Press clippings Page 9
Is the comedy duo Mitchell and Webb really 'Back'?
In all honesty, I don't care if there's always a little bit of Mark and Jez in Mitchell and Webb's work. Peep Show's popularity means the show will forever be referenced when talking about the comedians.
Christine Brandel, Pop Matters, 25th September 2017Book review: How Not To Be A Boy by Robert Webb
Primarily it's an entertaining story, sometimes powerful and sometimes polemic, of a man trying to figure himself, and society, out.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 22nd September 2017The sitcom, starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb as brothers returning to their home town, continues enjoyably. It doesn't push them out of their comfort zones (as Stephen, Mitchell is an amiable curmudgeon paralysed by emotion; Webb's Andrew is an untrustworthy narcissist), in the tradition of Peep Show. Tonight, Andrew suggests a makeover ("Church pews, library chairs") in the pub, but leaves Stephen to break news of an accompanying staff makeover.
John Robinson, The Guardian, 20th September 2017"I'm humbled and I'm proud," says Andrew of being included in his former foster father's will, to a disgruntled Stephen, who scoffs at the logical inconsistency. Business as usual in one way, then, for the Robert Webb/David Mitchell team in episode two of Simon Blackwell's dramedy, which involves a sly pop at the practice of baptism and sees Andrew stage a festival to help keep the pub afloat, while ramping up the sibling rivalry several notches.
Sharon O'Connell, The Guardian, 13th September 2017TV preview: Back, Episode 2, C4
When writer Simon Blackwell's new series starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb was launched last month publications were sent an episode-by-episode breakdown. But shortly afterwards we were asked not to publish it as it was felt it would give too much away in advance. Having now seen the second episode I think I can see why.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 13th September 2017Back, which began on C4, can be read in a few ways. Back as in, David Mitchell and Robert Webb are back, together, hurrah: the Peep Show guys reunited, and playing quasi simulacra (the sober, moral but sarky one, and the smiley shallow one). Back - as in Stephen's dad, a pub landlord and inveterate foster father, has died, and the mourners suddenly include Andrew (Webb), who was fostered for about 10 minutes back in the lost 80s, and they will replay their memories of those days with wildly differing degrees of enthusiasm and accuracy. Back - as in, you can never really go there.
It's a triumph, in that writer Simon Blackwell looks to be embarking on a grown-up exploration of memory that manages to be in parts explosively funny, too. Mitchell's character (as ever) reveals himself as too clever to pull off real pathos: Webb's (as ever) as too misguided to garner real dislike. Painfully sharp but also oddly touching, if you let it.
Euan Ferguson, The Guardian, 10th September 2017Who is the worst man on 'Peep Show' - Mark or Jez?
'Who's the worst character in Peep Show?' is a question with the power to divide nations. Unlike 'Who's the worst Friend?' (Ross) or 'Who's the most annoying person in The Big Bang Theory?' (all of them), it's a question with no obvious answer.
Joel Snape, ShortList, 8th September 2017Is Back really the next Peep Show? In short, Yes!
It was like eating a vast portion of potato chips. Or not.
Justin Harp, Digital Spy, 7th September 2017TV review: Back
David Mitchell and Robert Webb reunite for a new sitcom and, despite the echoes of Peep Show, it looks set to be a pin-sharp comic delight.
Carol Midgley, The Times, 7th September 2017Back is a promising imposter comedy
David Mitchell could just stand there and pull a face - you know, that face - and I'd be happy.
Rachel Cooke, The New Statesman, 7th September 2017