In the 1990s, British comedy underwent a renaissance?shows like The Royle Family and The Office were hugely popular with critics and audiences alike. Just as sports, art, and literature seemed to move towards light entertainment, the comedy on the nation's televisions gave us a clear picture of what was happening to our nation. From Ricky Gervais' self-destructive love affair with dairy products to Steve Coogan's suicidal overtaking technique; from the secrets of Vic Reeves' woodshed to Spike Milligan's final resting place, Ben Thompson reveals the twisted beauty of British comedy's psyche.