Press clippings Page 35
For the meagre price of 5p per crisp packet to piggy-bank on this year's Comic Relief campaign, Walkers Crisps get the kind of publicity money can't buy.
This time there's no pretence at a socially responsible message (support British farmers! Eat crisps then go for a walk!), just an exhortation to scoff as many crisps as possible in the next month to support Stephen Fry, Al Murray, Jimmy Carr or Frank Skinner. While owner PepsiCo insists all Walkers advertising is targeted at adults, past years' Ofcom figures show that Comic Relief has the third highest child viewing figures of anything on TV.
The dozens of charities specifically funded by Comic Relief to tackle childhood obesity - such Dance Action Zone in Leeds, Girls Healthy Eating or the Merton Cycling Campaign, must be thrilled by the huge marketing bost for salty, fatty, junk food snacks.
Private Eye, 18th February 2011Avalon TV confronted over advert for unpaid work
Avalon Television has blamed the "inexperience" of a staff member for the placing of an advert which threatened to contravene minimum wage laws by calling for performers to work on a new Al Murray show unpaid.
Matthew Hemley, The Stage, 17th February 2011Al Murray making comedy quiz show for channel Dave
Al Murray is in talks to make a TV version of his live quiz show, Compete For The Meat, for digital channel Dave.
British Comedy Guide, 5th February 2011Allegations of sleaze scuppered affable comic Jason Manford's recent move into the mainstream, leading to his hasty resignation from the BBC's The One Show. Tonight's mix of music and comedy shouldn't frighten the horses, though. Manford is joined by Al Murray's Pub Landlord character and laid-back British-Nigerian comedian Andi Osho. Funk star Jamiroquai and mellow singer-songwriter Rumer (who recently won John Prescott's approval) provide the music.
Toby Dantzic, The Telegraph, 3rd February 2011Comedians aim to raise a packet
Four of Britain's best loved comics - Stephen Fry, Jimmy Carr, Al Murray and Frank Skinner - are each fronting new limited edition flavours of Walker's crisps in a bid to raise £1m for Comic Relief.
Comic Relief, 19th January 2011Video: Five Minutes With... Al Murray
Comedian Al Murray talks to Matthew Stadlen about the origins of his Pub Landlord character, his interest in science, the role of stereotypes in comedy and what gets him through a long tour.
Matthew Stadlen, BBC News, 18th December 2010Video: Why Al Murray created 'The Pub Landlord'
Al Murray explains to BBC Breakfast how his character 'The Pub Landlord' was created out of thin air over 15 years ago.
BBC News, 10th December 2010Al Murray, the Pub Landlord, stands up for Germany
The comedian best known for his Pub Landlord persona tells Patrick Smith why he's presenting a serious BBC Four series about Germany's cultural past.
Patrick Smith, The Telegraph, 30th November 2010The Pub Landlord's Germany jokes
Al Murray, the comedian who plays the Pub Landlord, may be presenting a new cultural documentary about Germany, but his alterego has less than nuanced ideas about the country.
The Telegraph, 30th November 2010Al Murray - Travel in Germany: Don't mention the war...
Everything comedian Al Murray knew about Germany was related to the second world war. So he spent three weeks travelling the country to find the culture behind the stereotypes.
Al Murray, The Observer, 28th November 2010