After a gap of a few years and a messy-yet-secretive legal dispute between creators Doug Naylor and Rob Grant, Red Dwarf is rumoured to be back on its way to our screens once again with three new episodes. Which poses the question – how many more returns can it make before it finally draws to a close? How will the TV series that started with a pilot episode called “The End” end?
Red Dwarf is unlike any other science fiction franchise of comparable longevity. It is not like Stars Trek or Wars, an expansive universe full of side characters and unexplored domains for spin-offs to inhabit. Nor is it the adventure of a single character whose face changes on a semi-regular basis.
As part of the ongoing mysterious feud settlement, Rob Grant is launching Red Dwarf: Titan, which is set to give us a prequel/alternate universe take on Lister and Rimmer.
Red Dwarf is unlike any other science fiction franchise of comparable longevity. It is not like Stars Trek or Wars, an expansive universe full of side characters and unexplored domains for spin-offs to inhabit. Nor is it the adventure of a single character whose face changes on a semi-regular basis.
As part of the ongoing mysterious feud settlement, Rob Grant is launching Red Dwarf: Titan, which is set to give us a prequel/alternate universe take on Lister and Rimmer.
- 5/21/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
In 1973, the killer of Welsh teenagers Sandra Newton, Pauline Flynn and Gwendoline Hughes was not caught, despite a high-profile and widespread investigation by South Wales Police. The girls’ families spent the next three decades not knowing who was responsible for brutally taking the lives of their loved ones, or whether he still lived alongside them in the local Neath and Port Talbot communities.
In 2002, a development in forensics changed everything. The cold case was reopened with much pared-down resources, and crime scene DNA was successfully used to identify Wales’ first recorded serial killer. Steeltown Murders is the story of the loss, guilt and suspicion that followed the 1970s murders, and of the perseverance of the officers who were eventually able to provide the victims’ families with the answers they’d been denied years before.
Here are the actors making up the cast behind Steeltown Murders‘ dramatisation of real-life figures and events.
In 2002, a development in forensics changed everything. The cold case was reopened with much pared-down resources, and crime scene DNA was successfully used to identify Wales’ first recorded serial killer. Steeltown Murders is the story of the loss, guilt and suspicion that followed the 1970s murders, and of the perseverance of the officers who were eventually able to provide the victims’ families with the answers they’d been denied years before.
Here are the actors making up the cast behind Steeltown Murders‘ dramatisation of real-life figures and events.
- 5/15/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Stephen Graham is showing off his newly bulging biceps. “He’s like Popeye,” says his wife, Hannah Walters, on her way to the fridge. “Just give him a can and he pops it and crushes it.” It’s breakfast time in the couple’s home in a former mining town in Leicestershire, and the This Is England star is being teased by the love of his life, as he chats to me from the kitchen counter.
He does have impressive (tattooed) muscles to show off, though, as a result of intensive training for the role of a hardened pugilist in the forthcoming A Thousand Blows, written by Steven “Peaky Blinders” Knight, which the couple are producing together. They chat and spar as we talk, with Graham paying tribute to Walters for getting Knight involved: “I thought, ‘No chance!’ It was all down to that wonderful woman who’s eating cereal there.
He does have impressive (tattooed) muscles to show off, though, as a result of intensive training for the role of a hardened pugilist in the forthcoming A Thousand Blows, written by Steven “Peaky Blinders” Knight, which the couple are producing together. They chat and spar as we talk, with Graham paying tribute to Walters for getting Knight involved: “I thought, ‘No chance!’ It was all down to that wonderful woman who’s eating cereal there.
- 11/19/2022
- by Chris Harvey
- The Independent - Film
Stephen Graham is showing off his newly bulging biceps. “He’s like Popeye,” says his wife, Hannah Walters, on her way to the fridge. “Just give him a can and he pops it and crushes it.” It’s breakfast time in the couple’s home in a former mining town in Leicestershire, and the This Is England star is being teased by the love of his life, as he chats to me from the kitchen counter.
He does have impressive (tattooed) muscles to show off, though, as a result of intensive training for the role of a hardened pugilist in the forthcoming A Thousand Blows, written by Steven “Peaky Blinders” Knight, which the couple are producing together. They chat and spar as we talk, with Graham paying tribute to Walters for getting Knight involved: “I thought, ‘No chance!’ It was all down to that wonderful woman who’s eating cereal there.
He does have impressive (tattooed) muscles to show off, though, as a result of intensive training for the role of a hardened pugilist in the forthcoming A Thousand Blows, written by Steven “Peaky Blinders” Knight, which the couple are producing together. They chat and spar as we talk, with Graham paying tribute to Walters for getting Knight involved: “I thought, ‘No chance!’ It was all down to that wonderful woman who’s eating cereal there.
- 11/18/2022
- by Chris Harvey
- The Independent - Film
Leslie Phillips, the British actor in the “Harry Potter” and “Carry On” films, has died following a long illness, according to the BBC. He was 98.
Phillips, who was the voice of the Sorting Hat in the “Harry Potter” films, starred in over 200 movies, TV and radio series during a career that spanned more than 80 years.
Phillips is survived by his wife Zara, who told British tabloid The Sun that he was a “national treasure.” “I’ve lost a wonderful husband and the public has lost a truly great showman….People loved him. He was mobbed everywhere he went,” Zara said to the Sun, according to the BBC.
The beloved comic actor starred in four of the “Carry On” films, starting in 1959 with “Carry On Nurse.” He went on star in “Carry On Teacher” and “Carry On Constable” in the 1960s.
Phillips is also best known for his role as a...
Phillips, who was the voice of the Sorting Hat in the “Harry Potter” films, starred in over 200 movies, TV and radio series during a career that spanned more than 80 years.
Phillips is survived by his wife Zara, who told British tabloid The Sun that he was a “national treasure.” “I’ve lost a wonderful husband and the public has lost a truly great showman….People loved him. He was mobbed everywhere he went,” Zara said to the Sun, according to the BBC.
The beloved comic actor starred in four of the “Carry On” films, starting in 1959 with “Carry On Nurse.” He went on star in “Carry On Teacher” and “Carry On Constable” in the 1960s.
Phillips is also best known for his role as a...
- 11/8/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
British veteran comedy actress Josephine Tewson, who found her biggest success in her sixties starring in one of the 1990s’ biggest TV sitcoms, has died aged 91.
Tewson was best known for playing Elizabeth, the living-on-her-nerves neighbour of Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, from 1990 to 1995.
But she appeared in a string of other shows too, such as Shelley with Hywel Bennet and No Appointment Necessary with Roy Kinnear. Following the success of Keeping Up Appearances, the show’s writer Roy Clarke gave Tewson the role of Miss Davenport in Last of the Summer Wine, which she played from 2003 to 2010.
In a statement, her agent Jean Diamond said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Josephine Tewson.”
The actress died on Thursday at Denville Hall, a care home for actors and other members of the entertainment industry in north London.
Several decades before she enjoyed sitcom stardom,...
Tewson was best known for playing Elizabeth, the living-on-her-nerves neighbour of Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, from 1990 to 1995.
But she appeared in a string of other shows too, such as Shelley with Hywel Bennet and No Appointment Necessary with Roy Kinnear. Following the success of Keeping Up Appearances, the show’s writer Roy Clarke gave Tewson the role of Miss Davenport in Last of the Summer Wine, which she played from 2003 to 2010.
In a statement, her agent Jean Diamond said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Josephine Tewson.”
The actress died on Thursday at Denville Hall, a care home for actors and other members of the entertainment industry in north London.
Several decades before she enjoyed sitcom stardom,...
- 8/20/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Josephine Tewson, star of Keeping Up Appearances and Last of the Summer Wine, has died at the age of 91.
She died on Thursday night (18 August) at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in Northwood, northeast London, her agent said.
The Hampstead-born star trained at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1952.
She went on to play small parts in the Sixties TV series Z-Cars and The Charlie Drake Show, and appeared in sketches with comedians Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker in Hark at Barker and Frost on Sunday.
