Fresh Battle Breaks Out With Frankie Boyle Slamming Ricky Gervais For “Self-Identifying As Stand-Up”
The seas have divided once again on social media this weekend in the UK, with two armies lining up behind their favourite controversial comedians, Frankie Boyle and Ricky Gervais.
Following Gervais’s latest stand-up special Armageddon landing on Netflix on Christmas Day, BBC Scotland aired a clip of Boyle in action in 2020 when his turn included an epic take-down of his comedic contemporary.
Gervais’s new special includes some jokes about those who self-identify as men or women, prompting Boyle’s fans to recirculate the Scottish comedian taking issue with this thus…
He told the live audience: “Ricky Gervais does maybe 15 minutes where he says, ‘Well if a trans woman can say she’s a woman, I can say that I’m a chimpanzee. I’m a chimpanzee.’
“My reaction to that is, it’s not much weirder than Ricky Gervais saying he’s a stand-up comedian.
“We know Ricky Gervais,...
Following Gervais’s latest stand-up special Armageddon landing on Netflix on Christmas Day, BBC Scotland aired a clip of Boyle in action in 2020 when his turn included an epic take-down of his comedic contemporary.
Gervais’s new special includes some jokes about those who self-identify as men or women, prompting Boyle’s fans to recirculate the Scottish comedian taking issue with this thus…
He told the live audience: “Ricky Gervais does maybe 15 minutes where he says, ‘Well if a trans woman can say she’s a woman, I can say that I’m a chimpanzee. I’m a chimpanzee.’
“My reaction to that is, it’s not much weirder than Ricky Gervais saying he’s a stand-up comedian.
“We know Ricky Gervais,...
- 12/30/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Blue Jean’, ‘My Old School also among awarded films.
Aftersun was the big winner at the 2023 Bafta Scotland Awards, taking three prizes for best actor for Paul Mescal, best director (fiction) for Charlotte Wells and best writer (film and television) for Wells.
Aberdeen-based Hassan Nazer’s Iran-set family drama Winners, produced by Nadira Murray and Paul Welsh, received the feature film award; while Lucy Halliday took the actress film prize for her role as a gay girl in 1980s northeast England in Georgia Oakley’s Blue Jean.
The director factual award went to Jono McLeod for My Old School, a...
Aftersun was the big winner at the 2023 Bafta Scotland Awards, taking three prizes for best actor for Paul Mescal, best director (fiction) for Charlotte Wells and best writer (film and television) for Wells.
Aberdeen-based Hassan Nazer’s Iran-set family drama Winners, produced by Nadira Murray and Paul Welsh, received the feature film award; while Lucy Halliday took the actress film prize for her role as a gay girl in 1980s northeast England in Georgia Oakley’s Blue Jean.
The director factual award went to Jono McLeod for My Old School, a...
- 11/19/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Kendall. Robinson. Duker. Ó’Briain. Martin. The fight is On.
The winners of Taskmaster series 11-15 are currently doing sit-ups, drinking pints of raw egg, and running up and down the steps outside Chiswick Library. They’re in training for Taskmaster’s third Champion of Champions contest.
A little reminder of the contenders for this title now, on account of the internet having destroyed everybody’s attention spans, and shrunk our ability to retain information for longer than it takes a toaster to pop.
Champion of Champions 3 Line-Up Sarah Kendall
Representing series 11 is the magnificently-maned Sarah Kendall, Australian comic, writer and actor. She’s technically the dunce of this operation going in with a whole-series points score of just 158, but a dynamite chick like her isn’t about to let that get in the way. The woman’s ready for the apocalypse at all times, do not underestimate her.
Morgana Robinson
The series 12 champ,...
The winners of Taskmaster series 11-15 are currently doing sit-ups, drinking pints of raw egg, and running up and down the steps outside Chiswick Library. They’re in training for Taskmaster’s third Champion of Champions contest.
A little reminder of the contenders for this title now, on account of the internet having destroyed everybody’s attention spans, and shrunk our ability to retain information for longer than it takes a toaster to pop.
Champion of Champions 3 Line-Up Sarah Kendall
Representing series 11 is the magnificently-maned Sarah Kendall, Australian comic, writer and actor. She’s technically the dunce of this operation going in with a whole-series points score of just 158, but a dynamite chick like her isn’t about to let that get in the way. The woman’s ready for the apocalypse at all times, do not underestimate her.
Morgana Robinson
The series 12 champ,...
- 11/1/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Okay, nobody panic, but we think we might be onto something… we think comedian Jack Dee might be in Taskmaster series 17. And it’s about flippin’ time.
You see, quite predictably, Alex Horne has been asked many times over the years who his dream Taskmaster contestant is – and he’s been blissfully, almost eerily, consistent.
It’s Jack Dee. Yep, again, Jack Dee. Dream Taskmaster contestant is definitely Jack Dee. He really couldn’t make it any clearer: he wants Jack Dee on the show.
Even as recently as this March, when The Express asked him, he said:
“Jack Dee, and I say this anytime anyone asks me this question. I think it’s the only way to persuade him to do it. So, Jack Dee, if you’re listening, please do the show.”
And then, yesterday, Taskmaster released a video Q&a with Alex Horne on YouTube:
Skip to five minutes in,...
You see, quite predictably, Alex Horne has been asked many times over the years who his dream Taskmaster contestant is – and he’s been blissfully, almost eerily, consistent.
It’s Jack Dee. Yep, again, Jack Dee. Dream Taskmaster contestant is definitely Jack Dee. He really couldn’t make it any clearer: he wants Jack Dee on the show.
Even as recently as this March, when The Express asked him, he said:
“Jack Dee, and I say this anytime anyone asks me this question. I think it’s the only way to persuade him to do it. So, Jack Dee, if you’re listening, please do the show.”
And then, yesterday, Taskmaster released a video Q&a with Alex Horne on YouTube:
Skip to five minutes in,...
- 10/19/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
More than 2,000 figures from the UK’s arts and culture world have signed an open letter calling for the immediate cessation of Israel’s blockade and bombing of Gaza.
“We are witnessing a crime and a catastrophe. Israel has reduced much of Gaza to rubble, and cut off the supply of water, power, food and medicine to 2.3 million Palestinians,” reads the letter. “In the words of the Un’s undersecretary for humanitarian affairs, ‘the spectre of death’ is hanging over the territory.”
The signatories include acting stars Tilda Swinton, Charles Dance, Steve Coogan, Miriam Margolyes, Peter Mullan, Maxine Peake and Khalid Abdalla.
The Israeli action is in retaliation for a brutal terror attack out of Gaza by Hamas on October 7, which killed more than 1,400 people and resulted in the taking of 199 hostages.
More than 2,750 Palestinians are reported to have died in Israel’s subsequent bombing campaign, while electricity, food and...
“We are witnessing a crime and a catastrophe. Israel has reduced much of Gaza to rubble, and cut off the supply of water, power, food and medicine to 2.3 million Palestinians,” reads the letter. “In the words of the Un’s undersecretary for humanitarian affairs, ‘the spectre of death’ is hanging over the territory.”
The signatories include acting stars Tilda Swinton, Charles Dance, Steve Coogan, Miriam Margolyes, Peter Mullan, Maxine Peake and Khalid Abdalla.
The Israeli action is in retaliation for a brutal terror attack out of Gaza by Hamas on October 7, which killed more than 1,400 people and resulted in the taking of 199 hostages.
More than 2,750 Palestinians are reported to have died in Israel’s subsequent bombing campaign, while electricity, food and...
- 10/17/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Frankie Corio becomes youngest-ever Bafta Scotland nominee.
Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun leads the nominations for the Bafta Scotland Awards 2023, recognised in five categories: actor film, actress film, director fiction, feature film and writer film/television.
The UK-us co-production has acting nominations for Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, with Corio becoming the youngest-ever nominee at Bafta Scotland.
Scroll down for the full list of nominations
Wells receives the other three nominations, with producers Mark Ceryak, Amy Jackson, Barry Jenkins and Adele Romanski nominated alongside her for feature film.
Aftersun previously received four nominations at the Bafta Film Awards earlier this year, winning...
Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun leads the nominations for the Bafta Scotland Awards 2023, recognised in five categories: actor film, actress film, director fiction, feature film and writer film/television.
The UK-us co-production has acting nominations for Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, with Corio becoming the youngest-ever nominee at Bafta Scotland.
Scroll down for the full list of nominations
Wells receives the other three nominations, with producers Mark Ceryak, Amy Jackson, Barry Jenkins and Adele Romanski nominated alongside her for feature film.
Aftersun previously received four nominations at the Bafta Film Awards earlier this year, winning...
