Joe Wilkinson
- 49 years old
- English
- Actor, writer and comedian
Press clippings Page 11
Rovers - football comedy that doesn't quite score
The reunion of The Royle Family stars Craig Cash and Sue Johnston is welcome - but this new sitcom is pleasurable rather than honkingly funny.
Julia Raeside, The Guardian, 25th May 2016Rovers: warm-hearted comedy with shades of Royle Family
Cash's work in the late Nineties paved the way for the success of Peter Kay's more raucous Phoenix Nights and subsequent sitcoms. The triumph of the recent Car Share might have reignited interest in warm-hearted comedy, but, at the moment, Rovers feels too mild. Yet character comedy such as this requires a long acquaintance - by the end of the run, we may have fallen in love with the gentle dreamers of the Redbridge Rovers' Clubhouse.
Jonathan McAloon, The Telegraph, 25th May 2016Joe Wilkinson and Dave Earl's amiable new series - starring Craig Cash and Sue Johnston among others - is set in the clubhouse of lowly football team Redbridge Rovers, whose fans dream of promotion to the Evo-Stik Premier League. It's essentially about the characters who congregate in the canteen to banter and bicker very Britishly, and the rich bathos of their exchanges: "If we win today, we go to 16th. You don't get that buzz at a llama park."
David Stubbs, The Guardian, 24th May 2016Rovers: Premier League line-up puts the fun in footie
It makes sense for a football-themed comedy to air not only in the wake of underdog Leicester City's recent fairytale triumph, but also in the fever-pitch build-up to Euro 2016.
Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 24th May 2016Rovers review
Nothing much happens of note in this world, and it's the comedy of contented smiles rather than gut-busing belly laughs. But Rovers is warmly amusing throughout, with a strong whiff of authenticity and characters you like spending time with. "Everyone's really nice, aren't they?" says Sam after meeting the tiny fan club. Yep, Sam, they are.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th May 2016Taskmaster Series 2 contestants announced
Jon Richardson, Richard Osman, Joe Wilkinson, Katherine Ryan and Doc Brown will be the contestants joining Greg Davies and Alex Horne for Series 2 of Taskmaster.
British Comedy Guide, 11th March 2016Seven questions with... Diane Morgan
Diane Morgan is a face many will recognise, having starred in countless sitcoms such as Phoenix Nights and Uncle, being half of comedy double act Two Episodes of Mash with Joe Wilkinson and also performing stand up.
Becca Moody, Moody Comedy, 5th September 2015Sue Johnston to star in new Sky1 football sitcom Rovers
Sky1 is making Rovers, a sitcom set in the clubhouse of a lower league football club. Written by Joe Wilkinson and David Earl, stars include Sue Johnston.
British Comedy Guide, 9th July 2015Comedy Central reveal Russell Howard's new show
Russell Howard's Stand Up Central, which launches in April, will feature guests including Doc Brown, Katherine Ryan and Joe Wilkinson.
British Comedy Guide, 24th March 2015Review: Joe Wilkinson, Jarlath Regan, Paul McCaffrey
The only thing the three acts had in common was the same management. It was all pretty normal until Wilkinson appeared.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd January 2015