British Comedy Guide

Mark Lawson

  • English
  • Journalist and author

Press clippings Page 10

How Eddie Braben saved Morecambe and Wise's careers

The comedy duo looked uncomfortable on television until Braben came on board. But how did he turn them into comedy legends?

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 21st May 2013

Ricky Gervais' Derek: cruel, or just unusual?

Ricky Gervais says Derek, his latest comedy creation, does not have a disability. But is this claim credible?

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 31st January 2013

Fawlty Towers isn't racist. Major Gowen is

The BBC's cutting of racial insults from a repeat of The Germans has brought the integrity of the hit comedy show into question. But the words are clearly used to satirise English upper-class bigotry.

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 23rd January 2013

Nostalgia TV at its best

The forthcoming GK Chesterton adaptation of Father Brown and PG Wodehouse adaptation of Blandings, both starring Mark Williams, represent a welcome attempt to bring back a gentler form of drama that has fallen out of fashion.

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 11th January 2013

The Thick of It: the TV programme of 2012

The satire came to a glorious climax, and went from being cathartic to prophetic.

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 21st December 2012

The problem with the British Comedy Awards

Odd categories result in certain shows and performers not being recognised and beg the question: should making people laugh be separated from the arts of making them cry or shiver?

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 5th December 2012

Viewers must bear some responsibility over Brian Conley

TV producers have a duty of care to contestants, but if they only cast the strongest people on their programmes, no one would watch.

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 21st November 2012

Has Fresh Meat's second series surpassed its first?

The Channel 4 comedy show has delivered a masterclass in how to follow up a successful first series. Downtown Abbey and Homeland creators take note.

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 20th November 2012

Mark Gatiss: off with his head!

He writes for Doctor Who and Sherlock - now Mark Gatiss is starring as Charles I on stage. He talks to Mark Lawson about overreaching royals, bad auditions and why he's the man to play Jeremy Hunt.

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 21st October 2012

Shameless: when TV shows overstay their welcome

There can often be commercial pressure to keep a hit show going, even if no artistic reason. So when is enough enough?

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 10th October 2012

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