- 10/11/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
2023 has already given us series 15’s perfect line-up – a gem of a season with Jenny Eclair’s endless joy, Kiell Smith-Bynoe’s cheeky competitiveness, Mae Martin’s cool smarts, Frankie Boyle’s affable bemusement and Ivo Graham’s adorable self-loathing keeping us laughing all the way through to summer.
And there’s not long to wait now until series 16 arrives. The new run of 10 episodes is confirmed to start airing weekly on Channel 4 and Channel4.com from Thursday September 21 at 9pm. That means – interruptions notwithstanding – the series finale should arrive on Thursday November 23, which is traditionally when the next line-up is announced.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. The series 16 Taskmaster line-up comes first and back in June, was confirmed as comprising Julian Clary, Lucy Beaumont, Sue Perkins, Susan Wokoma and Sam Campbell.
Let’s have a quick refresher on where we’ve seen the series 16 contestants before:...
And there’s not long to wait now until series 16 arrives. The new run of 10 episodes is confirmed to start airing weekly on Channel 4 and Channel4.com from Thursday September 21 at 9pm. That means – interruptions notwithstanding – the series finale should arrive on Thursday November 23, which is traditionally when the next line-up is announced.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. The series 16 Taskmaster line-up comes first and back in June, was confirmed as comprising Julian Clary, Lucy Beaumont, Sue Perkins, Susan Wokoma and Sam Campbell.
Let’s have a quick refresher on where we’ve seen the series 16 contestants before:...
- 9/6/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
It can’t go on. Must-watch TV shows have been arriving at an unmanageable rate for so long that releasing an excellent new series is now essentially an act of violence. Nobody has the time to be this thoroughly entertained.
Curation is our only solution. Recommendations that cut through promotional budgets and PR hype, leaving behind just the good stuff. Below, we’ve collected the best of the best from this year of UK television so far. If you only have time to watch a handful of shows in 2023, make them these gems. We’ll add any others that make the grade as the year goes on, and do please make your own recommendations below.
Happy Valley Series 3
Stream on: BBC iPlayer (UK); AMC+/BBC America/Acorn TV from May 22nd (US)
Series three is when the word-of-mouth enthusiasm for Sally Wainwright’s Happy Valley started to break through even...
Curation is our only solution. Recommendations that cut through promotional budgets and PR hype, leaving behind just the good stuff. Below, we’ve collected the best of the best from this year of UK television so far. If you only have time to watch a handful of shows in 2023, make them these gems. We’ll add any others that make the grade as the year goes on, and do please make your own recommendations below.
Happy Valley Series 3
Stream on: BBC iPlayer (UK); AMC+/BBC America/Acorn TV from May 22nd (US)
Series three is when the word-of-mouth enthusiasm for Sally Wainwright’s Happy Valley started to break through even...
- 8/7/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Warning: contains, well, would you call them spoilers? Anyway, those.
Taskmaster’s weekly prize task involves each contestant bringing in an item that responds to the same prompt (Most Powerful Smell/Best Chair/Most Important Document…) in the hope of winning the lot at the end of the episode. It’s the first task of every show, a chance for the comedians to land a punchline early doors, and points-wise, to bag what series 15 runner-up Ivo Graham might refer to as “a Sweet Five”.
All that time to plan the perfect response! What a boon for swots and “Be Prepared” types, you might think. Sometimes. And sometimes not. The capricious nature of the Taskmaster’s scoring logic often finds painstakingly honed prize task entries sent away with a single point while zero-thought efforts delivered with conviction sail off with the big money. And by big money, we mean framed photographs of Frankie Boyle’s children,...
Taskmaster’s weekly prize task involves each contestant bringing in an item that responds to the same prompt (Most Powerful Smell/Best Chair/Most Important Document…) in the hope of winning the lot at the end of the episode. It’s the first task of every show, a chance for the comedians to land a punchline early doors, and points-wise, to bag what series 15 runner-up Ivo Graham might refer to as “a Sweet Five”.
All that time to plan the perfect response! What a boon for swots and “Be Prepared” types, you might think. Sometimes. And sometimes not. The capricious nature of the Taskmaster’s scoring logic often finds painstakingly honed prize task entries sent away with a single point while zero-thought efforts delivered with conviction sail off with the big money. And by big money, we mean framed photographs of Frankie Boyle’s children,...
- 6/13/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Taskmaster was originally a hard sell. Channel execs worried that audiences would be bored by the cast not changing every episode. “People didn’t think viewers would tune in the next week to see the same comedians,” creator Alex Horne told Chortle, “we had to persuade them it was more like a sitcom than a panel show. Because actually, people got to know each contestant.”
Casting Taskmaster – in which five comedians compete in absurd challenges, wrangled by Alex Horne for the approval of Greg Davies – like a sitcom was one of the show’s many masterstrokes. If task-setting is all about encouraging a range of approaches (it’d be dull if everybody beautifully destroyed a cake in the same way) then the same goes for the series cast. Different personalities, from cool customers to chaos merchants, batty enthusiasts, neurotic overachievers, and ‘let’s fuck it all off’ rebels are required to clash and bond.
Casting Taskmaster – in which five comedians compete in absurd challenges, wrangled by Alex Horne for the approval of Greg Davies – like a sitcom was one of the show’s many masterstrokes. If task-setting is all about encouraging a range of approaches (it’d be dull if everybody beautifully destroyed a cake in the same way) then the same goes for the series cast. Different personalities, from cool customers to chaos merchants, batty enthusiasts, neurotic overachievers, and ‘let’s fuck it all off’ rebels are required to clash and bond.
- 6/2/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
When Taskmaster premiered back in 2015, it’s unlikely that Greg Davies or Alex Horne could have predicted just how gargantuan and global the show’s fan base would become. 15 series, 13 international spinoffs, two podcasts and a BAFTA later, this quirky comedian game show is still going strong, with a Junior version in the works and six new series confirmed over the next three years.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how Taskmaster is filmed then read on:
Filming Tasks Takes Place Over About a Week – Not Always Consecutively
Naturally, co-ordinating the schedules of five popular comedians is quite the challenge, so their tasks aren’t all filmed in one go. Depending on their schedules, some contestants do a solid block of filming while others visit the Taskmaster house more sporadically over the course of a few months to attempt their tasks.
Series 11 contestant and Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie explained:...
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how Taskmaster is filmed then read on:
Filming Tasks Takes Place Over About a Week – Not Always Consecutively
Naturally, co-ordinating the schedules of five popular comedians is quite the challenge, so their tasks aren’t all filmed in one go. Depending on their schedules, some contestants do a solid block of filming while others visit the Taskmaster house more sporadically over the course of a few months to attempt their tasks.
Series 11 contestant and Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie explained:...
- 5/9/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
Mock the Week, which ran for over 20 seasons on the BBC in the UK, is coming to the U.S.
Amazon Freevee has greenlit a U.S. version of the show exec produced by Trevor Noah and Dan Patterson, who was responsible for the British series.
It comes after the show, which is a mix of a panel show and stand-up comedy format, ended in the UK last year.
The series sees two teams of comedians take a satirical swipe at current news, pop culture, and world events.
In the UK, it was hosted by Dara O’Briain, and featured the likes of Hugh Dennis, Rory Bremner, Frankie Boyle, Russell Howard and Chris Addison. It originally launched in 2005 and was created by Patterson and Mark Leveson, who were behind Whose Line Is It Anyway?
The U.S. version will be exec produced by Noah, who left The Daily Show last year,...
Amazon Freevee has greenlit a U.S. version of the show exec produced by Trevor Noah and Dan Patterson, who was responsible for the British series.
It comes after the show, which is a mix of a panel show and stand-up comedy format, ended in the UK last year.
The series sees two teams of comedians take a satirical swipe at current news, pop culture, and world events.
In the UK, it was hosted by Dara O’Briain, and featured the likes of Hugh Dennis, Rory Bremner, Frankie Boyle, Russell Howard and Chris Addison. It originally launched in 2005 and was created by Patterson and Mark Leveson, who were behind Whose Line Is It Anyway?
The U.S. version will be exec produced by Noah, who left The Daily Show last year,...
- 5/1/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Warning: This contains spoilers for all series of Taskmaster, including Series 15
Series 15 of Taskmaster has been delightfully ruthless already. So far we’ve had Ivor Graham sabotaging Kiell Smith-Bynoe in the first Live task and Greg Davies letting all the contestants get away with touching things in a task that said “you must not touch anything at any point”.
Then, in episode 4, the show joyously almost descended into full anarchy both over the definition of “throwing” and what a banana is (more on this later).
We suspect Taskmaster fans will be arguing over #throwgate for a while, but it’s not the first controversial decision to go down in the show’s history. In fact, for many, the mere mention of the words “potato”, “hula hoop” and “Mark Watson” are enough to trigger an epic Taskmaster rant to this day. Let’s take a look back at some of the show’s most questionable rulings.
