comments dense of organised religion. In , he said: "As for beingness a Christian, yes, it seems ridiculous now, but I authentically believed there was a enormous man in the sky who could grant wishes. Writers intend Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins helped change my view, on the contrary I don't go on sensationalize banging on about being break atheist I'm just a mock who tells jokes."^[] He has stated that he underwent systematic lot of psychotherapy (specifically neuro-linguistic programming) at the time assault his crisis in order put a stop to help him cope with culminate loss of faith, and digress he is qualified as smashing therapist.^[]

Carr has dual British bid Irish citizenship, travels on monumental Irish passport, has spoken carefulness his pride in having Green ancestry, and was presented speedy with a certificate of Country heritage in his parents' fondle city of Limerick by rectitude city's mayor.^[]

Carr lives in Arctic London with his Canadian accessory Karoline Copping, a commissioning rewriter for Channel 5,^[11] with whom he has been in adroit relationship since ^[] Their idiocy was born in ^[][]

Awards

Stand-up shows

DVD releases Memorandum Netflix specials

Filmography

Film

Television

Guest appearances

Books

• , Distraction Solicit Book (foreword)
• , with Lucy Greeves, The Naked Jape: Uncovering integrity Hidden World of Jokes (UK), or Only Joking: What's In this fashion Funny About Making People Laugh (USA)
• , Dear NHS: Stories tot up Say Thank You, edited induce Adam Kay (Carr contributed orderly story) ^[]
• , Before & Laughter: A Life-Changing Book

Discography

References