Steven Moffat has penned cancel culture comedy drama Douglas Is Cancelled. Here’s the trailer for the new programme.
Before Steven Moffat became known for writing some of the greatest episodes of Doctor Who, like The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, The Girl In The Fireplace, Blink, Silence In The Library/Forest Of The Dead and then showrunning the Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi eras, he was a prolific comedy writer.
His first series, Press Gang, was a huge success and he followed it up by drawing on his own divorce for the fantastic, farcical Joking Apart. Though school sitcom Chalk was a misfire, his greatest sitcom success was Coupling, a tightly plotted ensemble sitcom that included one episode with half the dialogue in Hebrew and another in split screen, with several plots taking place simultaneously.
Moffat’s next series is comedy drama Douglas Is Cancelled. The synopsis reads as...
Before Steven Moffat became known for writing some of the greatest episodes of Doctor Who, like The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, The Girl In The Fireplace, Blink, Silence In The Library/Forest Of The Dead and then showrunning the Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi eras, he was a prolific comedy writer.
His first series, Press Gang, was a huge success and he followed it up by drawing on his own divorce for the fantastic, farcical Joking Apart. Though school sitcom Chalk was a misfire, his greatest sitcom success was Coupling, a tightly plotted ensemble sitcom that included one episode with half the dialogue in Hebrew and another in split screen, with several plots taking place simultaneously.
Moffat’s next series is comedy drama Douglas Is Cancelled. The synopsis reads as...
- 6/6/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
[This story contains major spoilers from the May 17 episode of Doctor Who, “Boom.”]
During Russell T Davies’ first time in charge of BBC behemoth Doctor Who, one of its regular writers often wrote some of its more memorable and popular stories.
Scottish writer, Steven Moffat, had made a sizable name for himself in the U.K. with television shows such as Press Gang and Coupling, and would bring new terrors to young Whovians in the form of Gask Mask Zombies and the Weeping Angels. When Davies came to leave the show, Moffat was the natural choice to replace him.
He cast Matt Smith (The Crown, House of the Dragon) as the youngest ever actor to play the role and made huge strides in the U.S. cementing Doctor Who’s popularity. Moffat would leave the role of showrunner after seven years (and after casting Peter Capaldi to play Smith’s successor).
During his time on Who, the writer also very...
During Russell T Davies’ first time in charge of BBC behemoth Doctor Who, one of its regular writers often wrote some of its more memorable and popular stories.
Scottish writer, Steven Moffat, had made a sizable name for himself in the U.K. with television shows such as Press Gang and Coupling, and would bring new terrors to young Whovians in the form of Gask Mask Zombies and the Weeping Angels. When Davies came to leave the show, Moffat was the natural choice to replace him.
He cast Matt Smith (The Crown, House of the Dragon) as the youngest ever actor to play the role and made huge strides in the U.S. cementing Doctor Who’s popularity. Moffat would leave the role of showrunner after seven years (and after casting Peter Capaldi to play Smith’s successor).
During his time on Who, the writer also very...
- 5/18/2024
- by Cameron K McEwan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Rocketman’ director Dexter Fletcher has confirmed that the much-awaited ‘Sherlock 3’ has been delayed for the foreseeable future.
Fletcher, who has taken over directing duties from Guy Ritchie for the latest instalment to the ‘Sherlock’ story, Opened up during an interview on the Celebrity Catch-Up podcast, stating that the current pandemic had put production on hold.
“Sherlock’s hit its own issues on and off,” he said. “That’s sort of sitting on the back burner at the moment until it becomes clear where the world is at and what’s going to happen – and the same with The Saint.”
Also in news – Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep and Timothee Chalamet join a-list cast of Adam McKay’s ‘Don’t Look Up’
He also went on to comment that the reboot of ‘The Saint’ could come first at this point, but again it all rests on whether this pandemic will ever let up.
Fletcher, who has taken over directing duties from Guy Ritchie for the latest instalment to the ‘Sherlock’ story, Opened up during an interview on the Celebrity Catch-Up podcast, stating that the current pandemic had put production on hold.
“Sherlock’s hit its own issues on and off,” he said. “That’s sort of sitting on the back burner at the moment until it becomes clear where the world is at and what’s going to happen – and the same with The Saint.”
Also in news – Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep and Timothee Chalamet join a-list cast of Adam McKay’s ‘Don’t Look Up’
He also went on to comment that the reboot of ‘The Saint’ could come first at this point, but again it all rests on whether this pandemic will ever let up.
- 10/15/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
“A voice for today’s youth” runs the strap line to the Junior Gazette, the fictional newspaper at the heart of Press Gang, a kids’ show first broadcast on ITV in 1989 which followed a team of school children turned budding journalists. The fact is, Steven Moffat was something of a youth himself at 25 years old when he landed his very first television writing gig. Press Gang was an idea his father Bill Moffat, a headmaster, had pitched to a producer who was visiting his school while filming an episode of Highway, and when a script was requested, Bill suggested Steven write it.
The show was a game changer. It won multiple awards, launched the career of its lead Julia Sawalha, turned Dexter Fletcher – now an extremely accomplished director – into a teenage heartthrob and gave Moffat the space to flex his writing muscles beginning a career which would see him create numerous iconic sitcoms,...
The show was a game changer. It won multiple awards, launched the career of its lead Julia Sawalha, turned Dexter Fletcher – now an extremely accomplished director – into a teenage heartthrob and gave Moffat the space to flex his writing muscles beginning a career which would see him create numerous iconic sitcoms,...
- 5/29/2020
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
‘Rocketman’ helmer, Dexter Fletcher has taken over the director’s chair from Guy Ritchie for the third instalment of ‘Sherlock Holmes’.
Robert Downey Jr has also been confirmed to reprise the titular character. Whilst it hasn’t been confirmed whether Jude Law will be returning as Doctor Watson, it is expected.
Sources say Warner Bros. had always planned on making a third film. However, Downey’s busy schedule as Iron Man prevented any new filming for the series.
