Steve Bennett (I)
- Journalist and reviewer
Press clippings Page 99
Not Going Out series 8 preview
Not Going Out isn't the sort of emotive, appointment-to-view comedy that so many artistically motivated comics are making. But the rarity of being a light sitcom that's dependably funny thanks to script and character - not the dated, grating extravagance of the likes of Citizen Khan or Mrs Brown's Boys - is quite the achievement. No wonder it's future is assured. The day Not Going Out is not going out on TV is a long way off.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 13th January 2017The Chris Ramsey Show preview
This is the WKD of comedy. Broadcasters are putting their faith in Chris Ramsey being the next Russell Howard in the 'cheery comedian with youth appeal' demographic, but this is a cheap and vacuous platform, even if his innate, good-natured likability keeps the show afloat.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 11th January 2017Leicester Comedy Festival preview show 2017
Jason Byrne's attempt to decipher the half-heard name of 'Melton Mowbray' brought the house down, the audience in on a local joke the eejit on stage is unaware of.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 7th January 2017We Have Been Watching review
So this is a bit of fluff; an attempt by Gold to refresh its catalogue of the same old shows. Sadly it's rather disrespectful of those classics to treat them like this.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 4th January 2017Revolting preview
YouTube has created a battalion of DIY pranksters - usually more irritating than amusing -and hidden camera stunts remain a rather too frequent go-to format for broadcasters. So it is something of a challenge to stand out against such saturation.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 3rd January 2017Review: The Entire Universe
Both the sense of wonder and sense of humour are undimmed here.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 27th December 2016Inside No 9: The Devil Of Christmas preview
Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton have taken a leaf out of the Garth Marenghi's Darkplace playbook for the much-anticipated return of Inside No. 9, give or take a decade.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 27th December 2016Bob Monkhouse's last gig
This is quite a remarkable film about quite a remarkable gig; a real piece of comedy history.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 23rd December 2016The 10 most memorable comedy gigs of 2016
...according to Chortle editor Steve Bennett.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 23rd December 2016Scott Gibson: Life After Death review
The Edinburgh Comedy Awards did their job this summer. By awarding the best newcomer gong to Scott Gibson, the panel gave a shot in the arm to a comic who'd previously gone largely undetected by the industry. But his victory would only seem to come out of nowhere if you hadn't witnessed this assured storytelling show, now landing in Soho Theatre on the back of his Fringe success.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 22nd December 2016