Series 15 of Taskmaster has been delightfully ruthless already. So far we’ve had Ivor Graham sabotaging Kiell Smith-Bynoe in the first Live task and Greg Davies letting all the contestants get away with touching things in a task that said “you must not touch anything at any point”.
Then, in episode 4, the show joyously almost descended into full anarchy both over the definition of “throwing” and what a banana is (more on this later).
We suspect Taskmaster fans will be arguing over #throwgate for a while, but it’s not the first controversial decision to go down in the show’s history. In fact, for many, the mere mention of the words “potato”, “hula hoop” and “Mark Watson” are enough to trigger an epic Taskmaster rant to this day. Let’s take a look back at some of the show’s most questionable rulings.
- 4/21/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
Channel 4 has announced plans to air a documentary about the “problem” with Prince Andrew as part of their “alternative schedule” around King Charles III’s forthcoming coronation.
Airing as part of the channel’s coronation programming around the coronation, Andrew – The Problem Prince will see Emily Maitlis speak in detail about her infamous Newsnight interview with the Duke of York in 2019.
Following the 2019 interview, in which the former BBC journalist grilled Andrew about his relationship with the late billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the duke stepped down from public life.
The two-part series will also feature archive footage, an interview with former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister and access to palace insiders, Channel 4 has announced.
The programme is being executively produced by Maitlis along with James Goldston, Sheldon Lazarus and Nina Davies.
It will be broadcast as part of Channel 4’s “alternative schedule”, which the broadcaster said “will provide an...
Airing as part of the channel’s coronation programming around the coronation, Andrew – The Problem Prince will see Emily Maitlis speak in detail about her infamous Newsnight interview with the Duke of York in 2019.
Following the 2019 interview, in which the former BBC journalist grilled Andrew about his relationship with the late billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the duke stepped down from public life.
The two-part series will also feature archive footage, an interview with former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister and access to palace insiders, Channel 4 has announced.
The programme is being executively produced by Maitlis along with James Goldston, Sheldon Lazarus and Nina Davies.
It will be broadcast as part of Channel 4’s “alternative schedule”, which the broadcaster said “will provide an...
- 4/17/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Exclusive: The BBC is considering a U-turn on closing BBC4 as a television channel amid solid ratings and a backlash against cuts at the corporation.
The BBC said last year that it would shut down BBC4’s linear channel and move the brand online from 2025 as part of plans to become a “digital first” broadcaster.
Deadline hears, however, that the BBC’s content team is considering maintaining the channel given its relatively low running costs and popularity with viewers.
Sources said no decision has been made, but there is growing confidence it could be rescued. “Tim [Davie] is minded to save BBC4,” said one source familiar with the Director-General’s thinking.
Another BBC insider said the position has not changed since last May, when Davie announced that BBC4 would move online alongside children’s channel Cbbc.
BBC4 has been hollowed out to become largely an archive service, where highbrow comedy and...
The BBC said last year that it would shut down BBC4’s linear channel and move the brand online from 2025 as part of plans to become a “digital first” broadcaster.
Deadline hears, however, that the BBC’s content team is considering maintaining the channel given its relatively low running costs and popularity with viewers.
Sources said no decision has been made, but there is growing confidence it could be rescued. “Tim [Davie] is minded to save BBC4,” said one source familiar with the Director-General’s thinking.
Another BBC insider said the position has not changed since last May, when Davie announced that BBC4 would move online alongside children’s channel Cbbc.
BBC4 has been hollowed out to become largely an archive service, where highbrow comedy and...
- 3/31/2023
- by Jake Kanter and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s been eight years since Taskmaster first started – and series 15 has arrived just months after the previous ended.
Returning to host proceedings are Greg Davies and Alex Horne, and joining them for the latest iteration is a bunch of comedians who could well provide the comedy show with its best line-up in a while.
Heading up the contestants for series 15 is Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle.
Boyle’s appearance on the show comes days after it was announced that the BBC had cancelled his series New World Order – something he said “didn’t come as a surprise”.
A BBC spokesperson commented: “We would like to thank Frankie Boyle and all those involved for six great series of New World Order.”
The corporation also made it clear that they are not severing ties with Boyle, adding: “We look forward to seeing what he does next on the BBC.”
Also on series...
Returning to host proceedings are Greg Davies and Alex Horne, and joining them for the latest iteration is a bunch of comedians who could well provide the comedy show with its best line-up in a while.
Heading up the contestants for series 15 is Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle.
Boyle’s appearance on the show comes days after it was announced that the BBC had cancelled his series New World Order – something he said “didn’t come as a surprise”.
A BBC spokesperson commented: “We would like to thank Frankie Boyle and all those involved for six great series of New World Order.”
The corporation also made it clear that they are not severing ties with Boyle, adding: “We look forward to seeing what he does next on the BBC.”
Also on series...
- 3/31/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
It’s been eight years since Taskmaster first started – and series 15 has arrived just months after the previous ended.
Returning to host proceedings are Greg Davies and Alex Horne, and joining them for the latest iteration is a bunch of comedians who could well provide the comedy show with its best line-up in a while.
Heading up the contestants for series 15 is Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle.
Boyle’s appearance on the show comes days after it was announced that the BBC had cancelled his series New World Order – something he said “didn’t come as a surprise”.
A BBC spokesperson commented: “We would like to thank Frankie Boyle and all those involved for six great series of New World Order.”
The corporation also made it clear that they are not severing ties with Boyle, adding: “We look forward to seeing what he does next on the BBC.”
Also on series...
Returning to host proceedings are Greg Davies and Alex Horne, and joining them for the latest iteration is a bunch of comedians who could well provide the comedy show with its best line-up in a while.
Heading up the contestants for series 15 is Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle.
Boyle’s appearance on the show comes days after it was announced that the BBC had cancelled his series New World Order – something he said “didn’t come as a surprise”.
A BBC spokesperson commented: “We would like to thank Frankie Boyle and all those involved for six great series of New World Order.”
The corporation also made it clear that they are not severing ties with Boyle, adding: “We look forward to seeing what he does next on the BBC.”
Also on series...
- 3/30/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
Riley Keough has shed light on her “really intense” childhood being raised in the spotlight.
The 33-year-old star of Amazon Prime Video’s newest miniseries Daisy Jones & The Six is the granddaughter of “the King”, Elvis Presley.
“I grew up with a family that was very much in the public eye, and my childhood was really intense in that way, especially in the Nineties and early 2000s,” Keough told Vanity Fair in a new interview.
“It was probably similar to what the Kardashian kids experience now – not being able to go out the front of buildings and having to sneak around,” Keough explained of her childhood.
“Just a lot of attention, not being able to do normal things.” She said it made her “really appreciate normal things in life – being able to go to the coffee shop and sit there”.
Born to Elvis’s only child, the late Lisa Marie Presley,...
The 33-year-old star of Amazon Prime Video’s newest miniseries Daisy Jones & The Six is the granddaughter of “the King”, Elvis Presley.
“I grew up with a family that was very much in the public eye, and my childhood was really intense in that way, especially in the Nineties and early 2000s,” Keough told Vanity Fair in a new interview.
“It was probably similar to what the Kardashian kids experience now – not being able to go out the front of buildings and having to sneak around,” Keough explained of her childhood.
“Just a lot of attention, not being able to do normal things.” She said it made her “really appreciate normal things in life – being able to go to the coffee shop and sit there”.
Born to Elvis’s only child, the late Lisa Marie Presley,...
- 3/24/2023
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
You has been renewed by Netflix for a fifth and final season.
The hit serial killer drama stars Penn Badgley as the nefarious Joe Goldberg. Its fourth season was released in two parts, with the latest batch of episodes arriving earlier this month.
Along with news of the renewal, however, it was also announced that You will be experiencing a significant change behind the scenes.
Sera Gamble, who developed the series with Greg Berlanti and who served as showrunner throughout the first four seasons, is stepping down from her role.
Instead, the role of showrunner – often described as the key creative decision-maker on a TV show – will be handed to executive producers Michael Foley and Justin W Lo.
“As I step back from day-to-day showrunning to focus on new projects, I’m immensely grateful to co-creator and all-around genius Greg Berlanti, Caroline Kepnes, my friends at Berlanti Productions and Alloy Entertainment,...
The hit serial killer drama stars Penn Badgley as the nefarious Joe Goldberg. Its fourth season was released in two parts, with the latest batch of episodes arriving earlier this month.
Along with news of the renewal, however, it was also announced that You will be experiencing a significant change behind the scenes.
Sera Gamble, who developed the series with Greg Berlanti and who served as showrunner throughout the first four seasons, is stepping down from her role.