Also in news – Millie Bobby Brown enters the Marvel Universe in ‘The Eternals’
Fletcher takes over the reins from Ritchie who had been in the driving seat for the 2009 outing and its follow-up ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ in 2011. Both were a massive hit, with the first grossing $524 million globally and the second bringing in $545.4 million worldwide.
Chris Brancato is penning the script, while Susan Downey, Joel Silver, Dan Lin and Lionel Wigram are producing.
Robert Downey Jr has also been confirmed to reprise the titular character. Whilst it hasn’t been confirmed whether Jude Law will be returning as Doctor Watson, it is expected.
Sources say Warner Bros. had always planned on making a third film. However, Downey’s busy schedule as Iron Man prevented any new filming for the series.
Also in news – Millie Bobby Brown enters the Marvel Universe in ‘The Eternals’
Fletcher takes over the reins from Ritchie who had been in the driving seat for the 2009 outing and its follow-up ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ in 2011. Both were a massive hit, with the first grossing $524 million globally and the second bringing in $545.4 million worldwide.
Chris Brancato is penning the script, while Susan Downey, Joel Silver, Dan Lin and Lionel Wigram are producing.
- 7/12/2019
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Mark Harrison Mar 15, 2019
How did The Curse Of Fatal Death, a Red Nose Day sketch, foreshadow Steven Moffat’s vision of Doctor Who?
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
Remember that one Red Nose Day when Rowan Atkinson, Richard E. Grant, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant, and Joanna Lumley all played the Doctor in the same story? While Steven Moffat went on to write great Doctor Who episodes under Russell T. Davies and during his own era as showrunner, his first BBC-produced Who script was the extended Comic Relief sketch "The Curse Of Fatal Death."
The Red Nose Day telecast always brings the odd pop culture sketch, with tonight’s offerings including a 25th anniversary sequel to Richard Curtis’ Four Weddings And A Funeral and French and Saunders parodying Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again after their popular parody of the first film aired 10 years ago.
When "The...
How did The Curse Of Fatal Death, a Red Nose Day sketch, foreshadow Steven Moffat’s vision of Doctor Who?
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
Remember that one Red Nose Day when Rowan Atkinson, Richard E. Grant, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant, and Joanna Lumley all played the Doctor in the same story? While Steven Moffat went on to write great Doctor Who episodes under Russell T. Davies and during his own era as showrunner, his first BBC-produced Who script was the extended Comic Relief sketch "The Curse Of Fatal Death."
The Red Nose Day telecast always brings the odd pop culture sketch, with tonight’s offerings including a 25th anniversary sequel to Richard Curtis’ Four Weddings And A Funeral and French and Saunders parodying Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again after their popular parody of the first film aired 10 years ago.
When "The...
- 3/15/2019
- Den of Geek
Simon Brew Apr 25, 2017
Eddie The Eagle director Dexter Fletcher tells the story of Christopher Walken's criteria for appearing in a movie...
If you’ve not had the pleasure yet, Dexter Fletcher’s terrific biopic, Eddie The Eagle, is available now on Netflix in the UK, and is a funny, touching treat. It’s also got Taron Egerton’s finest performance to date in it, for added bonus points. And Hugh Jackman without claws.
You’ll also find in there a cameo performance from Christopher Walken, casting that was something of a coup for the movie. But how did Fletcher manage to get Walken to sign up? He told the story to us last year, at a special Q&A for Den Of Geek readers.
“Oh I just phoned up Chris”, he laughed. “You’ve probably seen Press Gang, Chris!?”
“I just said very clearly to the producers [when casting] that I...
Eddie The Eagle director Dexter Fletcher tells the story of Christopher Walken's criteria for appearing in a movie...
If you’ve not had the pleasure yet, Dexter Fletcher’s terrific biopic, Eddie The Eagle, is available now on Netflix in the UK, and is a funny, touching treat. It’s also got Taron Egerton’s finest performance to date in it, for added bonus points. And Hugh Jackman without claws.
You’ll also find in there a cameo performance from Christopher Walken, casting that was something of a coup for the movie. But how did Fletcher manage to get Walken to sign up? He told the story to us last year, at a special Q&A for Den Of Geek readers.
“Oh I just phoned up Chris”, he laughed. “You’ve probably seen Press Gang, Chris!?”
“I just said very clearly to the producers [when casting] that I...
- 4/25/2017
- Den of Geek
Robin Bell Feb 6, 2017
A salute to some of the brilliant and hard-hitting episodes in Steven Moffat's first TV series, the evergreen Press Gang...
Before River Song, Trenzalore and his take on The Doctor, before Sherlock fell off a building and provided multiple explanations, before James Nesbitt flipped out in a zoo in Jekyll, before Coupling, Joking Apart and Chalk, maybe even before he was known as The Moff, before all that came the quite brilliant Press Gang. Steven Moffat's first TV series, which he wrote all 42 episodes of, was based on an idea by his father, Bill Moffat. At its centre it had a brilliant will they/won't they relationship, and the epitome of a strong female character in Lynda Day. After 5 series it ended, but left behind so many quality episodes, which in trying to choose the stand out mind-blowers has been nigh on impossible. But for jolting,...
A salute to some of the brilliant and hard-hitting episodes in Steven Moffat's first TV series, the evergreen Press Gang...
Before River Song, Trenzalore and his take on The Doctor, before Sherlock fell off a building and provided multiple explanations, before James Nesbitt flipped out in a zoo in Jekyll, before Coupling, Joking Apart and Chalk, maybe even before he was known as The Moff, before all that came the quite brilliant Press Gang. Steven Moffat's first TV series, which he wrote all 42 episodes of, was based on an idea by his father, Bill Moffat. At its centre it had a brilliant will they/won't they relationship, and the epitome of a strong female character in Lynda Day. After 5 series it ended, but left behind so many quality episodes, which in trying to choose the stand out mind-blowers has been nigh on impossible. But for jolting,...
