There’s something really heartening about the term bogan being used as a positive, finally. For too long, Australian and Kiwi working-class people, as with “chavs” in England and “neds” in Scotland, have been characterised as uncouth, stupid and a menace to society at large. Stereotypes persisted, of drinking, vandalism, prison tattoos and mullets, and notContinue reading “Big Bogan Energy!”
Tag Archives: Comedy
Howay,Daft Genius: Smoggie Queens Rules!
Series 1 of Smoggie Queens was brilliant: surreal, hilarious and touching. Focusing on a queer family in Middlesbrough, creator Phil Dunning, who also plays main character Dickie, crafted a loveable, silly bunch of misfits with recognisable quirks and – most importantly -a strong working -class sensibility. Series 1 set up the rivalry between Dickie andContinue reading “Howay,Daft Genius: Smoggie Queens Rules!”
Vintage Film Review: How To Marry A Millionaire (1953)
On the surface, the classic 1953 Hollywood comedy How To Marry A Millionaire directed by Jean Negulesco, is the usual sexist nonsense, very much of its time, focusing as the title suggests on three models each of whose sole purpose in life is to be an attractive gold digger, dedicating all their time to seekingContinue reading “Vintage Film Review: How To Marry A Millionaire (1953)”
TV Review: Only Child, Series 2
Greg McHugh, Gregor Fisher and Kevin Bishop. The second series of Only Child carried quite a weight of expectation: would it be as good as the first? Well, there were moments when it almost teetered into farce, notably during the driving lesson episode. Yet somehow, both Bryce Hart’s characterisation and the consistent cast keep itContinue reading “TV Review: Only Child, Series 2”
“It’s Alright”… A public announcement from ‘The Day Today ‘
Who, prithee, can we count on in times like these? Who’ll be there in our hour of need, when all seems lost? Russell Brand is struggling to find appropriate pages of comforting verse in his bible; Trump is struggling in general, and the world remains as divided- and divisive – as ever. Let us turnContinue reading ““It’s Alright”… A public announcement from ‘The Day Today ‘”
Vic and Bob Gotta Have Faith
Few comedy pairs are like Vic Reeves and the gorgeous Bob Mortimer. I laugh like a drain at their shenanigans. But it’s their most absurdist moments that tickle me most, and like rent free in my noggin. Their parody of lTV lookalike/soundalike competition ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ makes me laugh like a twat every time.Continue reading “Vic and Bob Gotta Have Faith”
It’s War!!!
The French have a saying: “Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme”, which translates as “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. So it is with politics. Armando Iannucci and Chris Morris remain two of my favourite satirists and their classic 90s news parody The Day Today still holds up well, asContinue reading “It’s War!!!”
TV Review: Only Child
Writer and director Bryce Hart’s sitcom Only Child is fairly generic on paper: prodigal son returns to small town to reconnect with ageing parent. But it’s the minutiae and pathos that make this sitcom so binge worthy, and, ultimately, truly affecting. Greg McHugh portrays Richard Pritchard, a mid-level actor returning to the small northern townContinue reading “TV Review: Only Child”
Catherine O’ Hara Has Gone
The versatile actor with the lovely voice has passed away at 71 and it’s such a big loss. To a whole generation she’ll forever be Kevin’s mom Kate McCallister in ‘Home Alone’, to another, Moira Rose in ‘Schitt’s Creek’, to older comedy fans she started out on Canadian TV as a sketch comedian, but forContinue reading “Catherine O’ Hara Has Gone”
The Film Surprise Of 2025
Yet again, I’m in the minority, it seems. Most sequels, albeit with a few exceptions, are not very successful. The recent Todd Phillips ‘ Joker sequel and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice weren’t blazing triumphs, although I liked the former very much, as I felt it explored the nature of celebrity earned through notoriety very well, and IContinue reading “The Film Surprise Of 2025”
Hit The North 