Press clippings Page 6
Preview: Harry Hill's Professor Branestawm is back
The show is cheesy, corny but winningly charming as Charlie Higson packs his script with all the silliness he can muster.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 24th December 2015Radio Times review
Harry Hill returns as the multi-spectacled boffin of Norman Hunter's children's books. After Branestawm's TV introduction last Christmas, his cartoonish adventures are once again adapted by in-demand writer Charlie Higson. This time the chocolate-box village of Pagwell is, fortuitously, hosting an invention contest. But has Branestawm met his match in the ingenious Professor Algebrain (Steve Pemberton)?
Among an extraordinary cast giving fruity performances are Diana Rigg, Simon Day, Vicki Pepperdine, Matt Berry and his absurd intonations, Sophie Thompson and David Mitchell. From the clips available to RT, it's wildly eccentric, old-school and very funny - with a barking mad chase sequence.
Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 16th December 2015Fast Show revival? Maybe on stage
The Fast Show co-creator Charlie Higson has poured cold water on the hopes of a revival of the sketch show - at least on TV.
Chortle, 5th December 2015Charlie Higson says The Fast Show probably won't return
Charlie Higson has seemingly ruled out the chance of any new episodes of The Fast Show.
Mayer Nissim, Digital Spy, 12th November 2015Charlie Higson interview
As the final book in his zombie apocalypse series, The End, is published, site member sapphirebooklover speaks to the YA author and TV scriptwriter about his fascination with horror, how to kill off characters and some unexpected influences - and gets some spooky film tips for Halloween!
sapphirebooklover, The Guardian, 30th October 2015Charlie Higson interview
As Jekyll & Hyde arrives on ITV, we chatted to creator, comedian and novelist Charlie Higson about kids' horror, VFX budgets and more...
Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 22nd October 2015Charlie Higson: how the Radio Times saved The Fast Show
Actor, writer and comedian pays tribute to John Peel's magazine column for saving the iconic nineties sketch show.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 20th October 2015Interview: Charlie Higson on remaking 'Jekyll and Hyde'
For his next trick, Charlie Higson has reimagined Jekyll and Hyde as Hugh Grant and Jaime Lannister, he tells Gerard Gilbert.
Gerard Gilbert, The Independent, 20th October 2015For his first dramatic acting role, comic Harry Hill was desperate to play the original Nutty Professor from Norman Hunter's children stories.
Swapping his trademark ear-skimming collars for Branestawm's multiple pairs of glasses, he's the perfect fit for the role in this one-off special penned by Charlie Higson - which we predict will be the first of many.
The Fast Show's Higson, a best-selling children's author, has added some modern touches of his own that should strike a chord with a brand new TV generation raised on sonic screwdrivers.
By far the most significant is the addition of a determined young sidekick called Connie (Madeline Holliday) who is fed up with being taught useless subjects at school.
Even though Branestawm may be the worst science teacher you could imagine, I practically cheered to hear Connie say that she wanted to learn about civil engineering.
As the Professor's inventions bring chaos to the village of Great Pagwell, Hill is joined by another Fast Show stalwart, Simon Day, as Branestawm's best friend Colonel Dedshott.
David Mitchell plays his nemesis, the officious councillor Harold Haggerstone who wants to shut down Branestawm's "Inventory" and Vicki Pepperdine is his housekeeper Mrs Flittersnoop.
It's all hugely silly, but perfect family entertainment nevertheless.
Jane Simon, The Mirror, 24th December 2014TV preview: Professor Branestawm
Charlie Higson says "It's very satisfying bringing to life a book that you love. You do worry about not doing it justice, but hopefully it will help revive people's interest in Norman Hunter's wonderful books."
The Yorkshire Post, 24th December 2014