‘Great 8’ 2024: BFI Sets Line Up Of British Titles From Early Career Directors Set For Cannes Market
The BFI is once again heading to the Cannes Market with its so-called Great 8 — a selection of projects from first and second-time filmmakers that it will present to international buyers.
Now in its seventh year, the 2024 Great 8 showcase is funded and produced by the BFI and the British Council, with support from the Great Britain & Northern Ireland campaign, BBC Film, and Film4. The list includes Portuguese filmmaker Laura Carreira’s feature On Falling, produced by Jack Thomas-o’Brien for Sixteen Films. The full list of titles are:
Brides – director Nadia Fall, writer Suhayla El-Bushra Bring Them Down – director/writer Christopher Andrews The Fall Of Sir Douglas Weatherford – director/writer Sean Dunn On Falling – director/writer Laura Carreira The Salt Path – director Marianne Elliott, writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz Sunlight – director Nina Conti, writers Shenoah Allen, Nina Conti Surviving Earth – director/writer Thea Gajić Witches – director/writer Elizabeth Sankey
With 2022 and 2023 editions taking place online,...
Now in its seventh year, the 2024 Great 8 showcase is funded and produced by the BFI and the British Council, with support from the Great Britain & Northern Ireland campaign, BBC Film, and Film4. The list includes Portuguese filmmaker Laura Carreira’s feature On Falling, produced by Jack Thomas-o’Brien for Sixteen Films. The full list of titles are:
Brides – director Nadia Fall, writer Suhayla El-Bushra Bring Them Down – director/writer Christopher Andrews The Fall Of Sir Douglas Weatherford – director/writer Sean Dunn On Falling – director/writer Laura Carreira The Salt Path – director Marianne Elliott, writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz Sunlight – director Nina Conti, writers Shenoah Allen, Nina Conti Surviving Earth – director/writer Thea Gajić Witches – director/writer Elizabeth Sankey
With 2022 and 2023 editions taking place online,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Christopher Andrews’ Bring Them Down starring Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott, Sean Dunn’s The Fall Of Sir Douglas Weatherford and Marianne Elliott’s The Salt Path, featuring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, are among the eight films taking part in the Great 8 showcase, which presents new UK feature films from first-and second-time UK filmmakers to international distributors and festival programmers.
Now in its seventh year, the 2024 Great 8 showcase is funded and produced by the BFI and the British Council, with support from the Great Britain & Northern Ireland campaign, BBC Film and Film4.
In preparation for Cannes, unseen footage from...
Now in its seventh year, the 2024 Great 8 showcase is funded and produced by the BFI and the British Council, with support from the Great Britain & Northern Ireland campaign, BBC Film and Film4.
In preparation for Cannes, unseen footage from...
- 5/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
The list of musicians and actors appearing in the long-awaited This Is Spinal Tap sequel keeps growing, with news that Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, The Nanny’s Fran Drescher, and more will appear in the forthcoming mockumentary.
Anyone who has seen the original film knows that drummers experience an unfortunate fate in the world of Spinal Tap, so it might not end well for Ulrich and Smith. Meanwhile, Drescher is reprising her hilarious role as record-label publicist and “hostess with the mostest” Bobbi Flekman.
Other newly revealed additions to the movie include Don Lake (The Bonnie Hunt Show), John Michael Higgins (Best in Show), Jason Acuña (Jackass), Nina Conti (Family Tree), Griffin Matthews (The Flight Attendant), Kerry Godliman (After Life), Chris Addison (Veep), and comedian Brad Williams, according to Deadline.
In addition, Paul Shaffer will be back as record-label promotion rep Artie Fufkin, who...
Anyone who has seen the original film knows that drummers experience an unfortunate fate in the world of Spinal Tap, so it might not end well for Ulrich and Smith. Meanwhile, Drescher is reprising her hilarious role as record-label publicist and “hostess with the mostest” Bobbi Flekman.
Other newly revealed additions to the movie include Don Lake (The Bonnie Hunt Show), John Michael Higgins (Best in Show), Jason Acuña (Jackass), Nina Conti (Family Tree), Griffin Matthews (The Flight Attendant), Kerry Godliman (After Life), Chris Addison (Veep), and comedian Brad Williams, according to Deadline.
In addition, Paul Shaffer will be back as record-label promotion rep Artie Fufkin, who...
- 3/26/2024
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Music
The list of musicians and actors appearing in the long-awaited This Is Spinal Tap sequel keeps growing, with news that Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, The Nanny’s Fran Drescher, and more will appear in the forthcoming mockumentary.
Anyone who has seen the original film knows that drummers experience an unfortunate fate in the world of Spinal Tap, so it might not end well for Ulrich and Smith. Meanwhile, Drescher is reprising her hilarious role as record-label publicist and “hostess with the mostest” Bobbi Flekman.
Other newly revealed additions to the movie include Don Lake (The Bonnie Hunt Show), John Michael Higgins (Best in Show), Jason Acuña (Jackass), Nina Conti (Family Tree), Griffin Matthews (The Flight Attendant), Kerry Godliman (After Life), Chris Addison (Veep), and comedian Brad Williams, according to Deadline.
In addition, Paul Shaffer will be back as record-label promotion rep Artie Fufkin, who...
Anyone who has seen the original film knows that drummers experience an unfortunate fate in the world of Spinal Tap, so it might not end well for Ulrich and Smith. Meanwhile, Drescher is reprising her hilarious role as record-label publicist and “hostess with the mostest” Bobbi Flekman.
Other newly revealed additions to the movie include Don Lake (The Bonnie Hunt Show), John Michael Higgins (Best in Show), Jason Acuña (Jackass), Nina Conti (Family Tree), Griffin Matthews (The Flight Attendant), Kerry Godliman (After Life), Chris Addison (Veep), and comedian Brad Williams, according to Deadline.
In addition, Paul Shaffer will be back as record-label promotion rep Artie Fufkin, who...
- 3/26/2024
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Film News
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith and Metallica’s Lars Ulrich will try to survive the Spinal Tap drummers curse with cameos in the upcoming This Is Spinal Tap sequel.
The two musicians were named in a new round of cast announcements, per Deadline, now that production on the film has begun in New Orleans. Though we obviously don’t know for sure, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Smith and Ulrich roped into an extension of one of the best bits from 1984’s This Is Spinal Tap...
The two musicians were named in a new round of cast announcements, per Deadline, now that production on the film has begun in New Orleans. Though we obviously don’t know for sure, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Smith and Ulrich roped into an extension of one of the best bits from 1984’s This Is Spinal Tap...
