Bigger than Hitler – Better than Christ
| Author | Rik Mayall |
|---|---|
Publication date | September 2005 |
| Pages | 352 |
| ISBN | 978-0-007-20728-2 |
Bigger than Hitler – Better than Christ (sometimes prefixed The Rik Mayall) is a 2005 semi-autobiographical book by Rik Mayall and partly ghostwritten by Max Kinnings, written in exaggerated character.[1][2] The title humorously refers to his career being longer than Adolf Hitler's, and that he was in a coma for 5 days after his quad bike accident (compared to Jesus, who rose from the dead after 3 days).[3]
Description
[edit]Written in character, Rik claims that he invented alternative comedy with The Young Ones, saved Rock and Roll with the song Living Doll, brought down the Thatcher administration with The New Statesman, and rescued the British film industry with the 'vast revenues' generated by Drop Dead Fred.[4] It received mostly positive reviews.[5][6][7]
On the 1 June 2024, 'Rik Mayall, Panglobal Phenomenon' was broadcast on BBC Radio 4, primarily focusing on the book.[8][9] Mayall's former comedy partner Adrian Edmondson and actor Benedict Cumberbatch would go on to read Mayall's 1984 letter to Bob Geldof included in the book for the Letters of Note: Music audiobook and a Letters Live fundraiser event, respectively.[10][11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Bigger than Hitler – Better than Christ (Paperback)". Waterstones. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022.
- ^ "The Rik Mayall - Bigger Than Hitler Better Than Christ eBook, Hardback and Paperback by Rik Mayall and Max Kinnings". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ "Book reviews 2006 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". Chortle. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ "Bigger than Hitler – Better than Christ". HarperCollins Publishers UK. Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Brazier, Lucy (19 June 2018). "Bigger Than Hitler. Better Than Christ". Lucy Brazier. Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Holly (22 November 2017). "Comedy Book Corner – Bigger Then [sic] Hitler, Better Than Christ, Rik Mayall". Welcome to The Phoenix Remix. Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ "Bigger Than Hitler, Better Than Christ, Rik Mayall (HarperCollins), £18.99". York Press. 5 November 2005. Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ "Rik Mayall, Panglobal Phenomenon". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Donaldson, Brian (30 May 2024). "Rik Mayall: Panglobal Phenomenon podcast review – Humble musings of a self-proclaimed genius". The List. Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ Usher, Shaun (9 June 2021). "That's right, I was beaten up at a charity recording. Your charity recording". Letters of Note.
- ^ Dorn, Lori (8 April 2025). "An Animated Benedict Cumberbatch Reads a Snarky Letter From Rik Mayall to Bob Geldof About 'Band Aid'". Laughing Squid.