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David Quantick
David Quantick
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David Quantick (born 14 May 1961) is an English novelist, comedy writer and critic, who has worked as a journalist and screenwriter. A former freelance writer for the music magazine NME, his writing credits have included On the Hour, Blue Jam and TV Burp. He won an Emmy Award for Veep in 2015.[1]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Quantick was born in Wortley, West Riding of Yorkshire (now South Yorkshire) on 14 May 1961, adopted, and moved at an early age with his family to Plymouth.[2] Quantick spent the 1970s in Exmouth.[3] Quantick went to Woodford Junior School and Plymouth College, then Exmouth Comprehensive School.

He was born in 1961, in a mother-and-baby home in Wortley, Yorkshire. His mother lived in the Midlands and went to stay with an aunt In Derbyshire to conceal the fact she was pregnant. He was adopted by a family, who were living in Sheffield at the time and then moved to Plymouth.[4]

Quantick studied for a Law degree at University College London and "discovered I had no aptitude. They had these 'moot courts'—simulated a court hearings—and all I remember is dressing up in a cape like Batman."[5] and took a Civil Service exam "to please my parents" and nearly failed"[5]—"which was a shock".[5][6][7]

"The school I went to has a mentor system. I was asked to go back and give a talk on 'having a dream'. I told them I believe strongly that you should not have a dream."

Career

[edit]

Quantick began writing for the music publication NME in 1983, where with Steven Wells he concentrated on comedy writing until 1995. Alongside this, he also contributed material to British comedy shows such as Spitting Image. In 1992, he joined the writing team for the Radio 4 spoof news programme On the Hour, before writing for the television follow-up The Day Today in 1994. He appeared regularly on Collins and Maconie's Hit Parade (Radio 1, 1994–1997), with his Quantick's World slot and on the weekly show, The Treatment on BBC Radio Five Live, which was an hour-long satirical news round-up.

In 1995, Quantick presented a pilot show called Now What? to Carlton Television but he series was not picked up for development. He wrote with Chris Morris for Brass Eye in 1996 (broadcast in 1997) and Blue Jam (Radio 1, 1997), as well as the subsequent television version Jam (Channel 4, 2000). He also provided material for Smack the Pony (Channel 4, 1999–2001), Harry Enfield's Brand Spanking New Show (Sky One, 2000), So Graham Norton (Channel 4, 1998) and featured on Radio 4's The 99p Challenge.

Working with Jane Bussmann, he co-wrote and performed Bussmann & Quantick Kingsize for BBC Radio 4 in 1998.

In 2000, Bussmann and Quantick created, specifically made for download over the web,[8] what Quantick has claimed was the world's first[3] internet sitcom and docusitcom (documentary/sitcom), The Junkies,[9] about three heroin addicts.[10] Starring Peter Baynham, Sally Phillips, Peter Serafinowicz, and Kevin Eldon in a cameo appearance,[11] the writing pair claimed the project grew out of their frustration with the commissioning process. They argued the average sitcom cost £200,000 to make and was difficult to finance, so they secured the services of cast and crew on a voluntary basis and made a show for less than £4,000. The site received over a million visits in its first eight months of existence. The pilot was later uploaded to Quantick's YouTube.[12][11]

In 2000, Quantick's biography of the Clash was published, with further books appearing in 2001. That year he collaborated with Andrew Collins and Stuart Maconie on Lloyd Cole Knew My Father, a live show about working as a music journalist. A performance was later broadcast on Radio 2 as a six-episode series. In 2003 and 2005, Quantick contributed material to sketch show That Mitchell and Webb Sound, five series of 15 Minute Musical (2004–08) and several series of Parsons and Naylor's Pull-Out Sections. He also made several appearances on Clive Anderson's radio panel show We've Been Here Before in 2003 and 2004.

In 2005, Quantick appeared in Channel 4's Come Dine with Me. Between 2003 and 2005 Quantick co-presented a weekly programme One Way Single Parent Family Favourites on London based community arts radio station Resonance FM. In 2006 he wrote and presented series 3 of 'The Blagger's Guide', a six-part comedy series on BBC Radio 2 and appeared as Doctor Dave Radio on Radio 2 comedy programme, Radio Rivron. Between 2001 and 2012 He was also part of the writing team of Harry Hill's TV Burp. Following its final series, Quantick contributed material to The Thick of It, helped write material for the comedian Rob Brydon, and recorded further editions of The Blagger's Guide for Radio 2 until 2014.

