Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 48
Review - Where To, Mate?
Much fuss was made earlier this month when it was announced that the BBC was remaking Alan Bennett's Talking Heads monologues with a new cast. Well, with a lot less fanfare, this low-key Radio 4 quarter-hour comedy occupies similar comedy, territory with wry and revealing character-led conversations, all taking place on cab journeys around Manchester.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 13th May 2020Review: Ricky & Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip
It's impossible to top Ralf Little's own review of this new travelogue with his Royle Family dad Ricky Tomlinson as a 'two-bob version of The Trip'.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 11th May 2020Code 404 review
Sky's had a pretty good run with its comedy commissions lately, thanks to the likes of Breeders and Intelligence, and Code 404 - named after the 'page not found' error in internet protocols - is a solid and stupid addition to that decent slate.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 29th April 2020After Life Series 2 review
Given he's known for brutally direct stand-up, it's little surprise that Ricky Gervais doesn't do subtext.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th April 2020Peter Kay's Car Share: audio speical
The BBC has sunk millions into its Sounds app for its audio output. Yet when it came to the surprise audio-only special edition of Peter Kay's Car Share that dropped tonight, it was the iPlayer where it landed.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 10th April 2020Red Dwarf: The Promised Land review
Feature-length versions of sitcoms have, at best, a chequered history. But given that Red Dwarf has always had epic ambitions that defy its shoestring budget, scaling up the story to fill 90 minutes - plus adverts - is less of a stretch than most. Even so, the Promised Land story is surprisingly underdeveloped, and scenes intended to supply emotional heft feel forced, as if they have been added out of expectation that's what a film version should do.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 9th April 2020Alma's Not Normal review
For a pilot episode, Alma's Not Normal easily achieves what it's meant to do and introduces a cast of intriguing, sympathetic characters we'd like to hear more from. Most crucially, they are complex, authentic people portrayed in a way we don't usually see on television.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 7th April 2020Maxxx review
Though a little uneven, the show has a sassy attitude and energy, while the the pacy script is liberally peppered with waspish one-liners.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 2nd April 2020Review: Jock on Radio 2
With more people retiring while still in fine physical fettle, Jock seems to be tackling a timely topic with an easy-going wit and a grumpily likeable central character struggling to adapt to his alien new situation.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 28th March 2020Hitmen review
While Hitmen isn't perfect, the likability of its stars, the intrigue of their situation and the unpredictability of the oddballs that come into their orbit make offer intriguing possibilities.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 25th March 2020