British Comedy Guide
Blankety Blank. Mark Wright
Mark Wright

Mark Wright (I)

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Press clippings Page 5

BBC2 attempts to fill the void left by the plundering of QI for BBC1 by bringing Radio 4's sort of comedy panel show, sort of not comedy panel show, to television. The ever likeable Dave Gorman invites members of the studio audience to pitch ideas for fantasy inventions, which a special guest each week will decide if it's 'genius' or not. It's all very lovely, but will it be a hardy enough format for the glare of television?

Mark Wright, The Stage, 20th March 2009

A reasonably tittersome sitcom that has largely kept its head above water thanks to some good performances from the leads (although Sharon Horgan irritates me intensely and I can't work out why). But the real star of the show has been Anthony Head as slimy agency boss Stephen, who manages to do sleazy better than any other actor on TV. It's no Peep Show - nor is it in the same league as The IT Crowd - but, Free Agents hasn't been dreadful, and a second series would be welcome.

Mark Wright, The Stage, 20th March 2009

Harry seems to be on blinding form, the break in the middle of this long run for some compilation episodes clearly having recharged the comedy batteries. It helps that there's a new series of Freaky Eaters for Harry to get his teeth into, and the whole thing has regained the genius it was lacking towards the end of last year.

Mark Wright, The Stage, 13th March 2009

I was thoroughly disappointed to see the ratings for last week's opening episode in this new series of the highly watchable sitcom. A rating of 2.12 million doesn't bode well for tonight's ratings or a third series. Shame really, as it's great fun and always worth it for Ben Miller as TV producer Jonathan Pope.

Mark Wright, The Stage, 6th March 2009

Final episode of the sitcom from writers Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain. It's sharply written as you'd expect from the writers of the unassailable Peep Show, and Swift and Lloyd-Pack make an engaging double act that deserve a second series. And Jane Asher is in it, so what's not to like?

Mark Wright, The Stage, 6th March 2009

Sheridan Smith doubles up on her roles from Two Pints... and Grownups as the casts of these shows and the dreadful (no, really it is) Coming of Age come together for a comedy pub quiz for Comic Relief. Should be fun if you can bear any of these shows.

Mark Wright, The Stage, 6th March 2009

Birds of a Feather: please don't!

Oh good grief! Is there no end to this plundering of the archives for old shows to bring back? The latest wheeze, according to the Daily Mirror, is that some misguided TV production types are considering bringing back Birds of a Feather.

Mark Wright, The Stage, 4th March 2009

Like 30 Rock and the much-missed Studio 60..., Moving Wallpaper is a hard sell to a mass audience, despite the fact that it's sharp, funny and very watchable. It's just sharp and funny about the business of making TV, which non-media smug types find about as entertaining as Parents Of The Band. Shame - but this retooled second series stands a better chance of succeeding, freed as it is from the albatross of Echo Beach. This time, outrageous TV producer Jonathan Pope (Ben Miller) is tasked with siring a pilot for a zombie series - starring Kelly Brook and Alan Dale. Brilliant! Highly recommended.

Mark Wright, The Stage, 27th February 2009

Al Murray steps away from the Pub Landlord for this new sketch show. Like most entries into the genre, it's a bit hit and miss, but there should be something here for most palates, from Prurient Dad to the politically correct coppers.

Mark Wright, The Stage, 27th February 2009

After a much needed break over Christmas and New Year, Harry is back to firing on all comedy cylinders, with the last couple of weeks finding him on fine form (and pulling high ratings). Fun for all the family, and it's not very often you can say that about a TV show.

Mark Wright, The Stage, 20th February 2009

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