She also played Edna Hawkins in the first six series of the Eighties and Nineties ITV sitcom Shelley.
Tewson was best known for playing Elizabeth Warden, anxious neighbour and reluctant best friend of the stuck-up social climber Hyacinth Bucket in the adored Nineties BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.
She collaborated with that show’s writer Roy Clarke again for...
She died on Thursday night (18 August) at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in Northwood, northeast London, her agent said.
The Hampstead-born star trained at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1952.
She went on to play small parts in the Sixties TV series Z-Cars and The Charlie Drake Show, and appeared in sketches with comedians Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker in Hark at Barker and Frost on Sunday.
She also played Edna Hawkins in the first six series of the Eighties and Nineties ITV sitcom Shelley.
Tewson was best known for playing Elizabeth Warden, anxious neighbour and reluctant best friend of the stuck-up social climber Hyacinth Bucket in the adored Nineties BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.
She collaborated with that show’s writer Roy Clarke again for...
- 8/19/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
Kirsten Howard Feb 23, 2018
The BBC is giving its Porridge sequel series the boot...
Sad news for fans of the Beeb's recently-revived Porridge, we're afraid - the series won't be back for more banged-up-(not)-abroad hijinx, as it's been nixed after just one series.
The show featured Kevin Bishop as Nigel, the cyber crime-committing grandson of Ronnie Barker's character Norman Fletcher, alongside Mark Bonnar, Dominic Coleman, Dave Hill, Harman Singh, Jason Barnett and Ricky Grover.
The BBC first floated the project as a pilot in its Landmark Comedy Season a couple of years ago. The new version of the classic sitcom was well received, and so 6 episodes were ordered and plonked in a Friday night slot. It performed fine there for a spell, but it seems that either the ratings, or general interest in keeping Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement's new Porridge alive, must have started deteriorating rather quickly.
The BBC is giving its Porridge sequel series the boot...
Sad news for fans of the Beeb's recently-revived Porridge, we're afraid - the series won't be back for more banged-up-(not)-abroad hijinx, as it's been nixed after just one series.
The show featured Kevin Bishop as Nigel, the cyber crime-committing grandson of Ronnie Barker's character Norman Fletcher, alongside Mark Bonnar, Dominic Coleman, Dave Hill, Harman Singh, Jason Barnett and Ricky Grover.
The BBC first floated the project as a pilot in its Landmark Comedy Season a couple of years ago. The new version of the classic sitcom was well received, and so 6 episodes were ordered and plonked in a Friday night slot. It performed fine there for a spell, but it seems that either the ratings, or general interest in keeping Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement's new Porridge alive, must have started deteriorating rather quickly.
- 2/23/2018
- Den of Geek
The chilling murder of a dating service worker by a woman he dated and her jealous boyfriend is profiled tonight on Investigation Discovery’s Detective series. David Stevens, 38, was shot two times in the head by Ronald Barker after his girlfriend Ny Nourn lured David into a trap that left him dead. The night before his death in December 1993 David, a marketing manager at dating service Perfect Match, had slept with Nourn on their first and only date. When Barker found out he flew into a rage and convinced Nourn to join him in a plot to kill David...read more...
- 5/26/2017
- by Julian Cheatle
- Monsters and Critics
The Beeb is amping up the laughs. The BBC has commissioned three new comedy TV programs. BBC One has ordered the Porridge TV show revival from creators Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. The original prison-set series, starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale, ran on BBC One from 1974 to 1977. The Porridge reboot stars Kevin Bishop as Nigel ‘Fletch’ Fletcher, grandson of Barker’s iconic Norman Stanley Fletcher.BBC Two ordered the Motherland TV series, written by Graham Linehan and Sharon Horgan, Helen Linehan, and Holly Walsh, the show features the the trials and traumas of motherhood. The pilot, which aired as part of The BBC's "Landmark Sitcom Season," starred Anna Maxwell Martin, Lucy Punch, Diane Morgan, Paul Ready, Margaret Cabourn-Smith, and Oliver Chris.Meanwhile, BBC Three has commissions the first season of the A Brief History of Tim TV show,...
- 10/12/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Louisa Mellor Oct 6, 2016
Brilliant! The BBC has ordered a full series of new comedy Motherland, and of its rebooted Porridge starring Kevin Bishop...
Two new comedies are coming to the BBC: Motherland, written by the winning combination of Graham Linehan, Sharon Horgan, Holly Walsh and Helen Linehan, and a rebooted version of Porridge, from original creators Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
Both part of the BBC's recent Landmark Sitcom season, the pilot for Motherland took an acerbic look at modern middle-class parenting. Starring Anna Maxwell Martin--an absolute treat to see in a comedic role--as harassed working mother of two Julia, it showed her dealings with playground queen bee Amanda (Lucy Punch), chaotic social outcast Liz (Diane Morgan) and eager-to-please stay at home dad Kevin (Paul Ready).
Sharp, well-observed and caustic about the smug, competitive cliques that form in the world of play dates and PTA committees, it was...
Brilliant! The BBC has ordered a full series of new comedy Motherland, and of its rebooted Porridge starring Kevin Bishop...
Two new comedies are coming to the BBC: Motherland, written by the winning combination of Graham Linehan, Sharon Horgan, Holly Walsh and Helen Linehan, and a rebooted version of Porridge, from original creators Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
Both part of the BBC's recent Landmark Sitcom season, the pilot for Motherland took an acerbic look at modern middle-class parenting. Starring Anna Maxwell Martin--an absolute treat to see in a comedic role--as harassed working mother of two Julia, it showed her dealings with playground queen bee Amanda (Lucy Punch), chaotic social outcast Liz (Diane Morgan) and eager-to-please stay at home dad Kevin (Paul Ready).
Sharp, well-observed and caustic about the smug, competitive cliques that form in the world of play dates and PTA committees, it was...
- 10/6/2016
- Den of Geek
Today in 1997, Titanic opened at the Lunt-Fonatnne Theatre, where it ran for 804 performances. Titanic is a musical with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Peter Stone that won five Tony Awards including the award for Best Musical. Titanic is set on the ocean liner Rms Titanic which sank on its maiden voyage on April 15, 1912. Directed by Richard Jones with choreography by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, the cast included John Cunningham, David Garrison, Larry Keith, Alma Cuervo, Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, and Brian d'Arcy James.
- 4/23/2016
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Ronnie Corbett, best known as playing one half of “The Two Ronnies,” has died. He was 85. The British comedian’s publicist told the Telegraph he passed away Thursday morning “surrounded by his loving family.” “They have asked that their privacy is respected at this very sad time,” the statement continued. Also Read: Margaret 'Maggie' Blye, 'Italian Job' Actress, Dies at 73 Corbett first rose to fame on “The Frost Report” in the 1960s alongside David Frost, John Cleese and Ronnie Barker, but then became a comedy duo with Barker, who passed away in 2005. “The Two Ronnies” ran from 1971 to 1987, and typically began with.
- 3/31/2016
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
A fixture of British television for over 50 years who was best known for BBC comedy sketch show The Two Ronnies, veteran comedian and actor Ronnie Corbett has died at the age of 85. His publicist said today, “Ronnie Corbett Cbe, one of the nation’s best-loved entertainers, passed away this morning, surrounded by his loving family.” The BBC reports he had been in ill health for some time. Corbett was an institution who, along with Ronnie Barker, formed a hugely successful…...
- 3/31/2016
- Deadline TV
Legendary British comedian Ronnie Corbett, best known for the classic BBC comedy sketch show "The Two Ronnies," has died at the age of 85.
Corbett was an institution who, along with Ronnie Barker, formed a hugely successful double act in the 1970s and 1980s. Barker died in 2005. Corbett had been in ill health for some time and passed away surrounded by his loving family.
Corbett starred in various television roles including sitcoms like "Sorry" and "Extras" along with the John Landis 2010 film "Burke and Hare". Here's an example of one of the pair's most iconic sketches:
Source: BBC...
