Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 26
Andy Zaltzman: Satirist For Hire review
Even though he's been doing this for years - Chortle previously reviewed this show in those glorious pre-Brexit, pre-Trump days of 2014 - it's not the perfect format, as he too easily gets caught up in mundane crowd work, diluting that sweet satire.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 12th May 2022Alan Partridge: Stratagem review
While there are scenes of brilliance, overall Stratagem puts the 'a-ha!' in 'a half-baked concept'.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 29th April 2022Barry Humphries: The Man Behind The Mask review
As Covid masks are widely discarded, Barry Humphries offers a reflective peek at the 'recovering comedian' behind the metaphorical masks he dons for his characters in this intimate 'audience with...' show.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 26th April 2022Peacock review
It pootles along amiably, but never once threatens to feel like essential TV.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 25th April 2022Review - Phil Wang: The Real Hero In All This
Wang has a fine way with words that produces some vivid mental images and excellent punchlines, while occasionally using linguistic flair to prop up more quotidian observations.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 14th April 2022Hullraisers review
As one female-led comedy with a distinctive geographical flavour launches its final series, another starts its first. Airing straight after the season three premiere of Derry Girls, Hullraisers follows three working-class women at various stages of their adult journey.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 12th April 2022Newark, Newark preview
There's one big problem with this delightful portrait of a relationship between an oddball son and his recently divorced mum: three episodes just isn't enough.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 28th March 2022Deep Heat review
The show's template is as established as it comes: bunch of misfits come together to achieve success despite all the odds, and who knows, maybe learn a little about themselves on the way. It's the sort of Hollywood cliché premise Max & Ivan might parody in their excellent live shows, but here fully embrace.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 28th March 2022The Island review
I watched Dave's new comedy format The Island, not knowing it had been devised by stand-ups James Acaster, Ed Gamble, Lloyd Langford and John Robins when they got stranded in New York by a storm. That fact came as something as a surprise, given the show feels less than an idea created organically by some fine comic minds, and more like the brainchild of a UKTV exec trying to engineer something to fill a Taskmaster-shaped hole left after their biggest show got poached by Channel 4.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 23rd March 2022