Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 177
Interview: rarely asked questions - Chris McGlade
I thought it was Glade that feels like a breath of fresh air. It's actually McGlade. Chris McGlade. The Middlesbrough stand-up has made a splash in the last year with a welcome brand of intense, passionate, political, personal comedy. You may not agree with everything he says about the state of the nation, but, boy, does he sell it well. McGlade cut his teeth in the northern working men's clubs - he also appeared onstage in Billy Elliot - and is now crossing over into whatever you call the latterday alternative comedy scene. He did the Edinburgh Fringe this summer and while he didn't always get massive crowds, he certainly left his mark on the people that saw him. And not just those that wanted selfies because they thought he was James Nesbitt. Want to see someone different who might actually get you thinking about things? Go see Chris McGlade.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 24th November 2017Film review: Brakes
Brakes might be set in London but it's much more like Jim Jarmusch's Stranger Than Paradise than Truly, Madly Deeply.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 24th November 2017Scottish Comedian of the Year finalists announced
The line-up has been announced for this Sunday's Scottish Comedian of the Year Final.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd November 2017Bob Mortimer auctions cat print for charity
Comedian Bob Mortimer has teamed up with Cats Protection to auction a one-off signed print to help the charity raise much-needed funds.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd November 2017Regular preview
It's a lovely little piece that doesn't necessarily go in the direction you expect.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd November 2017Interview: rarely asked questions - Garrett Millerick
Garrett Millerick has just accidentally bought a house in the heart of Brexit country. His membership of the Urban Liberal Elite has been rescinded, subsumed into the ranks of the silent majority, he is totally consumed by home improvement, car magazines, property values, bin day and reality television. He is living an Essex based remake of Kafka's Metamorphosis and has become what he once feared most, Jeremy Clarkson. Full on stuff with a hint of Stewart Lee but with the volume knob turned right up.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st November 2017Sean Hughes' brother talks about his sibling
In an interview with the radio station ABC Radio Melbourne Martin Hughes, who lives in Australia, suggested that huge success at such a young age may have played a part in his early death.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st November 2017Opinion: did Peter Kay beat the touts?
Hold back the announcement of some shows to give fans a second or third bite at face value tickets. Maybe at the same time this will make it a riskier business for whoever is snapping up tickets to re-sell them at a profit.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th November 2017Blackpool Express breaks Gold's ratings record
Murder On The Blackpool Express has been a ratings smash-hit for UKTV, having become the highest-ever rating show on its Gold channel. The comedy drama, starring Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson and a host of TV favourites has drawn in 1.72 million viewers since its premiere on Gold on 11th November.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th November 2017TV review: Michael McIntyre's Big Show, BBC1
This is a show that wants to be everything for everyone. It even harked back to McIntyre's Live at the Apollo roots with a stand-up set from special guest Joe Lycett, who did a winning routine about scamming a scammer who was trying to get him to pay a deposit on a possibly non-existent flat. I'd heard him do that gag so long ago it harked back to those happy carefree days before Brexit. But then in that way this is a show all about nostalgia. Apart from Send To All there is nothing truly new in it. But do you know what the weirdest thing is about it? It all happened so fast I was too busy enjoying it at the time to notice.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 19th November 2017