- 2/5/2017
- Den of Geek
Alex Westthorp Sep 19, 2016
We revisit Tom's Midnight Garden, Moondial, The Chronicles Of Narnia and a few lesser-known UK children's TV series...
Read our look-back at UK kids' fantasy dramas 1980 - 1984 here.
By 1985 British TV's children's drama had really hit its stride, achieving "a balanced diet of programmes" as Edward Barnes, the head of the BBC children's department observed. The late 80s, arguably, saw a new golden age for spooky and magical kids drama. Excellent production values, improved significantly by well-honed special effects work using Quantel, Paintbox and Harry, and moreover some interesting casting - often of very talented newcomers - produced some of the most memorable dramas of the era.
The second half of the decade saw the BBC riding high on the back of the success of their state-of-the-art adaptation of John Masefield's Box Of Delights. Meanwhile, anthology series Dramarama was going from strength to strength on ITV.
We revisit Tom's Midnight Garden, Moondial, The Chronicles Of Narnia and a few lesser-known UK children's TV series...
Read our look-back at UK kids' fantasy dramas 1980 - 1984 here.
By 1985 British TV's children's drama had really hit its stride, achieving "a balanced diet of programmes" as Edward Barnes, the head of the BBC children's department observed. The late 80s, arguably, saw a new golden age for spooky and magical kids drama. Excellent production values, improved significantly by well-honed special effects work using Quantel, Paintbox and Harry, and moreover some interesting casting - often of very talented newcomers - produced some of the most memorable dramas of the era.
The second half of the decade saw the BBC riding high on the back of the success of their state-of-the-art adaptation of John Masefield's Box Of Delights. Meanwhile, anthology series Dramarama was going from strength to strength on ITV.
- 8/16/2016
- Den of Geek
A former child star, the Eddie The Eagle director was struggling – until a chance meeting changed everything. Here he explains why he loves a happy ending
It is almost unfathomable that Dexter Fletcher is 50. He’s always passed for younger. Bugsy Malone, his first film role at nine years old, had him playing a character called Baby Face, and the rest followed suit. In student journalist TV show Press Gang, he played a 17-year-old until he was 27; even in 2001’s Band Of Brothers, he was 35 playing 22. And today, sitting across from me in a Soho bar, he certainly doesn’t look his age, despite the curls of grey hair exploding from his head. “I’ve just had it styled, believe it or not,” he quips. He exudes the same boyish enthusiasm of his earlier film roles, but Fletcher has seen some dark times, too. Today he’s an unwaveringly optimistic...
It is almost unfathomable that Dexter Fletcher is 50. He’s always passed for younger. Bugsy Malone, his first film role at nine years old, had him playing a character called Baby Face, and the rest followed suit. In student journalist TV show Press Gang, he played a 17-year-old until he was 27; even in 2001’s Band Of Brothers, he was 35 playing 22. And today, sitting across from me in a Soho bar, he certainly doesn’t look his age, despite the curls of grey hair exploding from his head. “I’ve just had it styled, believe it or not,” he quips. He exudes the same boyish enthusiasm of his earlier film roles, but Fletcher has seen some dark times, too. Today he’s an unwaveringly optimistic...
- 3/28/2016
- by Alex Godfrey
- The Guardian - Film News
ITV has hit a mighty milestone - first launched on September 22, 1955, the home of The X Factor, Downton Abbey and more is 60 years old today.
In its six decades, ITV has produced some of the biggest, best and most memorable TV shows in British broadcasting history.
But while everyone else is talking up Gladiators, Coronation Street and Blind Date, we wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate a few of the channel's less celebrated gems.
1. The Krypton Factor (1977-1995)
"Television's Toughest Quiz!" boomed the announcer back when the show launched in 1977. And even almost forty years later, nothing has quite matched Granada's brutal search for a UK superperson since.
Resembling a cross between a byzantine parlour game and a Soviet-era punishment for shoplifting, each week saw four more contestants subjected to a variety of cruel and unusual tests – from terrifying memory tests to landing a Boeing 747 (albeit on a simulator).
But worst of all?...
In its six decades, ITV has produced some of the biggest, best and most memorable TV shows in British broadcasting history.
But while everyone else is talking up Gladiators, Coronation Street and Blind Date, we wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate a few of the channel's less celebrated gems.
1. The Krypton Factor (1977-1995)
"Television's Toughest Quiz!" boomed the announcer back when the show launched in 1977. And even almost forty years later, nothing has quite matched Granada's brutal search for a UK superperson since.
Resembling a cross between a byzantine parlour game and a Soviet-era punishment for shoplifting, each week saw four more contestants subjected to a variety of cruel and unusual tests – from terrifying memory tests to landing a Boeing 747 (albeit on a simulator).
But worst of all?...
- 9/22/2015
- Digital Spy
ITV has hit a mighty milestone - first launched on September 22, 1955, the home of The X Factor, Downton Abbey and more is 60 years old today.
In its six decades, ITV has produced some of the biggest, best and most memorable TV shows in British broadcasting history.
But while everyone else is talking up Gladiators, Coronation Street and Blind Date, we wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate a few of the channel's less celebrated gems.
1. The Krypton Factor (1977-1995)
"Television's Toughest Quiz!" boomed the announcer back when the show launched in 1977. And even almost forty years later, nothing has quite matched Granada's brutal search for a UK superperson since.
Resembling a cross between a byzantine parlour game and a Soviet-era punishment for shoplifting, each week saw four more contestants subjected to a variety of cruel and unusual tests – from terrifying memory tests to landing a Boeing 747 (albeit on a simulator).
But worst of all?...
In its six decades, ITV has produced some of the biggest, best and most memorable TV shows in British broadcasting history.
But while everyone else is talking up Gladiators, Coronation Street and Blind Date, we wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate a few of the channel's less celebrated gems.
1. The Krypton Factor (1977-1995)
"Television's Toughest Quiz!" boomed the announcer back when the show launched in 1977. And even almost forty years later, nothing has quite matched Granada's brutal search for a UK superperson since.