- 3/26/2024
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: After leading SAG-AFTRA through its latest round of negotiations with the AMPTP, guild President Fran Drescher (The Nanny) has been set to join the sequel to 1984 cult classic This Is Spinal Tap, reprising her role as publicist Bobbi Flekman.
Other new additions to the cast include Don Lake (The Bonnie Hunt Show), John Michael Higgins (Best in Show), Jason Acuña (Jackass), Nina Conti (Family Tree), Griffin Matthews (The Flight Attendant), Kerry Godliman (After Life), Chris Addison (Veep), comedian Brad Williams, and musician Paul Shaffer. Details as to the roles of these cast members are under wraps for now.
Also now aboard the project are Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s co-founder and drummer, who will make cameos. Production is currently underway in New Orleans, with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer reprising their roles as the legendary heavy metal band, Spinal Tap,...
Other new additions to the cast include Don Lake (The Bonnie Hunt Show), John Michael Higgins (Best in Show), Jason Acuña (Jackass), Nina Conti (Family Tree), Griffin Matthews (The Flight Attendant), Kerry Godliman (After Life), Chris Addison (Veep), comedian Brad Williams, and musician Paul Shaffer. Details as to the roles of these cast members are under wraps for now.
Also now aboard the project are Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s co-founder and drummer, who will make cameos. Production is currently underway in New Orleans, with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer reprising their roles as the legendary heavy metal band, Spinal Tap,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: British comedian and writer Nina Conti has wrapped production on Sunlight, a comedy road movie set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that marks her debut as a feature director. Check out the first-look image above.
Conti directs from a screenplay by Shenoah Allen. Conti and Allen both star in the pic, with Christopher Guest serving as an Executive Producer. Metro International is handling international sales and plans to launch the pic on the festival circuit in early 2024.
Billed as a “hilariously dark and unconventional love story,” the pic follows two people on the edge of life who find purpose and romance through an unlikely connection, escaping the darkness in search of some sunlight.
Full synopsis reads: Disappearing into a monkey costume and creating a new persona, Jane strives to break free from a toxic relationship when she encounters a suicidal radio show host, Roy, who presents a path to freedom.
Conti directs from a screenplay by Shenoah Allen. Conti and Allen both star in the pic, with Christopher Guest serving as an Executive Producer. Metro International is handling international sales and plans to launch the pic on the festival circuit in early 2024.
Billed as a “hilariously dark and unconventional love story,” the pic follows two people on the edge of life who find purpose and romance through an unlikely connection, escaping the darkness in search of some sunlight.
Full synopsis reads: Disappearing into a monkey costume and creating a new persona, Jane strives to break free from a toxic relationship when she encounters a suicidal radio show host, Roy, who presents a path to freedom.
- 4/21/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
It takes many people to fill Richard Osman’s shoes, and not just because he wears a size 14. Back in April 2021, the TV presenter, producer and novelist announced that he was leaving his co-presenter role on Pointless to focus on his hugely successful Thursday Murder Club book series and other projects. Due to the ‘stars we see in the night sky are actually hundreds of years in the past’ nature of TV broadcast, by that point, Osman was already four months out of the job. His final episode of the regular Pointless (he’ll still appear on the celebrity editions) was filmed in December 2021 and aired in July 2022, with this touching message to Alexander Armstrong.
When Pointless returned for Series 28 in September 2022, it came with a rotating clutch of new guest-hosts sitting behind Osman’s fact-checking desk. First up was Sally Lindsay, and following her were Stephen Mangan, Lauren Laverne,...
When Pointless returned for Series 28 in September 2022, it came with a rotating clutch of new guest-hosts sitting behind Osman’s fact-checking desk. First up was Sally Lindsay, and following her were Stephen Mangan, Lauren Laverne,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Funny people of London, the summer is here and it’s time to grab new opportunities and get seriously comical. Buckle up, laugh fans, here we go. Open Mic Nights‘Alex Williams Presents The Dial-Up’ is a mixed bag of an open mic night held on June 15 at the London Improv Theatre. Comedy, music, and spoken word all feature and bagging a spot is easy, just turn up and say hello! (Free) Every Thursday over in Stoke Newington is the White Hart’s Open Mic night, mixing amateurs and pros for one laugh-out-loud night of open mic fun. To book your spot, check out their Facebook page. Gigs + EVENTSNot strictly in June but if you don’t book soon, this one will be gone. SNL’s Michael Che is in London for one night only on July 30 playing north London’s beautiful and intimate Union Chapel. Not to be missed.
- 5/31/2018
- backstage.com
Louisa Mellor Dec 15, 2017
We chatted to actor and writer Sally Phillips about comedy, European accents, special cuddles, writing films and more...
“I’m quite keen to meet a Finnish shaman, have you seen them?” asks Sally Phillips three minutes into an interview that’s supposed to be about her role in new family animation Ferdinand. Scrolling through her phone, she presents me with a photograph of a fearsome looking woman with Pris from Blade Runner eye make-up, wearing an elaborate headdress and holding a tambourine.
See related Star Wars: The Last Jedi review
“Look at the expression! Very, very miserable, tambourine, excellent eye make-up” says Phillips, delighted. “I play a character who looks a bit like that in Zapped! and I did something else recently where they painted a black chicken on one eye. I thought, well, it’s slowly, slowly happening, I’m turning into a Finnish Shaman.”
Despite not having visited Finland,...
We chatted to actor and writer Sally Phillips about comedy, European accents, special cuddles, writing films and more...
“I’m quite keen to meet a Finnish shaman, have you seen them?” asks Sally Phillips three minutes into an interview that’s supposed to be about her role in new family animation Ferdinand. Scrolling through her phone, she presents me with a photograph of a fearsome looking woman with Pris from Blade Runner eye make-up, wearing an elaborate headdress and holding a tambourine.
See related Star Wars: The Last Jedi review
“Look at the expression! Very, very miserable, tambourine, excellent eye make-up” says Phillips, delighted. “I play a character who looks a bit like that in Zapped! and I did something else recently where they painted a black chicken on one eye. I thought, well, it’s slowly, slowly happening, I’m turning into a Finnish Shaman.”
Despite not having visited Finland,...
- 12/14/2017
- Den of Geek
Live at the Apollo is moving from BBC One to BBC Two, as the latter channel tries to become the 'home of stand-up comedy'.
Alan Carr, Dara O'Briain, Noel Fielding, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan and Russell Kane are all already confirmed as guest hosts for the new six-episode series of 30-minute shows.