Instead, the role of showrunner – often described as the key creative decision-maker on a TV show – will be handed to executive producers Michael Foley and Justin W Lo.
“As I step back from day-to-day showrunning to focus on new projects, I’m immensely grateful to co-creator and all-around genius Greg Berlanti, Caroline Kepnes, my friends at Berlanti Productions and Alloy Entertainment,...
- 3/24/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
When it was announced yesterday that Frankie Boyle’s BBC series New World Order had been cancelled, the comedian’s reaction was frank but restrained. “Not surprising in the current climate, I suppose,” he told fans on Twitter, many of whom had followed his superb topical panel show devotedly for the five years it was on the air. Boyle didn’t elaborate on what he meant by the words “current climate”, but it doesn’t take too many imaginative leaps to hazard a guess. New World Order was one of the few shows on TV that was sincerely and unapologetically left-wing. And politically speaking, the BBC is in the midst of a full-fledged climate crisis.
It’s not good for optics that New World Order’s cancellation comes just weeks after the BBC was embroiled in an impartiality row with Match of the Day host Gary Lineker. The dispute – prompted...
It’s not good for optics that New World Order’s cancellation comes just weeks after the BBC was embroiled in an impartiality row with Match of the Day host Gary Lineker. The dispute – prompted...
- 3/24/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Frankie Boyle has reacted to the news that the BBC has cancelled his comedy series New World Order.
The Scottish comedian has hosted the programme for six series, the first season of which arrived in 2017 on BBC Two.
In the satirical show, Boyle dicusses two current affair issues, usually related to politics, alongside guests that have included Sara Pascoe, Miles Jupp and Katherine Ryan.
However, the BBC has decided to end the series, with a spokesperson stating: “We would like to thank Frankie Boyle and all those involved for six great series of New World Order.”
The corporation made it clear that they are not severing ties with Boyle, adding: “We look forward to seeing what he does next on the BBC.”
Boyle responded to the news on social media, telling his followers: “Ah well, there’s to be no more New World Order on the BBC. Not surprising in the current climate,...
The Scottish comedian has hosted the programme for six series, the first season of which arrived in 2017 on BBC Two.
In the satirical show, Boyle dicusses two current affair issues, usually related to politics, alongside guests that have included Sara Pascoe, Miles Jupp and Katherine Ryan.
However, the BBC has decided to end the series, with a spokesperson stating: “We would like to thank Frankie Boyle and all those involved for six great series of New World Order.”
The corporation made it clear that they are not severing ties with Boyle, adding: “We look forward to seeing what he does next on the BBC.”
Boyle responded to the news on social media, telling his followers: “Ah well, there’s to be no more New World Order on the BBC. Not surprising in the current climate,...
- 3/23/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
2023 is going to be a year of long-awaited drama treats on UK TV. There’s the Luther film finally arriving on Netflix in March, Unforgotten is back after that Series 4 finale in 2021, and we’re getting the second season of Good Omens that has had the shows’ many enthusiastic fans on the edge of their seats for two years.
There are even whispers of a Line of Duty return, although Martin Compston has said that nothing is confirmed, so we’re not exclaiming ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey!’ just yet.
It’s also a year of dramatic goodbyes: Happy Valley returned for its third and final series on New Year’s Day, Endeavour will wrap up after over a decade of detective work, and 2023 might also squeeze in the sixth and final season of The Crown.
This is our roundup of the British TV shows we’re...
There are even whispers of a Line of Duty return, although Martin Compston has said that nothing is confirmed, so we’re not exclaiming ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey!’ just yet.
It’s also a year of dramatic goodbyes: Happy Valley returned for its third and final series on New Year’s Day, Endeavour will wrap up after over a decade of detective work, and 2023 might also squeeze in the sixth and final season of The Crown.
This is our roundup of the British TV shows we’re...
- 3/22/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
Following in the footsteps of Bake-Off and MasterChef, entertainment juggernaut Taskmaster is launching a kids’ version. Junior Taskmaster will be coming to Channel 4 alongside six brand new series of the original show, due to air over the next three years. That’s what you call a good comedy harvest.
While Greg Davies and Alex Horne will remain in their golden thrones for the grown-up show, a brand new Taskmaster and assistant will be setting challenges and monitoring the child cohort. Their names will be announced in due course. Might we expect a past contestant or two to be taking the reins? James Acaster, with his history of cabbage-based vendettas against children, would be a solid fit for the big chair, while Judi Love could school the kids valuably in twisting the facts to their advantage.
Due to a distinct shortage of professional comedians aged nine to 11, the child contestants...
While Greg Davies and Alex Horne will remain in their golden thrones for the grown-up show, a brand new Taskmaster and assistant will be setting challenges and monitoring the child cohort. Their names will be announced in due course. Might we expect a past contestant or two to be taking the reins? James Acaster, with his history of cabbage-based vendettas against children, would be a solid fit for the big chair, while Judi Love could school the kids valuably in twisting the facts to their advantage.
Due to a distinct shortage of professional comedians aged nine to 11, the child contestants...
- 3/15/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Channel 4 has handed Taskmaster an unprecedented six-season renewal and greenlit a junior version of the comedy panel show.
Demonstrating the network’s commitment to Avalon’s long-running format, the eight-part Junior Taskmaster will be aimed at older children and young teens. Kids aged nine to 11 will be recruited to bring their athleticism and creativity to the new show, which will reveal hosts soon.
Junior Taskmaster will air before the 9 p.m. GMT (2 p.m. Pt) watershed and joins a roster of Channel 4 spin-offs for younger people including Junior Bake Off and First Dates. PG and family-friendly versions of Taskmaster already air on YouTube and amass big audiences, while a Taskmaster Education project and School Tasking not-for-profit are utilized by schools across the UK.
Avalon, the producer of the main show, is behind Junior Taskmaster. The Starstruck and Catastrophe producer is also in the midst of making a six-part...
Demonstrating the network’s commitment to Avalon’s long-running format, the eight-part Junior Taskmaster will be aimed at older children and young teens. Kids aged nine to 11 will be recruited to bring their athleticism and creativity to the new show, which will reveal hosts soon.
Junior Taskmaster will air before the 9 p.m. GMT (2 p.m. Pt) watershed and joins a roster of Channel 4 spin-offs for younger people including Junior Bake Off and First Dates. PG and family-friendly versions of Taskmaster already air on YouTube and amass big audiences, while a Taskmaster Education project and School Tasking not-for-profit are utilized by schools across the UK.
Avalon, the producer of the main show, is behind Junior Taskmaster. The Starstruck and Catastrophe producer is also in the midst of making a six-part...
- 3/15/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Frankie Boyle tore into Matt Hancock and Keir Starmer during an appearance on The Last Leg.
The Scottish comedian joined Adam Hills,Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker to talk about the week’s events, which included the leaking of former health secretary Hancock’s private WhatsApp messages sent during the pandemic.
Hancock criticised journalist Isabel Oakeshott, who provided the messages after ghostwriting his book Pandemic Diaries. He called the action a “massive betrayal of trust”.
The messages have prompted yet another backlash against Hancock, with Boyle saying on Friday (3 March): “Even his hairline is trying to disown him.”
He called out Hancock’s decision to appear on ITV series I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, saying that he chose to lie in the ground “surrounded by worms” to try and make the country forget he had “killed their granny”.
Boyle was referring to Hancock’s response...
The Scottish comedian joined Adam Hills,Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker to talk about the week’s events, which included the leaking of former health secretary Hancock’s private WhatsApp messages sent during the pandemic.
Hancock criticised journalist Isabel Oakeshott, who provided the messages after ghostwriting his book Pandemic Diaries. He called the action a “massive betrayal of trust”.
The messages have prompted yet another backlash against Hancock, with Boyle saying on Friday (3 March): “Even his hairline is trying to disown him.”
He called out Hancock’s decision to appear on ITV series I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, saying that he chose to lie in the ground “surrounded by worms” to try and make the country forget he had “killed their granny”.
Boyle was referring to Hancock’s response...
- 3/4/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
Taskmaster seems to be one of those magically perfect TV shows, but of course the root of its genius isn’t magic at all: it’s a whip-smart combination of Alex Horne’s original format, the comedic force of nature that is Greg Davies in the role of the Taskmaster, and relentlessly good casting.
As we’ve said before, there’s no such thing as a bad series of Taskmaster, and we’re sure Series 15 will be no different, but until it arrives, what should fans fill their time watching?
Take a look at these similarly delightful TV shows, including plenty featuring previous Taskmaster series alumni:
Man Down (Channel 4)
Starring the Taskmaster himself Greg Davies, this Channel 4 sitcom centres on his character Dan, a frankly terrible schoolteacher who is having an infinitely amusing midlife crisis. As you can see from the clip above, it’ll please fans of Davies’ scathing takedowns,...