Resembling a cross between a byzantine parlour game and a Soviet-era punishment for shoplifting, each week saw four more contestants subjected to a variety of cruel and unusual tests – from terrifying memory tests to landing a Boeing 747 (albeit on a simulator).
But worst of all?...
- 9/22/2015
- Digital Spy
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Steven Moffat is a rude man. One only has to look at the double entendres and insults that litter his work all the way back to Press Gang to see that he is a potty mouthed scribe, keen on constructing some embarrassing situations for his many creations, resulting in shock, dread and shame from them. And...
The post Learn How To Say Shut Up The Doctor Who Way [Video] appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
Steven Moffat is a rude man. One only has to look at the double entendres and insults that litter his work all the way back to Press Gang to see that he is a potty mouthed scribe, keen on constructing some embarrassing situations for his many creations, resulting in shock, dread and shame from them. And...
The post Learn How To Say Shut Up The Doctor Who Way [Video] appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 1/11/2015
- by Christian Cawley
- Kasterborous.com
Discarded plots, quotes from canon, Martin Freeman's hatred of Watson's moustache... Here's a long list of Sherlock series 3 trivia...
Released this month, the collector’s edition Sherlock series 3 DVDs are crammed with nerd succour, from the episodes one and three commentaries by Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat, Sue Vertue and Una Stubbs, to behind-the-scenes featurettes, falling-over and dancing outtakes, footage from episode read-throughs, a deleted scene in which Lars Mikkelsen licks Benedict Cumberbatch, technical special effects gubbins, clips from the only existing television interview with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and - we almost forgot - the series itself.
For Sherlock fans who haven’t yet had the pleasure, we’ve ploughed through all the bonus material on the discs, turning up the odd bit of trivia treasure as we did so. Find out below about Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat's plans for Sherlock to teach Mary the violin, Benedict Cumberbatch...
Released this month, the collector’s edition Sherlock series 3 DVDs are crammed with nerd succour, from the episodes one and three commentaries by Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat, Sue Vertue and Una Stubbs, to behind-the-scenes featurettes, falling-over and dancing outtakes, footage from episode read-throughs, a deleted scene in which Lars Mikkelsen licks Benedict Cumberbatch, technical special effects gubbins, clips from the only existing television interview with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and - we almost forgot - the series itself.
For Sherlock fans who haven’t yet had the pleasure, we’ve ploughed through all the bonus material on the discs, turning up the odd bit of trivia treasure as we did so. Find out below about Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat's plans for Sherlock to teach Mary the violin, Benedict Cumberbatch...
- 11/25/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
20 years since its Us debut, Carley salutes the ways the short-lived but brilliant My So-Called Life changed teen drama for the better...
There are a few things I remember clearly about the summer of 1995. Firstly there was the incessant repeating of the Seal and U2 music videos for Batman Forever, then there was going to the cinema to watch Clueless (hands down the best teen comedy of the decade) and lastly on the 26th of July (lucky Americans got there a year earlier - twenty years ago today on the 25th of August 1994) there was meeting Angela Chase for the very first time.
It's hard to explain how important My So-Called Life was to a generation of teenage girls across the world. Here was a leading character who was in many ways just like us - she wasn’t the most popular girl in school and her friends were not...
There are a few things I remember clearly about the summer of 1995. Firstly there was the incessant repeating of the Seal and U2 music videos for Batman Forever, then there was going to the cinema to watch Clueless (hands down the best teen comedy of the decade) and lastly on the 26th of July (lucky Americans got there a year earlier - twenty years ago today on the 25th of August 1994) there was meeting Angela Chase for the very first time.
It's hard to explain how important My So-Called Life was to a generation of teenage girls across the world. Here was a leading character who was in many ways just like us - she wasn’t the most popular girl in school and her friends were not...
- 8/24/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Interview Louisa Mellor 4 Oct 2013 - 07:00
On the eve of What Remains’ DVD release, we spoke to David Bamber about the BBC drama, working with Steven Moffat on Chalk, and more…
There’s something about talking to old-school Rada-trained actors - you know the ones, glossy-vowelled stalwarts of the stage and screen from whose necks you can always hear the rustle of tissue paper from the backstage make-up chair - that brings out my inner Frasier Crane. French vocab and sycophancy belch out in equal measure. Words like habitué and soupçon have to be swallowed down and replaced by less ostentatious fellows. I say things like ostentatious. And fellows.
There was every chance when speaking to David Bamber - a proper English actor if ever there was one - about his role in recent BBC Two drama What Remains that my sherry-swilling Mr Hyde would emerge to call him ‘my...
On the eve of What Remains’ DVD release, we spoke to David Bamber about the BBC drama, working with Steven Moffat on Chalk, and more…
There’s something about talking to old-school Rada-trained actors - you know the ones, glossy-vowelled stalwarts of the stage and screen from whose necks you can always hear the rustle of tissue paper from the backstage make-up chair - that brings out my inner Frasier Crane. French vocab and sycophancy belch out in equal measure. Words like habitué and soupçon have to be swallowed down and replaced by less ostentatious fellows. I say things like ostentatious. And fellows.
There was every chance when speaking to David Bamber - a proper English actor if ever there was one - about his role in recent BBC Two drama What Remains that my sherry-swilling Mr Hyde would emerge to call him ‘my...
- 10/3/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Fresh from triumph on the festival circuit, a host of exciting British films is set for release. We talk to the directors behind this sudden renaissance
At Cannes, in May, there was anxious talk. Of the 70-plus features showcased at the film festival only two of them were British. Did it signal a decline in the UK industry? By the end of 2013, would our film people be wringing their hands while cinemagoers queued up for American fare and the House of Lords unhappily convened a select committee?
Without a doubt, the pair of British films on show at Cannes were excellent – Clio Barnard's The Selfish Giant and Paul Wright's For Those in Peril – both bruising, powerful dramas. But French and American and Mexican and Chinese and Cambodian film-makers left Cannes with the top prizes; meanwhile fans and boosters of British cinema travelled back across the Channel in mild panic.