A Christmas special hosted by comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti and featuring special guests will also air in December.
BBC Two and BBC Four boss Kim Shillinglaw said (via Broadcast Now) that the show plans to be "even naughtier and noisier" in its new home when the 11th series launches next month in a 10pm slot.
"Live at the Apollo has a fantastic reputation for bringing viewers the very best acts on the comedy circuit," she continued.
Ed Sleeman, BBC entertainment commissioning editor, said the line-up "reaffirms that Live at the Apollo is still the place to be...
Alan Carr, Dara O'Briain, Noel Fielding, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan and Russell Kane are all already confirmed as guest hosts for the new six-episode series of 30-minute shows.
A Christmas special hosted by comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti and featuring special guests will also air in December.
BBC Two and BBC Four boss Kim Shillinglaw said (via Broadcast Now) that the show plans to be "even naughtier and noisier" in its new home when the 11th series launches next month in a 10pm slot.
"Live at the Apollo has a fantastic reputation for bringing viewers the very best acts on the comedy circuit," she continued.
Ed Sleeman, BBC entertainment commissioning editor, said the line-up "reaffirms that Live at the Apollo is still the place to be...
- 10/21/2015
- Digital Spy
Prized Apart: BBC One, 7pm
Only 6 couples are left in the running for £100,000 after last week's double elimination.
This week's survival challenge has the adventurers build a boat to get across a reservoir so that they can avoid a terrifying abseil down a 360ft waterfall.
Love Island: ITV2, 9pm
Caroline Flack hosts ITV2's tropical romance reality series, but which contestant will leave with the £50,000 prize?
Tonight you can catch up with all of this week's romances and shenanigans on the Island.
Cordon: BBC Four, 9pm
The subtitled Belgian thriller series continues with a double bill tonight.
After a new batch of patients are admitted to the Institute, food starts to become scarce in the quarantine and the army are called in to keep the cordon secure.
The John Bishop Show: BBC One, 9:45pm
John Bishop hosts another night of comedy and music from the Hackney Empire in London.
Only 6 couples are left in the running for £100,000 after last week's double elimination.
This week's survival challenge has the adventurers build a boat to get across a reservoir so that they can avoid a terrifying abseil down a 360ft waterfall.
Love Island: ITV2, 9pm
Caroline Flack hosts ITV2's tropical romance reality series, but which contestant will leave with the £50,000 prize?
Tonight you can catch up with all of this week's romances and shenanigans on the Island.
Cordon: BBC Four, 9pm
The subtitled Belgian thriller series continues with a double bill tonight.
After a new batch of patients are admitted to the Institute, food starts to become scarce in the quarantine and the army are called in to keep the cordon secure.
The John Bishop Show: BBC One, 9:45pm
John Bishop hosts another night of comedy and music from the Hackney Empire in London.
- 7/4/2015
- Digital Spy
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown will return for a new series in May and, yep, Joey Essex will be back.
Host Jimmy Carr will be back on the show alongside team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson and Countdown stars Rachel Riley and Susie Dent.
Once again, Dent will be joined in Dictionary Corner by a host of celebrities including Johnny Vegas, Joe Lycett and Nina Conti. And then there's Joey Essex - who won't be in Dictionary Corner this time, but will be helping out Riley with the letters and numbers. So that's going to go well.
The former Towie star previously appeared on the show in September, when he vowed that he could handle the Countdown clock because he's "a good counter" and strangely got confused about whether or not he was on Countdown.
Meanwhile, Lee Mack, Kathy Burke, Rhod Gilbert, Sara Pascoe and Kevin Bridges are among...
Host Jimmy Carr will be back on the show alongside team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson and Countdown stars Rachel Riley and Susie Dent.
Once again, Dent will be joined in Dictionary Corner by a host of celebrities including Johnny Vegas, Joe Lycett and Nina Conti. And then there's Joey Essex - who won't be in Dictionary Corner this time, but will be helping out Riley with the letters and numbers. So that's going to go well.
The former Towie star previously appeared on the show in September, when he vowed that he could handle the Countdown clock because he's "a good counter" and strangely got confused about whether or not he was on Countdown.
Meanwhile, Lee Mack, Kathy Burke, Rhod Gilbert, Sara Pascoe and Kevin Bridges are among...
- 4/22/2015
- Digital Spy
Universal Pictures
It’s the most wonderful time of the year (again), and as usual it’s getting to those last few weeks before the big day when creative ideas and planning make way for frantic grabs at whatever is left on the shelves after the Black Friday zombie hordes have cleared everything out.
But fear not: because the best of Christmas is watching movies, re-watching old TV specials and trying hard to forget that George Lucas ever decided that anyone wanted a Star Wars Christmas show, there’ll always be a helping hand round these parts for those who want it.
So if you’re buying for a difficult brother, a picky sister or just for the film, gaming or TV fan in your life, what follows is a compendium of the finest gift ideas for this year’s festivities, as usual there are massive opportunities to win most of what has been included…...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year (again), and as usual it’s getting to those last few weeks before the big day when creative ideas and planning make way for frantic grabs at whatever is left on the shelves after the Black Friday zombie hordes have cleared everything out.
But fear not: because the best of Christmas is watching movies, re-watching old TV specials and trying hard to forget that George Lucas ever decided that anyone wanted a Star Wars Christmas show, there’ll always be a helping hand round these parts for those who want it.
So if you’re buying for a difficult brother, a picky sister or just for the film, gaming or TV fan in your life, what follows is a compendium of the finest gift ideas for this year’s festivities, as usual there are massive opportunities to win most of what has been included…...
- 12/5/2014
- by Simon Gallagher
- Obsessed with Film
Universal
To celebrate the release of Nina Conti’s new comedy show Dolly Mixtures Live on DVD, we’re giving three lucky WhatCulture.com readers the chance to win a copy.
Following her win of Best Female TV Comic at the 2013 British Comedy Awards, this must-watch DVD brings Conti’s utterly unique style of comedy straight into your living room. Get ready for gut-busting laughs as ventriloquist Nina puts the audience at the centre of the action in hilarious situations, all with the help of her side-splitting ‘family and friends’, puppets based on facets of herself and people she knows.
There’s her 12 year partner in comedy and co-writer of the show deadpan monkey ‘Monk’, eccentric white-haired Scottish ‘Granny’, Granny’s 90 year old husband ‘John’, Nina’s mini-me and extremely elequent ‘Daughter’, ‘Stefan’ her dishy Polish builder, misunderstood posh pitball terrier ‘Killer’, and of course ‘the mask.’ Arguably the naughtiest accessory in Nina’s show,...