In September 2012, Quantick published an e-book novel, Sparks, which was positively reviewed by Neil Gaiman and Ben Aaronovitch.[13] He produced a four-episode comedy series 52 First Impressions with David Quantick for Radio 4 in 2014 in which he recounted stories about 52 individuals he had encountered in his life/career.[14] He received an Emmy in 2015 for his work on the HBO series Veep.[1] That year he crowd-funded a novel The Mule via the Unbound company which was released on 25 February 2016.[15] He had two writing manuals published with Oberon Books: How To Write Everything in 2015, then How to Be a Writer: Conversations With Writers About Writing the following year.[16]

In April 2019, his novel All My Colors came out, described by the author David M Barnett as "a blend of Murakami-ish otherworldliness, Stephen King small town horror and Douglas Adams-esque absurdity."[17][18]

In 2019, Quantick became a Visiting Professor with the University of Sunderland.[19][20][21]

In 2022, Quantick's first movie, Book Of Love, was released.[22] It won Best Primetime Movie at the 2022 Imagen Awards.[23]

Personal life

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Quantick has lived in East Sussex since about 2011.[24][25]

Bibliography

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
David Quantick (born 1961) is an English comedy writer, novelist, journalist, and broadcaster specializing in satire, known for scripting episodes of acclaimed television series including the controversial Brass Eye, The Day Today, The Thick of It, Harry Hill's TV Burp, and the Emmy Award-winning Veep. Quantick began his professional career as a music journalist, contributing to publications such as New Musical Express and Q magazine for over three decades, alongside work for The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. He transitioned into television writing in the 1990s, co-creating provocative satirical content that critiqued media and society, and later earned recognition for political comedy on The Thick of It and its American adaptation Veep, for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. In addition to screenwriting, Quantick has created radio programs like BBC Radio 4's One and 2's The Blaggers Guide, and authored novels such as Sparks—praised by —and The Mule, as well as instructional books including How To Write Everything and How To Be a Writer; his Grumpy Old Men series achieved Sunday Times bestseller status. He has also contributed to stand-up material, assisting with , and developed film scripts like the romantic comedy and the drama .

Early life

Upbringing and family background

David Quantick was born on 14 May 1961 in Wortley, . He was adopted shortly after birth and relocated at an early age with his adoptive family to Plymouth, , where he grew up. Quantick has described his early childhood in Plymouth as formative, highlighting the city's independent character as a former borough county distinct from and , with influences from its maritime heritage of sailors and divers. His adoptive family resided in the region, exposing him to local cultural elements such as landscapes and regional television personalities, though specific details about his parents' professions or backgrounds remain undocumented in public sources.

Education and initial interests

Quantick was born on 14 May 1961 and spent his early childhood in Plymouth, , before the family relocated to during the 1970s. He attended local schools in the region, including , where he later recalled a history teacher from his time there. During his teenage years in , coinciding with the height of the movement around 1977, Quantick engaged with contemporary music scenes, describing himself as a "busy teen" immersed in the era's cultural shifts. At public school, Quantick received instrumental training, including lessons—where his teacher inquired about left-handedness—and instruction, though he noted challenges like reed maintenance. These experiences reflected an budding affinity for , which would later influence his entry into , but writing emerged more serendipitously; he reported that producing written work simply improved his mood, without premeditated career ambitions in the field. Quantick pursued a at (UCL) from 1979 to 1982, participating in simulated moot courts, yet quickly recognized his lack of suitability for legal practice. This academic pivot underscored his drift toward creative pursuits, aligning with self-directed interests in music criticism and satirical expression rather than formal vocational training.

