Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 117
Writing That Sitcom by James Cary - review
James Cary's book is is slightly mis-titled. Writing That Sitcom is not so much a step-by-step guide to creating a magic script, more a very long way of saying: Writing a sitcom? What the hell are you thinking! It's hard. Really hard. Your genius idea probably never get made and if it does, the process is so awful you'll hate it.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 4th August 2015Preview: Terry Alderton's All Crazy Now
Comedies on Radio 4, however good, can sometimes fall into the trap of sounding the same. No such chance here. This show is so packed full of disjoined sentences, cheap and silly songs, odd impressions, tape loops, sound effects and electronic beats, that it feels like a pirate takeover.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 29th July 2015Review: The Last Sparks Of Sundown
On stage, the Pajama Men create multi-stranded filmic epics in their nightwear, so a transfer to the big screen seems long overdue. However their first foray into features, The Last Sparks Of Sundown, though sporadically amusing, lacks both the ambition and the consistency of their stage shows.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th July 2015Review - Shappi Khorsandi at Latitude
A strong penultimate set for the comedy arena.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 20th July 2015Review: Jason Manford at Latitude
He hasn't been to Latitude for nine years, and hasn't played any other outdoor festivals in the meantime, but it's not for want of appreciation. The audience here love him, no matter what his level of cool.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 20th July 2015TV preview: The Javone Prince Show
The entertainment is slick, the tone enjoyable, yet behind the superficial confidence it feels like a show yet to really find its mojo.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 19th July 2015A Book For Her by Bridget Christie - book review
Given the context, it's probably impossible to review Bridget Christie's first book, about how she started incorporating feminism into her stand-up, without mentioning the c-word, so let's get it over with: Caitlin.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 3rd July 2015Union Equity launches new stand-up drive
Performers' union Equity today officially launched its comedians' network to fight for fairer conditions for stand-ups. The move follows the formation of the UK Comedy Guild, which aims to settle disputes informally, while the Equity group has the legal backing of a trade union.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th June 2015Whose Line Is It Anyway? Live review
16 years on, the format still feels fresh. And it must surely prompt the question why this relatively cheap show isn't on TV any more... or some other form of genuine improv, at least.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 22nd June 2015It's A Funny Old Week review
ITV's latest venture into topical comedy is less a UK version of The Daily Show and more a programme for those who find Russell Howard's Good News too edgy.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 16th June 2015