To celebrate the release of Nina Conti’s new comedy show Dolly Mixtures Live on DVD, we’re giving three lucky WhatCulture.com readers the chance to win a copy.
Following her win of Best Female TV Comic at the 2013 British Comedy Awards, this must-watch DVD brings Conti’s utterly unique style of comedy straight into your living room. Get ready for gut-busting laughs as ventriloquist Nina puts the audience at the centre of the action in hilarious situations, all with the help of her side-splitting ‘family and friends’, puppets based on facets of herself and people she knows.
There’s her 12 year partner in comedy and co-writer of the show deadpan monkey ‘Monk’, eccentric white-haired Scottish ‘Granny’, Granny’s 90 year old husband ‘John’, Nina’s mini-me and extremely elequent ‘Daughter’, ‘Stefan’ her dishy Polish builder, misunderstood posh pitball terrier ‘Killer’, and of course ‘the mask.’ Arguably the naughtiest accessory in Nina’s show,...
- 12/5/2014
- by Simon Gallagher
- Obsessed with Film
The British Comedy Awards 2014 nominations have been revealed.
Matt Berry's Toast of London is up for six awards, while Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse's Harry and Paul's Story of the Twos has four nominations.
Berry himself has three nominations, including Best TV Comedy Actor and new category Best Internet Comedy Short.
The BBC's Would I Lie to You? receives four nominations, as team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack find themselves both up for Best Male TV Comic.
Berry, Enfield and Whitehouse are up against The Wrong Mans' Mathew Baynton in the Best TV Comedy Actor category, while Alan Carr will need to defend his Best Comedy Entertainment Personality title from Graham Norton, Ant & Dec and Adam Hills.
This year's ceremony has introduced two new categories - Best Internet Comedy Short and Best Comedy Moment of 2014. Best Comedy Film and Best International Comedy Programme have also made a return to the line-up,...
Matt Berry's Toast of London is up for six awards, while Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse's Harry and Paul's Story of the Twos has four nominations.
Berry himself has three nominations, including Best TV Comedy Actor and new category Best Internet Comedy Short.
The BBC's Would I Lie to You? receives four nominations, as team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack find themselves both up for Best Male TV Comic.
Berry, Enfield and Whitehouse are up against The Wrong Mans' Mathew Baynton in the Best TV Comedy Actor category, while Alan Carr will need to defend his Best Comedy Entertainment Personality title from Graham Norton, Ant & Dec and Adam Hills.
This year's ceremony has introduced two new categories - Best Internet Comedy Short and Best Comedy Moment of 2014. Best Comedy Film and Best International Comedy Programme have also made a return to the line-up,...
- 11/10/2014
- Digital Spy
Nina Conti turns audiences ''lurid and sexual'' at her gigs. The comedienne - who performed live at Prince Harry's 30th birthday - joked the infamous mask sketch she does at her shows often results in some of her crowd turning into ''monsters''. She exclusively told Bang showbiz: ''People get very lurid and sexual quite easily, I promise that's not my fault! But often that's what happens when you put a mask on someone it actually unleashes a monster. I try for it not to go that way but on occasion is has!'' The 40-year-old star appears on stage with a variety of puppets...
- 11/10/2014
- Virgin Media - TV
Nina Conti has signed up to host a new variety show on BBC Two.
The Va-Va-Riety Show will see a mix of cabaret, burlesque, magic, musical comedy and circus performance.
A pilot episode will be filmed at London's Theatre Royal Stratford East on July 28.
The ventriloquist previously hosted a pilot show for the BBC titled Speak for Yourself.
Conti was named Best Female TV Comic at the 2013 British Comedy Awards for her appearance on Live at the Apollo.
Last night (July 10), she performed at Tim Minchin's Summertime show in Hyde Park.
The Va-Va-Riety Show will see a mix of cabaret, burlesque, magic, musical comedy and circus performance.
A pilot episode will be filmed at London's Theatre Royal Stratford East on July 28.
The ventriloquist previously hosted a pilot show for the BBC titled Speak for Yourself.
Conti was named Best Female TV Comic at the 2013 British Comedy Awards for her appearance on Live at the Apollo.
Last night (July 10), she performed at Tim Minchin's Summertime show in Hyde Park.
- 7/11/2014
- Digital Spy
The Television Academy of Arts & Sciences released this year's Emmy ballots on Monday. Now that the ballots are out, it's time for our annual two-pronged experiment, in which Dan tries to predict the likeliest nominees in each major category, while I pretend that I'm an actually TV Academy member and pick the six nominees that would make me the happiest. We are, as always, playing by the Emmy rules, which means we can't argue for someone who didn't submit themselves (say, Alan Cumming for "The Good Wife"), can't move someone from lead to supporting or vice versa, and can't declare that "True Detective" is a miniseries and therefore clear more room in the drama categories. I'm also obviously limited by what I watched and what I haven't. I've only seen a couple of "Nurse Jackie" episodes so far this season, for instance, and the sample size wasn't enough for me...
- 6/13/2014
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
Network: HBO
Episodes: Eight (half-hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: May 12, 2013 -- July 7, 2013
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Chris O'Dowd, Nina Conti, and Tom Bennett.
TV show description:
This documentary-style comedy series follows Tom Chadwick (Chris O'Dowd). He's 30-year-old who recently broke up with his girlfriend of five years and was also made redundant at his "pretty sexy" job reconstructing car accidents and assessing claims for an insurance company. As a result, he has an unsure sense of his own identity.
Tom is feeling pretty lost until he inherits a mysterious box of belongings from a distant great aunt. He starts investigating his lineage and uncovers a whole world of unusual stories and characters, acquiring a growing sense of who he and his real family are.
Bea (Nina Conti) is...
Episodes: Eight (half-hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: May 12, 2013 -- July 7, 2013
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Chris O'Dowd, Nina Conti, and Tom Bennett.
TV show description:
This documentary-style comedy series follows Tom Chadwick (Chris O'Dowd). He's 30-year-old who recently broke up with his girlfriend of five years and was also made redundant at his "pretty sexy" job reconstructing car accidents and assessing claims for an insurance company. As a result, he has an unsure sense of his own identity.
Tom is feeling pretty lost until he inherits a mysterious box of belongings from a distant great aunt. He starts investigating his lineage and uncovers a whole world of unusual stories and characters, acquiring a growing sense of who he and his real family are.
Bea (Nina Conti) is...