At Cannes, in May, there was anxious talk. Of the 70-plus features showcased at the film festival only two of them were British. Did it signal a decline in the UK industry? By the end of 2013, would our film people be wringing their hands while cinemagoers queued up for American fare and the House of Lords unhappily convened a select committee?
Without a doubt, the pair of British films on show at Cannes were excellent – Clio Barnard's The Selfish Giant and Paul Wright's For Those in Peril – both bruising, powerful dramas. But French and American and Mexican and Chinese and Cambodian film-makers left Cannes with the top prizes; meanwhile fans and boosters of British cinema travelled back across the Channel in mild panic.
- 9/15/2013
- by Tom Lamont
- The Guardian - Film News
Feature Andrew Blair 2 Apr 2013 - 08:30
Andrew offers up ten screenwriting names on our wishlist for appearing on the front of future Doctor Who scripts...
Gone are the days where you could send a letter to Peter Darvill-Evans and write a New Adventure. Big Finish will occasionally hold a writing competition, but for most of the time your examination of what it truly means to be an Ogri will be returned unopened. Fan-fiction will never surpass the heights of Ben Chatham's adventures (apart from all the many times it will), and so it came to pass that Doctor Who writing became something of a closed world. The positives of this outweigh the negatives.
To get a job writing for televisual Doctor Who, you have to be an experienced pro with television experience who can turn in a script on time, not minding that their work might be tampered with by...
Andrew offers up ten screenwriting names on our wishlist for appearing on the front of future Doctor Who scripts...
Gone are the days where you could send a letter to Peter Darvill-Evans and write a New Adventure. Big Finish will occasionally hold a writing competition, but for most of the time your examination of what it truly means to be an Ogri will be returned unopened. Fan-fiction will never surpass the heights of Ben Chatham's adventures (apart from all the many times it will), and so it came to pass that Doctor Who writing became something of a closed world. The positives of this outweigh the negatives.
To get a job writing for televisual Doctor Who, you have to be an experienced pro with television experience who can turn in a script on time, not minding that their work might be tampered with by...
- 4/2/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Danger Mouse is being considered for a TV reboot by FremantleMedia after its success as part of Citv's Old Skool retro weekend earlier this year.
Citv celebrated its 30th birthday in January with a weekend of classic series including Sooty, Fun House and Press Gang. Danger Mouse was the biggest hit of the weekend, pulling in record viewing numbers for Citv.
Broadcast has confirmed that FremantleMedia Kids and Family Entertainment are now holding talks about reviving the kids' animation for a full series.
Danger Mouse was produced by Cosgrove Hall Films for Thames Television between 1981 and 1993.
David Jason voiced the eponymous Danger Mouse, who was joined on his spy adventures by timid, bespectacled hamster Penfold (voiced by Terry Scott). The primary villain was wheezy-voiced toad Baron Silas Greenback (voiced by Edward Kelsey).
President of FremantleMedia's Kids and Family Entertainment Sander Schwartz said: "[Danger Mouse] is something we might be looking to do in the not-too-distant future.
Citv celebrated its 30th birthday in January with a weekend of classic series including Sooty, Fun House and Press Gang. Danger Mouse was the biggest hit of the weekend, pulling in record viewing numbers for Citv.
Broadcast has confirmed that FremantleMedia Kids and Family Entertainment are now holding talks about reviving the kids' animation for a full series.
Danger Mouse was produced by Cosgrove Hall Films for Thames Television between 1981 and 1993.
David Jason voiced the eponymous Danger Mouse, who was joined on his spy adventures by timid, bespectacled hamster Penfold (voiced by Terry Scott). The primary villain was wheezy-voiced toad Baron Silas Greenback (voiced by Edward Kelsey).
President of FremantleMedia's Kids and Family Entertainment Sander Schwartz said: "[Danger Mouse] is something we might be looking to do in the not-too-distant future.
- 3/12/2013
- Digital Spy
Holly Willoughby has revealed that she almost had her nose broken by Santa Claus. The This Morning presenter recalled how she was injured during a particularly violent cake throwing incident on Ministry of Mayhem. Former co-host Stephen Mulhern said: "We had Santa Claus one year and all he had to do was put a cake in Holly's face - simple. "For whatever reason he picked up the one that was like a brick. He caked Holly and nearly broke her nose." > Sooty Show, Fun House, Press Gang return for Citv 30th birthday (more)...
- 12/27/2012
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
ITV’s children’s brand Citv celebrates its 30th birthday in 2013. To mark the occasion, ITV1 will air a documentary on 29th December 2012 charting the history of the brand, and the Citv channel will be holding an action packed ‘Old Skool’ weekend on 5th and 6th January 2013.
From 9:25am to 6pm on the 5th and 6th January 2013, Citv will be broadcasting a selection of its iconic shows including Fun House, Press Gang, Knightmare, The Raggy Dolls, Count Duckula, Art Attack and Children's Ward. Additional episodes will also be available to view and rent online at www.itv.com/itvplayer for an exclusive period giving viewers the chance to re-live their favourite childhood programmes.
Jamila Metran, Head of Programming, Citv said: “We are very proud of Citv’s heritage, and look forward to bringing back all the old favourites for this one-off, not to be missed event and show the...
From 9:25am to 6pm on the 5th and 6th January 2013, Citv will be broadcasting a selection of its iconic shows including Fun House, Press Gang, Knightmare, The Raggy Dolls, Count Duckula, Art Attack and Children's Ward. Additional episodes will also be available to view and rent online at www.itv.com/itvplayer for an exclusive period giving viewers the chance to re-live their favourite childhood programmes.
Jamila Metran, Head of Programming, Citv said: “We are very proud of Citv’s heritage, and look forward to bringing back all the old favourites for this one-off, not to be missed event and show the...
