Billy Connolly: It's Been a Pleasure

Review

by Jane Rackham

After more than half a century of doing stand-up comedy, Billy Connolly has announced he is hanging up his famous banana boots for good and retiring from live performing.

In this tribute, the Big Yin and his wife Pamela Stephenson are interviewed in their Florida Keys home about the wrench it was to make the decision and how he copes with his Parkinson’s disease. In between famous fans – of which he has a lot, including Dustin Hoffman, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Sheridan Smith and Whoopi Goldberg – talk fondly and often emotionally about the Glaswegian’s anarchic style of comedy and choose a favourite routine of his.

An uplifting celebration of his life, it will undoubtedly make you laugh but it will probably make you cry, too. It is perhaps appropriate that Billy Connolly gets the last word. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m coming back!” he says with a smile. A lot of us wish that was true.

Summary

Celebration of the comedian's greatest performances, made to mark his retirement from stand-up. Featuring interviews with Billy and his wife Pamela Stephenson at their home in the Florida Keys, and contributions from famous fans including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Lenny Henry, Dustin Hoffman, Russell Brand, Whoopi Goldberg, Aisling Bea, Armando Iannucci and Sheridan Smith.