- 1/24/2014
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
HBO has decided to cancel Family Tree after one low-rated season. The eighth and final episode aired in July.
A docu-style comedy, Family Tree was created and written by Christopher Guest and Jim Piddock. The story follows Tom Chadwick (Chris O'Dowd), a young man who feels lost in his life until he inherits a box family heirlooms. The contents send him searching for his roots. Nina Conti and Tom Bennett co-star.
A co-production of the BBC and NBC-Universal, the eight episodes ended up averaging just 540,000viewers.
What do you think? Did you enjoy Family Tree? Would you like to see it continue somehow? Perhaps in another form?...
A docu-style comedy, Family Tree was created and written by Christopher Guest and Jim Piddock. The story follows Tom Chadwick (Chris O'Dowd), a young man who feels lost in his life until he inherits a box family heirlooms. The contents send him searching for his roots. Nina Conti and Tom Bennett co-star.
A co-production of the BBC and NBC-Universal, the eight episodes ended up averaging just 540,000viewers.
What do you think? Did you enjoy Family Tree? Would you like to see it continue somehow? Perhaps in another form?...
- 1/24/2014
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Millions know him as part of C4's It Crowd or as the charming cop in Hollywood hit Bridesmaids. Now the versatile Irish actor is making his mark on the stage in Of Mice and Men
On the Cannes Croisette, in the foyer of the postmodern Jw Marriott hotel, a bundle of brightly polished people from the film industry are standing together in a roped-off area, enjoying a free drink and the illusion of celebrity. Slinking by unnoticed, trundling a small case towards the lifts, is a tall man in a hoodie, with messy hair and stubble.
Is he a TV cameraman or a seedy showbiz journalist? No, it is Chris O'Dowd, one of the most bankable stars to attend the film festival that year, 2012.
No matter how famous the Irish actor gets, following lead roles in Bridesmaids and The Sapphires (along with a disturbing television cameo in the acclaimed HBO series Girls), his ambling,...
On the Cannes Croisette, in the foyer of the postmodern Jw Marriott hotel, a bundle of brightly polished people from the film industry are standing together in a roped-off area, enjoying a free drink and the illusion of celebrity. Slinking by unnoticed, trundling a small case towards the lifts, is a tall man in a hoodie, with messy hair and stubble.
Is he a TV cameraman or a seedy showbiz journalist? No, it is Chris O'Dowd, one of the most bankable stars to attend the film festival that year, 2012.
No matter how famous the Irish actor gets, following lead roles in Bridesmaids and The Sapphires (along with a disturbing television cameo in the acclaimed HBO series Girls), his ambling,...
- 1/19/2014
- by Vanessa Thorpe
- The Guardian - Film News
John Bishop's Christmas Show proved popular, topping Monday's (December 23) ratings outside of soaps, according to overnight figures.
The BBC One show, featuring the likes of Nina Conti and Tim Vine, entertained 4.75 million (19.9%) at 9pm.
Earlier, Celebrity Mastermind quizzed 4.08m (18.9%) at 7pm, followed by A Question of Sport with 4.07m (17.4%) at 8pm. Would I Lie to You? gathered 3.51m (13.9%) at 8.30pm.
On BBC Two, a classic festive episode of The Good Life was seen by 1.51m (6.4%) at 7.30pm. University Challenge interested 2.63m (10.7%) at 8pm, while a broadcast of Jane Eyre appealed to 1.82m (7.6%) at 8.30pm.
ITV's final episode of Tales from Northumberland attracted 3.04m (12.3%) at 8pm (123,000/2.5% on +1). Gary Barlow's special Journey to Afghanistan was seen by 3.06m (12.7%) at 9pm (325k/1.7%).
On Channel 4, Nigella Bites brought in 817k (3.6%) at 7pm (122k/0.5%), followed by a festive Food Unwrapped with 1.02m (4.1%) at 8pm (178k/0.7%). Heston's Great British Food intrigued 820k (3.4%) at...
The BBC One show, featuring the likes of Nina Conti and Tim Vine, entertained 4.75 million (19.9%) at 9pm.
Earlier, Celebrity Mastermind quizzed 4.08m (18.9%) at 7pm, followed by A Question of Sport with 4.07m (17.4%) at 8pm. Would I Lie to You? gathered 3.51m (13.9%) at 8.30pm.
On BBC Two, a classic festive episode of The Good Life was seen by 1.51m (6.4%) at 7.30pm. University Challenge interested 2.63m (10.7%) at 8pm, while a broadcast of Jane Eyre appealed to 1.82m (7.6%) at 8.30pm.
ITV's final episode of Tales from Northumberland attracted 3.04m (12.3%) at 8pm (123,000/2.5% on +1). Gary Barlow's special Journey to Afghanistan was seen by 3.06m (12.7%) at 9pm (325k/1.7%).
On Channel 4, Nigella Bites brought in 817k (3.6%) at 7pm (122k/0.5%), followed by a festive Food Unwrapped with 1.02m (4.1%) at 8pm (178k/0.7%). Heston's Great British Food intrigued 820k (3.4%) at...
- 12/24/2013
- Digital Spy
The British Comedy Awards took place in London tonight (December 12).
Jonathan Ross hosted the event which celebrated some of the funniest stars and shows of 2013. It aired live on Channel 4.
The winners list in full:
King/Queen of Comedy
Jack Whitehall - Winner
Alan Carr
David Mitchell
Graham Norton
Lee Mack
Sarah Millican
Best Comedy Panel Show:
Would I Lie To You - Winner
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
A League of Their Own
Have I Got News For You
Best Comedy Entertainment Programme:
The Graham Norton Show - Winner
Alan Carr Chatty Man
Saturday Night Takeaway
The Last Leg
Best Sketch Show:
Harry & Paul - Winner
Horrible Histories
It's Kevin
Psychobitches
Best Sitcom:
Getting On - Winner
Bad Education
Count Arthur Strong
Peep Show
Best New Comedy Programme:
Plebs - Winner
Count Arthur Strong
Cuckoo
Psychobitches
Best Male TV Comic:
Lee Mack, Would I Lie To You - Winner
David Mitchell,...
Jonathan Ross hosted the event which celebrated some of the funniest stars and shows of 2013. It aired live on Channel 4.
