Postscript: Comic Relief 2017

This year’s charity telethon raised over £71m for great causes around the world. But it was also a highly divisive evening for audiences. Here’s of the things that worked, and a couple of the things that didn’t… The tabloids are having a field day. “Viewers slam ‘totally unfunny’ Comic Relief” says one particularly loathsome publication.Continue reading “Postscript: Comic Relief 2017”

Preview: Cunk on Christmas

SOURCE: The Velvet Onion There’s lots of exciting looking telly this Christmas, and we’ve sneaked a peak at a couple of shows to sample the festive delights. Philomena Cunk – the alter-ego of Diane Morgan – returns with her own festive special, Cunk on Christmas, on 29th December. But is it as good as the lastContinue reading “Preview: Cunk on Christmas”

Preview: Marley’s Ghosts Series 2

SOURCE: The Velvet Onion It’s October, so there are naturally ghosts and ghouls everywhere. But on 19th October, three very special spooks return – as Marley’s Ghosts begins its second series on Gold. Sarah Alexander returns as Marley – a magistrate haunted by her husband, her lover, and a local vicar, played by John Hannah, Nicholas BurnsContinue reading “Preview: Marley’s Ghosts Series 2”

Preview: Till Death Us Do Part

SOURCE: THE VELVET ONION This week sees the BBC continue to celebrate classic comedy with a host of one-off specials, including a recreation of a long lost episode of 60s smash Till Death Us Do Part with Simon Day appearing as Alf Garnett. I took a sneaky look at the special to see how it measures up.Continue reading “Preview: Till Death Us Do Part”

Postscript: TVO at the Fringe 2016

SOURCE: The Velvet Onion The Edinburgh Fringe is now officially over for another year, and as the city cleans away the chaos that millions of flyers and hundreds of shows leave behind, we thought it would be a good time to reflect on TVO related involvement in an epic Fringe run. Working on The VelvetContinue reading “Postscript: TVO at the Fringe 2016”

Preview: Are You Being Served

SOURCE: The Velvet Onion This weekend sees the launch of the BBC’s Landmark Sitcom Season, in which the broadcaster revisits hit shows of yesteryear with a string of brand new episodes. Are You Being Served? stars Jason Watkins alongside TVO regular Justin Edwards and a host of big names, while the team behind it have producedContinue reading “Preview: Are You Being Served”

Preview: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

SOURCE: The Velvet Onion Bank Holiday Monday sees Russell T Davies new adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream première on BBC One, with TVO regular Matt Lucas in the star-studded cast. But as the flagship drama on the nation’s biggest tv channel that night, TVO was curious: is it accessible to relative Shakespeare newbies? We took a sneakyContinue reading “Preview: A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Preview: Cunk on Shakespeare

SOURCE: The Velvet Onion As part of their celebrations for the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, BBC Two have commissioned Philomena Cunk to look back at the Bard’s life and works. Set to air on Wednesday 10th May, TVO couldn’t resist taking a sneaky peek… 400 years ago this year, William Shakespeare stopped happening.Continue reading “Preview: Cunk on Shakespeare”