Corbett was an institution who, along with Ronnie Barker, formed a hugely successful double act in the 1970s and 1980s. Barker died in 2005. Corbett had been in ill health for some time and passed away surrounded by his loving family.
Corbett starred in various television roles including sitcoms like "Sorry" and "Extras" along with the John Landis 2010 film "Burke and Hare". Here's an example of one of the pair's most iconic sketches:
Source: BBC...
- 3/31/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
'Porridge' is returning with a new pilot. The hit prison sitcom's writers Dick Clement, 77, and Ian La Frenais, 79, have revealed they're working on a new storyline that will feature the grandson of original character Fletcher, who was famously played by the late Ronnie Barker. La Frenais told the Sunday Times newspaper: ''He's called Fletch too and is a chip off the old block. He has what I'd call attitude. ''It will be set in a modern prison, while Hmp Slade was, of course, Victorian. We were asked by the BBC to do a revival and decided to set it right up...
- 11/16/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Surprised by Peter Kay's 'Gor blimey!' Cockney accent in BBC Two's Cradle to Grave? Series creator Danny Baker says you'll get used to it.
Speaking at a press screening, Baker said that "authenticity" isn't all that important in terms of how a TV character speaks.
"It's a shock when Peter Kay don't talk like Peter Kay - and it takes a bit to get over that," he acknowledged.
"But after a while, hopefully, he's that character - that's who he is, that's how he walks, that how he talks."
Cradle to Grave is based on Baker's youth, with Kay playing the young Danny's hot-tempered father Fred.
"I grew up with Harry Corbett in Steptoe and Son, what part of London was that?" Baker asked. "James Bolam in The Likely Lads - that ain't Geordie! But that's how that character speaks."
Baker added that Bolton-born Kay worked closely...
Speaking at a press screening, Baker said that "authenticity" isn't all that important in terms of how a TV character speaks.
"It's a shock when Peter Kay don't talk like Peter Kay - and it takes a bit to get over that," he acknowledged.
"But after a while, hopefully, he's that character - that's who he is, that's how he walks, that how he talks."
Cradle to Grave is based on Baker's youth, with Kay playing the young Danny's hot-tempered father Fred.
"I grew up with Harry Corbett in Steptoe and Son, what part of London was that?" Baker asked. "James Bolam in The Likely Lads - that ain't Geordie! But that's how that character speaks."
Baker added that Bolton-born Kay worked closely...
- 9/3/2015
- Digital Spy
Today in 1997, Titanic opened at the Lunt-Fonatnne Theatre, where it ran for 804 performances. Titanic is a musical with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Peter Stone that won five Tony Awards including the award for Best Musical. Titanic is set on the ocean liner Rms Titanic which sank on its maiden voyage on April 15, 1912. Directed by Richard Jones with choreography by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, the cast included John Cunningham, David Garrison, Larry Keith, Alma Cuervo, Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, and Brian d'Arcy James.
- 4/23/2015
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Gold has ordered a new biography series about comedians - with a difference.
The Interviews - a six part series - will focus on a different star in each episode by using their appearances on British chat shows.
Kenneth Williams, The Two Ronnies, Les Dawson, Oliver Reed, Spike Milligan, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore will each feature in an instalment of The Interviews, with Dawn French providing a voiceover for the series.
As well as using footage with interviewers such as Michael Parkinson, Terry Wogan, Melvyn Bragg, Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton, Michael Aspel, Des O'Connor and Mavis Nicholson, the series will use clips from personal documentary interviews and radio specials.
Gold's commissioning editor Iain Coyle described the series as a "compelling show that perfectly captures the personalities of our comedy legends".
"The Interviews is a unique way of doing biography through chat show appearances, as the guests' stories are told straight from the horse's mouth,...
The Interviews - a six part series - will focus on a different star in each episode by using their appearances on British chat shows.
Kenneth Williams, The Two Ronnies, Les Dawson, Oliver Reed, Spike Milligan, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore will each feature in an instalment of The Interviews, with Dawn French providing a voiceover for the series.
As well as using footage with interviewers such as Michael Parkinson, Terry Wogan, Melvyn Bragg, Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton, Michael Aspel, Des O'Connor and Mavis Nicholson, the series will use clips from personal documentary interviews and radio specials.
Gold's commissioning editor Iain Coyle described the series as a "compelling show that perfectly captures the personalities of our comedy legends".
"The Interviews is a unique way of doing biography through chat show appearances, as the guests' stories are told straight from the horse's mouth,...
- 4/1/2015
- Digital Spy
wiki
What springs to mind when you think of Bedford? Getting a Wimpy at Aspects Leisure Park? Exploring The Cecil Higgins Museum? Enjoying a 99 ice cream (when they still cost 99p) down at the Embankment? Or perhaps nothing at all?
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, and it’s known for being the birthplace to comedian Ronnie Barker, television personality Carol Vorederman, and Olympic gold medallist Tim Foster. Oh, and apparently we ‘do a thing’ called a Bedford Clanger, which is a suet crust-dumpling with a savoury filling at one end and a sweet filling at the other – kind of like an old school pastry version of Willy Wonka’s Three Course Dinner Chewing Gum.
Bedford might not be big, and it might not be paradise – but for many of us (157,479 to be exact), it’s home. And just because you don’t know the actual name of The...
What springs to mind when you think of Bedford? Getting a Wimpy at Aspects Leisure Park? Exploring The Cecil Higgins Museum? Enjoying a 99 ice cream (when they still cost 99p) down at the Embankment? Or perhaps nothing at all?
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, and it’s known for being the birthplace to comedian Ronnie Barker, television personality Carol Vorederman, and Olympic gold medallist Tim Foster. Oh, and apparently we ‘do a thing’ called a Bedford Clanger, which is a suet crust-dumpling with a savoury filling at one end and a sweet filling at the other – kind of like an old school pastry version of Willy Wonka’s Three Course Dinner Chewing Gum.
Bedford might not be big, and it might not be paradise – but for many of us (157,479 to be exact), it’s home. And just because you don’t know the actual name of The...
- 3/25/2015
- by Rachel Bailey
- Obsessed with Film
The BBC has announced a number of new comedy shows, including six-part series The Tracey Ullman Show.
Tracey Ullman's last BBC series - A Kick up the Eighties and Three of a Kind - aired in the 1980s, after which she concentrated on a Us TV career.
The actress and comedian - who will portray various characters living in, or visiting, the UK - said: "It's a privilege to be doing this. I still feel as inspired to inhabit people as I did when I was 6, standing on the window sill in my mother's bedroom, putting on a show.
"The BBC has changed a bit since the last time I worked here, when it was all men in bow ties who had completed National Service. Now there are a lot more women. Great ones.
"The important things haven't changed, though. The BBC still provides an environment that allows you...
Tracey Ullman's last BBC series - A Kick up the Eighties and Three of a Kind - aired in the 1980s, after which she concentrated on a Us TV career.
The actress and comedian - who will portray various characters living in, or visiting, the UK - said: "It's a privilege to be doing this. I still feel as inspired to inhabit people as I did when I was 6, standing on the window sill in my mother's bedroom, putting on a show.
"The BBC has changed a bit since the last time I worked here, when it was all men in bow ties who had completed National Service. Now there are a lot more women. Great ones.
"The important things haven't changed, though. The BBC still provides an environment that allows you...
- 3/4/2015
- Digital Spy
BBC One celebrates classic Christmas television in a new festive trailer.
The video, entitled 'Be With The Ones You Love', takes viewers through a selection of memorable screen moments from over the years.
Starting with a series of BBC One Christmas idents, clips are then shown from programmes including Only Fools and Horses, EastEnders and The Two Ronnies.
Snippets of Call The Midwife, Doctor Who, Miranda and The Vicar of Dibley also appear.
Earlier this week, BBC announced its Christmas film and television line-ups.
Special editions of Would I Lie To You and Never Mind the Buzzcocks have been confirmed, while Avengers Assemble leads the movie listings.
The video, entitled 'Be With The Ones You Love', takes viewers through a selection of memorable screen moments from over the years.
