James Bachman
James Bachman

James Bachman

  • English
  • Actor and writer

Press clippings

Bleak Expectations stage play gets West End run

Dickensian pastiche Bleak Expectations, a Radio 4 hit from 2007, is to take to the West End stage this summer with a run of headline guest stars.

British Comedy Guide, 15th February 2023

A look back at the 'After the Event' sketches

For obvious reasons the 'Remain Indoors' sketches, also known as 'The Quiz Broadcast' although officially known as 'After the Event' are everywhere.

Jazzy Janey, A Dose Of David Mitchell, 26th March 2020

BBC blasted for its male-dominated Christmas

The BBC has become embroiled in a sexism row after it was revealed than none of its Christmas comedy shows were created by women.

Chortle, 8th December 2018

For those unaware, Sorry, I've Got No Head is a sketch show broadcast on the CBBC Channel.

Despite this being a children's show, it's surprising in many ways. For starters, there is quite a lot of good comic talent involved. Amongst those starring in the show include Marek Larwood, Justin Edwards, James Bachman, Marcus Brigstocke, Mel Giedroyc, Nick Mohammed, David Armand and Graham Norton in a voice-over.

The sketches include Jasmine and Prudith, a pair of eccentric posh women who believe everything costs a thousand pounds; Ross the schoolboy from the Outer Hebrides whose school has been badly damaged in a storm and is thus he is the only one who attends; the easily-scared Fearless Vikings; and The Witchfinder General who accuses anyone of being a witch if he doesn't get his own way.

Another interesting thing about Sorry, I've Got No Head is that it has no laughter track. Most TV sketch shows tend to have one, and you would expect a children's sketch show to do so as well, but this doesn't.

In a way the show treats the audience a bit more like adults than many other sketch comedies. The laughter track provokes you into laughing, which might explain why shows such as That Mitchell and Webb Look and The Armstrong and Miller Show have them, to encourage the viewers to laugh along and keep watching. Sorry, I've Got No Head doesn't see the need for one. Perhaps it's because this show is less of a risk as it's on a digital channel for children.

Sorry, I've Got No Head is quite a diverting show, which in its own way is entertaining for people of all ages. And if you're bit a embarrassed about watching it with other people, you can always look at it on the iPlayer as if it were a guilty pleasure.

Ian Wolf, Giggle Beats, 23rd May 2011

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