I've never been to Bristol but here the reasons I want to go are:
1) Being Human
2) Skins
And they're both coming back on TV this week! Hurrah!
Being Human won't actually be in Bristol anymore though. The third series will be in Wales. In fact it'll be in Barry! (From Gavin and Stacey). Yes, it seems I really do see the world in terms of TV.
So, BH is back tonight! And I'm pretty excited; it's one of the best British things on TV (unfortunately it lacks as much competition as I'd like) combining proper dark storylines with believable characters who (despite not being human) feel human. And are funny - like a normal group of mates (except their issues are slightly different) getting through life. And the cast are rather hot!
On the other hand, Skins while being entirely non-supernatural is, to me, at least, pretty unrealistic! Because when I was 17 I wasn't having any sex or drugs (though there was plenty of drama). We did drink but at house parties and it all seemed so much safer. But some people say that for them Skins is truly what their teenage years were like (really?). It's the beginning of a new generation for the show (its third incarnation of sixth formers) and I'm excited to see what these new characters bring (more baggage, pain, sex and death, I imagine.)
I don't think that every episode of the show is perfect - far from it - but I do think that from time to time it is magnificent TV. And it's also the only attempt made at a decent teen show in Britain. We're still waiting for our Dawson's Creek but until then we have this and I'm so glad we do.
(And Josie Long and Robin Ince contribute to the writing plus there are comedian cameos throughout! Yay!)
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Monday, 17 January 2011
Charlie's Comedians - B - Bishop, John
Hmm, I think that if I'd been writing this entry when I'd seen John do about ten/fifteen minutes at the 2009 Award Show (nominees: the amazing Jon Richardson, Idiots of Ants, Russell Kane and Bishop; winner: bloody lovely Tim Key) I'd have been very positive. I like John's comedy - he's good. But now he's everywhere! And he's not good enough to be everywhere! I think he said something on some panel show or other that sounded really gross/sexist about someone being 'fingered'. I can't remember remember what the details were but something definitely annoyed me at some point.
I don't think I'd go out of my way to see him now. Perversely, I might have done if he had just a tiny bit less publicity.
I did love him in Skins though; indeed all of the Fitch family were marvellous. And just in case you've never seen him on one of the millions of programmes he's on (including his own! His own! He's not really good enough for that, is he?) he looks like this:
I'm worried I may have been too mean. However, I'm also worried that I'm too nice about the majority of these comedians. Then again, I'm only writing about people I've seen live and I don't go and see people I don't like - so I won't be writing about Frankie Boyle (not here, not now - I do hate him though!).
I don't think I'd go out of my way to see him now. Perversely, I might have done if he had just a tiny bit less publicity.
I did love him in Skins though; indeed all of the Fitch family were marvellous. And just in case you've never seen him on one of the millions of programmes he's on (including his own! His own! He's not really good enough for that, is he?) he looks like this:
I'm worried I may have been too mean. However, I'm also worried that I'm too nice about the majority of these comedians. Then again, I'm only writing about people I've seen live and I don't go and see people I don't like - so I won't be writing about Frankie Boyle (not here, not now - I do hate him though!).
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Edinburgh 2008 - Day Two
Monday 4th August 2008 (Day Two)
The second day of our second Fringe (our first proper decent-lengh one!) was sunny. Retrospectively, I appreciate this hugely. I'd packed very ambitiously (stupidly) for this Fringe - I'd brought little dresses and sandals: ridiculous!! All you need for a Fringe is: jeans (a couple of pairs in case of extreme rain!), t-shirts (band t-shirts are good, prettier t-shirts and tops are nice too; if you want to dress up especially for a certain comedian this is understandable!) And trainers!!! Or similar! And under no circumstances forget wellies!!! That is all you need. Oh, and cardigans etc for layers in case it's chilly. But it's boiling in loads of venues so you'll have to take them off!
So, it was warm, sunny and Richard and I were up early (in time for breakfast) and Nat wasn't (as is her usual way!). We had a lovely wander around, had time to take in some street performances (which is always lovely; we usually have very little time though. Ideally you should leave some hours free to wander and take all of this amazing stuff in.)
