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The Rob Brydon Show. Rob Brydon. Copyright: Arbie
Rob Brydon

Rob Brydon

  • 59 years old
  • Welsh
  • Actor, writer, executive producer, stand-up comedian, presenter and script editor

Press clippings Page 52

Is bringing back I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue post-Humph a good idea? ISIHAC is my answer: the show has never held the place in my heart that it has in others'. Still, its return on Monday seemed fine enough, not particularly because of Stephen Fry, the host (Jack Dee and Rob Brydon are to step in later), but because of Victoria Wood. She is so clever with words - "Dictaphone: person on a mobile," she quipped - and so generous as a performer, arguing when she needed to, hanging back likewise. I hope she returns.

Miranda Sawyer, The Observer, 21st June 2009

No Humph, no Samantha, but plenty of quality smut

After a decent interval following the death of Humphrey Lyttelton a year ago, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue returned with a knowing wink and a helpless giggle. It's taken three men to replace the great man, and on Monday Stephen Fry was in the Humph seat. (He'll rotate with Rob Brydon and Jack Dee, though I'd like to have seen Bill Bailey given a shot, too.)

There was a fear that reconvening without the show's spiritual leader might be like The Beatles re-forming after John Lennon died. But though Fry was berated in some quarters after his debut, the essence of the complaints was that he's not Lyttelton. He probably can't play the trumpet, either.

The Lyttelton lacuna apart, it was business as usual, with the innuendo quotient maintained at its traditionally ferocious level. The lovely Samantha has been given a rest (for newcomers, she's the non-existent scorer) in favour of "the rippling Sven", who's had the builders round: "Whenever they ask for cheese and chutney, he always palms them off with relish."

Chris Maume, The Independent, 21st June 2009

Radio review: I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue

A radio institution returned last night minus a key ingredient: I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (Radio 4) is now Humph-less. It was an interesting listen, working out how much of the show can still flourish with new, rotating hosts - Stephen Fry last night; Rob Brydon and Jack Dee to follow - and how much is lost. The good news is that the show is as funny as ever, and the pointless, unscored rounds remain very ticklish indeed. What's gone, inevitably, is a rich layer of impish spirit.

Elisabeth Mahoney, The Guardian, 16th June 2009

Video: Popular Radio 4 comedy returns

The much-loved Radio 4 comedy I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue is returning to the airwaves after the death of its chairman Humphrey Lyttleton last year.

Graham Satchell went to a recording of the show in Newcastle, with Rob Brydon putting in an appearance as guest chairman.

Graham Satchell, BBC, 15th June 2009

Life after Humph

Monday night sees the return of the imperious Radio 4 comedy fixture, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

Graham Satchell, BBC, 15th June 2009

Spoon, Jar, Jar, Spoon Review

In the end, as with most great humour, it's impossible to pin down why Cooper was funny, and Brydon didn't try. I guess that's part of the beauty of humour - there's no point in analysing it.

Chris Maume, The Independent, 19th April 2009

Spoon, Jar, Jar, Spoon - The Two Sides of Tommy Cooper (Radio 4) was a great idea, looking at the comedian as a magician in particular. In its portrayal of London's specialist magic shops in the 60s and 70s, many of which were effectively private clubs for magicians, it was especially evocative.

"For a high-profile star like Tommy," said presenter Rob Brydon, "magic shops were a tantalising place to hide." Brydon went on to mention "the relaxed atmosphere, the comfy sofas, and cocktails from the small bar", all of which provoked a peeved cackle from contributor Paul Daniels. "I don't know about the cocktails," he laughed, sounding a bit stung. "I was never offered one." And those comfy sofas he pointedly remembered simply as "settees".

When the programme stuck to this angle, and resisted general assessment of Cooper, it added something new to our understanding of him. I liked hearing that he got his first magic set at the age of eight from his Aunt Lucy, and how magic-shop owners would teach and sell Cooper tricks that he then took to huge audiences. "His trick," observed Brydon sagely, "was to make magic look complicated, but entertaining look simple."

Elisabeth Mahoney, The Guardian, 15th April 2009

The title refers to one of Tommy Cooper's favourite tricks. But there's a subtitle to this portrait of a much-loved comedian, The Two Sides of Tommy Cooper, reflecting Cooper's fascination with the craft of magic as well as his genius for turning an apparent failure at it into a great stage act. We hear (as you may have gathered from the incessant trailers) from other stage magicians about how serious you have to be about the business to turn it into laughter. Discover the people and places where magic is a trade. Rob Brydon presents.

Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 14th April 2009

Angus gets the sack

A show source said: "Angus's jokes were wearing a bit thin and his act had got a bit tired. They wanted to freshen it up."

Jen Blackburn, The Sun, 12th March 2009

Comedian Rob Brydon to host Would I Lie To You?

Comedian Rob Brydon is to replace Angus Deayton as presenter on the new series of BBC1's panel show Would I Lie to You?

Leigh Holmwood, The Guardian, 11th March 2009

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