Professional career

Music journalism beginnings

Quantick commenced his professional writing career in music journalism during the early 1980s, starting with freelance contributions to before transitioning to the (NME). He joined NME as a in 1983, amid a period of evolving and indie music landscapes. His first documented piece for NME appeared on 3 September 1983, a review of Level 42's album . Early output included album reviews, live concert reports, and artist interviews, featuring bands such as , , and . Quantick's approach emphasized satirical humor and incisive cultural commentary, distinguishing his work within NME's tradition of provocative, youth-oriented coverage. Working alongside established figures like and , Quantick adapted to the demanding weekly production cycle, which demanded rapid, engaging prose on emerging trends. This foundational phase at honed his blend of insight and wit, earning initial recognition despite the era's uneven musical output.

Television satire and scriptwriting

Quantick contributed to the satirical news parody series The Day Today, which aired on BBC Two from January to February 1994 and featured exaggerated news segments hosted by Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge. As part of the writing team alongside Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci, Peter Baynham, Graham Linehan, and Arthur Matthews, he helped craft scripts that lampooned journalistic sensationalism and broadcast conventions, including segments like "The Dead Ken Kennedy Report" on unusual deaths. The series built on the radio precursor On the Hour and influenced later mockumentary formats. He co-wrote the series with Chris Morris, broadcast in 1997, which satirized media-driven moral panics through mockumentary-style exposés on issues like drugs and crime. Quantick provided scripts that employed absurd expert testimonies and celebrity endorsements to highlight hypocrisy, notably in episodes mimicking tabloid hysteria; the 2001 special : Paedogeddon! drew widespread controversy for tricking public figures into anti-pedophilia statements with fabricated slang. This work extended his collaboration with Morris from radio projects like , later adapted to television as in 2000, featuring nonlinear, dark satirical sketches. In political satire, Quantick served as a writer on The Thick of It (BBC Four, 2005–2012), contributing to Armando Iannucci's profane depiction of government spin doctors and policy chaos, and on its American adaptation Veep (HBO, 2012–2019), for which he shared a 2015 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. Earlier, he supplied satirical sketches for Spitting Image (ITV, 1984–1996), the puppet-based lampoon of politicians and celebrities, and The Fast Show (BBC Two, 1994–1997), incorporating recurring character bits with biting social commentary. These credits underscore his versatility in blending verbal wit with institutional critique across British and transatlantic formats.

Radio creation and broadcasting

Quantick began his radio writing career contributing to the satirical news parody on in 1991, which featured a cast including and Chris Morris and laid groundwork for later television adaptations. In 1998, he co-wrote and co-performed Bussmann & Quantick Kingsize on , a five-episode sketch series with Jane Bussmann that included monologues, sketches, and guest appearances by . Quantick created and wrote the BBC Radio 4 sketch series One, airing from 2006 to 2009 across three series, where each segment featured only a single voice to deliver monologues, sketches, and impressions, starring performers such as and Dan Maier. From 2005 to 2014, he presented The Blagger's Guide on , a seven-series format offering fast-paced, often exaggerated comedic primers on music genres, artists like , and cultural phenomena such as the Olympics or , blending facts with fabrication for satirical effect. Quantick hosted 52 First Impressions with David Quantick on in 2014 and 2016, a two-series autobiographical stand-up show examining his encounters with figures including , , and , structured around ages and professional milestones. He has been a frequent writer and performer on The Now Show since its early seasons on , contributing topical sketches and commentary in episodes such as series 44 in 2015 and series 46 in 2016, often alongside , , and others. Additional credits include writing for The 15 Minute Musical series on and The 99p Show, expanding his output in short-form musical and satirical formats.

Literary output and novels

Quantick's novels often blend elements of comedy, thriller, and , drawing on his background in and journalism to explore absurd conspiracies, parallel realities, and eccentric protagonists. His first novel, Sparks (2012), an e-book, follows Paul , who, after being dumped, accesses parallel universes in search of an alternate version of his ex-girlfriend who remains loyal. The book received praise from author , who described it as "excellent." In 2016, Quantick published The Mule through Unbound, a comedic thriller subtitled ". . Ineptitude," centering on a hapless entangled in a sprawling plot involving historical secrets and incompetence. This was followed by Go West (Unbound, January 24, 2019), which features Charlie Bread, a self-proclaimed "Antiques Whisperer" and expert, pursuing a enigmatic across , blending adventure with satirical takes on authenticity and deception. Quantick's output expanded with All My Colors (Titan Books, April 16, 2019), a evoking small-town horror and metaphysical strangeness in a about a trapped in a cycle of repeating events and colors dictating fate. Subsequent works include Night Train (Titan Books, 2020), a suspenseful tale of passengers on a mysterious journey confronting personal and supernatural threats, and Ricky's Hand (Titan Books, August 9, 2022), tracking paparazzo Ricky Smart whose life upends after photographing a bizarre incident involving a celebrity's severed hand. Beyond novels, Quantick's literary contributions encompass writing guides, such as How to Write Everything (Oberon Books, October 23, 2014), a practical handbook covering techniques for , , novels, and sketches, informed by his three decades in professional writing. He has also produced short stories, available on his official website, including speculative pieces like "" and "," which experiment with fable-like structures and humor.