Then our first show was Rich Hall: Fifty Cent Words - Rich Hall was reading from his then-forthcoming book Magnificent Bastards - it was really great, a very cosy, intimate gig - just Rich and one of those old-fashioned leather chairs. Afterwards Richard told him that one of his jokes was his favourite ever joke. I said 'you're great, thanks' or something; he seemed like a really nice guy but I think he was hurrying to get somewhere (people usually are during the Fringe!).
In the afternoon (Nat was awake by this time!) we saw Teechers, a play by John Godber. It's a really good play - about these schoolkids in Liverpool who have been inspired by their drama teacher; they put on an end of year performance which is based on the reality of their last year of school. It's fun, funny and clever.
After tea we saw Mark Watson: All The Thoughts I've Had Since I Was Born - this was the year Mark Watson had really become popular - he was in the Pleasance Grand which is one of the really big venues! However, he hadn't let it go to his head or anything (and still hasn't, he's geniunely lovely) and spent ten minutes before the show wandering round the audience having little chats. His show was really good - it was the first time I'd seen him.
After that we went to a Rocky Horror Night at Frankenstein's Pub - it wasn't all I hoped; not many people had dressed up. The staff there were being the cast and they looked and sounded great buy in between the songs they played fairly bad/uninteresting dance music; we'd got dressed up and were expecting that everyone else would have but I think a lot of people were just out for a drink. If anyone was staging The Rocky Horror Show or doing something amazing with The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Fringe, I'd jump at the chance to go, however, I wouldn't bother with a night like this again: there are far better things to do instead.
The next day of our trip was (probably!) the best Fringe day ever!!
The second day of our second Fringe (our first proper decent-lengh one!) was sunny. Retrospectively, I appreciate this hugely. I'd packed very ambitiously (stupidly) for this Fringe - I'd brought little dresses and sandals: ridiculous!! All you need for a Fringe is: jeans (a couple of pairs in case of extreme rain!), t-shirts (band t-shirts are good, prettier t-shirts and tops are nice too; if you want to dress up especially for a certain comedian this is understandable!) And trainers!!! Or similar! And under no circumstances forget wellies!!! That is all you need. Oh, and cardigans etc for layers in case it's chilly. But it's boiling in loads of venues so you'll have to take them off!
So, it was warm, sunny and Richard and I were up early (in time for breakfast) and Nat wasn't (as is her usual way!). We had a lovely wander around, had time to take in some street performances (which is always lovely; we usually have very little time though. Ideally you should leave some hours free to wander and take all of this amazing stuff in.)
Then our first show was Rich Hall: Fifty Cent Words - Rich Hall was reading from his then-forthcoming book Magnificent Bastards - it was really great, a very cosy, intimate gig - just Rich and one of those old-fashioned leather chairs. Afterwards Richard told him that one of his jokes was his favourite ever joke. I said 'you're great, thanks' or something; he seemed like a really nice guy but I think he was hurrying to get somewhere (people usually are during the Fringe!).
In the afternoon (Nat was awake by this time!) we saw Teechers, a play by John Godber. It's a really good play - about these schoolkids in Liverpool who have been inspired by their drama teacher; they put on an end of year performance which is based on the reality of their last year of school. It's fun, funny and clever.
After tea we saw Mark Watson: All The Thoughts I've Had Since I Was Born - this was the year Mark Watson had really become popular - he was in the Pleasance Grand which is one of the really big venues! However, he hadn't let it go to his head or anything (and still hasn't, he's geniunely lovely) and spent ten minutes before the show wandering round the audience having little chats. His show was really good - it was the first time I'd seen him.
After that we went to a Rocky Horror Night at Frankenstein's Pub - it wasn't all I hoped; not many people had dressed up. The staff there were being the cast and they looked and sounded great buy in between the songs they played fairly bad/uninteresting dance music; we'd got dressed up and were expecting that everyone else would have but I think a lot of people were just out for a drink. If anyone was staging The Rocky Horror Show or doing something amazing with The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Fringe, I'd jump at the chance to go, however, I wouldn't bother with a night like this again: there are far better things to do instead.
