Kevin O'Sullivan (I)

  • Reviewer

Press clippings Page 4

I hated Little Britain... but rather like Come Fly With Me. Which is not racist and - according to everyone except me - not funny.

So harmless comedy character duo Matt Lucas and David ­Walliams stand accused of BNP-style white ­sup­remacism? Unbelievable. If that's what you think... PC off! Should we ban the boys from dressing up as anyone who isn't Anglo Saxon? No.

And now on to the more legitimate criticism that BBC1's airport spoof is about as side-splitting as Heathrow in a snow storm. Fair enough. But if it doesn't make you laugh, forget the ­furious complaints. Try the off switch.

Anyway, after last night's second instalment, I remain the founder - and possibly only - member of the CFWM fan club. Sure, it's tasteless. What did you expect... stylish satire?

At least it wasn't awash with bodily functions. Unlike revolting Little Britain. And by the way, with a staggering ­audience of nearly 11 million, Come Fly With Me was the highest-rated ­comedy of 2010. A smash hit.

Kevin O'Sullivan, The Mirror, 2nd January 2011

Difficult question: How do you make James Corden's World Cup Live even worse?

Answer: Get ­England's ragtag team of total losers to remove ­themselves from the tournament. What an empty exercise ITV's shapeless shambles has become now that manic cheerleader Corden can no longer hero worship Stevie G, Lamps and the rest of that rabble.

"Why can't we in Wales support ­England?" asked studio guest Ruth Jones. ­"Because they're out," deadpanned Rob ­Brydon. But fair play to ­jaunty Jim. He saw the ­absurdity of his ­predicament. "I feel like an idiot," he roared. "I've got a World Cup show... I've released a record!" All based on the ­delusional belief that Fabio's feeble flops ever stood a chance.

Corden's a likeable guy with a mouth as big as his waistline. But he doesn't appear to know much about ­football. Before the humiliating German rout, he told C4's Alan Carr: "I genuinely believe we're going to win this match." Perceptive.

Kevin O'Sullivan, The Mirror, 4th July 2010

Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford was a one-off end-of-the-pier ­special that simply wasn't cut out for telly. This is the 21st Century, where we ­expect short sharp punchy scenes and fast editing. As opposed to a guy from Liverpool doing 10 continuous minutes of stand-up.

OK for a night out. But on a night in... a ­definite no-no. Jason's amusing enough in a gentle sort of way. Jo Brand's a reliable old warhorse. And with throwaway lines like "My granddad was an Elvis ­impersonator - but there wasn't much call for that in 1938", squeaky Joe Pasquale had me laughing out loud.

Some Northern ­comic called John Bishop seemed to believe that blokes don't send text messages. Tell that to Ashley Cole.

All too old-fashioned. Despite contributions from up-to-date ­popsters Scouting For Girls and Pixie Lott, the entire production was like something from a bygone age.

Friday night not at the Palladium.

Kevin O'Sullivan, The Mirror, 28th March 2010

Let's Hear It For The Echo

Strikingly bad acting, drearily predictable plot lines, a hopeless lack of realism... Echo Beach is just like a normal soap. But there's a difference. This one is supposed to be rubbish. Or at least I think it is.

Kevin O'Sullivan, The Mirror, 13th January 2008

Share this page