- 12/20/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
Citv is celebrating its 30th birthday by scheduling a weekend of retro kids TV classics from the '80s and '90s. The Old Skool Weekend, which will take place on January 5-6, will feature repeats of popular old favourites such as The Sooty Show, Knightmare, Fun House and Press Gang. Watch 'The Sooty Show' intro: ITV children's presenters from the last 30 years such as Ant and Dec, Holly Willoughby, Fearne Cotton, Christopher Biggins and Matthew Kelly will also be interviewed about their favourite memories and shows. The full schedule for the weekend is below: Saturday, January 5
09.25 Mike & Angelo
09.50 Super Gran
10.15 Wizadora
10.30 T-Bag Strikes Again Watch a clip of 'T-Bag Strikes Again': 10.50 Engie Benjy
11.05 The Raggy Dolls
11.15 Puddle Lane
11.35 Count Duckula
12.00 The Sooty (more)...
09.25 Mike & Angelo
09.50 Super Gran
10.15 Wizadora
10.30 T-Bag Strikes Again Watch a clip of 'T-Bag Strikes Again': 10.50 Engie Benjy
11.05 The Raggy Dolls
11.15 Puddle Lane
11.35 Count Duckula
12.00 The Sooty (more)...
- 12/19/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
News Louisa Mellor Dec 17, 2012
Nostalgia trip ahoy! Get ready for an entire weekend of the best of Citv’s last thirty years…
Super Gran. T-Bag. Knightmare. Count Duckula. Press Gang. Dangermouse. The sights and sounds of your childhood (assuming that you grew up near a TV set in the UK after 1983) are coming back for one weekend only.
To celebrate its thirtieth birthday, digital channel Citv is programming an entire two days of the best of its content from the last three decades on Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of January 2013.
The full schedule for the Old Skool Weekend (yes, with a 'k') is below, so fill your nostalgic, Puddle-Lane branded boots:
Saturday the 5th of January
09.25 Mike & Angelo
09.50 Super Gran
10.15 Wizadora
10.30 T-Bag Strikes Again
10.50 Engie Benjy
11.05 The Raggy Dolls
11.15 Puddle Lane
11.35 Count Duckula
12.00 The Sooty Show
12.25 Art Attack
12.40 The Big Bang
13.00 Finders Keepers
13.30 Fun House
14.00 Knightmare
14.30 Fraggle Rock
15.00 The Worst Witch
15.30 Woof!
Nostalgia trip ahoy! Get ready for an entire weekend of the best of Citv’s last thirty years…
Super Gran. T-Bag. Knightmare. Count Duckula. Press Gang. Dangermouse. The sights and sounds of your childhood (assuming that you grew up near a TV set in the UK after 1983) are coming back for one weekend only.
To celebrate its thirtieth birthday, digital channel Citv is programming an entire two days of the best of its content from the last three decades on Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of January 2013.
The full schedule for the Old Skool Weekend (yes, with a 'k') is below, so fill your nostalgic, Puddle-Lane branded boots:
Saturday the 5th of January
09.25 Mike & Angelo
09.50 Super Gran
10.15 Wizadora
10.30 T-Bag Strikes Again
10.50 Engie Benjy
11.05 The Raggy Dolls
11.15 Puddle Lane
11.35 Count Duckula
12.00 The Sooty Show
12.25 Art Attack
12.40 The Big Bang
13.00 Finders Keepers
13.30 Fun House
14.00 Knightmare
14.30 Fraggle Rock
15.00 The Worst Witch
15.30 Woof!
- 12/17/2012
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Sherlock Holmes will be returning to our TV screens despite jumping to his death from the top of a London building, and now it seems his arch-foe could reappear again as well, despite bumping himself off in more violent fashion at the end of the last series.
More: Sherlock Creator Paid Tribute By His Two Leading Men
Andrew Scott, now freshly furnished with a BAFTA TV Award for his portrayal of the big-brained Moriarty in the two series thus far on screen, told the Radio Times that "it's very hard for him to come back. But nothing is impossible."
Asked what the best thing about working on the hit TV series was, Scott was quick to praise his leading man - "One of the best things about working on Sherlock was acting with Benedict. He's a really cool guy."
And he was full of good words about the series creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat,...
More: Sherlock Creator Paid Tribute By His Two Leading Men
Andrew Scott, now freshly furnished with a BAFTA TV Award for his portrayal of the big-brained Moriarty in the two series thus far on screen, told the Radio Times that "it's very hard for him to come back. But nothing is impossible."
Asked what the best thing about working on the hit TV series was, Scott was quick to praise his leading man - "One of the best things about working on Sherlock was acting with Benedict. He's a really cool guy."
And he was full of good words about the series creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat,...
- 5/28/2012
- by The Huffington Post UK
- Huffington Post
Sherlock Holmes will be returning to our TV screens despite jumping to his death from the top of a London building, and now it seems his arch-foe could reappear again as well, despite bumping himself off in more violent fashion at the end of the last series.
Andrew Scott, now freshly furnished with a BAFTA TV Award for his portrayal of the big-brained Moriarty in the two series thus far on screen, told the Radio Times that "it's very hard for him to come back. But nothing is impossible."
Asked what the best thing about working on the hit TV series was, Scott was quick to praise his leading man - "One of the best things about working on Sherlock was acting with Benedict. He's a really cool guy."
And he was full of good words about the series creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat,...
Andrew Scott, now freshly furnished with a BAFTA TV Award for his portrayal of the big-brained Moriarty in the two series thus far on screen, told the Radio Times that "it's very hard for him to come back. But nothing is impossible."
Asked what the best thing about working on the hit TV series was, Scott was quick to praise his leading man - "One of the best things about working on Sherlock was acting with Benedict. He's a really cool guy."
And he was full of good words about the series creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat,...
- 5/28/2012
- by The Huffington Post UK
- Aol TV.
The man they call "The Moffinator" received his Special Award at this weekend's TV BAFTAs from his two leading men.
His two most popular characters, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who - actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Smith, respectively - joined forces to pay tribute to the man whose scripts, according to Smith, "are generally late, but you forgive him because they're so good".
