Chris Hallam (I)
- Writer
Press clippings
In praise of Blackadder the Third
It has now been a full quarter-century since the screening of Blackadder The Third. Under normal circumstances, the anniversary of the third series of anything would not be a cause for comment. Yet Blackadder is not a normal programme and the third series alone must rank as one of the best sitcoms of the Eighties in its own right.
Chris Hallam, 21st April 2016DVD review: Alan Partridge Mid Morning Matters series 2
Alan remains a great comedy creation, often sympathetic (unexpectedly bringing out the softer side of a loathsome opinion former played by Reece Shearsmith) but just as often sickeningly egotistical, politically incorrect and tyrannical, this format (which never sees Alan leaving the radio studio) works well.
Chris Hallam, Chris Hallam's World View, 4th April 2016DVD/Blu-ray review: Peter Kay's Car Share
The year 2015 was, amongst other things, the year it became okay to like Peter Kay again.
Chris Hallam, Chris Hallam's World View, 30th March 2016DVD/Blu-ray review: Peter Kay's Car Share
The year 2015 was, amongst other things, the year it became okay to like Peter Kay again.
Chris Hallam, Chris Hallam's World View, 23rd November 2015Book review: Easily Distracted by Steve Coogan
Comedy is a vicious business but while he admits to rightly loathing Bernard Manning who he has met, On The Buses and to not personally being a fan of Michael McIntyre ("not my cup of tea"), he is remarkably generous about almost everyone he has worked with.
Chris Hallam, 20th October 201525 years of Have I Got News For You: A timeline
A quarter of a century ago this month, Maggie still ruled Britain, the Soviet Union still existed and a new topical panel show came to BBC Two. The host and team captains of Have I Got News For You were all in their earlier thirties and while not unknown were not exactly household names either.
Chris Hallam, Chris Hallam's World View, 17th September 2015DVD/Blu-ray review: School For Scoundrels (1960)
There is plenty to charm here in this adaptation of Stephen Potter's now largely forgotten Gamesmanship books.
Chris Hallam, Chris Hallam's World View, 14th September 2015DVD review: Bad Education series 3
It is doubtful many viewers will feel as emotionally involved as the over-sentimental finale expects us to. Still, this remains enjoyable stuff.
Chris Hallam, Chris Hallam's World View, 26th August 2015Book review: The Frood by Jem Roberts
It is a shock to realise Douglas Adams would be barely into his sixties if he were alive even now. This is a fitting tribute to a giant of comic literature, taken from us far too early.
Chris Hallam, Chris Hallam's World View, 17th July 2015Episodes Series 4 review
Episodes has clearly had its day. Presumably the fact that it is returning for a fifth series owes itself to the fact that it has been far better received in the US than it has in the UK.
Chris Hallam, 13th July 2015