Gillian Reynolds
- English
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 19
Everyone Quite Likes Justin starred Justin Moorhouse as Justin, a DJ still living in his ex-father-in-law's spare room 18 months after he said it would only be for a couple of nights. Justin walks around with no pants on, likes pizza and is given to sardonic Northern reflection. In comparison to Angelos Epithemiou he is, however, Plato.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 3rd August 2010Angelos Epithemiou's Big Issue, was abysmal, possibly the worst comedy since the Spam Fritter Man back in the Seventies, the one taken off in mid-run. This probably means Epithemiou has a future on BBC Three.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 3rd August 2010Invented by Ian Messiter in 1967, now starting its 57th season, still brilliantly chaired by resourceful Nicholas Parsons (who got the gig when Jimmy Edwards, the original choice for chairman, said he'd rather play polo than turn up on a Sunday to record the pilot episode). Messiter, who also invented Many a Slip and other fondly remembered amusements, used to wear red socks at recordings, for luck. Perhaps "red socks" could be a subject for tonight's panel, Graham Norton, Paul Merton, Gyles Brandreth and Jenny Eclair, as they strive to fill their 60 seconds.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 31st July 2010Dave Allen broke into British TV on Val Doonican's BBC TV show in the mid-1960s, soon graduating to a series of his own where a relaxed raconteur style, cigarette in one hand, glass of whisky in the other, distracted from his daring in choice of topics. Sex, death and religion were well within his witty compass and all, from time to time, got him into trouble with the press. He's been followed by observational comics such as Jack Dee, Dara O'Briain and tonight's presenter Ed Byrne, but he was funnier than any of them.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 28th July 2010The title alludes to the many talents of Bob Monkhouse, cartoonist, comedian, film fanatic, game show host, actor, writer. He was also, as he once revealed on In the Psychiatrist's Chair, heir to a custard manufacturing fortune who gave up the family firm for the footlights, a struggle with himself that made him more complicated and vulnerable than his public persona projected. Barry Cryer narrates this careful and well-judged documentary in which an unusually wide range of interviewees testify to his wit, slickness, versatility - and kindness.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 27th July 2010As part of Radio 2's current Comedy Season here are big star profiles today, tomorrow and Wednesday, all three from independent producers. Alexander Armstrong tells the Peter Sellers story tonight which, after Radio 4's Saturday night Archive special, is a bit of an overload. (Don't rival Controllers and schedulers speak to each other these days?) From The Goons on radio in the 1950s to Hollywood fame in the 60s the gulf between public and private person is once more explored. Eric Sykes and Denis Norden are among the interviewees.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 24th July 2010Jon Holmes' Mob Rule (Radio 5 Live, 6.30pm) is an exercise in wider participation, a one-off show where Holmes (busy comic, writer and producer) and guests scour sources around the world where "the public" (or as Holmes has it, "the mob") opine on everything from national debt to World Cup goals. They've Tweeted and Facebooked, listened to phone-ins and shout-outs just to find out whether the people really do know best.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 24th July 2010"Huh, huh, huh, huh," is the first thing you hear, the unmistakeable laugh of Tommy Cooper, comedian, magician, a man so funny that you just had to see him to start laughing. Eric Morecambe wouldn't go on the stage after him, says Barry Cryer, one of the many stars who line up here to remember a unique giant of light entertainment. He died in 1984 but memories of him are still vivid. His humour wasn't in the joke, says producer Royston Mayoh, but the delivery of it, and it lives on today through the internet. Sean Lock, comedian, presents.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 21st July 2010Happy Tuesdays is the slot for new comedies which may (or may not) be developed into series for BBC radio or TV. If they are all as dire as this one, Angelos Epithemiou's Big Issue, the prospects are grim. The premise here is that a burger van owner, the Angelos Epithemiou of the title, gets his own chat show to explore issues in the news. Angelos is thick as a brick. That's the joke. He is the creation of comedian Renton Skinner. Some people must find it funny as Angelos is already cropping up on TV. My verdict? Makes even Fags, Mags and Bags (6.30pm) sound scintillating.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 20th July 2010A comedy panel show about celebrity news, chaired by Claudia Winkleman who bubbles away nicely but (going by her Radio 2 Arts Show on Fridays) can't quite manage to read out a script as if the words have meaning.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 17th July 2010