Starting with a series of BBC One Christmas idents, clips are then shown from programmes including Only Fools and Horses, EastEnders and The Two Ronnies.
Snippets of Call The Midwife, Doctor Who, Miranda and The Vicar of Dibley also appear.
Earlier this week, BBC announced its Christmas film and television line-ups.
Special editions of Would I Lie To You and Never Mind the Buzzcocks have been confirmed, while Avengers Assemble leads the movie listings.
- 11/29/2014
- Digital Spy
Alex pays a fond return revisit to 1960s classic TV series, The Avengers...
Stylish crime fighting, despicable evil masterminds, a bowler-hatted old Etonian gentleman spy and a series of beautiful leather cat-suited, kinky-booted, no-nonsense heroines. The Avengers had all this and more. What began as a monochrome tape series in January 1961 ran the whole of the Sixties, becoming a colourful slice of period hokum, full of flair, wit and sophistication, yet with its tongue firmly in its cheek.
Always the perfect gentleman, John Steed was played by Patrick Macnee. Originally billed second to the late Ian Hendry, Macnee was still playing Steed over 15 years later when he was teamed with the youthful duo of Joanna Lumley and Gareth Hunt for The New Avengers in 1976. In the 1998 film, the role of Steed was given to Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman played Emma Peel. I will say no more about the film.
Stylish crime fighting, despicable evil masterminds, a bowler-hatted old Etonian gentleman spy and a series of beautiful leather cat-suited, kinky-booted, no-nonsense heroines. The Avengers had all this and more. What began as a monochrome tape series in January 1961 ran the whole of the Sixties, becoming a colourful slice of period hokum, full of flair, wit and sophistication, yet with its tongue firmly in its cheek.
Always the perfect gentleman, John Steed was played by Patrick Macnee. Originally billed second to the late Ian Hendry, Macnee was still playing Steed over 15 years later when he was teamed with the youthful duo of Joanna Lumley and Gareth Hunt for The New Avengers in 1976. In the 1998 film, the role of Steed was given to Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman played Emma Peel. I will say no more about the film.
- 10/13/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
He was the king of improv comedy. Now he's playing second fiddle to a dancing dog. What happened? John Sessions talks about stage fright, voting Ukip and life after the 'twinkly years'
John Sessions is drinking coffee and making a call on a prehistoric mobile phone when I arrive at the Soho hotel where we are having lunch. Sessions holds it up proudly. "I don't have an iPhone, I don't do apps," he exclaims. At 61, he has embraced bufferdom. Grey-haired and wearing large spectacles, he looks like Ronnie Barker, or a retired colonel you might run into at a golf club in Surrey.
He admits it, rejoices in it. "I rang the BBC the other day," he tells me. "I'm sick to the back teeth of hearing people say 'mitigate against'. 'Militate' is the verb. Martha Kearney did it. I said: 'Will you please tell Ms Kearney, it's militate.'" He votes Ukip,...
John Sessions is drinking coffee and making a call on a prehistoric mobile phone when I arrive at the Soho hotel where we are having lunch. Sessions holds it up proudly. "I don't have an iPhone, I don't do apps," he exclaims. At 61, he has embraced bufferdom. Grey-haired and wearing large spectacles, he looks like Ronnie Barker, or a retired colonel you might run into at a golf club in Surrey.
He admits it, rejoices in it. "I rang the BBC the other day," he tells me. "I'm sick to the back teeth of hearing people say 'mitigate against'. 'Militate' is the verb. Martha Kearney did it. I said: 'Will you please tell Ms Kearney, it's militate.'" He votes Ukip,...
- 7/14/2014
- by Stephen Moss
- The Guardian - Film News
Ronnie Corbett still mourns Ronnie Barker nine years after his death. The 'Two Ronnies' star admits he is still haunted by the death of his comedy partner in 2005 and even avoids driving down a road where he had his last conversation with him. He said: ''I miss him, yes, oh God! I can't drive along the street off St James's [in London]. I took a call from Ron ... he said, 'You know I'm going.' That was the last time I spoke to him.'' Barker died from heart failure in 2005, aged 76, after refusing valve replacement surgery. As well as his work...
- 6/25/2014
- Virgin Media - TV
Does new sixties-set Sky Atlantic comedy, Mr Sloane, have more to offer than a winning central performance by Nick Frost?
Review
This review contains spoilers.
1.1 Meet Mr Sloane
If you were to judge Mr Sloane solely on the likeability of its cast, it’d be a five-star production. There aren’t many more appealing actors working in UK comedy than Nick Frost and Olivia Colman, and both are at their genial best here. Judged on its script and laughs though, Sky Atlantic’s new sixties-set comedy is simply too gentle a thing to give a rave review.
A character piece set in the resolutely non-swinging end of 1969 London, Mr Sloane follows the titular sadsack (Nick Frost) in the aftermath of losing his job and wife Janet (Olivia Colman).
Janet, whom we meet here only in flashback and dream sequence, has left Watford in search of herself. Her husband, Jeremy Sloane...
Review
This review contains spoilers.
1.1 Meet Mr Sloane
If you were to judge Mr Sloane solely on the likeability of its cast, it’d be a five-star production. There aren’t many more appealing actors working in UK comedy than Nick Frost and Olivia Colman, and both are at their genial best here. Judged on its script and laughs though, Sky Atlantic’s new sixties-set comedy is simply too gentle a thing to give a rave review.
A character piece set in the resolutely non-swinging end of 1969 London, Mr Sloane follows the titular sadsack (Nick Frost) in the aftermath of losing his job and wife Janet (Olivia Colman).
Janet, whom we meet here only in flashback and dream sequence, has left Watford in search of herself. Her husband, Jeremy Sloane...
- 5/23/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
The latest long-form documentary from the veteran film-maker is illuminating both because of and despite its reverent intimacy with its subject
Veteran director Frederick Wiseman has specialised in recent years in lengthy, minutiae-filled studies of major institutions these include surveys of the University of California at Berkeley, the French National Ballet and the Idaho state legislature and now he has turned his attention to the UK's premier art collection. Filmed in Wiseman's characteristic style no talking heads, no captions, no voiceover over some three hours, this portrait of a working, large-scale enterprise dedicated to old-master painting makes an interesting counterpoint to Mike Leigh's Mr Turner, which breezed through Cannes two days ago. Where Leigh had his painter spitting on the canvas to thin the paint, and prankishly shoving red splurges into his composition to irritate his fellow artists, Wiseman's film is all about the studious reverence for the brush-wielding geniuses,...
Veteran director Frederick Wiseman has specialised in recent years in lengthy, minutiae-filled studies of major institutions these include surveys of the University of California at Berkeley, the French National Ballet and the Idaho state legislature and now he has turned his attention to the UK's premier art collection. Filmed in Wiseman's characteristic style no talking heads, no captions, no voiceover over some three hours, this portrait of a working, large-scale enterprise dedicated to old-master painting makes an interesting counterpoint to Mike Leigh's Mr Turner, which breezed through Cannes two days ago. Where Leigh had his painter spitting on the canvas to thin the paint, and prankishly shoving red splurges into his composition to irritate his fellow artists, Wiseman's film is all about the studious reverence for the brush-wielding geniuses,...
- 5/17/2014
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
Feature Alex Westthorp 28 Mar 2014 - 07:00
In a new series, Alex talks us through the film roles of the actors who've played the Doctor. First up, William Hartnell and Jon Pertwee...
We know them best as the twelve very different incarnations of the Doctor. But all the actors who've been the star of Doctor Who, being such good all-rounders in the first place, have also had film careers. Admittedly, some CVs are more impressive than others, but this retrospective attempts to pick out some of the many worthwhile films which have starred, featured or seen a fleeting cameo by the actors who would become (or had been) the Doctor.
William Hartnell was, above all else, a film star. He is by far the most prolific film actor of the main twelve to play the Time Lord. With over 70 films to his name, summarising Hartnell's film career is difficult at best.
