Press clippings Page 23
Following in the wake of children's classic Swallows And Amazons, this comedy gem sails the action 60 years on, to a small-town backwater in Ireland, where young Martin (David Rawle) and his best flesh-and-blood buddy Padraic (Ian O'Reilly) are lashing together a tatty raft for some aquatic Halloween adventures. Of course imaginary best friends Sean Murphy (Chris O'Dowd) and Crunchie Haystacks (Johnny Vegas) jump aboard and when they see land ahoy, things really get rollicking...
Carol Carter, Metro, 3rd March 2014ITV4 to launch animated football sitcom Warren United
ITV4 is launching Warren United, an animated sitcom about a father who is a devoted football fan. Stars include Darren Boyd and Johnny Vegas.
British Comedy Guide, 24th February 2014Radio Times review
A new series from Johnny Vegas's Woolyback Productions is always something to look forward to, and this neat little delight from podcast comics Tim Barnes and Simon Berry fulfils that promise.
It looks at how momentous events in history would have been reported through the prism of social media, starting with the Moon landing. Though it captures with a sly wink the vacuity and self-promotion inherent in any timeline, almost the first hashtag used, for a picture of a cat with its head stuck in an upturned fishbowl, had me grinning like an idiot.
The general population of tweeters might get it in the neck, but so do monolithic corporations trying to take advantage of the social media audience - the embedded BBC vox pop video is a perfect pastiche of the punning, plummy-voiced reporters of the 1960s venturing out among the masses.
Obviously with such a global event on social media, there is only way for the programme to end - with the aural equivalent of a whale on your screen. Typical.
David Crawford, Radio Times, 19th February 2014Radio Times review
One of the hinterland hits of 2012, this delectably crackers rites-of-passage sitcom set in 1989 Ireland darted about like a toddler on sweets. Contemporary hits, cartoons and cutaways are all employed to unique effect.
As series two opens, 12-year-old Martin (fantastic find David Rawle) is still talking to his grown-up imaginary friend (co-writer Chris O'Dowd). That may sound weird but not only is it an endearing conceit; it's also very funny.
Now it's summer 1990, the Moones plan to go on holiday - just as the Republic of Ireland begin their group games at the World Cup finals. Cue some sweet trope-trampling as Dad Liam tries to stir couch-potato wife Debra into action.
The holiday-mobile is soon on its way, with Martin's oddball pal Padraic and Fidelma's boyfriend Dessie along for the ride, although Trisha is plunged into mourning over the Talking Heads splitting up. Can a family activity cheer her up?
Moone Boy simply has to be seen by more people. It's a beaming-ear-to-ear delight. Where else would Johnny Vegas dress as Doc Brown from Back to the Future Part II? Well, I'll tell you. Nowhere.
Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 17th February 2014Andy Hollingworth's best photograph: Johnny Vegas
Andy Hollingworth talks about his best photograph, the latex head of Johnny Vegas.
Karin Andreasson, The Guardian, 30th January 2014Gallery: The Face of Satire
Photographer Rachel King worked with the artists India Banks and Frode Gjerlow and the illustrator Tom Morgan to create these fabulously inventive portraits of well-loved comedians from Johnny Vegas to Sara Pascoe.
The Guardian, 17th January 2014Interview: Seymour Mace
Seymour Mace is a surreal stand-up comedian from Jarrow. Best known for his twin roles as Craig and Steve Dawson in the Johnny Vegas sitcom Ideal, Mace has carved a reputation for creating the sort of delightfully stupid comedy that would make Vic and Bob glow with pride. In an extensive interview with Giggle Beats, he talks about a lifetime clowning around, his comedy heroes, Johnny Vegas' comments at the 2013 British Comedy Awards, his part in series two of Hebburn, and why being an idiot is just "really good".
Andrew Dipper, Giggle Beats, 2nd January 2014Johnny Vegas book review
Don't expect many laughs in Johnny Vegas's gripping memoir.
Daily Mail, 28th December 2013Even the best comedy will have its detractors
Johnny Vegas' rant at the British Comedy Awards this month caught the imagination of many observers. It was the outburst people seemed to want from the event - a defining moment for a televised industry knees up, and a taking point that wasn't obviously manufactured for the occasion.
Julian Hall, The Stage, 23rd December 2013Michael Pennington on life as Johnny Vegas
It's been quite an ordeal, but Michael Pennington is happier now he's exorcised his foul-mouthed alter ego Johnny Vegas, to whom he owes everything.
Janet Christie, The Scotsman, 22nd December 2013