The winners list in full:
King/Queen of Comedy
Jack Whitehall - Winner
Alan Carr
David Mitchell
Graham Norton
Lee Mack
Sarah Millican
Best Comedy Panel Show:
Would I Lie To You - Winner
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
A League of Their Own
Have I Got News For You
Best Comedy Entertainment Programme:
The Graham Norton Show - Winner
Alan Carr Chatty Man
Saturday Night Takeaway
The Last Leg
Best Sketch Show:
Harry & Paul - Winner
Horrible Histories
It's Kevin
Psychobitches
Best Sitcom:
Getting On - Winner
Bad Education
Count Arthur Strong
Peep Show
Best New Comedy Programme:
Plebs - Winner
Count Arthur Strong
Cuckoo
Psychobitches
Best Male TV Comic:
Lee Mack, Would I Lie To You - Winner
David Mitchell,...
- 12/12/2013
- Digital Spy
Steve Coogan, Lee Mack and Paul & Harry were among the winners at the British Comedy Awards in London this evening (December 12).
Jonathan Ross hosted the show, which aired live on Channel 4.
Alan Partridge star Coogan took home the Outstanding Achievement award, while Jack Whitehall received the King of Comedy accolade, as voted for by the public, for the second year running.
Mack had two reasons to celebrate, after he won Best Male TV Comic and Would I Lie To You - which he co-hosts with David Mitchell - was awarded the Best Comedy Panel Show trophy.
It was another double win for Paul Whitehouse, who was given the prestigious Writer's Guild of Great Britain Award and also celebrated winning the Best Sketch Show accolade alongside Harry Enfield for Harry & Paul.
Fresh Meat's Whitehall was awarded Best TV Comedy Actor, with Miranda Hart reclaiming her title as Best TV...
Jonathan Ross hosted the show, which aired live on Channel 4.
Alan Partridge star Coogan took home the Outstanding Achievement award, while Jack Whitehall received the King of Comedy accolade, as voted for by the public, for the second year running.
Mack had two reasons to celebrate, after he won Best Male TV Comic and Would I Lie To You - which he co-hosts with David Mitchell - was awarded the Best Comedy Panel Show trophy.
It was another double win for Paul Whitehouse, who was given the prestigious Writer's Guild of Great Britain Award and also celebrated winning the Best Sketch Show accolade alongside Harry Enfield for Harry & Paul.
Fresh Meat's Whitehall was awarded Best TV Comedy Actor, with Miranda Hart reclaiming her title as Best TV...
- 12/12/2013
- Digital Spy
News
Fox cut back on its order of Dads, which isn’t a good sign for the critically-reviled sitcom.
Sutton Foster has joined the cast of Darren Star‘s TV Land pilot Younger according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series follows a forty-something divorcee who succeeds in lying about her age while restarting her life.
Aw, I miss Bunheads. And not just for the hot marine biologist bartender.
In talking with Vulture, Scandal-creator Shonda Rhimes discusses last week’s shocking opening scene and how it reflects the mindset of the writers’ room. “I feel like we’re fighting against the very traditional idea that we see these people and we identify with them and therefore they must be good. On our show, we see these people and we identify with them — that doesn’t mean they’re good by any stretch of the imagination. Sometimes you love Cyrus, and he is a monster.
Fox cut back on its order of Dads, which isn’t a good sign for the critically-reviled sitcom.
Sutton Foster has joined the cast of Darren Star‘s TV Land pilot Younger according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series follows a forty-something divorcee who succeeds in lying about her age while restarting her life.
Aw, I miss Bunheads. And not just for the hot marine biologist bartender.
In talking with Vulture, Scandal-creator Shonda Rhimes discusses last week’s shocking opening scene and how it reflects the mindset of the writers’ room. “I feel like we’re fighting against the very traditional idea that we see these people and we identify with them and therefore they must be good. On our show, we see these people and we identify with them — that doesn’t mean they’re good by any stretch of the imagination. Sometimes you love Cyrus, and he is a monster.
- 12/9/2013
- by Lyle Masaki
- The Backlot
The British Comedy Awards have revealed the nominations for this year's ceremony, with Alan Carr, Jack Whitehall and Miranda Hart all battling for prizes.
Jonathan Ross is once again hosting the awards, which will air live on Channel 4 next Thursday (December 12).
The Last Leg and its host Adam Hills lead the way with a total of three nominations.
Hills is in the running for Best Comedy Breakthrough Artist and Best Comedy Entertainment Personality, while The Last Leg is in contention to be named Best Comedy Entertainment Programme.
Jo Brand and Vicki Pepperdine are each nominated for their roles in NHS sitcom Getting On, which also receives a nod in the Best Sitcom category.
The Great British Bake Off's Mel and Sue are up against the likes of Miranda Hart and Sarah Millican for Best Female TV Comic.
Best New Comedy Programme will see competition from Count Arthur Strong,...
Jonathan Ross is once again hosting the awards, which will air live on Channel 4 next Thursday (December 12).
The Last Leg and its host Adam Hills lead the way with a total of three nominations.
Hills is in the running for Best Comedy Breakthrough Artist and Best Comedy Entertainment Personality, while The Last Leg is in contention to be named Best Comedy Entertainment Programme.
Jo Brand and Vicki Pepperdine are each nominated for their roles in NHS sitcom Getting On, which also receives a nod in the Best Sitcom category.
The Great British Bake Off's Mel and Sue are up against the likes of Miranda Hart and Sarah Millican for Best Female TV Comic.
Best New Comedy Programme will see competition from Count Arthur Strong,...
- 12/3/2013
- Digital Spy
Comic and ventriloquist Nina Conti is shooting a game show pilot for BBC One, it has been revealed.
Audience tickets are available for the show, which has the title Speak For Yourself and follows a similar format to ITV's Mrs and Mrs. The main twist will be that Conti co-hosts the show with her two puppets Monket and Granny.
The description of the pilot claims that couples' relationships will be "put to the test" by the show.
"Nina, with the help of her cheekiest puppet characters, finds out what skeletons lurk in the cupboards of our two couples," reads the outline.
"The big questions are… how well do our couples know each other and how well do they work together? And which couple will win the big cash prize at the end of the show?"
Earlier this year Conti starred in HBO and BBC Two comedy Family Tree alongside Chris O'Dowd.
Audience tickets are available for the show, which has the title Speak For Yourself and follows a similar format to ITV's Mrs and Mrs. The main twist will be that Conti co-hosts the show with her two puppets Monket and Granny.
The description of the pilot claims that couples' relationships will be "put to the test" by the show.
"Nina, with the help of her cheekiest puppet characters, finds out what skeletons lurk in the cupboards of our two couples," reads the outline.
"The big questions are… how well do our couples know each other and how well do they work together? And which couple will win the big cash prize at the end of the show?"
