John Robinson

  • Actor

Press clippings Page 3

Funny and scathing in equal measure, NSFW is a hybrid of This Life, Fresh Meat and The Thick Of It, only possibly better than that sounds. Tonight, Katherine's short-term solution to Danny's incompetence comes home to roost, when "London" sends a waspish troubleshooter called Martine to see what's going on. Meanwhile, a rough night leaves Danny hungover in shorts and with some unexpected childcare responsibilities - which, uncharacteristically, works out very well for him.

John Robinson, The Guardian, 14th July 2015

Greg Davies continues to excel as a teacher driven by cynicism - a role he created for himself with his performances in The Inbetweeners. The second series of his sitcom brings impressive people out of the woodwork (Geraldine James? Really?) and reprises a similar manic energy. Tonight's episode derives dark laughs from the excruciating demands of the school's community week and Dan's farcical attempts to woo his colleague Jo with the assistance of a second world war veteran. It seems unlikely things will end well.

John Robinson, The Guardian, 8th June 2015

Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi star as cohabiting actors Freddie and Stewart in this otherwise traditional comedy. Really, though, the thespian pair are straight men to Frances de la Tour, who owns the show as the endearing Vi, and gets most of the best lines. That's all particularly true in tonight's episode, as the pair participate in a ruse to help Vi deceive her sister Lillian, who believes Vi lives a glamorous life. With Stewart playing the role of Vi's husband and Freddie as the butler, what could conceivably go wrong?

John Robinson, The Guardian, 1st June 2015

The same privileged old guard, the unchanging rituals, the forced smiles and occasional moments of genuine delight: yes, the enduring satirical panel show and the general election were clearly made for each other. Still, in the runup to the election, the media has been filled with political behaviour even more ludicrous than usual, all of which should be fecund ground for Paul Merton and Ian Hislop. Jo Brand hosts tonight, while comedian Romesh Ranganathan and newsreader Jon Snow help uncover the truths behind the manifesto promises.

John Robinson, The Guardian, 8th May 2015

Charlie Brooker is unique in his approach to current affairs. He doesn't cheapen issues by trying to be funny about a serious topic; he simply teases out the contradictions and then pours on his own cynicism. After all, he can't be as cynical as the media he's ostensibly reporting on. For all the fun he has at the expense of American broadcasters while slurping pretend tea on his living-room Chesterfield, tonight it will be his mission to uncover truth from British politicians.

John Robinson, The Guardian, 6th May 2015

There's an odd mix of ingredients in this sitcom about a policeman-turned-midwife. Written by the team that made Channel 4's strange, funny Green Wing, and featuring the offbeat skills of Darren Boyd, it is very much an ITV primetime comedy. The result is some verbally dexterous stuff from Boyd, alongside Paddy McGuinness's likable gurning, and a farce-heavy plotline, in which an expectant father has trouble remembering which room he's meant to be in, while Matthew makes the error of offending nurse Lisa's boyfriend.

John Robinson, The Guardian, 22nd April 2015

After some star-studded shows, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith dial back the celebrity guests for tonight's episode, set in a Samaritans-like call centre. Shot on time-coded CCTV, the episode has the tools to ratchet up the suspense, as volunteer Andy (Pemberton) is drawn into both the dramas of his callers and the tensions of his workplace, as managed by supervisor George (Shearsmith). Ultimately, though, the story lacks both the plausibility and element of surprise that characterise the best of this series.

John Robinson, The Guardian, 16th April 2015

Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton are the strange, slightly upsetting gift that keeps on giving. In this second series, they reprise their talent for macabre tales united only by their being well-written, tightly plotted and taking place inside a door with a No 9 on it. Tonight's episode stars Sheridan Smith as Christine, a sales clerk whose life we observe in impressionistic blasts. Can you unpick her story before she herself says: "Oh, I know what this is ..."? And yes, 70s people, that is Michele Dotrice!

John Robinson, The Guardian, 2nd April 2015

For Vic and Bob - the most original TV stars of their era - the past 20 years have been tough as they sought a vehicle for their surreal and hungover prog rock bromance. House of Fools has on occasion looked as if it might be it. This second season finale pulls in professional guest star Sally "One Episode" Phillips to end things on a high. When Vic's ex-girlfriend Mary cancels their date, he looks certain to have a disappointing evening - but that would be to reckon without Beef's magical time-stopping whip!

John Robinson, The Guardian, 30th March 2015

Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney's series about a one-night stand that turns into a pregnancy and an engagement should finally ensure these two hilarious - but hitherto niche - performers move towards the TV mainstream. Because here they cover truly universal themes: weird male friendships; pregnancy worries; the ghastliness and kindness of other people. Tonight's finale finds the couple preparing for their wedding, but not before they've gone through the traditional humiliations of the stag/hen night.

John Robinson, The Guardian, 23rd February 2015

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