Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 104
TV preview: The Coopers vs The Rest
Overall, the confident, funny writing and likeable performances all round make it a pleasure to meet the Coopers. After the travesty of remaking Are You Being Served?, the BBC could have a hit on their hands with this, the first of three pilots getting an airing in its Landmark Sitcom season.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 29th August 2016TV preview: Borderline
Much is made of how Borderline is part-improvised, though it's the result, not the process, that matters, and the subdued tone does mean it's relatively short on laugh-out-loud moments, though there are plenty of droll smiles. And while the characters are engaging, they don't have the strong personalities that would make Borderline an appointment-to-view, though that's always a hard call to make from just one episode before we know them properly.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 2nd August 2016Review: Great Yorkshire Fringe Comedian Of The Year
It's Yorkshire Day, so it's apt that the Great Yorkshire Fringe has crowned - presumably with a flat cap - a new comedian of the year.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 1st August 2016Nina Is Not OK, by Shappi Khorsandi - book review
Shappi Khorsandi has previously spoken of how her own problems with addiction informed her debut novel, which is perhaps why central character Nina feels so awfully real.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 27th July 2016The Rebel review
The key difference with The Rebel and One Foot In The Grave: Meldrew was battered by external forces driving him to distraction, but Palmer is the architect of his own fury. Plus you could never see Meldrew pogoing to The Jam in his living room.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 20th July 2016Review: Bill Bailey at Latitude
Bill Bailey surely goes down well in most environments - but festivals especially, given his muso sensibilities and mash-up talents.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 18th July 2016The Elis James and John Robins Experience: review
Those uninitiated into to the rituals and in-jokes of Elis James and John Robins's Radio X programmes and spin-off podcast face something of a learning curve at the live version, here at Latitude ahead of a fully-fledged tour in the autumn.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 18th July 2016Review: David O'Doherty at Latitude 2016
David O'Doherty's been starting his tour dates - Latitude included - by faux-boasting how this time next year, he'll be huge. Blowing off gigs like this to perform to tens of thousands, and act like a bigger prick than Kanye. All very ironic, of course, a comic set-up before he acknowledges the niche appeal of a bearded middle-aged Irishman playing a tiny keyboard.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 17th July 2016Review - Jen Kirkman at Latitude
Oh dear. Jen Kirkman is not having an easy time of Latitude.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 17th July 2016Review - Mark Watson at Latitude 2016
Of the 11 Latitude festivals, Mark Watson has appeared at nine of them. And this time he has discovered a new weapon: 'old-school emotional blackmail'.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 17th July 2016