The next day of our trip was (probably!) the best Fringe day ever!!
Charlie's Comedians - B - Basden, Tom
Tom Basden is a lovely guy - he's part of the Mark Watson/Tim Key/Alex Horne group! (Though not sure that he's ever done anything with Alex Horne, bet they're friends though!). He was the resident musican on the second series of Mark Watson's radio show (Tim Minchin was on the first series!) - Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better.
His stand up is good; it involves some songs (on his guitar), powerpoint, inventions and other unconnected bits of strangeness - he's very endearing though. I especially remember a bit about Susan Kennedy from Neighbours being gay (which is true) and her going out with the actress who plays Libby (her onscreen daughter) - I don't know if this is true!! But it was all very funny. Also Richard always talks about a bit where he was talking about why it would be bad to be raped by Sting. (This sounds really edgy written down; he's actually incredibly sweet and unassuming.)
I've only seen him once (2009 Fringe) doing Now That's What I Call Music-Based Comedy.
But, fond as I am of his stand up I really love his play Party (which I also saw in 2009); it's amazing. They also did it for the radio (Tim Key, Tom Basden, Katy Wix and Anna Crilly). It was amazing. It was really simplistic - not much of a set, just one location. It was about some people setting up their own political party. Tim Key was lovely as ever in it!
Also he's a quarter of Cowards which I love!
This is a picture of Tom Basden:
And here is how he fits into my top five of musical comedians:
1. Tim Minchin
2. James Sherwood
3. Bill Bailey
4. Tom Basden
5. David O'Doherty
His stand up is good; it involves some songs (on his guitar), powerpoint, inventions and other unconnected bits of strangeness - he's very endearing though. I especially remember a bit about Susan Kennedy from Neighbours being gay (which is true) and her going out with the actress who plays Libby (her onscreen daughter) - I don't know if this is true!! But it was all very funny. Also Richard always talks about a bit where he was talking about why it would be bad to be raped by Sting. (This sounds really edgy written down; he's actually incredibly sweet and unassuming.)
I've only seen him once (2009 Fringe) doing Now That's What I Call Music-Based Comedy.
But, fond as I am of his stand up I really love his play Party (which I also saw in 2009); it's amazing. They also did it for the radio (Tim Key, Tom Basden, Katy Wix and Anna Crilly). It was amazing. It was really simplistic - not much of a set, just one location. It was about some people setting up their own political party. Tim Key was lovely as ever in it!
Also he's a quarter of Cowards which I love!
This is a picture of Tom Basden:
And here is how he fits into my top five of musical comedians:
1. Tim Minchin
2. James Sherwood
3. Bill Bailey
4. Tom Basden
5. David O'Doherty
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Charlie's Comedians - B - Bailey, Bill
Well, Bill Bailey - he's probably one of the best known on my list really! I didn't always like him. In fact at some point I really didn't. What a loser. (I was!) Anyway, at some point I saw the light and now I really really appreciate him. I haven't seen him live for quite a while (I've only seen him once) and that was in an arena ("nothing ruins comedy like arenas" sang Mr.Tim Minchin last time I was in the arena!). I think Bill's always going to be in an arena and he'll always get away with it as he does put so much into his shows and makes them big. (Normal stand up in arenas still just feels odd to me and quite soulless.)
I still need to watch his Orchestra DVD! I wanted to see that show very much indeed but it was £50 (which is loads! Having said that I have just paid a silly amount of money to see Lady Gaga (but that's in LA and counts as a holiday extravagance in advance!).
Bill's also on a lot of good TV shows - Black Books, Spaced and of course Never Mind The Buzzcocks. His son is called Dax!!
He's one of the (few!) comedians I don't fancy. And here he is:
I feel like at some point I should write in detail about musical comedy; I may wait until my next entry as he too is a musical comedian. And playwright. Ooooh!