And Moffat, of whom said "he's a bad but funny dancer, and brilliantly cantankerous about the world" looked anything but cantankerous as he accepted his award.
More From BAFTA: Borgen And The Killing Battle It Out For The International Award
Although he was being recognised for his wide range of work dating from his big break writing Press Gang, he said that he knew he was on stage for his two big current shows, Sherlock and Doctor Who.
He thanked his Sherlock collaborator Mark Gatiss, whom he...
His two most popular characters, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who - actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Smith, respectively - joined forces to pay tribute to the man whose scripts, according to Smith, "are generally late, but you forgive him because they're so good".
And Moffat, of whom said "he's a bad but funny dancer, and brilliantly cantankerous about the world" looked anything but cantankerous as he accepted his award.
More From BAFTA: Borgen And The Killing Battle It Out For The International Award
Although he was being recognised for his wide range of work dating from his big break writing Press Gang, he said that he knew he was on stage for his two big current shows, Sherlock and Doctor Who.
He thanked his Sherlock collaborator Mark Gatiss, whom he...
- 5/28/2012
- by The Huffington Post UK
- Huffington Post
The man they call "The Moffinator" received his Special Award at this weekend's TV BAFTAs from his two leading men.
His two most popular characters, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who - actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Smith, respectively - joined forces to pay tribute to the man whose scripts, according to Smith, "are generally late, but you forgive him because they're so good".
And Moffat, of whom said "he's a bad but funny dancer, and brilliantly cantankerous about the world" looked anything but cantankerous as he accepted his award.
More From BAFTA: Borgen And The Killing Battle It Out For The International Award
Although he was being recognised for his wide range of work dating from his big break writing Press Gang, he said that he knew he was on stage for his two big current shows, Sherlock and Doctor Who.
He thanked his Sherlock collaborator Mark Gatiss, whom he...
His two most popular characters, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who - actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Smith, respectively - joined forces to pay tribute to the man whose scripts, according to Smith, "are generally late, but you forgive him because they're so good".
And Moffat, of whom said "he's a bad but funny dancer, and brilliantly cantankerous about the world" looked anything but cantankerous as he accepted his award.
More From BAFTA: Borgen And The Killing Battle It Out For The International Award
Although he was being recognised for his wide range of work dating from his big break writing Press Gang, he said that he knew he was on stage for his two big current shows, Sherlock and Doctor Who.
He thanked his Sherlock collaborator Mark Gatiss, whom he...
- 5/27/2012
- by The Huffington Post UK
- Aol TV.
This is a reprint of our review from the BFI London Film Festival last year. "Wild Bill" opens in the U.K. today.
For whatever reason, directorial debuts by British character actors tend to lean towards the gritty kitchen-sink drama; Tim Roth, Gary Oldman and, more recently, Paddy Considine have all broken their filmmaking cherry with uncompromisingly tough, bleak subject matter. Considering that it involves abandonment, council estates and the risk of being taken into care, one might be forgiven for expecting the same from Dexter Fletcher's first film, "Wild Bill." But then, Fletcher's best known for being one of the central quartet, alongside Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng and Nick Moran, in Guy Ritchie's debut "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," and for appearing frequently in 's pictures, so could Fletcher have turned out some kind of guns and geezers movie instead?
But of course, Fletcher has had a long diverse career,...
For whatever reason, directorial debuts by British character actors tend to lean towards the gritty kitchen-sink drama; Tim Roth, Gary Oldman and, more recently, Paddy Considine have all broken their filmmaking cherry with uncompromisingly tough, bleak subject matter. Considering that it involves abandonment, council estates and the risk of being taken into care, one might be forgiven for expecting the same from Dexter Fletcher's first film, "Wild Bill." But then, Fletcher's best known for being one of the central quartet, alongside Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng and Nick Moran, in Guy Ritchie's debut "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," and for appearing frequently in 's pictures, so could Fletcher have turned out some kind of guns and geezers movie instead?
But of course, Fletcher has had a long diverse career,...
- 3/23/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
The story of Wild Bill
Wild Bill director Dexter Fletcher knows a thing or two about child actors, having been one himself, making his big screen debut back in 1976 as Baby Face in Alan Parker's Bugsy Malone. Now almost four decades later, he also knows what it is like to grow up on screen, having progressed in the public consciousness through teen drama Press Gang and onto adult roles on film and TV such as Lock, Stock and Band Of Brothers. It seems appropriate then, that his debut directorial...
Wild Bill director Dexter Fletcher knows a thing or two about child actors, having been one himself, making his big screen debut back in 1976 as Baby Face in Alan Parker's Bugsy Malone. Now almost four decades later, he also knows what it is like to grow up on screen, having progressed in the public consciousness through teen drama Press Gang and onto adult roles on film and TV such as Lock, Stock and Band Of Brothers. It seems appropriate then, that his debut directorial...
- 2/23/2012
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Here’s the first trailer for Dexter Fletcher’s directorial debut, Wild Bill. The movie stars Will Poulter, Liz White, Andy Serkis and Jaime Winstone. We got to see the movie at the London Film Festival and you can read our review of it here. Fletcher has been on our screens for years and became famous amongst teenagers back in the late 80s – early 90s when he appeared in the TV show Press Gang but this is the first time we’ve seen him behind the camera.
Have a watch of the trailer below and check out Andy Serkis as the bad guy!
Wild Bill is released 30th March.
The film follows Bill Hayward, out on parole after 8 years inside, as he returns home to find his now 11 and 15-year old sons abandoned by their mother and fending for themselves. Unwilling to play Dad, his arrival brings them to the attention of social services.
Have a watch of the trailer below and check out Andy Serkis as the bad guy!
Wild Bill is released 30th March.
The film follows Bill Hayward, out on parole after 8 years inside, as he returns home to find his now 11 and 15-year old sons abandoned by their mother and fending for themselves. Unwilling to play Dad, his arrival brings them to the attention of social services.
