Ian Hyland

  • English
  • Journalist

Press clippings Page 4

Top prize for nostalgia this week went to E4's My Mad Fat Diary for beautifully recreating the hysteria surrounding the legendary Oasis gigs at Knebworth back in 1996. All that was missing was a certain ginger DJ's famous Wake Up jingle wafting from a radio in the background.

I don't know what is harder to believe though. The fact that Knebworth took place over 16 years ago. Or that nothing as exciting has happened in music since.

Ian Hyland, Daily Mail, 2nd February 2013

It's not really my cup of comedy tea but let's be fair, BBC1's Miranda ended its latest run on a pretty good cliffhanger. Miranda was left with three options: marry Gary, marry Mike, or run away to the Scottish Highlands by herself. I'd go for option three, Miranda. It's wild and dangerous terrain up there. Think of all the things you'll be able to trip over.

Ian Hyland, Daily Mail, 2nd February 2013

Jonathan Ross left with the last resort

I'm sure there are many soul-destroying jobs in the world right now. But I'm struggling to imagine anything worse than being a guest booker on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show.

Ian Hyland, Daily Mail, 26th January 2013

Paddy's no match for Harry

Paddy's TV Guide arrived on Friday night and is already a contender for the laziest piece of programming you'll see all year.

Ian Hyland, Daily Mail, 19th January 2013

With a cast including Timothy Spall, Jennifer Saunders and Robert Bathhurst, BBC1's new Sunday-night PG Wodehouse adaptation Blandings could not have failed to have its moments. Sadly, for some reason, I could not shake the suspicion that it was probably a lot more fun to make than it was to watch.

Top marks to Spall though. His channelling of Boris Johnson for his portrayal of Lord Emsworth was worth the entrance fee alone.

Ian Hyland, Daily Mail, 19th January 2013

Astounding news as BBC2's new three-part series Funny Business revealed that Michael McIntyre commands a higher fee for a corporate gig than Ricky Gervais (told you you should've agreed to do the dance, Ricky.)

We also met the promoter who gave Jimmy Carr his first-ever paid booking back in the days when Jimmy's career was more Haven holiday park than tax haven. Sadly, the promoter didn't elaborate further so we were left wondering a) how much Jimmy was paid and b) how much he was left with after tax. My guesses are a) around £50 and b) around £50.)

The corporate gigs are not for everyone, though. Following a particularly soul-destroying half-hour set at one PFA annual dinner Rhod Gilbert vowed never to do another. 'I just remember seeing Alex Ferguson's back as he talked to someone during my act.' Could've been worse, Rhod. Fergie could've demanded an extra seven minutes.

Ian Hyland, Daily Mail, 19th January 2013

There was much to admire in My Mad Fat Diary, E4's new comedy drama about a binge-eating 16st teenage girl growing up in the Britpop era. Sharon Rooney, who plays the lead role of Rae Earl, already deserves to be on the Best Newcomer lists when awards season comes around again. And the soundtrack was well chosen. Although given the subject matter I was expecting some Feeder.

Ian Hyland, Daily Mail, 19th January 2013

Thanks to the interim exploits of Malcolm Tucker, Gold's decision to revamp the Eighties political satire Yes, Prime Minister was always going to be a gamble. And after a slow, canned-laughter-heavy opening it looked like this update had backfired. But it had more than hit its stride by the time the two main sparring partners, PM Jim Hacker (David Haig) and Sir Humphrey Appleby (Henry Goodman), clashed. And unlike The Thick Of It, the only F-word I have to report so far is funny.

Ian Hyland, Daily Mail, 19th January 2013

John Bishop's Only Joking was Sky1's take on ITV's legendary stand-up show The Comedians. Only this time, as well as stand-ups it had celebrities and civilians telling jokes while John Bishop acted as compere.

More often than not the civilians delivered the best gags, especially the ten-year-old schoolboys. But nobody could compete with Mock The Week's star man Stewart Francis. Here's his best effort: 'The thing I don't like about my children is that when things go wrong they have a tendency to blame other people... They get that from their mum.'

Ian Hyland, Daily Mail, 12th January 2013

Things I enjoyed most about BBC3's returning comedy Pramface:

1. Scarlett Alice Johnson's ongoing transformation from EastEnders disaster into fine comic actress.

2. The fact that Angus Deayton was happy to walk around in his boxer shorts. Hardly the first time Angus has been spotted with his trousers down etc, etc.

Ian Hyland, Daily Mail, 12th January 2013

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