The comedian and author on his new book spoofing psychotherapy, his recipe for a long-lasting marriage and why it’s important to self-criticise
Jack Dee is one of the nation’s most successful comedians, beloved for his deadpan delivery and sourpuss visage. Last year, while the rest of us were muddling through lockdown baking sourdough and growing our own veg, Dee wrote a book. In What Is Your Problem? Comedy’s Little Ray of Sleet Grapples With Life’s Major Dilemmas, he spoofs the psychotherapy profession, setting himself up as an agony uncle bolstered by four hours of online study at the Ruislip College of Advansed (sic) Learning. It’s funny, sharp and occasionally spot-on.
Did writing a book feel different to writing a show?
It’s more disciplined. In a live format, you have such instant feedback, you know what’s working and what isn’t, so you can go off at a tangent. With writing, the reader only has so much patience with that kind of discursive approach.
