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Everyone knows that The Beatles changed the world of music. But Fab Fools, the new book from renowned “comedy archaeologist” Jem Roberts, chronicles for the first time their seminal impact on quite another form of entertainment: comedy.

Some of The Beatles’ comedy work remains familiar: for example, the critical and box office gold of A Hard Day’s Night, or the sub-aquatic psychedelia of Yellow Submarine.

But less well known is the sheer scope of the Fab Four’s comedy output. And when exploring this work, Jem Roberts unearthed a fascinating new perspective on The Beatles.

As the official chronicler of I’m Sorry, I Haven’t a Clue and Blackadder, and authorised biographer of Douglas Adams, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, Jem Roberts has spent over a decade writing about comedy.

An avowed Beatlemaniac, when carrying out his research, he always made note of any reference to his favourite band. But it was only when reviewing his research for an earlier project that he realised something: The Beatles didn’t just pop up once or twice – they were everywhere.

In Jem’s words:

“It was a great honour to be the official historian of huge comedy successes like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Blackadder, and when writing these books, it suddenly struck me – The Beatles were comedians too! No matter where you look, all these links between The Beatles and comedy history just spring out. Of course, there’s masterpieces like A Hard Day’s Night and Yellow Submarine, but then there’s also Sir George Martin’s work with the Goons on Parlophone, the boys’ famous sketch with Eric & Ernie, the endless Monty Python comparisons and affiliations, George’s Handmade Films, spoofs like Spitting Image… The Beatles even did panto! I’m not sure Jimi Hendrix ever did.”

“This idea of Beatlemania as a predominantly musical phenomenon is inaccurate. Of course, their music was an utterly central part of their appeal, but to truly understand The Beatles, you have to look at the splash they made in every form of entertainment. And then you’ve got to follow the ripples – ripples that are still expanding and influencing comedy to this day.”

In a glowing review, Steven Fry praises Jem’s “flawless” research, which brings to life the breathless frenzy surrounding The Beatles when they first appeared on British screens and airwaves. From this research, Jem weaves together a chorus of scripts, interviews, coverage and quotes, telling the story of a group whose quick wits soon put them at the centre of showbiz.

The narrative takes us right to the present day, and features a staggering array of comedy greats: George Formby, Ken Dodd, Morecambe & Wise, Cook & Moore, the Goons, Monty Python, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Harry & Paul, the Simpsons, Peter Serafinowicz, Tenacious D, Jimmy Fallon, all the way to Richard Curtis and his recent hit film Yesterday.

Additionally to Steven Fry’s write up, Fab Fools has also been commended by Barry Cryer (I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue) and boasts an exclusive foreword by Kevin Eldon (Big Train, Brass Eye, I’m Alan Partridge).

As the first celebration of Beatles comedy, this is also the story of Eric Idle and Neil Innes’ legendary spoof The Rutles, another story never told before. Roberts adds, “The support and friendship of Neil Innes, who was practically the 8th or 9th Beatle, a complete hero, was essential in telling this story, from the mouths of those who were really there. When Neil died, suddenly and heartbreakingly, during the writing of the book, Fab Fools had to become a tribute to this legendary comedy/musical genius.”

Hilariously told after eons of dogged research, with the exclusive involvement and warm support of many key figures, Fab Fools is perhaps the last untold story of The Beatles. It will change how readers look at the Fab Four forever. They weren’t just the world’s biggest band – theymight just have been the world’s biggest comedy group too.   

Fab Fools will be released on April 29^th 2021, and is available from www/candy-jar.co.uk/fabfools.hmtl

Tags: Beatles, Fab Fools