Ian La Frenais
- 89 years old
- English
- Writer
Press clippings Page 2
The Likely Lads Blu-ray review
Although it breaks no new ground, and feels like two episodes of a situation comedy stretched out and filmed on a higher budget, The Likely Lads raises enough laughs to endear it to anyone who already enjoys the original sitcoms.
Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus, 30th March 2019What did happen to the Likely Lads? Now we know
It is one of television's great mysteries and the sitcom writer Ian La Frenais finally has an answer.
The Times, 18th March 2019The Commitments: Ian La Frenais interview
"I remember going to the premieres, it was just fantastic" La Frenais says, with justifiable pride. "It was just great that cast, all very good. Alan was such a great director and there was so much to plunder from Roddy's book."
We Are Cult, 18th March 2019Network confirms Likely Lads screening event
Network Distributing has announced a special screening of the Likely Lads film, plus two newly recovered episodes, and a Q&A with writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
British Comedy Guide, 13th February 2019Clement & La Frenais pen new play for Soho Theatre Christmas run
Celebrated comedy writers Clement & La Frenais have penned a new play based on the rock and roll memoir I Was Bono's Doppelganger, to be performed at Soho Theatre over Christmas.
British Comedy Guide, 23rd July 2018New version of Porridge ends after one series
The new version of Porridge has finished after one series. The BBC says they have no plans to film any more episodes.
British Comedy Guide, 22nd February 2018Likely Lads: Melancholy masterpiece of a TV theme tune
Rodney Bewes, who died this week, will forever be remembered for the sitcom which captured the mood of the 70s - as did La Frenais and Hugg's evocative intro music.
Alexis Petridis, The Guardian, 22nd November 2017Porridge revival is as thin as cold greul
Kevin Bishop does a good job as Nigel Fletcher, grandson of the original Fletch, immortalised by Ronnie Barker. He makes the Fletch trademarks -- the eye-roll, the sideways grimace -- look like family traits. But the whole production feels as fake as a glass diamond. One look tells you this isn't the real thing.
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail, 16th October 2017Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais have opted to replicate the gentle humour of their original comedy rather than update it, but they're sailing perilously close to the fluffy and cliched here. Tonight's story involves the switching of cakes, one belonging to Fletch (Kevin Bishop), the other - baked with magic mushrooms - to the jail's cartoon heavy. When an officious new staff member helps herself to the latter, zero hilarity ensues. Viewing through rose-tinted glasses may be wise.
Sharon O'Connell, The Guardian, 13th October 2017TV review: Porridge, Episode 2, The Cake, BBC1
You know what? I still think it's an odd decision to reboot this classic, but this second episode isn't too bad at all.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 13th October 2017