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Using a different television show of the time as it's starting point for each chapter Watching the Nineties is part-childhood memoir, part-comic history of 90s television and culture. It's one of those books that will make you want to chat to the person nearest to you to discuss what you've just read and ask if they also remember Get Your Own Back or Knightmare. I was definitely the target audience, I also LOVED Neighbours in the early 90's to the extent that I owned the Pannini sticker album circa 1994. In true Josh Widdicombe style, it is a joy to read, it is written very well and takes you down a trip of memory lane.
When Covid struck and the country entered lockdown, Widdicombe and Beckett were stuck at home and the reality of parenting young children without the escape of work hit hard. Throughout there is a few great points where it refers to how television shows shaped his childhood and also some facts about some of those shows you may not even remember. There were kids at my school who liked bands, kids who liked football and one weird kid who liked the French sport of petanque, however, we all loved Gladiators, Neighbours and Pebble Mill with Alan Titchmarsh (possibly not the third of these). the books written by Josh Widdicombe and Rob Beckett – so when they had a co-written book come out, it was a no brainer.Josh Widdecombe is the funniest comedian I have seen live, both times I cried with laughter but unfortunately the book didn't do it for me, maybe if you're more into football it would resonate more. Did I grow up in one of the best eras - pre internet but just at the tipping point of technology - fabulous. Growing up in a tiny rural village on Dartmoor, no bands came within 100 miles, all the local farmers voted Tory, our nearest football team was in the fourth division, and the closest I got to being a new lad was when my older brother let me drink some of his Hooch.
Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you. It was also a real nostalgia trip and heartwarming to read the similarities in mine and Josh’s childhood from the growing up in the middle of nowhere (in my case, Norfolk), the small class sizes and the very minor cases of rule breaking (one whole class detention). Please Note: By their very nature, all signed books will have been handled several times before they get to you.
I also found the book to have been quite thrown together; lots of juggled writing (lots of mentions of things before their chapter - e. Whether it's moments of unmatched euphoric joy or realising you took going to the toilet in peace for granted, this book is a reminder that everyone figures it out along the way.
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