I still need to watch his Orchestra DVD! I wanted to see that show very much indeed but it was £50 (which is loads! Having said that I have just paid a silly amount of money to see Lady Gaga (but that's in LA and counts as a holiday extravagance in advance!).
Bill's also on a lot of good TV shows - Black Books, Spaced and of course Never Mind The Buzzcocks. His son is called Dax!!
He's one of the (few!) comedians I don't fancy. And here he is:
Monday, 3 January 2011
Charlie's Comedians - A - Acaster, James
I missed out James Acaster! This is because I saw him after I made the original list. I've only seen him do about twenty minutes but he was so brilliant and different. He had a bit about his phone and having to use a biro to push the buttons (so though it's falling to bits it looks like he has a BlackBerry!). And he had some good banter with Richard and he reacted really well to the ridiculous people behind us who were flicking through their Fringe programme looking for another show.
He's definitely one to look out for and it'll be interesting to see what he does with a full hour when he does that!
And he looks like this:
He's definitely one to look out for and it'll be interesting to see what he does with a full hour when he does that!
And he looks like this:
And now I'm up to the Bs!!!
Saturday, 1 January 2011
TV 2011
Happy New Year! And let's hope it's a good year for TV. January was traditionally the time when the American seasons would start on British screens - having started in September in America - meaning that we'd have twenty two (or four or six or however many!) weeks of uninterrupted brilliance; the American finale would generally air in America less than a week before we got to have it. It was a good system but fear of downloading has made our channels show many a programme much nearer its transmission date which means that we suffer the hiatuses and breaks of America.
Which means that we're all ready half way through season 7 of Desperate Housewives, have seen a similar chuck of season 7 of House, are poised ready for more The Middle and Modern Family (Sky One are huge fans of copying the American way of doing things and will just show repeats if there's not a new episode! Annoying!), I feel like I've barely had a chance to get into this season (four) of Chuck before the break.
How I Met Your Mother Season 6 began last week (a bit early but hopefully it'll have no missed weeks!). But January, though not the month it once was for TV, still has a lot of excitment:
Glee (Season 2) begins on Monday 10th January! I love Glee and am eager for more. I'm especially excited about the Rocky Horror episode they did for Halloween.
True Blood (Season 3) starts on Friday 14th January. I'm really excited about this too. I've heard some brilliant things from my LA best friend. And FX needs something to fill its Friday night slot now that Walking Dead has finished. Ooh, I hope it comes back before long. It's absolutely amazing.
And finally Grey's Anatomy Season 7 begins this Wednesday! I can't wait! Their finale was one of the best I'd ever seen: painful, heartbreaking and terrifying to watch. A crazed gunman killed a fair amount of the characters; many more were shot. It was amazing. So I'm really looking forward to another wonderful season of intense drama.
Happy watching!
Which means that we're all ready half way through season 7 of Desperate Housewives, have seen a similar chuck of season 7 of House, are poised ready for more The Middle and Modern Family (Sky One are huge fans of copying the American way of doing things and will just show repeats if there's not a new episode! Annoying!), I feel like I've barely had a chance to get into this season (four) of Chuck before the break.
How I Met Your Mother Season 6 began last week (a bit early but hopefully it'll have no missed weeks!). But January, though not the month it once was for TV, still has a lot of excitment:
Glee (Season 2) begins on Monday 10th January! I love Glee and am eager for more. I'm especially excited about the Rocky Horror episode they did for Halloween.
True Blood (Season 3) starts on Friday 14th January. I'm really excited about this too. I've heard some brilliant things from my LA best friend. And FX needs something to fill its Friday night slot now that Walking Dead has finished. Ooh, I hope it comes back before long. It's absolutely amazing.
And finally Grey's Anatomy Season 7 begins this Wednesday! I can't wait! Their finale was one of the best I'd ever seen: painful, heartbreaking and terrifying to watch. A crazed gunman killed a fair amount of the characters; many more were shot. It was amazing. So I'm really looking forward to another wonderful season of intense drama.
Happy watching!
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