Earlier this year Conti starred in HBO and BBC Two comedy Family Tree alongside Chris O'Dowd.
- 11/8/2013
- Digital Spy
In memory of pioneering Scottish documentarian John Grierson (1898-1972), each year The Grierson Trust recognizes the best documentary filmmaking through the British Documentary Awards. This year's first prize winner for Most Entertaining Documentary was awarded to "Nina Conti: A Ventriloquist's Story-Her Master’s Voice" while the time traveling story of the deterioration of the poorest areas of London, "The Secret History of Our Streets: Deptford High Street" was awarded Best Historical Documentary. When Dawn Airey, Chariman of the Grierson Trust opened the evening he commented that, "All the nominations share one thing: the burning desire to reveal the human story at the centre of them." Here is the full list of Grierson winners- Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme -7/7: One Day in London Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme -Law of the Jungle Best Documentary on Current Affairs- Syria: Across the Lines Best Arts Documentary-Imagine: The...
- 11/5/2013
- by James Hiler
- Indiewire
Chicago – There are a few major comedies on New Releases shelves this week along with some interesting, smaller films and one of the most anticipated TV shows of 2013. What options are new in the world of Blu-ray, DVD, streaming and digital TV providers? Some of the most interesting and most unbearable comeedies of the year hit your home viewing radar. Here’s how to rank them from ha-ha to hateful.
The Heat
Photo credit: Fox
“The Heat”
Paul Feig’s mega-comedy proved that star power can go a long way in overcoming the relative shortcomings of a pretty mediocre script. There’s nothing really special about “The Heat” on paper but when you put the incredibly likable Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy (two of the most popular actresses in the world right now when one considers that both this and their other 2013 films — “Gravity” and “Identity Thief” — broke $100 million domestically) in front of the camera,...
The Heat
Photo credit: Fox
“The Heat”
Paul Feig’s mega-comedy proved that star power can go a long way in overcoming the relative shortcomings of a pretty mediocre script. There’s nothing really special about “The Heat” on paper but when you put the incredibly likable Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy (two of the most popular actresses in the world right now when one considers that both this and their other 2013 films — “Gravity” and “Identity Thief” — broke $100 million domestically) in front of the camera,...
- 10/29/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
BBC One's hugely popular Live at the Apollo returns for a new series next month, and Eddie Izzard and Jack Whitehall are among the comedians headlining the shows.
The BAFTA-nominated series features different hosts performing for 3,500 fans at the Hammersmith Apollo, alongside two special guests.
Izzard will top the bill in the first episode and will be joined by Josh Widdicombe and Trevor Noah.
Later in the series, Whitehall, Sean Lock, Last Leg presenter Adam Hills and Nina Conti will all perform.
The lineup in full for the new series of Live at the Apollo:
Episode 1 - Host Eddie Izzard with special guests Josh Widdicombe and Trevor Noah
Episode 2 - Host Jack Dee with special guests Seann Walsh and Milton Jones
Episode 3 - Host Sean Lock with special guests Romesh Ranaganathan and Marcus Brigstocke
Episode 4 - Host Adam Hills with special guests Andi Osho and Terry Alderton
Episode 5 -...
The BAFTA-nominated series features different hosts performing for 3,500 fans at the Hammersmith Apollo, alongside two special guests.
Izzard will top the bill in the first episode and will be joined by Josh Widdicombe and Trevor Noah.
Later in the series, Whitehall, Sean Lock, Last Leg presenter Adam Hills and Nina Conti will all perform.
The lineup in full for the new series of Live at the Apollo:
Episode 1 - Host Eddie Izzard with special guests Josh Widdicombe and Trevor Noah
Episode 2 - Host Jack Dee with special guests Seann Walsh and Milton Jones
Episode 3 - Host Sean Lock with special guests Romesh Ranaganathan and Marcus Brigstocke
Episode 4 - Host Adam Hills with special guests Andi Osho and Terry Alderton
Episode 5 -...
- 10/24/2013
- Digital Spy
To mark the release of the BBC sitcvom Family Tree, we’ve been given three copies of the show to give away on DVD. The show has a gerat cast which includes Chris O’Dowd, Nina Conti and Tom Bennett.
This off-the-wall hit HBO series is comprised of 10 x half hour, single camera episodes that give the show trademark spoof documentary awkwardness, with added satirical humour.
The Chadwick family are brought to life by largely improvised performances from an ensemble case of comedy greats including Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, The Sapphires, The It Crowd) as protagonist Tom Chadwick, Tom Bennett (Midsummer Murders, Eastenders) as his best friend; BAFTA winner Nina Conti (For Your Consideration, Holby City) as his quirky sister Bea; and Michael McKean (Murder She Wrote, Homeland, The Adventures of Superman) as his British soap loving father. Supporting roles from Ed Begley, Jr. (Pineapple Express, This is Spinal Tap,...
This off-the-wall hit HBO series is comprised of 10 x half hour, single camera episodes that give the show trademark spoof documentary awkwardness, with added satirical humour.
The Chadwick family are brought to life by largely improvised performances from an ensemble case of comedy greats including Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, The Sapphires, The It Crowd) as protagonist Tom Chadwick, Tom Bennett (Midsummer Murders, Eastenders) as his best friend; BAFTA winner Nina Conti (For Your Consideration, Holby City) as his quirky sister Bea; and Michael McKean (Murder She Wrote, Homeland, The Adventures of Superman) as his British soap loving father. Supporting roles from Ed Begley, Jr. (Pineapple Express, This is Spinal Tap,...
- 9/24/2013
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
★★★★★ From the pen of writer, actor and comedian Christopher Guest comes HBO's Family Tree, a mockumentary series that centre on one man's mission to find himself - one relative at a time. Fresh from his big screen success in Bridesmaids (2011) and The Sapphires (2012), Chris O'Dowd takes the lead as Tom Chadwick, a thirtysomething who finds purpose in a mysterious box of belongings inherited from a great aunt he had never met. The box sparks the beginning of a journey of self-discovery as Tom begins investigating his family lineage and uncovers a plethora of wild and wonderful characters along the way.
Beginning in London, Tom travels to his father's home with his sister Bea (Nina Conti) and her truth speaking, hand-puppet Monkey. When their father, Keith (Michael McKean) breaks the news of their aunties death, both siblings are thrilled to discover that they will receive some inheritance. What immediately appears to...
Beginning in London, Tom travels to his father's home with his sister Bea (Nina Conti) and her truth speaking, hand-puppet Monkey. When their father, Keith (Michael McKean) breaks the news of their aunties death, both siblings are thrilled to discover that they will receive some inheritance. What immediately appears to...