Notable contributions and reception

Emmy award and critical acclaim

Quantick contributed as a supervising producer to the HBO political satire series Veep, earning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series at the 67th ceremony on September 20, 2015. This recognition highlighted the show's sharp depiction of American political dysfunction, with Quantick's involvement in script development noted by industry sources as integral to its layered comedic style. Beyond the Emmy, Quantick's satirical output garnered further accolades, including a BAFTA Television Award in 2010 for his writing on , which parodied television tropes through absurd clip deconstructions. He also received a Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award in 2006 for Best New Written Series for , praised for its profane, realist portrayal of British government machinations that influenced subsequent political comedies. Critics have lauded Quantick's broader contributions to satire, such as the 2013 Sky Arts drama Snodgrass, an adaptation of John Lennon-inspired alternate history, which earned acclaim for its inventive narrative and psychological depth despite limited broadcast reach. His work on earlier projects like Brass Eye (1997, 2001) drew attention for boundary-pushing media critiques, though reception varied due to its provocative content; outlets have credited it with elevating Quantick's reputation for incisive, unsparing commentary on public discourse. These honors underscore a career marked by consistent peer validation in comedy writing, prioritizing structural wit over sentiment.

Controversies in satire

Quantick contributed as a writer to the British satirical television series , created by Chris Morris, which aired on Channel 4. The 2001 special episode, titled "Paedophilia", sparked significant controversy upon its broadcast on July 26, 2001, for mocking media sensationalism and public hysteria surrounding child sex abuse. The episode featured celebrities, including DJ Neil Fox and artist , who were deceived into endorsing fabricated anti-paedophilia campaigns with absurd claims, such as suggesting "paedophiles are attracted to children wearing 'candy-striped' pyjamas". This approach drew accusations of trivializing a serious issue, with critics arguing it degraded victims rather than effectively satirizing tabloid exaggeration. Prior to airing, Home Office minister Tom Sackville denounced the program as a "waste of Home Office time", highlighting government concerns over its potential to undermine public campaigns against child exploitation. Post-broadcast, the episode prompted over 1,000 complaints to and calls from politicians and media figures for regulatory intervention, with some outlets labeling it "deeply unpleasant". Quantick defended the special on Breakfast programme, asserting it targeted "media attitudes to paedophilia and the way the media treats celebrities", rather than the itself, and accused detractors of missing its critique of superficial responses to complex social problems. He maintained that the outrage stemmed from the show's unflinching exposure of how public figures and media amplify moral panics without depth. The backlash reignited in February 2002 when received a for a comedy award, prompting renewed debate over whether such crossed ethical lines by exploiting sensitive topics for humor. Supporters, including some reviewers, praised its role in highlighting inconsistencies in anti-abuse messaging, but mainstream media coverage often framed the controversy as evidence of 's limits in addressing taboos, reflecting broader tensions between comedic provocation and public sensibilities. Quantick's involvement underscored his commitment to boundary-pushing humor, though no formal sanctions were imposed on the production team.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Quantick has been married twice. His first marriage occurred in his forties to a woman of similar age, and the couple did not have children. He resides in Hastings with his second wife and their two young children.

