Ben Elton Interview on Rove HD (8 Nov, 2009)

Successful British stand-up comic and provocative and entertaining writer of hit international novels and musicals, his latest novel, Meltown, is a biting satire on the credit crunch. BEN ELTON is a leading figure in the generation of British comedy stars, which emerged in the 1980s. At 23 he co-wrote the ground breaking smash hit BBC situation comedy The Young Ones, which became a worldwide award winning cult hit. Ben went on to write for all the principle comedians of his generation. In 1985 Ben began his phenomenally successful writing partnership with Richard Curtis on the Emmy and BAFTA award-winning TV series Blackadder 2, Blackadder the Third and Blackadder Goes Forth. Ben is also a hugely successful an influential stand up comedian, he is one of Britains biggest selling live acts and his TV shows have won numerous awards. Ben published his first novel, Stark in 1988. Set in Australia, Stark became an instant #1 best-seller and sold over a million copies. He has written 11 novels since then Gridlock (1991) UK #1; This Other Den (1993) UK #1; Popcorn (1996) UK #1 and Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger Award for fiction; Blast From the Past (1998) UK top 5; Inconceivable (1999) UK top 5; Dead Famous (2001) UK #1; High Society (2002) UK #1 and WH Smiths Peoples Choice Fiction Award; Past Mortem (2004) UK top 5 and winner of best international detective novel at Prix Polar International 2007; The First Casualty (2005 UK top 5; Chart Throb (2006) UK Top 5; Blind Faith (2007) UK top 10. Bens novels have all been hugely successful in Australia and around the world. Bens ambitions were originally theatrical and hes written the hit plays: Gasping (1990); Silly Cow (1991); Popcorn (1996); and Blast From the Past (1998) - all performed regularly around the world. In 1992 Ben began his acting career, starring in his own adaptation of his novel, Stark. This ABC co-production was filmed entirely in Australia. That year Ben also appeared alongside Michael Keaton as Verges in Kenneth Branaghs acclaimed feature film Much Ado About Nothing. In 2000 Ben wrote and directed his first movie, the hit romantic comedy Maybe Baby which starred Hugh Laurie and Joely Richardson. Ben then gained success in the world of musical theatre collaborating with Andrew Lloyd Weber on the award-winning The Beautiful Game; the award-winning international hit We Will Rock You; and his last musical Tonights the Night featuring the songs of Rod Stewart. In 2005 Ben returned to stand up for the first time since 1997, touring the UK with Get A Grip. He then took the tour to Australia and New Zealand in 2006 and a subsequent DVD release followed. His latest book Meltown is a biting satire of the credit crunch is out now.