The Road To Mars - Eric Idle
Quite an enjoyable read. As you might have expected from this author, it is at least partially comedic.
Based on the story of a robot who, as the dogsbody employed by a pair of comedians (comparisons are made to Laurel and Hardy), begins to study comedy and what it means. As a robot, however, he/it finds it difficult to understand puns, irony and sarcasm, so his/its analysis is always subject to change - and new directions.
The study takes place during his employers’ attempt to get to Mars (the centre of the comedy club circuit) whilst avoiding being killed or maimed by unknown brigands.
Added to this, there is a future professor - sounds as if it could be the author - who has discovered the robot’s log files and is tempted to publish them for his Nobel prize.
Perhaps the views expressed by the robot at least partially express the views that Eric Idle has on comedy?
Published by Pan in 2000. Available secondhand from AbeBooks.co.uk or Alibris.co.uk