Bruce Dessau
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 222
Review: Funny Women Awards Final 2016, Koko
If we wanted to get all political about it Funny Women shouldn't exist. Comedians are comedians, why should gender even enter into it? But it does and the Funny Women organisation is clearly tapping into something. This year's final was staged at a bigger venue than usual and it was absolutely packed. For the first time in as long as I can remember I had to review a gig perched on a step at the back of a room.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 29th September 2016Live Review, Athletico Mince
Putting a podcast onstage is an interesting thing though. The presence of an audience definitely changes the dynamic. At what point does it become a gig that just happens to be being recorded? Certainly from the moment Bob and Andy came on it felt very much like they were doing a show - a great one - rather than a recording.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd September 2016TV preview: Damned, C4
Not wall-to-wall laughs but then it isn't meant to be because life isn't like that. But this is definitely a comedy. There are a lot more gags here than I've ever come across working in offices, some excellent performances and a cameo from rising star Aisling Bea. Looks good to me.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 22nd September 2016Preview: It's Not What You Know, Radio 4
Lycett says: "We had the most terrific fun recording the new series of It's Not What You Know and I personally can't wait for audiences to hear about Adrian Chiles' worrying eating habits, discover Nish Kumar's homicidal mother, and enjoy me having an argument with Vanessa Feltz."
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 22nd September 2016TV preview: Morgana Robinson's The Agency
The only sketch that really stood out, however, was the idea of the inseparable Mel and Sue (Robinson plays both) living together with Mel's husband Tim.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 22nd September 2016Adam Hess, comedy review
Adam Hess's show is packed with jokes that are cleverer than they initially seem.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 20th September 2016Opinion: what next for Mel & Sue?
If they are really loyal they will do something else with the BBC. But I suspect Sky - and ITV and maybe even Netflix and Amazon Prime and others - are waving virtual cheque books in their direction as we speak. Let's see if they can a) resist their dough b) find a project that works as well for them as Bake Off. Because what we've seen over the years is that with Mel & Sue, despite their obvious talents, some of their projects have been half-baked.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th September 2016Rarely asked questions - Kerry Godliman
I first spotted Kerry Godliman over a decade ago when she was in a short-lived Evening Standard-sponsored comedy competition. Greg Davies - whatever happened to him? - won, but I was impressed by Godliman's cheery, accessible everywoman brand of feminism.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th September 2016TV preview: Josh, BBC Three, iPlayer
In the first episode there were hints of everything from Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? and Men Behaving Badly to Seinfeld.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 16th September 2016Review: Unspun With Matt Forde, Dave
Matt Forde's new political series nearly hit the buffers before it had even been recorded. Forde's first guest was scheduled to be Labour leadership contender Owen Smith, but he pulled out. Forde suggested on the show that Smith was concerned about appearing laddish. It was a shame, but his stand-in, former Home Secretary Alan Johnson was good value for money anyway.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 15th September 2016