In a new series, Alex talks us through the film roles of the actors who've played the Doctor. First up, William Hartnell and Jon Pertwee...
We know them best as the twelve very different incarnations of the Doctor. But all the actors who've been the star of Doctor Who, being such good all-rounders in the first place, have also had film careers. Admittedly, some CVs are more impressive than others, but this retrospective attempts to pick out some of the many worthwhile films which have starred, featured or seen a fleeting cameo by the actors who would become (or had been) the Doctor.
William Hartnell was, above all else, a film star. He is by far the most prolific film actor of the main twelve to play the Time Lord. With over 70 films to his name, summarising Hartnell's film career is difficult at best.
- 3/26/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
BBC Two has announced a series of special programmes to mark its 50th anniversary.
The channel celebrates the milestone on April 20, and will broadcast several one-off programmes featuring the likes of Dara Ó Briain and Sue Barker.
Earlier today (March 19), it was announced that Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse will star in a spoof look back at the history of the channel in The Story of the Twos, while there will also be a one-off Goodness Gracious Me reunion.
Ó Briain will host All About Two, a 90-minute quiz and celebration of BBC Two. Pointless star Richard Osman will reveal facts and figures, while celebrity teams and special guests will also appear.
50 Years Of BBC Two Comedy will look back at the channel's biggest comedy programmes and performers, including Fawlty Towers, Spike Milligan, Shooting Stars, The Office, Victoria Wood, and The Fast Show.
The two-hour special will feature Armando Iannucci,...
The channel celebrates the milestone on April 20, and will broadcast several one-off programmes featuring the likes of Dara Ó Briain and Sue Barker.
Earlier today (March 19), it was announced that Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse will star in a spoof look back at the history of the channel in The Story of the Twos, while there will also be a one-off Goodness Gracious Me reunion.
Ó Briain will host All About Two, a 90-minute quiz and celebration of BBC Two. Pointless star Richard Osman will reveal facts and figures, while celebrity teams and special guests will also appear.
50 Years Of BBC Two Comedy will look back at the channel's biggest comedy programmes and performers, including Fawlty Towers, Spike Milligan, Shooting Stars, The Office, Victoria Wood, and The Fast Show.
The two-hour special will feature Armando Iannucci,...
- 3/19/2014
- Digital Spy
Producer Allan McKeown has passed away from prostate cancer at the age of 67.
He died at his home on Christmas Eve, surrounded by his family.
The British-born producer was the co-creator of Tracey Takes On…, which starred his wife Tracey Ullman.
His daughter Mabel paid tribute to her father on Twitter, writing:
My brilliant, funny, extraordinary father Allan McKeown passed away on Christmas Eve. Thank you all for the love. http://t.co/Pjq5p37c0d
— Mabel McKeown (@MabelMck) December 26, 2013
McKeown and Ullman also had son Johnny together.
After working as a hairdresser to the stars, McKeown started production company Witzend, becoming one of the first independent television producers in the UK.
In 1990, he became a founding member of the Meridian consortium, which won the ITV television franchise for the southeast of England.
McKeown, who married Ullman in 1983, produced 2004 musical Jerry Springer: The Opera and collaborated with Yoko Ono...
He died at his home on Christmas Eve, surrounded by his family.
The British-born producer was the co-creator of Tracey Takes On…, which starred his wife Tracey Ullman.
His daughter Mabel paid tribute to her father on Twitter, writing:
My brilliant, funny, extraordinary father Allan McKeown passed away on Christmas Eve. Thank you all for the love. http://t.co/Pjq5p37c0d
— Mabel McKeown (@MabelMck) December 26, 2013
McKeown and Ullman also had son Johnny together.
After working as a hairdresser to the stars, McKeown started production company Witzend, becoming one of the first independent television producers in the UK.
In 1990, he became a founding member of the Meridian consortium, which won the ITV television franchise for the southeast of England.
McKeown, who married Ullman in 1983, produced 2004 musical Jerry Springer: The Opera and collaborated with Yoko Ono...
- 12/28/2013
- Digital Spy
One-off Christmas episode on BBC1 starring David Jason as Granville attracts a peak audience of 10 million
The return of Sir David Jason as grocery shop worker Granville in a one-off Christmas special of Open All Hours was the most popular programme on Boxing Day, attracting a peak audience of 10 million.
The success of Still Open All Hours, which aired nearly 30 years after the last episode of the original Ronnie Barker sitcom, meant BBC1 scooped the Christmas honours, airing the most popular shows on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
The comedy, which sees Granville and his son inherit the business from the late Barker's domineering shop owner Albert Arkwright, managed an average audience of 9.4 million and a 35.5% share of all TV viewing between 7.45pm and 8.15pm. The show's peak audience briefly touched 10 million.
The success of the show marks a welcome return of form for Jason after last year's sitcom The Royal Bodyguard...
The return of Sir David Jason as grocery shop worker Granville in a one-off Christmas special of Open All Hours was the most popular programme on Boxing Day, attracting a peak audience of 10 million.
The success of Still Open All Hours, which aired nearly 30 years after the last episode of the original Ronnie Barker sitcom, meant BBC1 scooped the Christmas honours, airing the most popular shows on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
The comedy, which sees Granville and his son inherit the business from the late Barker's domineering shop owner Albert Arkwright, managed an average audience of 9.4 million and a 35.5% share of all TV viewing between 7.45pm and 8.15pm. The show's peak audience briefly touched 10 million.
The success of the show marks a welcome return of form for Jason after last year's sitcom The Royal Bodyguard...
- 12/28/2013
- by Mark Sweney
- The Guardian - Film News
Strictly Come Dancing topped the ratings last night (December 21), with an average of 11.5 million tuning in for the BBC One dancing competition's grand finale.
The earlier instalment of the show's first ever all-female final at 6.30pm received an audience share of 48.1%, while 45.8% returned at 8.40pm to see Abbey Clancy win the 2013 Glitterball Trophy.
Photo gallery - the 2013 Strictly final:Elsewhere on the channel, Atlantis pulled in 5.59m (24.6%) for the penultimate episode of the current series at 7.55pm.
Over on BBC Two, a repeat of Dad's Army brought in the channel's biggest ratings of the night with 1.75m (7.21%) tuning in at 8.20pm, while an episode of The Many Faces of, focusing on the late Ronnie Barker, was seen by 1.43m (7.37%) at 10pm.
ITV continued its season of Harry Potter films at 6.30pm, with the franchise's fifth instalment Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix bringing in 3.5m (14.8%). A further 516k (2.15%) tuned...
The earlier instalment of the show's first ever all-female final at 6.30pm received an audience share of 48.1%, while 45.8% returned at 8.40pm to see Abbey Clancy win the 2013 Glitterball Trophy.
Photo gallery - the 2013 Strictly final:Elsewhere on the channel, Atlantis pulled in 5.59m (24.6%) for the penultimate episode of the current series at 7.55pm.
Over on BBC Two, a repeat of Dad's Army brought in the channel's biggest ratings of the night with 1.75m (7.21%) tuning in at 8.20pm, while an episode of The Many Faces of, focusing on the late Ronnie Barker, was seen by 1.43m (7.37%) at 10pm.
ITV continued its season of Harry Potter films at 6.30pm, with the franchise's fifth instalment Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix bringing in 3.5m (14.8%). A further 516k (2.15%) tuned...
- 12/22/2013
- Digital Spy
UKTV's Gold will celebrate the 40th anniversary of iconic British sitcom Porridge with three new documentaries.
The classic Ronnie Barker series originally ran from 1974 to 1977 for three series and two Christmas specials.
Written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, the series also had a feature film and spin-off series, Going Straight. It was voted No.7 in a BBC poll for the greatest British sitcom of all time.
The new Gold documentaries will tell the real story behind the iconic programme, from the pilot episode, through to the Christmas specials and the spin-off follow-up.
Viewers will be taken on a tour of the pivotal places Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais visited during the creation and development of the series, including the pub where they first met, the prisons they researched, and the little known filming locations they used.