As we’ve said before, there’s no such thing as a bad series of Taskmaster, and we’re sure Series 15 will be no different, but until it arrives, what should fans fill their time watching?
Take a look at these similarly delightful TV shows, including plenty featuring previous Taskmaster series alumni:
Man Down (Channel 4)
Starring the Taskmaster himself Greg Davies, this Channel 4 sitcom centres on his character Dan, a frankly terrible schoolteacher who is having an infinitely amusing midlife crisis. As you can see from the clip above, it’ll please fans of Davies’ scathing takedowns,...
- 1/12/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
Delayed gratification is all well and good, but let’s be honest: we all prefer the instant kind, so it’s a good job that as soon as one series of Taskmaster finishes, the line-up of contestants for the following series is revealed.
Tonight’s Series 14 finale was no different, and we now know we can look forward to seeing Frankie Boyle, Jenny Eclair, Ivo Graham, Mae Martin and Kiell Smith-Bynoe doing very silly things for Alex Horne and Greg Davies in Series 15.
We’ve just said goodbye to Fern Brady, John Kearns, Munya Chawawa, Dara Ó Briain and Sarah Millican as Series 14 reached its climax and Dara Ó Briain was crowned the Taskmaster champion. It was also the first time in Taskmaster history that there was a joint last place, with Fern Brady and John Kearns tying in fourth. It’s been an absolute banger of a series, with unwilling sabotage,...
Tonight’s Series 14 finale was no different, and we now know we can look forward to seeing Frankie Boyle, Jenny Eclair, Ivo Graham, Mae Martin and Kiell Smith-Bynoe doing very silly things for Alex Horne and Greg Davies in Series 15.
We’ve just said goodbye to Fern Brady, John Kearns, Munya Chawawa, Dara Ó Briain and Sarah Millican as Series 14 reached its climax and Dara Ó Briain was crowned the Taskmaster champion. It was also the first time in Taskmaster history that there was a joint last place, with Fern Brady and John Kearns tying in fourth. It’s been an absolute banger of a series, with unwilling sabotage,...
- 12/1/2022
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
The Witcher fans were rocked yesterday by the news that series lead Henry Cavill will be replaced by Liam Hemsworth for season four.
Cavill will continue to play Geralt of Rivia in the hit fantasy series’ forthcoming third season, before handing over the reigns to the Hunger Games star.
Netflix announced the news on Saturday (29 October), issuing statements from both Cavill and Hemsworth.
However, the casting change has been recieved badly by many of the show’s fans, who voiced their opinion on social media. Some viewers even threatened to boycott The Witcher as a result.
“Boycott The Witcher comeone [sic] bring Henry back,” one person wrote.
“The f***!!! Don’T Replace Henry Cavill! He Is Geralt! He Knows His Character More Than Anyone Else!” wrote another.
“Don,T Replace Hiim With Liam Hemsworth. This Is Ridiculous! I will so boycott The Witcher if they really replace him. How can you replace him?...
Cavill will continue to play Geralt of Rivia in the hit fantasy series’ forthcoming third season, before handing over the reigns to the Hunger Games star.
Netflix announced the news on Saturday (29 October), issuing statements from both Cavill and Hemsworth.
However, the casting change has been recieved badly by many of the show’s fans, who voiced their opinion on social media. Some viewers even threatened to boycott The Witcher as a result.
“Boycott The Witcher comeone [sic] bring Henry back,” one person wrote.
“The f***!!! Don’T Replace Henry Cavill! He Is Geralt! He Knows His Character More Than Anyone Else!” wrote another.
“Don,T Replace Hiim With Liam Hemsworth. This Is Ridiculous! I will so boycott The Witcher if they really replace him. How can you replace him?...
- 10/31/2022
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Every year, there comes a point when the UK comedy industry suddenly becomes abuzz with whispers. Word gets about that the producers of Mock the Week are in town. They’re scouting out stand-up shows for new talent – and you could be next. “Everyone’s going, ‘You know they’re looking’,” comedian Maisie Adam tells me. “You suddenly ended up going to every gig feeling like you’re in those early episodes of X Factor, queuing up outside.”
When it was announced in August that the BBC was canning Mock the Week after 17 years, in order to “create room for new shows”, online discourse exploded. People questioned what the show ending in its current format (the team are optimistic it’ll find a home elsewhere) meant for the BBC, for the panel show format and for satire as a whole. But for comedians, the end of Mock the Week represented...
When it was announced in August that the BBC was canning Mock the Week after 17 years, in order to “create room for new shows”, online discourse exploded. People questioned what the show ending in its current format (the team are optimistic it’ll find a home elsewhere) meant for the BBC, for the panel show format and for satire as a whole. But for comedians, the end of Mock the Week represented...
- 10/20/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
M People founder Mike Pickering has condemned prime minister Liz Truss’s use of his band’s hit song “Moving On Up” at the Conservative Party conference.
Truss walked onstage to the sound of the 1993 dance-pop track, as she delivered her Conservative Party conference speech in Birmingham on Wednesday (5 October).
Many people watching the speech immediately pointed out both the irony of the song’s lyrics, as well as the fact that singer Heather Small’s son is a Labour councillor.
“So apparently we can’t stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird!” Pickering wrote on Twitter. “So sad it got used by this shower of a government. [By the way] Truss, Labour used it with permission in Nineties. I don’t want my song being a soundtrack to lies.”
So apparently we can't stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird! So sad it got used by this shower of a government.
Truss walked onstage to the sound of the 1993 dance-pop track, as she delivered her Conservative Party conference speech in Birmingham on Wednesday (5 October).
Many people watching the speech immediately pointed out both the irony of the song’s lyrics, as well as the fact that singer Heather Small’s son is a Labour councillor.
“So apparently we can’t stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird!” Pickering wrote on Twitter. “So sad it got used by this shower of a government. [By the way] Truss, Labour used it with permission in Nineties. I don’t want my song being a soundtrack to lies.”
So apparently we can't stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird! So sad it got used by this shower of a government.
- 10/5/2022
- by Megan Graye and Roisin O'Connor
- The Independent - Music
Last month, Mock The Week was cancelled after 17 years on air. The satirical comedy was only one of a flurry of modern panel shows featuring teams of comedians, spawning from the format used in Have I Got News For You that emerged during the nineties and noughties. Taking cues from long-running Hignfy which hit TV screens in 1990, popular series such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and the anarchic, absurd Shooting Stars were followed by the likes of Qi, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Would I Lie To You?, Celebrity Juice and, of course, Mock The Week. But with ratings plummeting and cancellations abounding, is it high time the genre called it a day?
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
These shows were initially a great way to finish off your evening after a long hard day at school or work, just like a late night chat show helps to wind our American friends down after the watershed.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
These shows were initially a great way to finish off your evening after a long hard day at school or work, just like a late night chat show helps to wind our American friends down after the watershed.
- 9/1/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Killing Escobar producer Two Rivers Media is saying goodbye to one of its original staffers, factual chief Mick McAvoy, Deadline has learned.
McAvoy is leaving his role as Head of Factual after three and a half years with the Scotland-based indie producer and Two River confirmed his exit in a statement this afternoon. The exec added he is moving on to “another adventure soon and will be able to announce more in the next few days.”
“Mick is leaving Two Rivers after three and a half years as Head of Factual as he is keen to return to more hands-on documentary making,” said Two Rivers Founder and Managing Director Alan Clements.
“Mick has led our growth in factual with great success — from theatrical docs Killing Escobar and Cassius X: Becoming Ali to series like Frankie Boyle’s Tour of Scotland and This Is Our Story, following a season at Hearts football club.
McAvoy is leaving his role as Head of Factual after three and a half years with the Scotland-based indie producer and Two River confirmed his exit in a statement this afternoon. The exec added he is moving on to “another adventure soon and will be able to announce more in the next few days.”
“Mick is leaving Two Rivers after three and a half years as Head of Factual as he is keen to return to more hands-on documentary making,” said Two Rivers Founder and Managing Director Alan Clements.
“Mick has led our growth in factual with great success — from theatrical docs Killing Escobar and Cassius X: Becoming Ali to series like Frankie Boyle’s Tour of Scotland and This Is Our Story, following a season at Hearts football club.
- 5/12/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Ding ding, everybody off the Taskmaster bus! New passengers incoming! Series 12 – which taught us that Victoria Coren-Mitchell never learned how to ride a bike, Guz Khan owns more framed portraits of himself than is sensible, Desiree Burch can’t burst a balloon with a fork to save her life, Morgana Robinson is able to get goose bumps at will and Alan Davies still has a Jonathan Creek wig in his loft – has reached its climax. One lucky winner has skipped away merrily with the Taskmaster’s gleaming head as a prize and plenty of time to prepare for the inevitable Series 11-15 Champion of Champions special. Meanwhile the other four have skipped away safe in the knowledge that nobody is ever again likely to ask them to sit on a cake.
