S4 EP21: Ben Elton
5/23/20261 hr 16 min
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 partnership with Rik Mayall, and working with Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson et al on Blackadder. It was an instant Sunday Times bestseller and critics' pick of the best biographies and memoirs published in 2025, with fantastic peer endorsements from other comedians: Get in touch with the show: EMAIL: WHATDIDYOUDOYESTERDAYPOD@GMAIL.COM Follow us on Instagram: @yesterdaypod A 'Keep It Light Media' Production Sales and general enquiries: HELLO@KEEPITLIGHTMEDIA.COM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
You survived the Miami weekend, nailed the speech, and maxed out your credit card in the name of friendship. Now, you've got one hangover, four pastel dresses, and zero reasons to wear them again. Sell them on Depop. Just snap a few photos, and we'll take care of the rest, and you at least get some of your dignity [clears throat] money back. [cash register dings] Someone on Depop wants what you've got. Start selling now. Depop: where taste recognizes taste.
Speaker 20:29
[upbeat music] Kayak gets my flight, hotel, and rental car right so I can tune out travel advice that's just plain wrong.
Speaker 30:37
Bro, SkyCoin, way better than points.
Speaker 40:40
Never fly during a Scorpio full moon.
Speaker 50:43
Just tell the manager you'll sue. Instant room upgrade.
Speaker 20:47
Stop taking bad travel advice. Start comparing hundreds of sites with Kayak and get your trip right.
Speaker 40:53
Bad advice? You talking to me?
Speaker 20:55
Kayak: got that right.
Speaker 50:57
[keyboard clacking] [gentle music] No one goes to Hank's for his spreadsheets. They go for a darn good pizza. Lately, though, the shop's been quiet. So Hank decides to bring back the $1 slice. He asks Copilot in Microsoft Excel to look at his sales and costs to help him see if he can afford it. Copilot shows Hank where the money's going and which little extras make the dollar slice work. Now, Hank's has a line out the door. Hank makes the pizza, Copilot handles the spreadsheets. Learn more at M365Copilot.com/work.