The show will also feature "classic sketches alongside rare and unseen...
The classic Ronnie Barker series originally ran from 1974 to 1977 for three series and two Christmas specials.
Written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, the series also had a feature film and spin-off series, Going Straight. It was voted No.7 in a BBC poll for the greatest British sitcom of all time.
The new Gold documentaries will tell the real story behind the iconic programme, from the pilot episode, through to the Christmas specials and the spin-off follow-up.
Viewers will be taken on a tour of the pivotal places Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais visited during the creation and development of the series, including the pub where they first met, the prisons they researched, and the little known filming locations they used.
The show will also feature "classic sketches alongside rare and unseen...
- 12/16/2013
- Digital Spy
BBC
This Christmas we’re in for a real treat. On Boxing Day night the BBC are showing a brand new spin-off episode of Roy Clarke’s classic convenience shop comedy Open All Hours to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Several cast members – including Sir David Jason and Lynda Baron as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel – are reprising their roles from the original series for this Christmas special. The filming of this has also led to strong speculation Still Open All Hours will be given a full sequel series next year.
As delightful as that future prospect sounds, it got us wondering at WhatCulture about what made the original show so great and laugh out loud funny? Many younger viewers may not be aware of Ronnie Barker’s comic genius, but he starred both in Open All Hours as the money-grabbing Albert Arkwright and loveable lag Norman Stanley Fletcher in prison sitcom Porridge.
This Christmas we’re in for a real treat. On Boxing Day night the BBC are showing a brand new spin-off episode of Roy Clarke’s classic convenience shop comedy Open All Hours to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Several cast members – including Sir David Jason and Lynda Baron as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel – are reprising their roles from the original series for this Christmas special. The filming of this has also led to strong speculation Still Open All Hours will be given a full sequel series next year.
As delightful as that future prospect sounds, it got us wondering at WhatCulture about what made the original show so great and laugh out loud funny? Many younger viewers may not be aware of Ronnie Barker’s comic genius, but he starred both in Open All Hours as the money-grabbing Albert Arkwright and loveable lag Norman Stanley Fletcher in prison sitcom Porridge.
- 12/14/2013
- by Jamie Clark
- Obsessed with Film
BBC One has released new images from its festive offering Still Open All Hours.
The revival of classic sitcom Open All Hours - which aired on BBC Two between 1973 and 1985 - will see David Jason reprising his role of Granville.
In the new one-off special, viewers will meet an older Granville, who has inherited the grocer's shop from his late Uncle Arkwright, played by Ronnie Barker in the original show.
He now runs the business with his son Leroy (James Baxter), a cheerful and good-looking lad who attracts many female admirers.
Still Open All Hours - which will also star Lynda Barron and Stephanie Cole - has been written by original series creator Roy Clarke.
The comedy is scheduled for Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26) at 7.45pm on BBC One.
Sir David Jason to star in Open All Hours Christmas special
Catch up on all the latest TV and Movies releases...
The revival of classic sitcom Open All Hours - which aired on BBC Two between 1973 and 1985 - will see David Jason reprising his role of Granville.
In the new one-off special, viewers will meet an older Granville, who has inherited the grocer's shop from his late Uncle Arkwright, played by Ronnie Barker in the original show.
He now runs the business with his son Leroy (James Baxter), a cheerful and good-looking lad who attracts many female admirers.
Still Open All Hours - which will also star Lynda Barron and Stephanie Cole - has been written by original series creator Roy Clarke.
The comedy is scheduled for Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26) at 7.45pm on BBC One.
Sir David Jason to star in Open All Hours Christmas special
Catch up on all the latest TV and Movies releases...
- 12/7/2013
- Digital Spy
BBC One has released a first-look image of David Jason reprising his Open All Hours role.
The 73-year-old will return to the role of Granville for Still Open All Hours, a revival of the classic sitcom which first aired on BBC Two between 1973 and 1985.
In the Christmas special, viewers will meet an older Granville, who has inherited the grocer's shop from his late Uncle Arkwright, originally played by Ronnie Barker.
He now runs the business with his son Leroy (James Baxter), a cheerful and good-looking lad who attracts many female admirers.
Still Open All Hours - which will also star Lynda Barron and Stephanie Cole - has been written by original series creator Roy Clarke.
"This has been fun - a great opportunity to work with David Jason again and to suggest how things at that corner shop might look today," said Clarke.
Other comedy highlights on BBC One this...
The 73-year-old will return to the role of Granville for Still Open All Hours, a revival of the classic sitcom which first aired on BBC Two between 1973 and 1985.
In the Christmas special, viewers will meet an older Granville, who has inherited the grocer's shop from his late Uncle Arkwright, originally played by Ronnie Barker.
He now runs the business with his son Leroy (James Baxter), a cheerful and good-looking lad who attracts many female admirers.
Still Open All Hours - which will also star Lynda Barron and Stephanie Cole - has been written by original series creator Roy Clarke.
"This has been fun - a great opportunity to work with David Jason again and to suggest how things at that corner shop might look today," said Clarke.
Other comedy highlights on BBC One this...
- 11/26/2013
- Digital Spy
From the Nutcracker to American Psycho, from Mary Poppins to Kurt Vile, our critics pick their must-sees of the festive season
If you wish it could be Christmas every day
Nutcrackers, various
You know it's Christmas in the ballet world by the number of Nutcrackers touring the world's stages. In the UK alone, there are close to a dozen doing the rounds, but the top three remain the Royal Ballet's exquisitely traditional version, the sparky family friendly production by Birmingham Royal Ballet, and English National Ballet's – with the best snow scene of them all. Royal Opera House, London (020-7304 4000), 4 December to 16 January; Birmingham Hippodrome (0844 338 5000), to 12 December; London Coliseum (020-7845 9300), 11 December to 5 January.
Father Christmas
Does Father Christmas use the loo? Does he secretly long for summer? Does he have strong views on the size of chimneys? You bet he does. Raymond Briggs's gorgeous picture book gets a heartwarming makeover for under-sixes.
If you wish it could be Christmas every day
Nutcrackers, various
You know it's Christmas in the ballet world by the number of Nutcrackers touring the world's stages. In the UK alone, there are close to a dozen doing the rounds, but the top three remain the Royal Ballet's exquisitely traditional version, the sparky family friendly production by Birmingham Royal Ballet, and English National Ballet's – with the best snow scene of them all. Royal Opera House, London (020-7304 4000), 4 December to 16 January; Birmingham Hippodrome (0844 338 5000), to 12 December; London Coliseum (020-7845 9300), 11 December to 5 January.
Father Christmas
Does Father Christmas use the loo? Does he secretly long for summer? Does he have strong views on the size of chimneys? You bet he does. Raymond Briggs's gorgeous picture book gets a heartwarming makeover for under-sixes.
- 11/25/2013
- by Lyn Gardner, Michael Billington, Andrew Clements, Alexis Petridis, Judith Mackrell, John Fordham, Brian Logan, Stuart Heritage, Mark Lawson, Jonathan Jones
- The Guardian - Film News
Sir David Jason had always wondered what happened to his 'Open All Hours' character. The 73-year-old actor is reprising his role as Granville for the first time since 1985 in a one-off Christmas special, 'Still Open All Hours', and says the idea for the show - which is penned by original writer Roy Clarke - came from an ''innocent'' remark in a meeting. David - who starred with the late Ronnie Barker in the original series - explained: ''It all came about from a very innocent meeting with the BBC's Head of Comedy. ''I just happened to say, 'Whatever happened to Granville?'...
- 11/20/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Open All Hours has begun filming its one-off Christmas special.
BBC One has tweeted a photo from the set of the classic sitcom, which returns for a 30-minute episode titled Still Open All Hours on Christmas Day.
It's the first day of filming on our #OpenAllHours Christmas special, Still Open All Hours: pic.twitter.com/Bf4PY29KuD
— BBC One (@BBCOne) November 18, 2013
The iconic Arkwright store can be seen in the on-set photo, which was unveiled earlier today (November 18).