- 2/3/2012
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Richard Herring’s parents met when they were 13 years old and have been together ever since, it was because of this the young Richard Herring strongly believed in love, the kind of love where you are destined to meet one person who will be the love of your life and you will stay with them forever.
However, life soon proved this to be somewhat untrue and, a string of failed relationships later, Richard Herring ponders the show’s titular question and sets out to ‘destroy love’. Of course, Herring is looking back upon this from a perspective of current romantic happiness, he’s been in a relationship for four years and all’s going well, aside from his annual Ferrero Rocher shopping, but more on that later. This show also spring-boarded from a concept Herring posed towards the end of his last show – a second-coming revival...
Richard Herring’s parents met when they were 13 years old and have been together ever since, it was because of this the young Richard Herring strongly believed in love, the kind of love where you are destined to meet one person who will be the love of your life and you will stay with them forever.
However, life soon proved this to be somewhat untrue and, a string of failed relationships later, Richard Herring ponders the show’s titular question and sets out to ‘destroy love’. Of course, Herring is looking back upon this from a perspective of current romantic happiness, he’s been in a relationship for four years and all’s going well, aside from his annual Ferrero Rocher shopping, but more on that later. This show also spring-boarded from a concept Herring posed towards the end of his last show – a second-coming revival...
- 11/17/2011
- by Owain Paciuszko
- Obsessed with Film
Filming has wrapped on British actor Dexter Fletcher's directorial debut Wild Bill which stars one of Screenterrier's favourite rising stars, the now 18 year Will Poulter, star of the latest Narnia film, as well as Son of Rambow and E4's School of Comedy.
Will plays Dean, a 15 year old boy who is caring for his younger brother Jimmy, after being abandoned by their mother while their father Bill (Charlie Creed-Miles) is in prison.
Sammy Williams plays 11 year old Jimmy. Sammy played Young Freddie in Sky's successful mini-series The Take and also appeared in Day of the Triffids and Harley Street. He will also been seen in up-coming Joe Cornish's debut feature Attack the Block.
Official synopsis:
Out on parole after eight years Bill Hayward returns home to find his 11 & 15 year old sons abandoned by their mother and fending for themselves. Unwilling to play dad, an uncaring Bill is determined to move on.
Will plays Dean, a 15 year old boy who is caring for his younger brother Jimmy, after being abandoned by their mother while their father Bill (Charlie Creed-Miles) is in prison.
Sammy Williams plays 11 year old Jimmy. Sammy played Young Freddie in Sky's successful mini-series The Take and also appeared in Day of the Triffids and Harley Street. He will also been seen in up-coming Joe Cornish's debut feature Attack the Block.
Official synopsis:
Out on parole after eight years Bill Hayward returns home to find his 11 & 15 year old sons abandoned by their mother and fending for themselves. Unwilling to play dad, an uncaring Bill is determined to move on.
- 2/7/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
It's the second ever Guardian film liveblog, and our inaugural effort covering something on the TV. You voted for Michael Hann to sit down in front of Layer Cake; join him from 9pm (when it's on Fiver) and let us know your thoughts
10.33pm: @Wedgemondo's looking forward to The Social Network. It's fine, but it stops short of greatness. It's so specific to its era that I wonder whether anyone will even be able to watch it in 10 years' time.
10.31pm: Another well-handled beating, in which Colm Meaney repeatedly slams Craig into a chest freezer full of frozen goods. I think there's an interesting comparison between this film and Eastern Promises, another one set around London's underworld. This one, I think, has a rather better feel for London - Cronenberg's in Eastern Promises didn't seem too sure, and it certainly didn't feel like London to me. Though it's true I've...
10.33pm: @Wedgemondo's looking forward to The Social Network. It's fine, but it stops short of greatness. It's so specific to its era that I wonder whether anyone will even be able to watch it in 10 years' time.
10.31pm: Another well-handled beating, in which Colm Meaney repeatedly slams Craig into a chest freezer full of frozen goods. I think there's an interesting comparison between this film and Eastern Promises, another one set around London's underworld. This one, I think, has a rather better feel for London - Cronenberg's in Eastern Promises didn't seem too sure, and it certainly didn't feel like London to me. Though it's true I've...
- 10/4/2010
- by Michael Hann
- The Guardian - Film News
The undeniable quality of nominees and winners at last night’s British Independent Film Awards paints a picture of a vibrant, healthy British film industry.
And while the present state of that industry is rightly being celebrated it is time to look to the future and one of the films to look out for is Not Alone from writer/director Tristan Versluis and producer Andy Thompson.
The synopsis is: A damaged emotional Eli Rose arrives at an old long forgotten family cabin along the broken coastline. Arriving unprepared and packed with few supplies she seems anxious at either leaving or someone else arriving. The house abandoned years ago still holds most of its original decor and memories providing us with hints toward a shattered family, which once filled the space.
Plagued by the reoccurring nightmare of the violent murder of her family, Eli starts to understand her reasons for being there.
And while the present state of that industry is rightly being celebrated it is time to look to the future and one of the films to look out for is Not Alone from writer/director Tristan Versluis and producer Andy Thompson.
The synopsis is: A damaged emotional Eli Rose arrives at an old long forgotten family cabin along the broken coastline. Arriving unprepared and packed with few supplies she seems anxious at either leaving or someone else arriving. The house abandoned years ago still holds most of its original decor and memories providing us with hints toward a shattered family, which once filled the space.
Plagued by the reoccurring nightmare of the violent murder of her family, Eli starts to understand her reasons for being there.
- 12/7/2009
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
'90s children's TV series Press Gang could be made into a movie. The show, which starred Julia Sawalha and Dexter Fletcher, ran on ITV from 1989 to 1993. It revolved around a group of comprehensive school pupils who run a newspaper. Writer Steven Moffat, who will take over as Doctor Who showrunner for the next series, told The Sun: "I have (more)...
- 8/27/2008
- by By Beth Hilton
- Digital Spy
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