That means it’s time for the next line-up, which is confirmed to feature (in alphabetical first name order): Ardal O’Hanlon,...
That means it’s time for the next line-up, which is confirmed to feature (in alphabetical first name order): Ardal O’Hanlon,...
- 11/25/2021
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Sales
WestEnd Films has launched a global sales campaign for Guillem Morales’ (“The Miniaturist”) revenge thriller “The Duchess of Malfi,” produced by Miriam Segal’s Good Films Collective (“Postcard Killings”). Based on John Webster’s classic Jacobean play, the feature adaptation was penned by Luke Garrett (“Ruby Strangelove Young Witch”).
Casting for the period drama is led by BAFTA-nominees Morfydd Clark (“Saint Maud”) and Sam Riley (“Control”) with BIFA-nominee Dominic Cooper (“Preacher”). Equally impressive is the film’s behind-the-scenes lineup, including Academy Award-nominated DoP Pawel Edelman (“The Pianist”), BAFTA-nominated costume designer Carlo Poggioli (“Cold Mountain”), and Editor Joe Randall-Cutler (“I Hate Suzie”). Shooting will begin in November in Italy, with WestEnd set to present the film at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival virtual market.
“There are no better times than these to tell the story of ‘The Duchess of Malfi.’ Webster’s masterpiece is ready for new, young...
WestEnd Films has launched a global sales campaign for Guillem Morales’ (“The Miniaturist”) revenge thriller “The Duchess of Malfi,” produced by Miriam Segal’s Good Films Collective (“Postcard Killings”). Based on John Webster’s classic Jacobean play, the feature adaptation was penned by Luke Garrett (“Ruby Strangelove Young Witch”).
Casting for the period drama is led by BAFTA-nominees Morfydd Clark (“Saint Maud”) and Sam Riley (“Control”) with BIFA-nominee Dominic Cooper (“Preacher”). Equally impressive is the film’s behind-the-scenes lineup, including Academy Award-nominated DoP Pawel Edelman (“The Pianist”), BAFTA-nominated costume designer Carlo Poggioli (“Cold Mountain”), and Editor Joe Randall-Cutler (“I Hate Suzie”). Shooting will begin in November in Italy, with WestEnd set to present the film at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival virtual market.
“There are no better times than these to tell the story of ‘The Duchess of Malfi.’ Webster’s masterpiece is ready for new, young...
- 8/27/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
That's a wrap on the Virgin Media 2020 British Academy Television Awards! For the occasion, actors gathered around their computers for a virtual award ceremony, hosted by the brilliant Richard Ayoade. Chernobyl bagged three awards: best actor for Jared Harris, best miniseries, and best costume design thanks to Odile Dicks-Mireaux. Stath Lets Flats also took home three awards: Jamie Demetriou for male performance in comedy program, scripted comedy, and comedy writer. The smash hit Gavin and Stacey Nessa Proposes to Smithy special won Virgin Media's must-see moment (voted for by the public) - here's hoping they don't leave us on that cliffhanger for too much longer.
Check out the full list of 2020 British Academy Television Award winners, ahead.
Leading Actress
Winner: Glenda Jackson, Elizabeth Is Missing
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve - BBC One
Glenda Jackson, Elizabeth Is Missing - BBC One
Suranne Jones, Gentleman Jack - BBC One
Samantha Morton, I...
Check out the full list of 2020 British Academy Television Award winners, ahead.
Leading Actress
Winner: Glenda Jackson, Elizabeth Is Missing
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve - BBC One
Glenda Jackson, Elizabeth Is Missing - BBC One
Suranne Jones, Gentleman Jack - BBC One
Samantha Morton, I...
- 7/31/2020
- by Angela Law
- Popsugar.com
This year’s Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards provided an early upset when Mo Gilligan beat a host of TV’s established names to win the Entertainment Performance Award.
Gilligan, the host of “The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan,” saw off well known performers Graham Norton, Frankie Boyle and Lee Mack to take the first prize of the night at the BAFTAs.
He noted that he “has only being doing this TV stuff for three or four years,” having worked on comedy circuits as well as in retail, including for Levi’s, to earn a living. “I still have to pinch myself,” he said.
“Just on a personal note, this award means so much to me, even the names that I’m with, it’s like [blown] my mind away to be here,” he said.
Gilligan also addressed the issue of the lack of diversity in the U.K. industry which has dominated headlines in recent months,...
Gilligan, the host of “The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan,” saw off well known performers Graham Norton, Frankie Boyle and Lee Mack to take the first prize of the night at the BAFTAs.
He noted that he “has only being doing this TV stuff for three or four years,” having worked on comedy circuits as well as in retail, including for Levi’s, to earn a living. “I still have to pinch myself,” he said.
“Just on a personal note, this award means so much to me, even the names that I’m with, it’s like [blown] my mind away to be here,” he said.
Gilligan also addressed the issue of the lack of diversity in the U.K. industry which has dominated headlines in recent months,...
- 7/31/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
The acclaimed HBO and Sky UK miniseries “Chernobyl” has dominated the nominations for the 2020 BAFTA Television Awards. The program, which won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series last year, is nominated for 14 BAFTA TV Awards, which ties “Killing Eve” as the most nominated series in a single year in the ceremony’s history. The nominations for “Chernobyl” include Best Miniseries, Best Writer (Drama), Best Leading Actor (Jared Harris), and Best Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgard)
This year’s second most nominated series is Netflix favorite “The Crown” with seven nominations. Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s “Fleabag,” the Emmy winner for Best Comedy, and the BBC/Netflix thriller “Giri/Haji” tie for the third most nomination programs with six nominations each. Other series with multiple nominations include the HBO and BBC adaptation of “His Dark Materials,” Channel 4’s “The Virtues,” and crossover favorites “Killing Eve,” “Sex Education,” and “Top Boy.”
A select group...
This year’s second most nominated series is Netflix favorite “The Crown” with seven nominations. Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s “Fleabag,” the Emmy winner for Best Comedy, and the BBC/Netflix thriller “Giri/Haji” tie for the third most nomination programs with six nominations each. Other series with multiple nominations include the HBO and BBC adaptation of “His Dark Materials,” Channel 4’s “The Virtues,” and crossover favorites “Killing Eve,” “Sex Education,” and “Top Boy.”
A select group...
- 6/4/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Chernobyl is leading the pack for this year’s BAFTA TV Awards and BAFTA TV Craft Awards after the Sky and HBO drama scored 14 nominations, including best drama mini-series.
The nuclear disaster drama’s 14 nods mean it is the most-nominated show in BAFTA history alongside Killing Eve last year, which was also recognized in 14 categories. As well as best mini-series, there are individual nominations for Jared Harris as lead actor and Stellan Skarsgård as best supporting actor.
It secured more than double the nominations than the next best-performing show: Netflix drama The Crown. The Left Bank program’s seven nominations include best drama series. Meanwhile, Fleabag and Giri/Haji have six nominations apiece, while there are five nods for His Dark Materials and The Virtues and four for Killing Eve, Sex Education and Top Boy. Sister Pictures scooped 20 nominations in total for Chernobyl and Giri/Haji.
The nominations and awards...
The nuclear disaster drama’s 14 nods mean it is the most-nominated show in BAFTA history alongside Killing Eve last year, which was also recognized in 14 categories. As well as best mini-series, there are individual nominations for Jared Harris as lead actor and Stellan Skarsgård as best supporting actor.
It secured more than double the nominations than the next best-performing show: Netflix drama The Crown. The Left Bank program’s seven nominations include best drama series. Meanwhile, Fleabag and Giri/Haji have six nominations apiece, while there are five nods for His Dark Materials and The Virtues and four for Killing Eve, Sex Education and Top Boy. Sister Pictures scooped 20 nominations in total for Chernobyl and Giri/Haji.
The nominations and awards...
- 6/4/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO and Sky’s nuclear drama “Chernobyl” has emerged as the frontrunner at this year’s Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards with 14 nominations.
“Chernobyl’s” impressive haul matches “Killing Eve’s” record 14 BAFTA nods last year, making it the most nominated show in the history of the awards.
“Chernobyl’s” nominations span multiple categories in the TV and craft awards: costume design, director fiction, editing fiction, make-up and hair design, original music, photography and lighting fiction, production design, scripted casting, sound fiction, special, visual and graphic effects, writer (drama), leading actor (for Jared Harris), mini-series and supporting actor (for Stellan Skarsgard).