Sir David Jason will reprise his role of Granville in the festive special, while Lynda Baron and Maggie Ollerenshaw will also return as nurse Gladys Emmanuel and Mavis.
Granville will be seen running the grocery store with his son, having inherited it from his uncle Albert Arkwright (Ronnie Barker).
"I'm really excited to be bringing back Open All Hours," Jason recently said. "I am sure there is an audience out...
BBC One has tweeted a photo from the set of the classic sitcom, which returns for a 30-minute episode titled Still Open All Hours on Christmas Day.
It's the first day of filming on our #OpenAllHours Christmas special, Still Open All Hours: pic.twitter.com/Bf4PY29KuD
— BBC One (@BBCOne) November 18, 2013
The iconic Arkwright store can be seen in the on-set photo, which was unveiled earlier today (November 18).
Sir David Jason will reprise his role of Granville in the festive special, while Lynda Baron and Maggie Ollerenshaw will also return as nurse Gladys Emmanuel and Mavis.
Granville will be seen running the grocery store with his son, having inherited it from his uncle Albert Arkwright (Ronnie Barker).
"I'm really excited to be bringing back Open All Hours," Jason recently said. "I am sure there is an audience out...
- 11/18/2013
- Digital Spy
Sir David Jason is to star in an 'Open All Hours' Christmas special. The 'Only Fools and Horses' actor will reprise his role of Granville in the BBC One sitcom - which originally ran from 1973 to 1985 - and will see David's alter-ego, along with his character's son, run the back-water grocery store he has since inherited from Albert Arkwright, who was played by the late Ronnie Barker. The show's original writer Roy Clarke will return to pen the 30-minute festive episode, which will be called 'Still Open All Hours', and Lynda Baron and Maggie Ollerenshaw will also return as...
- 10/7/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Sir David Jason will reprise his role of Granville for an Open All Hours Christmas special.
Lynda Baron and Maggie Ollerenshaw will also return as nurse Gladys Emmanuel and Mavis in the 30-minute one-off episode Still Open All Hours.
"I'm really excited to be bringing back Open All Hours," said Jason. "I am sure there is an audience out there who would like to see what Granville has been getting up to in the corner shop.
"It will be a great family show for Christmas, and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Arkwright."
Granville will be seen running the grocery store with his son, having inherited it from his uncle Albert Arkwright (Ronnie Barker).
Roy Clarke, who wrote the original series, will return for Still Open All Hours.
"This has been fun - a great opportunity to work with David Jason again and to suggest how things at that corner shop might look today,...
Lynda Baron and Maggie Ollerenshaw will also return as nurse Gladys Emmanuel and Mavis in the 30-minute one-off episode Still Open All Hours.
"I'm really excited to be bringing back Open All Hours," said Jason. "I am sure there is an audience out there who would like to see what Granville has been getting up to in the corner shop.
"It will be a great family show for Christmas, and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Arkwright."
Granville will be seen running the grocery store with his son, having inherited it from his uncle Albert Arkwright (Ronnie Barker).
Roy Clarke, who wrote the original series, will return for Still Open All Hours.
"This has been fun - a great opportunity to work with David Jason again and to suggest how things at that corner shop might look today,...
- 10/7/2013
- Digital Spy
Sir David Jason is to star in an 'Open All Hours' Christmas special. The 'Only Fools and Horses' actor will reprise his role of Granville in the BBC One sitcom - which originally ran from 1973 to 1985 - and will see David's alter-ego, along with his character's son, run the back-water grocery store he has since inherited from Albert Arkwright, who was played by the late Ronnie Barker. The show's original writer Roy Clarke will return to pen the 30-minute festive episode, which will be called 'Still Open All Hours', and Lynda Baron and Maggie Ollerenshaw will also return as...
- 10/4/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
The X Factor continued with 8.65m (40%) on ITV on Saturday (September 14), overnight data reveals.
The third auditions show, which aired from 8pm, was up 710k on last week's instalment. It peaked at 8.85m at 8.45pm, while a further 407,000 (2%) caught the programme on ITV+1.
Earlier, Stepping Out earned 3.12m (17.5%) at 6.30pm, up 970k from last week's clash with Strictly Come Dancing (148k/1.7%). Through the Keyhole took 4.23m (20.4%) at 9pm (307k/1.8%) and movie I Am Legend was watched by 960k (7%) from 10.15pm (113k/1.5%).
On BBC One, I Love My Country appealed to 3.23m (17.4%). The National Lottery: Break the Safe then scored 3.12m (14.6%) at 8pm and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow pulled in 2.68m (13.6%) at 9.45pm. Match of the Day had 3.65m (27.6%) at 10.30pm.
Over on BBC Two, Dad's Army took 1.45m (8%) at 7pm and Count Arthur Strong interested 680k (3.7%) half an hour later.
Thatcher: The Downing Street Years was seen by 610k (2.8%) at 8pm,...
The third auditions show, which aired from 8pm, was up 710k on last week's instalment. It peaked at 8.85m at 8.45pm, while a further 407,000 (2%) caught the programme on ITV+1.
Earlier, Stepping Out earned 3.12m (17.5%) at 6.30pm, up 970k from last week's clash with Strictly Come Dancing (148k/1.7%). Through the Keyhole took 4.23m (20.4%) at 9pm (307k/1.8%) and movie I Am Legend was watched by 960k (7%) from 10.15pm (113k/1.5%).
On BBC One, I Love My Country appealed to 3.23m (17.4%). The National Lottery: Break the Safe then scored 3.12m (14.6%) at 8pm and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow pulled in 2.68m (13.6%) at 9.45pm. Match of the Day had 3.65m (27.6%) at 10.30pm.
Over on BBC Two, Dad's Army took 1.45m (8%) at 7pm and Count Arthur Strong interested 680k (3.7%) half an hour later.
Thatcher: The Downing Street Years was seen by 610k (2.8%) at 8pm,...
- 9/15/2013
- Digital Spy
Tributes have been paid to Sir David Frost, who has died suddenly at the age of 74.
During his lengthy career, Frost was at the forefront of major changes in broadcasting and used his skill, creativity and persistence to provide viewers with some of the most memorable moments in television - and in some cases, world history.
Digital Spy looks back at six ways in which Sir David Frost made his mark on broadcast media below.
1. That Was the Week That Was (TW3)
That Was the Week That Was - or TW3, as it was often known - made politicians and the establishment fair satirical game in the early 1960s at a time when the Profumo affair was dominating headlines. Commissioned by the BBC, Frost was chosen to anchor the programme by its creator Ned Sherrin.
TW3 lampooned the class system, Britain's waning influence on the world stage (as in the clip below) and foreign affairs,...
During his lengthy career, Frost was at the forefront of major changes in broadcasting and used his skill, creativity and persistence to provide viewers with some of the most memorable moments in television - and in some cases, world history.
Digital Spy looks back at six ways in which Sir David Frost made his mark on broadcast media below.
1. That Was the Week That Was (TW3)
That Was the Week That Was - or TW3, as it was often known - made politicians and the establishment fair satirical game in the early 1960s at a time when the Profumo affair was dominating headlines. Commissioned by the BBC, Frost was chosen to anchor the programme by its creator Ned Sherrin.
TW3 lampooned the class system, Britain's waning influence on the world stage (as in the clip below) and foreign affairs,...
- 9/1/2013
- Digital Spy
Sir David Frost died yesterday (August 31) after suffering a suspected heart attack on board the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship.
Frost was born in Kent in 1939, the son of a minister. A keen footballer, he was offered a contract with Nottingham Forest Fc while at school, but chose to study English at Cambridge University instead.
It was here that he started out in journalism, editing the student newspaper Varsity and literary magazine Granta. He also became secretary of the Footlights club, where he met future comedy stars such as Peter Cook, Graham Chapman and John Bird.
Upon graduating, Frost became a trainee at ITV and was soon asked to host satirical show That Was The Week That Was in 1962. He went on to front a Us version of the programme for NBC, before presenting The Frost Report from 1966 to 1967, helping to launch the careers of John Cleese, Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett.
