Ben Elton is an atheist. Elton studied at Stillness Junior School and Godalming Grammar School in Surrey, South Warwickshire College in Stratford-upon-Avon and the University of Manchester. His first television appearance was a stand-up performance on the BBC1 youth and music programme, The "Oxford Road Show". His first TV success, at 23, came as co-writer of the television sitcom, "The Young Ones", in which he occasionally appeared. In 1983/84 he wrote and appeared in Granada Television's sketch show "Alfresco", which was also notable for early appearances by Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson and Robbie Coltrane. In 1985, Elton produced his first
Gary Jacobs (writer) Gary Jacobs (writer) Gary Jacobs is an American television comedy writer and producer and author. He was born in New York in 1952, grew up in Dallas, and was educated at the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Journalism. Immediately upon graduation, Jacobs moved to New York to pursue comedy writing. His first job was at the Children's Television Workshop, where he became co-editor (with Ron Barrett) of "The Electric Company Magazine", a companion piece to the television series. A couple of years later, Jacobs landed his first television job, writing for "The Dick