S4 EP21: Ben Elton

S4 EP21: Ben Elton

From What Did You Do Yesterday? with Max Rushden & David O'Doherty by Keep It Light Media

May 23, 2026 · 1h 12m

About this episode

Ben Elton joins the hosts to discuss his life and career in comedy.

Joining us on this episode of ' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What did you do yesterday? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ' is a legend of comedy. Writer, actor, comedian - Ben Elton. We asked Ben what he did yesterday? He told us. That's it... enjoy! Ben's critically acclaimed autobiography What Have I Done? is publishing in paperback 21st May 2026. For the first – and only – time, Ben opens up in his frank, forthright and entertaining autobiography. Taking a deep dive into his life and times, both private and public, to reveal the true stories behind iconic hits such as The Young Ones and We Will Rock You, his pioneering routines hosting Saturday Live, which birthed a revolution in stand-up comedy, and so much more. Ben recounts his life and uniquely varied career from his Catford childhood and being the BBC’s youngest ever sitcom writer at 21 right up to the present day, with yet another hit sitcom, Upstart Crow; a surprise late-life BAFTA; and his most critically acclaimed stand-up comedy show to date. The book is full of anecdotes, such as when Ben met Emma Thompson and became infatuated with her on set, his creative…

People in this episode

Hosts: Max Rushden, David O'Doherty

Guest: Ben Elton

Topics covered

  • comedy
  • autobiography
  • interview
  • Ben Elton
  • stand-up comedy
  • anecdotes

Keywords

  • Ben Elton
  • comedy
  • autobiography
  • interview
  • stand-up
  • anecdotes
  • The Young Ones

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: What Have I Done?, The Young Ones, We Will Rock You, Saturday Live, Upstart Crow, Blackadder

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