Frost was born in Kent in 1939, the son of a minister. A keen footballer, he was offered a contract with Nottingham Forest Fc while at school, but chose to study English at Cambridge University instead.
It was here that he started out in journalism, editing the student newspaper Varsity and literary magazine Granta. He also became secretary of the Footlights club, where he met future comedy stars such as Peter Cook, Graham Chapman and John Bird.
Upon graduating, Frost became a trainee at ITV and was soon asked to host satirical show That Was The Week That Was in 1962. He went on to front a Us version of the programme for NBC, before presenting The Frost Report from 1966 to 1967, helping to launch the careers of John Cleese, Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett.
- 9/1/2013
- Digital Spy
TV comedy is one of the things Britain does best along with queuing, complaining, and drinking like we don’t want to live. Britain is home to countless classic comedies like Blackadder, The Two Ronnies, and Only Fools And Horses but there are some excellent comedies that either never hit the big time or have fallen out of the nation’s collective consciousness since their time in the spotlight. And today, we’ve brought five of them together in one place.
These are some of the British TV comedies you shouldn’t have ignored…
5. The Worst Week Of My Life (BBC1, 2004 – 2006)
The presence of The Worst Week Of My Life on this list may be questionable since it aired on BBC1 with an al- star cast, but its age and low episode count have contributed to it being something of a forgotten gem.
I personally consider it to be a...
These are some of the British TV comedies you shouldn’t have ignored…
5. The Worst Week Of My Life (BBC1, 2004 – 2006)
The presence of The Worst Week Of My Life on this list may be questionable since it aired on BBC1 with an al- star cast, but its age and low episode count have contributed to it being something of a forgotten gem.
I personally consider it to be a...
- 8/1/2013
- by James T. Cornish
- Obsessed with Film
A short film depicts the sometimes solitary hell of solving. Alan Connor talks to writer/director Steve Simmons
Steve Simmons has made a seven-minute film that puts the contents of a solver's brain on the screen, as played out by Keith Hill of ITV sitcom FM and Amanda Renberg of The Ketchup Effect.
Reading this on mobile? Click here to view the film
I talked to Simmons about placing crosswords on to that other two-dimensional medium, film.
Did you write the clues yourself? Were you tempted to have more intricate clues, or to show the completed grid?
I wrote about half the clues but got the rest of my inspiration from scouring crossword sites on the web. Some of the initial clues were much more cryptic but I wanted to avoid the viewer lingering too much once a clue was solved. I made them a bit more obvious at times.
Steve Simmons has made a seven-minute film that puts the contents of a solver's brain on the screen, as played out by Keith Hill of ITV sitcom FM and Amanda Renberg of The Ketchup Effect.
Reading this on mobile? Click here to view the film
I talked to Simmons about placing crosswords on to that other two-dimensional medium, film.
Did you write the clues yourself? Were you tempted to have more intricate clues, or to show the completed grid?
I wrote about half the clues but got the rest of my inspiration from scouring crossword sites on the web. Some of the initial clues were much more cryptic but I wanted to avoid the viewer lingering too much once a clue was solved. I made them a bit more obvious at times.
- 6/6/2013
- by Alan Connor
- The Guardian - Film News
Britain's Got Talent was easily the most watched show on Sunday evening, overnight data has revealed.
An average of 8.14 million viewers (38.0%) tuned in to see Simon Cowell and his fellow judges pick their finalists at 8pm. However, this is 700,000 less than last Saturday's (May 19) episode. A further 431k (2.0%) tuned in on +1.
Earlier, Stephen Mulhern's Celebrity Catchphrase entertained 4.23m (24.9%) at 7pm.
On BBC One, Countryfile was seen by 4.54m (23.5%) at 7.30pm. Hugh Dennis's My Hero tribute to Ronnie Barker attracted 2.18m (15.6%) at 10.30pm.
Jason Isaacs drama Case Histories appeared to struggle against Talent, as it lost around 1.4m viewers from last week's premiere, falling to 3.47m (16.0%) at 8.30pm.
BBC Two's Ice Age Giants brought in 1.59m (7.1%) at 8.30pm, followed by Australia with Simon Reeve with 2.34m (11.8%) at 9.30pm.
On Channel 4, Clare Balding's Secrets of a Suffragette was seen by 856k (4.0%) at 8pm (171k/0.8% on +1).
Channel 5's cricket coverage scored 661k (3.9%) at 7pm,...
An average of 8.14 million viewers (38.0%) tuned in to see Simon Cowell and his fellow judges pick their finalists at 8pm. However, this is 700,000 less than last Saturday's (May 19) episode. A further 431k (2.0%) tuned in on +1.
Earlier, Stephen Mulhern's Celebrity Catchphrase entertained 4.23m (24.9%) at 7pm.
On BBC One, Countryfile was seen by 4.54m (23.5%) at 7.30pm. Hugh Dennis's My Hero tribute to Ronnie Barker attracted 2.18m (15.6%) at 10.30pm.
Jason Isaacs drama Case Histories appeared to struggle against Talent, as it lost around 1.4m viewers from last week's premiere, falling to 3.47m (16.0%) at 8.30pm.
BBC Two's Ice Age Giants brought in 1.59m (7.1%) at 8.30pm, followed by Australia with Simon Reeve with 2.34m (11.8%) at 9.30pm.
On Channel 4, Clare Balding's Secrets of a Suffragette was seen by 856k (4.0%) at 8pm (171k/0.8% on +1).
Channel 5's cricket coverage scored 661k (3.9%) at 7pm,...
- 5/27/2013
- Digital Spy
Spies of Warsaw. co. BBC4
B Van Heusen
Former Doctor Who actor David Tennant made his much anticipated return to the BBC America tonight in the pre-World War II spy drama Spies of Warsaw. This new adaptation of Alan Furst’s book was penned by Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement – the men who brought us such hits as Porridge and Auf Widersehen Pet. The duo might seem like an unlikely choice to write a straight laced spy drama given that their usual fare is best described as dramedy but in Spies of Warsaw they proved that they can write good dialogue for more serious minded performers than Ronnie Barker and Jimmy Nail.
Visually the show was similar to The Hour although the exterior scenes were obviously in Europe rather than London. David Tennant was very good as war-hero turned spy Colonel Jean-Francois Mercier even if he seemed a bit...
B Van Heusen
Former Doctor Who actor David Tennant made his much anticipated return to the BBC America tonight in the pre-World War II spy drama Spies of Warsaw. This new adaptation of Alan Furst’s book was penned by Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement – the men who brought us such hits as Porridge and Auf Widersehen Pet. The duo might seem like an unlikely choice to write a straight laced spy drama given that their usual fare is best described as dramedy but in Spies of Warsaw they proved that they can write good dialogue for more serious minded performers than Ronnie Barker and Jimmy Nail.
Visually the show was similar to The Hour although the exterior scenes were obviously in Europe rather than London. David Tennant was very good as war-hero turned spy Colonel Jean-Francois Mercier even if he seemed a bit...
- 4/4/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
And the Oscar goes to…Arnold Schwarzenegger! This sentence may never actually be said out loud at an Academy Awards, but for many it will be said within our own heads as we watch the former Mr Olympia kill, grunt and crack another superb one liner for the millionth time. Yes indeed, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the greatest actor that ever lived. We all know it, but like so many of the great artists from history, such as Vincent Von Gogh or Edgar Allen Poe, poor Arnold may never get the recognition he deserves in his life time.
With such a varied body of work that covers everything from killing people with his bare hands to killing people with large guns Arnold has done it all. But what does our favourite Arnie movie say about those of us who freely admit that we routinely seek the words of Schwarzenegger to help us through our day?...
With such a varied body of work that covers everything from killing people with his bare hands to killing people with large guns Arnold has done it all. But what does our favourite Arnie movie say about those of us who freely admit that we routinely seek the words of Schwarzenegger to help us through our day?...
- 3/27/2013
- by David Pustansky
- Obsessed with Film
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