Book review: Sit Down and Cheer: A History of Sport on TV, By Martin Kelner

 

Christopher Hirst
Friday 19 July 2013 16:01 BST
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Even if you're indifferent to sport and the conjecture "no one with the possible exception of the Dark Lord, [David] Coleman, did it better than [Frank] Bough", you should buy this book.

From Peter Dimmock persuading the Duke of Norfolk in a urinal that the Coronation of 1953 should be televised to the thought that Clare Balding was "brought up with horses (possibly even by horses)", Kelner is unremittingly hilarious, especially on the sexual mishaps that are an occupational hazard of TV sports presenters. Quite likely this is the funniest book of the year.

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