British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Chris Hallam
Chris Hallam

Chris Hallam (I)

  • Writer

Chris Hallam features

Clockwise. Brian Stimpson (John Cleese) Features

Comedy Rewind: Keeping time with Clockwise

Sunday 15th September 2024

John Cleese plays the recognisably frenetic central role in this mid-80s cinematic farce from the writer of stage sensation Noises Off.

Rising Damp. Rupert Rigsby (Leonard Rossiter). Copyright: Yorkshire Television Features

Comedy Rewind: Rising Damp is going to get us all!

Sunday 1st September 2024

Perhaps the single most celebrated comedy in ITV's near 70-year history, Rising Damp marks its own 50th anniversary this month. A perfect time to see just what all that popularity is about.

24 Hour Party People. Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan) Features

Comedy Rewind: 24 Hour Party People - Madchester at its height

Sunday 4th August 2024

Delve into the drugs-and-music cultural phenomenon of Madchester with this Steve Coogan-starring part-biopic.

Kind Hearts And Coronets. Image shows from L to R: Louis Mazzini (Dennis Price), Sibella (Joan Greenwood). Copyright: Ealing Studios Features

Comedy Rewind: In the family name - Kind Hearts And Coronets

Sunday 23rd June 2024

Take a look at the internationally renowned Kind Hearts And Coronets on its 75th anniversary.

Wilt. Image shows left to right: Flint (Mel Smith), Wilt (Griff Rhys Jones) Features

Comedy Rewind: Wilt

Sunday 14th April 2024

A look back at Wilt, the 1989 film starring Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones.

Girls On Top. Image shows left to right: Amanda Ripley (Dawn French), Lady Chloe Carlton (Joan Greenwood), Candice Valentine (Tracey Ullman), Shelley DuPont (Ruby Wax), Jennifer Marsh (Jennifer Saunders) Features

Comedy Rewind: Get on top of Girls On Top

Sunday 17th March 2024

A look back at Girls On Top, the 1980s sitcom starring Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ruby Wax, Tracey Ullman and Joan Greenwood.

Cruise Of The Gods. Image shows from L to R: Nick Lee (Steve Coogan), Andy van Allen (Rob Brydon) Features

Comedy Rewind: Cruise Of The Gods

Sunday 3rd March 2024

A look back at Cruise Of The Gods, the one-off comedy starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, that aired on BBC Two in 2002.

Yes, Prime Minister. Image shows from L to R: Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne), James Hacker (Paul Eddington), Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Rewind - Bringing down the House: Yes Minister

Sunday 15th October 2023

With a new, "final chapter" stage play now running, we examine the timeless comedy of political machinations, Yes Minister, and its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister.

The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin. Reginald Perrin (Leonard Rossiter). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Rewind: The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin

Sunday 3rd September 2023

Did you get where you are today without knowing The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin? If so, now's the time to jump into David Nobbs' wonderful world of mid-life insanity.

I'm All Right Jack. Fred Kite (Peter Sellers). Credit: STUDIOCANAL Features

Comedy Rewind: Are you okay? I'm All Right Jack

Sunday 20th August 2023

64 years since its original release, we examine the acclaimed film sequel and satire of industrial relations and corruption, I'm All Right Jack.

Hi-De-Hi!. Peggy Ollerenshaw (Su Pollard). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Rewind: Welcome to 1959, campers - Hi-De-Hi!

Sunday 9th July 2023

Running for eight series, two stage shows, and making household names of its stars, we look at the enduring popularity of hit 1980s' comedy Hi-De-Hi!.

A Very Peculiar Practice Features

Comedy Rewind: Studying A Very Peculiar Practice

Sunday 11th June 2023

A brief trip back to university to study Andrew Davies's surreal late-1980s comedy, A Very Peculiar Practice.

Brass Eye. Chris Morris. Copyright: TalkbackThames TV

Brass Eye at 25: Biting, cutting edge 1990s satire that still resonates today

Saturday 29th January 2022

Brass Eye is one of the greatest British comedies ever made. There's no real evidence for it, but it is a scientific fact. As it reaches its 25th anniversary, we look back at the controversial satirical show starring Chris Morris.

The Office. David Brent (Ricky Gervais) TV

The Office at 20

Monday 5th July 2021

In July 2001 a sitcom focusing on a regional manager in Berkshire made its debut on TV. It soon became clear The Office was something different and special. 20 years on, we're still loving Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's hit comedy.

Fawlty Towers. Polly (Connie Booth). Copyright: BBC TV

Polly: English or American?

Wednesday 15th May 2019

Is waitress and all-round help Polly Sherman an English or American character? Chris Hallam found out.

One Foot In The Grave. Image shows from L to R: Margaret Meldrew (Annette Crosbie), Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson). Copyright: BBC Features

Classic Comedy Year: 1990

Monday 10th March 2014

A look back at 1990, the year that saw Mrs Thatcher leave No 10, the Buckets and Meldrews appear on television and Jim Davidson on the verge of a Big Break.

Peep Show. Image shows from L to R: Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell), Jeremy Usbourne (Robert Webb). Copyright: Objective Productions TV

10 Years of Peep Show

Thursday 19th September 2013

Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show is now 10 years old. Here's an article examining the series.

Steve Coogan As Alan Partridge And Other Less Successful Characters. Steve Coogan. Copyright: Baby Cow Productions Features

Alan Partridge: The story so far

Friday 2nd August 2013

With Alan Partridge now on the big screen, this article takes a look back at twenty years of a comedy legend.

Francesca Martinez Live

Francesca Martinez interview

Thursday 14th February 2013

An interview with 'wobbly' comedian Francesca Martinez. She has some very interesting things to say about how to be happy.

Camp David book cover. David Walliams Shop

Book Review: Camp David by David Walliams

Monday 17th December 2012

A review of Camp David, the autobiography book written by David Walliams.

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