Stephen Armstrong
- Reviewer
Press clippings Page 9
A couple of years ago, Radio 4 listeners were outraged to hear a phone-in shock jock, Gary Bellamy, and his motley crew of callers turn up on their hallowed station. No need for panic: it turned out to be Charlie Higson, Paul Whitehouse and various friends riffing as characters from posh Nazis to traffic wardens - the kind of social satire that gave us Loadsamoney. Now it's hitting the telly as Bellamy's People, a mockumentary in which Bellamy joins the legions of other documentary presenters clogging Britain's roads in search of a TV series. Comes with its own spoof behind-the-scenes footage. The best scene: Bellamy trying to interview Muslims.
Stephen Armstrong, The Times, 10th January 2010A strangely rare television gem - a genuinely good romcom with no bonnets in it. Issy (Lucy Davis) and Eddie (Shaun Dooley) have been together for 16 years, but she still won't marry him. Babs and Dickie are married, but he spends all her money on failed dotcom ideas. Abbey (Miranda Raison) and Clint (Ralf Little) have just met. So the script has every life stage covered.
Stephen Armstrong, The Times, 10th January 2010Michael McIntyre's comic timing
He's come from an Edinburgh attic to sell out a 54-date tour and bag a primetime BBC slot. So why is the comedian still so sweatily anxious about life?
Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times, 15th November 2009The bird in the Boosh
She made her name in gritty Spanish realist roles. So how come Veronica Echegui is fooling around on film with The Mighty Boosh?
Stephen Armstrong, The Times, 8th November 2009No laughing matter
High costs, tight budgets and a demand for fast results are making it more difficult to get - and keep - good comedies on television. Avalon's Not Going Out recently got the chop midway through series three despite strong audience appreciation and climbing ratings.
Stephen Armstrong, The Guardian, 3rd August 2009The League of Gentlemen launch Psychoville
The Times looks at the background of Psychoville.
Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times, 31st May 2009Stewart Lee on his Comedy Vehicle
The man behind Fist of Fun (with Richard Herring) and Jerry Springer - The Opera is back on screen in his own 'Comedy Vehicle'. He talks to The Times.
Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times, 15th March 2009Wallace & Gromit are back on TV
Amid the mince pies, and out of the Americans' grip, the new Wallace & Gromit film is back where it belongs. Features an exclusive behind-the-scenes video.
Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times, 21st December 2008Fortune vomits on my eiderdown yet again
News that Blackadder will return to our screens this Christmas with a new documentary has produced a level of national salivation absent from pop culture since George Lucas stamped on the dreams of Star Wars fans.
Stephen Armstrong, The Guardian, 26th November 2008Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It's No Heroics
No Heroics is ITV2's debut sitcom and possibly the first genuinely amusing sitcom on any ITV outlet since, well - any suggestions?
Stephen Armstrong, The Times, 14th September 2008