Press clippings

Max & Ivan: Comedians get personal about their backstage dramas

In their new shows, anarchic theatre company Spymonkey and sketch duo Max and Ivan place the spotlight on their own lives more than ever before

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 11th January 2024

Deep Heat axed by ITV2, but Max & Ivan preparing big West End show

Wrestling sitcom Deep Heat has been cancelled by ITV but creators Max & Ivan are open to taking the comedy to another channel. Currently preparing their latest Edinburgh Fringe show, Life, Choices, the double act are also developing a "riotous" farce for London's West End with award-winning production company Wessex Grove.

British Comedy Guide, 12th June 2023

Twenty must-see comedy and variety shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs annually in August in the Scottish capital, with comedy fans spoilt for choice for just over three weeks each time.

Jill Robinson, The Sun, 2nd June 2023

Max Olesker: How Esquire enabled me to live my wrestling dream

Max & Ivan's The Wrestling in aid of Comic Relief will take place at Indigo at the O2 this Sunday. For co-creator Max Olesker, it's been a long walk to the ring.

Max Olesker, Esquire, 2nd March 2023

Ed Gamble shows of his lift technique in a photocall for The Wrestling

Ed 'The Gambler' Gamble lifted fellow comic Max Olesker high above The O2 in a photocall to promote the next instalment of The Wrestling.

Chortle, 26th January 2023

Max Olesker: How I got fit to play a wrestler on TV

For 34-year-old Max Olesker, writing and starring in a sitcom brought about its own challenges - namely, maintaining a shredded physique during six weeks of filming. Here's how he got cut, losing over five kilos in the process, without going mad.

Max Olesker, Men's Health, 11th May 2022

TV Review: Deep Heat, ITV2

A few years ago Stephen Merchant wrote the wrestling movie Fighting With My Family. New ITV2 sitcom Deep Heat homes in on the same world of grunting and groaning. And while you watch it you might laugh but you'll also do your fair bit of groaning.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 29th March 2022

Deep Heat: Max & Ivan interview

Wrestling is in Max & Ivan's blood - and Deep Heat is an extension of their love for an art form which consumes much of their lives.

Alistair McGeorge, Metro, 28th March 2022

Deep Heat review

The show's template is as established as it comes: bunch of misfits come together to achieve success despite all the odds, and who knows, maybe learn a little about themselves on the way. It's the sort of Hollywood cliché premise Max & Ivan might parody in their excellent live shows, but here fully embrace.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 28th March 2022

Max Olesker: I was Britain's youngest wrestling star

I was a bullied 14-year-old fantasy geek, until a wrestling school opened on my doorstep - and inspired my new TV sitcom Deep Heat.

Max Olesker, The Telegraph, 23rd March 2022