Meanwhile, Netflix hit “The Crown” follows with seven BAFTA nods, while Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s BBC and Amazon-backed comedy “Fleabag” and BBC and Netflix thriller “Giri/Haji” have six each.
BBC and HBO’s Philip Pullman adaptation “His Dark Materials” and Channel 4...
“Chernobyl’s” impressive haul matches “Killing Eve’s” record 14 BAFTA nods last year, making it the most nominated show in the history of the awards.
“Chernobyl’s” nominations span multiple categories in the TV and craft awards: costume design, director fiction, editing fiction, make-up and hair design, original music, photography and lighting fiction, production design, scripted casting, sound fiction, special, visual and graphic effects, writer (drama), leading actor (for Jared Harris), mini-series and supporting actor (for Stellan Skarsgard).
Meanwhile, Netflix hit “The Crown” follows with seven BAFTA nods, while Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s BBC and Amazon-backed comedy “Fleabag” and BBC and Netflix thriller “Giri/Haji” have six each.
BBC and HBO’s Philip Pullman adaptation “His Dark Materials” and Channel 4...
- 6/4/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
Refresh for updates Tributes have flooded in today for Monty Python co-founder Terry Jones, who has died at the age of 77.
The celebrated UK comedic actor, director, writer, historian and advocate was fondly remembered by his Monty Python co-stars Michael Palin, John Cleese and Eric Idle.
“I loved him the moment I saw him on stage at the Edinburgh Festival in 1963,” tweeted Idle. “So many laughs, moments of total hilarity onstage and off we have all shared with him. It’s too sad if you knew him, but if you didn’t you will always smile at the many wonderfully funny moments he gave us.”
Palin described Jones as “kind, generous, supportive and passionate about living life to the full.”
“He was far more than one of the funniest writer-performers of his generation, he was the complete Renaissance comedian – writer, director, presenter, historian, brilliant children’s author, and the warmest,...
The celebrated UK comedic actor, director, writer, historian and advocate was fondly remembered by his Monty Python co-stars Michael Palin, John Cleese and Eric Idle.
“I loved him the moment I saw him on stage at the Edinburgh Festival in 1963,” tweeted Idle. “So many laughs, moments of total hilarity onstage and off we have all shared with him. It’s too sad if you knew him, but if you didn’t you will always smile at the many wonderfully funny moments he gave us.”
Palin described Jones as “kind, generous, supportive and passionate about living life to the full.”
“He was far more than one of the funniest writer-performers of his generation, he was the complete Renaissance comedian – writer, director, presenter, historian, brilliant children’s author, and the warmest,...
- 1/22/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Jones died after a long struggle with a rare form of dementia, according to his family.
UK actor, director and writer Terry Jones has died at the age of 77, according to his agent.
Jones co-created iconic UK comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus alongside Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam.
He went on to direct or co-direct their film projects Monty Python And The Holy Grail (alongside Gilliam), The Life Of Brian and The Meaning Of Life. His other films as a director included Erik The Viking (1989) and The Wind In The Willows (1996).
Welsh-born Jones was awarded...
UK actor, director and writer Terry Jones has died at the age of 77, according to his agent.
Jones co-created iconic UK comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus alongside Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam.
He went on to direct or co-direct their film projects Monty Python And The Holy Grail (alongside Gilliam), The Life Of Brian and The Meaning Of Life. His other films as a director included Erik The Viking (1989) and The Wind In The Willows (1996).
Welsh-born Jones was awarded...
- 1/22/2020
- by 1101184¦Orlando Parfitt¦38¦
- ScreenDaily
Two Rivers Media has bought out parent group Kew Media Group’s minority stake in the business.
Formed by former Stv Productions head Alan Clements in January 2019, the production outfit behind Channel 5’s recent “Susan Hill’s Ghost Story” launched with the backing of Kew, Noble Grossart Investments and Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund.
Noble Grossart Investments and Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund are increasing their interests to facilitate the buy-out.
The buy-out comes a month after Kew Media Group triggered a strategic review of its business, revealing that the company could be broken up or sold completely following a financially turbulent period for Kew.
Kew was launched by Steven Silver and Peter Sussman in 2017, and owns a roster of Canadian production companies such as Bristow Global Media, Frantic Films and Our House Media, as well as distribution outfits Content Media, which became Kew Media Distribution, and Tcb Media Rights.
Formed by former Stv Productions head Alan Clements in January 2019, the production outfit behind Channel 5’s recent “Susan Hill’s Ghost Story” launched with the backing of Kew, Noble Grossart Investments and Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund.
Noble Grossart Investments and Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund are increasing their interests to facilitate the buy-out.
The buy-out comes a month after Kew Media Group triggered a strategic review of its business, revealing that the company could be broken up or sold completely following a financially turbulent period for Kew.
Kew was launched by Steven Silver and Peter Sussman in 2017, and owns a roster of Canadian production companies such as Bristow Global Media, Frantic Films and Our House Media, as well as distribution outfits Content Media, which became Kew Media Distribution, and Tcb Media Rights.
- 1/20/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Louisa Mellor Dec 13, 2017
We’ve taken a highlighter to this year’s Christmas and New Year TV schedules and circled what we’ll be watching this festive season…
Amid the cosy repeats and cranberry-stuffed cookery shows on TV over the next few weeks are a few gems. There’s no Sherlock or Charlie Brooker’s TV Wipe this year, but there are plenty of treats, not least the return of The League Of Gentlemen for a three-part anniversary series and Peter Capaldi’s last hurrah in the Tardis in the Doctor Who Christmas episode.
See related 26 new TV shows to watch in 2017
Over on Netflix, six new episodes of Black Mirror are coming to usher in the New Year, two days into which we welcome the return of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s genius anthology Inside No. 9.
Not to gloss over a spooky M.R. James night on BBC Four,...
We’ve taken a highlighter to this year’s Christmas and New Year TV schedules and circled what we’ll be watching this festive season…
Amid the cosy repeats and cranberry-stuffed cookery shows on TV over the next few weeks are a few gems. There’s no Sherlock or Charlie Brooker’s TV Wipe this year, but there are plenty of treats, not least the return of The League Of Gentlemen for a three-part anniversary series and Peter Capaldi’s last hurrah in the Tardis in the Doctor Who Christmas episode.
See related 26 new TV shows to watch in 2017
Over on Netflix, six new episodes of Black Mirror are coming to usher in the New Year, two days into which we welcome the return of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s genius anthology Inside No. 9.
Not to gloss over a spooky M.R. James night on BBC Four,...
- 12/12/2017
- Den of Geek
The BBC has commissioned its first feature-length scripted film for iPlayer - a comedy drama based on the rivalry between snooker players Alex Higgins and Steve Davis.
Endemol Shine indie Zeppotron will produce The Rack Pack, a 90-minute-plus film exploring the “glory days” of the 1970s and 80s snooker scene.
The film is penned by Shaun Pye, Mark Chappell and Alan Connor, the writing team behind Sky Arts’ A Young Doctor’s Notebook, which starred Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe and Mad Men’s Jon Hamm..
Luke Treadaway (Fortitude) will play ‘Hurricane’ Higgins, the naturally talented showman, while Will Merrick (About Time) has been lined up as the more conservative Davis, who under the guidance of snooker mogul Barry Hearn (Kevin Bishop) dominated the sport.
The film coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1985 World Snooker Championships final between Davis and Dennis Taylor which was watched by 18.5m people - holding the record for the UK’s biggest...
Endemol Shine indie Zeppotron will produce The Rack Pack, a 90-minute-plus film exploring the “glory days” of the 1970s and 80s snooker scene.
The film is penned by Shaun Pye, Mark Chappell and Alan Connor, the writing team behind Sky Arts’ A Young Doctor’s Notebook, which starred Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe and Mad Men’s Jon Hamm..
Luke Treadaway (Fortitude) will play ‘Hurricane’ Higgins, the naturally talented showman, while Will Merrick (About Time) has been lined up as the more conservative Davis, who under the guidance of snooker mogul Barry Hearn (Kevin Bishop) dominated the sport.
The film coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1985 World Snooker Championships final between Davis and Dennis Taylor which was watched by 18.5m people - holding the record for the UK’s biggest...
- 9/25/2015
- ScreenDaily
Happy Valley and BBC One were among the major winners at the Edinburgh TV Awards tonight (August 27).
Frankie Boyle honoured the best in television as part of the 2015 Edinburgh International Television Festival.
The top winner of the night was Happy Valley in the New Programme of the Year category, while its production company Red took the Production Company of the Year.
BBC One was named C21Media Channel of the Year for its dynamic programming, specifically mystery series The Missing, Claudia Winkleman's Strictly Come Dancing debut and the continuing Great British Bake Off sensation.
