Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 41
Bamous review
It's long been a running joke that British TV operates a 'one-in one-out' policy when it comes to allowing black comedians to become famous. But don't blame comics for continuing to crack jokes about waiting for Lenny Henry to die to get their shot, blame the system that means the line is as true today as it ever was.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 12th January 2021Mark Kermode's Secrets Of Cinema: British Comedy review
It will come as little surprise to anyone who's encountered Mark Kermode's film criticism on the radio or in print that his TV essay on British comedy movies is incisive, informed and intelligent, yet effortlessly accessible.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 11th January 2021Steve Bennett compiles his most memorable shows of 2020
The year when no gig was normal...
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 31st December 2020Review: Pandemonium
As what's hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime disruptor, the coronavirus pandemic is an unusual hook for a sitcom's pilot episode. Lockdown is certainly not a 'sit' you'd want to return to time and again.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 30th December 2020Billy Connolly: It's Been A Pleasure review
Yes, at 78, he won't be on stage and more, and yes, there were a few emotional minutes at the end where that loss was noted - with Connolly especially touched when the tributes were shown to him.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 29th December 2020Review: Death To 2020
It fast became a cliché to say that the spiralling dystopia of 2020 was like an out-of-control episode of Black Mirror. So it was probably inevitable that Charlie Brooker would be called upon to offer a satirical summary of the momentously awful 12 months, especially given his track record with the Wipe series for the BBC. The result is a wry, often bleakly amusing look at the year, albeit without the astringent personal bite Brooker normally brings to his year-end round-ups.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 27th December 2020Review: The Comeback
No sooner has The Comeback hit the West End stage than it will be forced to close, as London goes into Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions from Wednesday.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 14th December 2020Review: The Future Of Politics by Frankie Boyle
The Future Of Politics might not be the grand essay of our age, but for just a few quid it provides a welcome cathartic, jet-black laugh at the ruling elite - as if there is anything elite about them - very much in the vein of his stand-up, or New World Order TV show.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 9th December 2020The Vicar Of Dibley In Lockdown review
For even in these bite-sized samples, The Vicar of Dibley is a sweet, warm-hearted comedy, living up to Geraldine's stated sentiments to "be gentle and kind... and appreciate every God-given day". But it's a short step to being twee, even trite, which the mild, only fitfully funny, script doesn't always avoid. The slightness of the format and the near absence of a supporting cast only emphasise these shortcomings.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 7th December 2020The Problem With Men, by Richard Herring review
Anyone who's been on Twitter on March 8 will know the Sisyphean task Richard Herring has taken on in doing fighting trollery with trollery.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th November 2020