Views on comedy and culture

Quantick has expressed toward the notion of "good taste" in , arguing that it inherently conflicts with humor's purpose. He contends that thrives on irreverence and transgression, citing historical precedents such as Chaucer's scatological references and Shakespeare's bawdy jests to illustrate that refined sensibilities stifle creative expression. Bad taste, in his view, serves as a necessary lubricant for , allowing taboo subjects to be explored in ways unavailable elsewhere, as exemplified by performers like . Regarding satire, Quantick posits that it resurges during periods of political and economic distress, functioning as a compensatory mechanism when direct influence over events is limited. In a commentary, he linked the revival of programs like The 10 O'Clock Show Live to widespread annoyance over recessions and policy failures, suggesting satire persists "until things are brighter" and enables audiences to mock figures amid . He has defended controversial satirical works, such as those addressing media handling of sensitive issues like , emphasizing their intent to critique institutional responses rather than endorse harm, as in his stance during the 2001 backlash against a related broadcast. In discussions of comedic genres, Quantick highlights the appeal of interpersonal conflict in romantic comedies, where mutual attraction combined with discord—termed "sparring"—generates humor, drawing parallels from Shakespearean couples to classic film pairings like and . This perspective underscores his broader emphasis on character-driven wit over contrived plots, reflecting a cultural preference for authentic relational dynamics in .

Bibliography

Novels and fiction

David Quantick's novels, published primarily from 2012 onward, often incorporate speculative elements, satire, and psychological tension, drawing on his background in writing while exploring themes of identity, alternate realities, and human folly. His fiction output includes six standalone novels, released mainly through Titan Books after his e-book debut.
  • Sparks (2012): Quantick's first novel, issued as an e-book, centers on , who accesses parallel universes via a mysterious device to seek an ideal version of his ex-girlfriend, blending tropes with comedic desperation. The work received praise from author , who described it as "excellent."
  • The Mule (2016): Published by Titan Books, this thriller follows a hapless protagonist entangled in a involving a and international intrigue, showcasing Quantick's knack for absurd yet grounded narratives.
  • Go West (2019): A speculative tale of westward expansion reimagined in a dystopian context, emphasizing survival and societal breakdown.
  • All My Colors (2019): Set in and published by Titan Books, the novel depicts Todd Milstead, a flawed aspiring and philanderer, whose unravels amid personal and creative failures, critiquing artistic pretension.
  • Night Train (2020): A horror-infused mystery from Titan Books involving a nocturnal journey plagued by occurrences and psychological unraveling.
  • Ricky's Hand (2022): Quantick's most recent novel, delving into themes of loss and revenge through a severed hand's eerie influence on its discoverer.
In addition to novels, Quantick has produced short fiction, including the 2023 collection And Other Stories, which compiles previously published pieces exploring varied comedic and uncanny scenarios.

Non-fiction and guides

David Quantick has produced non-fiction works encompassing music biographies and instructional guides for writers. His writing guides emphasize practical advice drawn from his extensive experience in comedy, television, and publishing. How to Write Everything, published by Oberon Books on January 8, 2015, functions as a comprehensive manual addressing the full spectrum of writing processes, including ideation, drafting, editing, submission to publishers, and commercial aspects such as contracts and royalties. The book draws on Quantick's professional insights to demystify professional writing, targeting aspiring authors across genres. In How to Be a Writer: Conversations with Writers about Writing, released by Oberon Books on September 27, 2016, Quantick compiles interviews with established authors, agents, publishers, and comedy writers to explore career-building strategies, daily habits, and industry navigation. The volume provides anecdotal evidence and expert perspectives on overcoming common obstacles like rejection and maintaining productivity, positioning it as a conversational counterpart to more prescriptive guides. Quantick's earlier non-fiction includes music-focused biographies. The Clash: Kill Your Idols, part of the Kill Your Idols series and published by Thunder's Mouth Press on August 1, 2000 (ISBN 1-56025-269-3), examines the band's evolution from punk origins to experimental fusions of , , and dub over seven years, highlighting their influence on . Similarly, Beck, also in the Kill Your Idols series and issued by Thunder's Mouth Press on January 1, 2001 (ISBN 1-56025-302-9), analyzes musician Hansen's genre-blending style incorporating rap, folk, , and , crediting his rejection of slacker stereotypes for authentic contributions to American music. These works reflect Quantick's background in music journalism, offering chronological discographies and critical assessments of the artists' innovations.

References

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