Press Clippings
Paul Whitehouse: The Fast Show won't return
Paul Whitehouse has revealed the cast and creators of The Fast Show discuss bringing it back to our screens "every day". But the actor, 59, believes there would be a "hole" in any future series without Caroline Aherne, who died last year of lung cancer, aged 52.
The Mirror, 21st October 2017
Though an elder statesman of chat, Jonathan Ross is reluctant to let his format grow stale. Seemingly slightly less reliant on prepared bits than Graham Norton, he is all about quality tone, helping winkle out the reluctant and the armour-clad guest to see the funny side. Tonight should test both parts of his game, as he hosts Ed Sheeran and Gordon Ramsay. Rita Ora, no easy guest for him to announce, sings live.
John Robinson, The Guardian, 21st October 2017
The Death of Stalin: who were the key figures?
As the title suggests The Death of Stalin, takes place during the power struggle that followed the 'Man of Steel's' death.
Finlay Greig, i Newspaper, 20th October 2017
Armando Iannucci interview
The writer of the much-anticipated movie about the aftermath of the Soviet dictator's death says he has had a positive reaction from Russia.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 20th October 2017
Greg McHugh opens up on anxiety battle
Gary Tank Commander star Greg McHugh has revealed how he turned to a therapist after suffering from anxiety.
The Scotsman, 20th October 2017
The League of Gentlemen have just finished filming
The League of Gentlemen returns to BBC2 this Christmas.
Ellie Harrison, Radio Times, 20th October 2017
Shappi Khorsandi on Michael Hann's Sean Hughes article
We all clean out our friends' cupboards sometimes. I myself have occasionally been bagged up by friends and taken down to the charity shop. But was this really the time?
Shappi Khorsandi, The Independent, 20th October 2017
Mark Gatiss interview
I feel terribly pessimistic about the future of humankind.
Chloe Hamilton, i Newspaper, 20th October 2017
TV Review: Porridge, Episode 3
It's easy to knock this Porridge 2.0 with a stream of Ronnie-rolling-in-his-grave tweets. I know, I've probably posted a few myself. But - and I know it's a big but - if you can erase the memory of Ronnie Barker and judge this on its own merits as a populist prison comedy, this is not too bad.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th October 2017
Alan Partridge vs Malcolm Tucker: what we learned
We can't do this unmissable conversation justice in just a few sentences. You'll read extracts below, yes, and some other media has picked up points it elsewhere. But the only way to truly enjoy this glorious verbal grudge match between the two great British treasures, of course, is to buy The Big Issue.
The Big Issue, 20th October 2017
The Death of Stalin: Can we really laugh at tyranny?
Despite recent efforts of restitution in Russia, Josef Stalin is widely considered to be one of history's greatest monsters.
Yahoo, 20th October 2017
The Death of Stalin review - dictatorship as high farce
There is just enough of this brutality to keep the film honest. Iannucci's point that dictatorships have an inherent, ghastly absurdity is made by an elderly doctor running with puffing slowness for his life, as much as by the hesitantly half-raised hands at Politburo meetings requiring unanimity. Actual quantities of laughter are diluted by the difficult satiric point, but the acting and the farce's whirring clockwork occupy you anyway.
Nick Hasted, The Arts Desk, 20th October 2017
John Morton on ending W1A
This current series of the BBC comedy about itself is almost certainly going to be the last - and the writer has his heart set on a very different project next.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 20th October 2017
The Death of Stalin is easily the comedy of the year
This delightfully silly movie is an intelligent, hilarious circus crammed full of the finest people cinema has to offer.
James East, The Sun, 20th October 2017
Red Dwarf XII episode 3 review: Timewave
We'd go so far as to say it's the worst since the Dave era began with Back To Earth.
Mark Harrison, Den Of Geek, 20th October 2017
Odd how quickly Cold Feet has gone from returning novelty to seeming snuggly and comforting, sort of the televisual equivalent of a sofa you bought a few years ago. Which is no bad thing, of course, what with it being a drama about family and friendship. The conclusion to series two of the reboot finds Tina arranging to meet Sarah, Adam offering Pete some relationship advice and David reacting when his daughters are threatened.
Jonathan Wright, The Guardian, 20th October 2017
Armando Iannucci talks Alan Partridge & Malcolm Tucker
The state of UK politics means there is no need for The Thick of It, and the US political scene is so absurd currently that it would be "beyond sitcom territory" to produce Veep, said the satirist who founded both programmes.
Ellie Price, BBC, 20th October 2017
Danger Mouse and Duckula star in animation exhibition
Show at Waterside arts centre in Sale explores work of Cosgrove Hall, one of Britain's most successful studios.
Helen Pidd, The Guardian, 20th October 2017
Preview - QI: Series O
Oh yes, it's time once again observe some obscure facts as the world's cleverest quiz is back on the box.
Ian Wolf, On The Box, 20th October 2017
The Death of Stalin review
Any concerns that Armando Iannucci's satire about the death of the most important figure in Soviet history would be revisionist or glorifying are quickly put to rest by an early scene in which comrade Stalin collapses in a puddle of his own piss on his office carpet.
Steve Hogarty, City AM, 19th October 2017
Susan Calman is injured ahead of Strictly's fifth week
She's admitted that she's nursing a knee injury, and is resorting to some pretty extreme measures to be fit for the weekend's show.
Caroline Westbrook, Metro, 19th October 2017
Outfit from Spaced appears in Red Dwarf XII
For reasons we've been unable to fathom, Ziggy Bryson's (played by Extras star Jamie Chapman) outfit of a military inspired, bulbous pink dress with a plumed helmet to match will be recognisable to any diehard fans of Spaced - the cult classic sitcom from Simon Pegg & Jessica Hynes. Yes, it's none other than that of non-gender specific conceptual artist Vulva (David Walliams)!
The Velvet Onion, 19th October 2017
Jason Isaacs interview: The Death Of Stalin
We said hello to Jason Isaacs, before chatting about The Death Of Stalin and Star Trek: Discovery...
Rob Leane, Den Of Geek, 19th October 2017
Red Dwarf XII - Siliconia review
When news about Red Dwarf XI first came through, the first image used to illustrate the series was from this episode: featuring a "Krytenised" crew.
Ian Wolf, On The Box, 19th October 2017
Red Dwarf Siliconia review
The episode doesn't truly capitalise on its main strength - Lister, Cat and Rimmer as mechanoids.
Dave Golder, Mym Buzz, 19th October 2017
The Death Of Stalin - film review
Deliciously clever satire from the creator of The Thick Of It.
NME, 19th October 2017
Ricky Gervais signs big money deal for SiriusXM show
Ricky Gervais will present an uncensored weekly talk show for US satellite broadcaster SiriusXM in a deal set to make the comic one of the world's highest-paid radio broadcasters.
i Newspaper, 19th October 2017
Armando Iannucci interview
The Independent sat down with The Thick of It creator to discuss the American President, Brexit, and the utterly hilarious The Death of Stalin.
Jack Shepherd, The Independent, 19th October 2017
The Death of Stalin review
This delicious new dark comedy comes courtesy of renowned political satirist Armando Iannucci (The Thick Of It, Veep).
Matthew Turner, i Newspaper, 19th October 2017
TV review: Man Down, C4
Greg Davies returns for a fourth series of Man Down and I sense a bit of a theme emerging. He has previously had a run-in with a turkey and in the first episode of the new run of this tragic, anarchic sitcom he has an oversized chicken thrown at him. But that is just a small indignity compared to some of his other issues in this opening instalment.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 19th October 2017