Press clippings Page 31
You could make a good argument that 2010 was the best year for a while in TV comedy. Harry Hill and Benidorm scaled new heights on ITV. The Inbetweeners brought E4 its biggest audience yet. On BBC2 a string of quirky sitcoms (The Trip, Grandma's House, Rev, Roger & Val Have Just Got In) felt like the stirrings of a new wave. And the likes of Michael McIntyre, John Bishop and Russell Howard made ever larger numbers of people rock with laughter just by standing on a stage, talking. So there's plenty for the annual prize-giving to mull over as Jonathan Ross calls the assembled funny-folk to order at the 02 in London. On past form, Ross will kick the evening off with a laboured and overlong routine of his own, despite being the 43rd best stand-up in the room, then he'll strive to keep order as a procession of writers, actors and comics seize both their trophies and the chance to be cheeky on live TV. And on past form, it should be a blast.
David Butcher, Radio Times, 22nd January 2011Ross takes aim at celebrities at the comedy awards
The British Comedy Awards opened on Saturday night with a flurry of gags from host Jonathan Ross.
The Telegraph, 22nd January 2011Just in time for its 22nd birthday, the comedy back-slapping bash gets a transfer from ITV1 to Channel 4 and a general spruce-up. This revamped ceremony is being broadcast live from London's O2 Arena and the often recklessly risqué Jonathan Ross remains as host. His traditional acerbic opening monologue - edgy enough on ITV, likely to be even nearer the knuckle now - should have station executives shifting nervously in their seats. For the first time, there's a live public vote for the year's top funny person, to be crowned "King or Queen of Comedy". Out in the crowd, the cream of the UK's comedy talent will eat, drink, be merry, then forget to pull gracious faces when they don't win. In another first, those industry types will be joined by the great unwashed, as some tickets have been on sale to viewers. Expect Michael McIntyre and Miranda Hart to lead the race for gongs. Tonight's proceedings have been heavily trailed by a week of build-up programming, so there's a lot invested in the event itself delivering both entertainment and headlines - while avoiding the phone-in scandals and voting irregularities that dogged its last years on ITV.
Michael Hogan, The Telegraph, 21st January 2011Jonathan Ross's daughter: Telling dad I'm gay was tough
Jonathan Ross's daughter has spoken about the difficulty she faced telling her parents she was gay.
Simon Cable, Daily Mail, 20th January 2011Wossy and Brand to appear together at Comedy Awards
The British Comedy Awards are going for maximum mayhem after inviting Russell Brand to join Jonathan Ross on stage - going out LIVE on TV.
Colin Robertson, The Sun, 19th January 2011'My daughter is gay', reveals Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross has proudly revealed that his daughter Betty Kitten is a lesbian - despite once joking that gay children should be adopted.
Sara Nathan and Simon Cable, Daily Mail, 19th January 2011Jonathan Ross: I piled on a stone at Xmas
Tubby Jonathan Ross put on so much weight over the festive period that he can no longer get into his shiny suits.
The Sun, 17th January 2011Wossy: I don't watch Norton
Jonathan Ross has confessed he shuns his TV chat show replacement Graham Norton's programme. He revealed: "I never used to watch him when he was on Monday nights, so I don't watch him when he's on Friday now."
The Sun, 7th January 2011British Comedy Awards to revamp for Channel 4 debut
Extended awards ceremony to feature live vote and include public in audience, while Jonathan Ross will return as host.
Tara Conlan, The Guardian, 6th January 2011Jonathan Ross back in TV chat hot seat
Jonathan Ross is in top-level talks about staging a telly comeback in ITV's prime-time Saturday night slot.
Nigel Pauley, Daily Star, 5th January 2011