Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 42
Review - How Did The Gig Go?
Review of a choose-your-own adventure book by comedian Dave Longley.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 3rd February 2021Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable review
In Unforgivable, Mel Giedroyc's been saddled a format that she doesn't even have much confidence in, the needlessly complex negative scoring, unnecessary gong, and convoluted rounds becoming a running joke even from episode one. But ignore all that hoo-ha and this is essentially a chat show stripped back to the good bits. Guests can forget plugging the latest project or telling us what a delight their co-stars were. Just tell the entertaining and embarrassing stories from your past.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 2nd February 2021Dead Pixels series 2 review
Setting a sitcom in the world of gaming is not the most obvious move: your target audience might find it hard to put down the controller long enough to watch, while the premise is likely to alienate those who wouldn't know their Overwatch from their Runescape.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 26th January 2021Back series two review
To judge the new series of Back on the strength of its first episode would be like ruling on a movie on the first 20 minutes. For while the show is certainly funny, the main aim of creator Simon Blackwell is to set the wheels in motion for a captivating psychodrama that will play out over the following five weeks.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 21st January 2021Bamous 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 2020