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Chart Throb

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Chart Throb

By: Ben Elton
Narrated by: Glen McCready
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.


Chart Throb.The ultimate pop quest.

Ninety five thousand hopefuls. Three judges. Just one winner.
And that's Calvin Simms, the genius behind the show.

Calvin always wins because Calvin writes the rules. But this year, as he sits smugly in judgement upon the mingers, clingers and blingers whom he has pre-selected in his carefully scripted 'search' for a star, he has no idea that the rules are changing. The 'real' is about to be put back into 'reality' television and Calvin and his fellow judges (the nation's favourite mum and the other bloke) are about to become ex-factors themselves.

Ben Elton, author of Popcorn and Dead Famous returns to blistering comic satire with a savagely hilarious deconstruction of the world of modern television talent shows.

Chart Throb. One winner. A whole bunch of losers.


© Ben Elton 2006 (P) Penguin Audio 2009

 Dark Humour Literature & Fiction Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense Time Travel Comedy Funny Witty
All stars
Most relevant

Would you try another book written by Ben Elton or narrated by Glen McCready?

I love Ben Elton and have read all his books. This is the first I have listened to, I think maybe it is better to read his work.

What will your next listen be?

Something that doesn't try to be funny

Which character – as performed by Glen McCready – was your favourite?

The wannabe contestants

Did Chart Throb inspire you to do anything?

don't be silly, what an odd question!

Any additional comments?

When listening there is too much repetition, which would work being read, but not so much heard. Yes judges on these shows do say "you owned that", and it is as puerile here as it is on those shows, None of the characters are likeable, though some depth is given to some of them. I think comedy needs to be read not listened to, I love Ben Elton but I did not think much of Chart Throb. Too easy to mock

Just what you think it will be

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got better but was a struggle to start and was a little repetitive, but that was sort of the point. Had a great ending

give it time

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Another sarcastic look at reality TV. Love it! Narrator is brilliant, story good and well observed.

The narration was excellent.

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This started off slow then became interesting and fun but I had to give it up by chapter 7 as it just became suddenly boring to me.

Good luck

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I absolutely loved this book. It fit my own narrative about reality talent shows perfectly. Cynical, scathing, outrageous, funny, Ben Elton is a masterful writer. If someone had to write down what was in my head about this TV format...well, Ben Elton has already done it

Fits My Own Narrative of Reality Shows Perfectly

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