Stand Up to Cancer's mobile game Reverse the Odds took home the Best Online Innovation Award for contributing to cancer research.
"A huge congratulations to this year's winners," festival director Lisa Campbell said. "The calibre of entrants has been particularly high, making choosing our winners especially hard."
Voting via the official Festival app will...
Frankie Boyle honoured the best in television as part of the 2015 Edinburgh International Television Festival.
The top winner of the night was Happy Valley in the New Programme of the Year category, while its production company Red took the Production Company of the Year.
BBC One was named C21Media Channel of the Year for its dynamic programming, specifically mystery series The Missing, Claudia Winkleman's Strictly Come Dancing debut and the continuing Great British Bake Off sensation.
Stand Up to Cancer's mobile game Reverse the Odds took home the Best Online Innovation Award for contributing to cancer research.
"A huge congratulations to this year's winners," festival director Lisa Campbell said. "The calibre of entrants has been particularly high, making choosing our winners especially hard."
Voting via the official Festival app will...
- 8/27/2015
- Digital Spy
Manchester Film Festival | Station To Station | London On Film | Brazilica Film Festival
Hoping to become the film festival the city deserves (and not to be confused with Manchester international festival), this inaugural event has a modestly budgeted selection, but one that consists of films you won’t find elsewhere. Some are even world premieres, like Many Beautiful Things, a docudrama about Victorian artist Lilias Trotter (played by Downton’s Michelle Dockery). In terms of British talent there’s Two Down, a black comedy involving a London hitman, plus shorts starring the likes of Frankie Boyle and Ricky Tomlinson.
Continue reading...
Hoping to become the film festival the city deserves (and not to be confused with Manchester international festival), this inaugural event has a modestly budgeted selection, but one that consists of films you won’t find elsewhere. Some are even world premieres, like Many Beautiful Things, a docudrama about Victorian artist Lilias Trotter (played by Downton’s Michelle Dockery). In terms of British talent there’s Two Down, a black comedy involving a London hitman, plus shorts starring the likes of Frankie Boyle and Ricky Tomlinson.
Continue reading...
- 7/3/2015
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
This Is England '90 is to premiere its first episode at The Guardian's Edinburgh International Television Festival in August.
The final TV offshoot of This Is England will be presented at a screening by writer Shane Meadows.
Channel 4 has not yet confirmed when it will subsequently air the miniseries.
It was also announced today (June 22) that comedian Frankie Boyle will be hosting the Edinburgh TV Awards as part of the festival.
Festival Director Lisa Campbell said: "Last year Frankie Boyle became one of the TV Festival's favourite speakers. We're delighted he'll be returning - he's thoroughly entertaining, often controversial - he'll undoubtedly add a spark to our 14th TV Awards."
Also attending will be writer Julia Davis, who will present the first episode of a two-part special of Hunderby.
She has a British Comedy Award and BAFTA Award under her belt for the dark comedy, which returns to Sky Atlantic later this year.
The final TV offshoot of This Is England will be presented at a screening by writer Shane Meadows.
Channel 4 has not yet confirmed when it will subsequently air the miniseries.
It was also announced today (June 22) that comedian Frankie Boyle will be hosting the Edinburgh TV Awards as part of the festival.
Festival Director Lisa Campbell said: "Last year Frankie Boyle became one of the TV Festival's favourite speakers. We're delighted he'll be returning - he's thoroughly entertaining, often controversial - he'll undoubtedly add a spark to our 14th TV Awards."
Also attending will be writer Julia Davis, who will present the first episode of a two-part special of Hunderby.
She has a British Comedy Award and BAFTA Award under her belt for the dark comedy, which returns to Sky Atlantic later this year.
- 6/22/2015
- Digital Spy
Mock the Week will celebrate its 10th birthday when it returns next month.
The BBC Two topical series will come back for six weeks in June and July for its 14th series, before returning again in September and October.
Dara O'Briain will serve once again as host, along with regular panellists Hugh Dennis and Andy Parsons.
Other comics that are set to appear include Ed Byrne, Milton Jones, Zoe Lyons, Katherine Ryan, Josh Widdicombe, Rob Beckett, Sara Pascoe, Romesh Ranganathan, James Acaster, Matt Forde and Ellie Taylor.
Topics will include the election aftermath, the royal baby, American presidential candidates and a summer of sport.
Mock the Week first debuted on BBC Two on June 5, 2005. Other regular panellists over the years have included Frankie Boyle, Rory Bremner, Russell Howard and Chris Addison.
Fellow BBC Two comedy panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks was recently axed after 18 years.
The BBC Two topical series will come back for six weeks in June and July for its 14th series, before returning again in September and October.
Dara O'Briain will serve once again as host, along with regular panellists Hugh Dennis and Andy Parsons.
Other comics that are set to appear include Ed Byrne, Milton Jones, Zoe Lyons, Katherine Ryan, Josh Widdicombe, Rob Beckett, Sara Pascoe, Romesh Ranganathan, James Acaster, Matt Forde and Ellie Taylor.
Topics will include the election aftermath, the royal baby, American presidential candidates and a summer of sport.
Mock the Week first debuted on BBC Two on June 5, 2005. Other regular panellists over the years have included Frankie Boyle, Rory Bremner, Russell Howard and Chris Addison.
Fellow BBC Two comedy panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks was recently axed after 18 years.
- 5/28/2015
- Digital Spy
Never Mind the Buzzcocks has been cancelled after 28 series, with the BBC confirming the much-loved show will not be returning.
The ingenious - and often hilarious - pop music panel quiz arrived on screens way back in 1996, and ran for over 260 episodes.
Hosts including Mark Lamarr, Simon Amstell and Rhod Gilbert have appeared alongside team captains Phil Jupitus, Sean Hughes, Bill Bailey and Noel Fielding. Here are some of the greatest moments.
1. Boys will be boys!
Preston took an immediate dislike to being described by Simon Amstell as a "professional celebrity" on introduction, before Amstell joked that his band The Ordinary Boys have no fans.
But it was when he began to read extracts from Preston's then-wife Chantelle Houghton's biography - with the line "The photoshoot was for the Daily Mail, which made me feel really posh and upmarket" - that he stormed off the show in disgust.
The ingenious - and often hilarious - pop music panel quiz arrived on screens way back in 1996, and ran for over 260 episodes.
Hosts including Mark Lamarr, Simon Amstell and Rhod Gilbert have appeared alongside team captains Phil Jupitus, Sean Hughes, Bill Bailey and Noel Fielding. Here are some of the greatest moments.
1. Boys will be boys!
Preston took an immediate dislike to being described by Simon Amstell as a "professional celebrity" on introduction, before Amstell joked that his band The Ordinary Boys have no fans.
But it was when he began to read extracts from Preston's then-wife Chantelle Houghton's biography - with the line "The photoshoot was for the Daily Mail, which made me feel really posh and upmarket" - that he stormed off the show in disgust.
- 5/26/2015
- Digital Spy
Frankie Boyle has been confirmed for a post-General Election 2015 show exclusive to BBC iPlayer.
Election Autopsy will arrive in May, one of several new acquisitions for the streaming service.
Boyle's Scottish Referendum Autopsy comedy event for iPlayer received over 715,000 requests when made available last year.
Also newly announced is Matt Berry Does…, a series of six shorts from Toast of London star Matt Berry.
Berry previous featured in iPlayer shorts Lone Wolf and Wild Love, which were written by Bob Mortimer.
It has also been revealed that Jo Brand will host BBC iPlayer's next Private View on Grayson Perry at Turner Contemporary in May.
In June, BBC Asian Network and BBC Writers Room collaboration Fast Cuts will celebrate the work of young Muslim comedians.
Elsewhere, Charlie Lyne will produce horror documentary Fear Itself in October, Women Who Spit will take a closer young at young female poets and BBC iPlayer's...
Election Autopsy will arrive in May, one of several new acquisitions for the streaming service.
Boyle's Scottish Referendum Autopsy comedy event for iPlayer received over 715,000 requests when made available last year.
Also newly announced is Matt Berry Does…, a series of six shorts from Toast of London star Matt Berry.
Berry previous featured in iPlayer shorts Lone Wolf and Wild Love, which were written by Bob Mortimer.
It has also been revealed that Jo Brand will host BBC iPlayer's next Private View on Grayson Perry at Turner Contemporary in May.
In June, BBC Asian Network and BBC Writers Room collaboration Fast Cuts will celebrate the work of young Muslim comedians.
Elsewhere, Charlie Lyne will produce horror documentary Fear Itself in October, Women Who Spit will take a closer young at young female poets and BBC iPlayer's...
- 3/23/2015
- Digital Spy
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