- 9/23/2013
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: Oct. 29, 2013
Price: Two-dvd $29.98
Studio: HBO Home Entertainment/Warner Home Video
One of the brains behind This is Spinal Tap, Christopher Guest brings his mockumentary style to TV with the HBO comedy Family Tree.
The television show stars Chris O’Dowd (Frankie Go Boom) as 30-year-old Tom Chadwick, who loses his job and his girlfriend. When he inherits a mysterious box from a great aunt he’s never met, he begins to explore his family heritage with the help of his sister (Nina Conti, For Your Consideration), best friend (Tom Bennett, TV’s PhoneShop) and friendly neighbor Mr. Pfister (Jim Piddock, The Five-Year Engagement).
Ed Begley Jr. (TV’s Arrested Development) and Michael McKean (The Words) also star in the show.
Family Tree got mixed reviews, with Entertainment Weekly calling it “smart,” but Variety saying it’s “disappointing.”
The two-dvd set carries these special features:
“Keith’s Favorite 1970s Sitcoms,...
Price: Two-dvd $29.98
Studio: HBO Home Entertainment/Warner Home Video
One of the brains behind This is Spinal Tap, Christopher Guest brings his mockumentary style to TV with the HBO comedy Family Tree.
The television show stars Chris O’Dowd (Frankie Go Boom) as 30-year-old Tom Chadwick, who loses his job and his girlfriend. When he inherits a mysterious box from a great aunt he’s never met, he begins to explore his family heritage with the help of his sister (Nina Conti, For Your Consideration), best friend (Tom Bennett, TV’s PhoneShop) and friendly neighbor Mr. Pfister (Jim Piddock, The Five-Year Engagement).
Ed Begley Jr. (TV’s Arrested Development) and Michael McKean (The Words) also star in the show.
Family Tree got mixed reviews, with Entertainment Weekly calling it “smart,” but Variety saying it’s “disappointing.”
The two-dvd set carries these special features:
“Keith’s Favorite 1970s Sitcoms,...
- 9/18/2013
- by Sam
- Disc Dish
The first season of Family Tree finished airing on HBO early last month. HBO hasn't announced a second season renewal yet and the show's fate is still up in the air.
A documentary-style comedy, Family Tree follows an insecure young man who's perspective starts to change when a distant aunt dies and leaves him a mysterious box of belongings. This leads him to start investigating his lineage. He uncovers a world of unusual stories and acquires a growing sense of who he and his real family are.
Executive produced by Christopher Guest, the show stars Chris O’Dowd, Nina Conti, and Tom Bennett. The series is a co-production between BBC Two in the UK and HBO here in the states.
At the TCA Summer Press Tour, HBO programming president Michael Lombardo said that no decision has been made yet but, "The BBC I...
A documentary-style comedy, Family Tree follows an insecure young man who's perspective starts to change when a distant aunt dies and leaves him a mysterious box of belongings. This leads him to start investigating his lineage. He uncovers a world of unusual stories and acquires a growing sense of who he and his real family are.
Executive produced by Christopher Guest, the show stars Chris O’Dowd, Nina Conti, and Tom Bennett. The series is a co-production between BBC Two in the UK and HBO here in the states.
At the TCA Summer Press Tour, HBO programming president Michael Lombardo said that no decision has been made yet but, "The BBC I...
- 8/6/2013
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
HBO's new Family Tree TV series recently completed its eight episode first season. There's been no word yet on the show's future. Should HBO cancel it or bring it back for a second season instead?
Family Tree is a documentary-style comedy that follows a young man who's feeling pretty unsure about himself after he loses his job and his girlfriend. That starts to change when a distant aunt dies and leaves him a mysterious box of belongings. This leads him to start investigating his lineage. He uncovers a world of unusual stories and acquires a growing sense of who he and his real family are.
Executive produced by Christopher Guest, the show stars Chris O'Dowd, Nina Conti, and Tom Bennett.
Family Tree may have some devoted fans but there don't seem to be many of them. It's HBO's lowest rated series...
Family Tree is a documentary-style comedy that follows a young man who's feeling pretty unsure about himself after he loses his job and his girlfriend. That starts to change when a distant aunt dies and leaves him a mysterious box of belongings. This leads him to start investigating his lineage. He uncovers a world of unusual stories and acquires a growing sense of who he and his real family are.
Executive produced by Christopher Guest, the show stars Chris O'Dowd, Nina Conti, and Tom Bennett.
Family Tree may have some devoted fans but there don't seem to be many of them. It's HBO's lowest rated series...
- 7/18/2013
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Alan Carr has filmed a new set of 'hijacked' adverts for this year's Comedy Gala on Channel 4.
Open Mike has teamed up with Channel 4 for another set of sketches to appear during the ad break at this year's event tonight (June 7) from 9pm.
Carr will takeover special versions of ads including Specsavers, Renault, Jackpot Joy and GoCompare – including opera singer Gio Compario.
Also joining this year's lineup of ads are Coors, Lynx, Skittles and Just Eat.
Rylan Clark will appear in the sketches as Carr's right-hand man.
Sketches include Carr being threatened by a man who turns everything he touches into Skittles, being body doubles for Jean-Claude Van Damme for Corrs and taking on an astronaut for Lynx.
Rob Ramsey of Channel 4 said: "It's brilliant that we have been able to work with such a diverse cross-section of clients, agencies and brands on the hijack, which positively...
Open Mike has teamed up with Channel 4 for another set of sketches to appear during the ad break at this year's event tonight (June 7) from 9pm.
Carr will takeover special versions of ads including Specsavers, Renault, Jackpot Joy and GoCompare – including opera singer Gio Compario.
Also joining this year's lineup of ads are Coors, Lynx, Skittles and Just Eat.
Rylan Clark will appear in the sketches as Carr's right-hand man.
Sketches include Carr being threatened by a man who turns everything he touches into Skittles, being body doubles for Jean-Claude Van Damme for Corrs and taking on an astronaut for Lynx.
Rob Ramsey of Channel 4 said: "It's brilliant that we have been able to work with such a diverse cross-section of clients, agencies and brands on the hijack, which positively...
- 6/7/2013
- Digital Spy
While Tom Chadwick is uncovering his family roots, HBO is hoping that viewers will want to follow along and watch the Family Tree TV series. Will they renew it for another season or cancel the show instead? We shall see.
Family Tree airs on Sunday nights and there are eight episodes. The show's cast is made up of Chris O'Dowd, Nina Conti, and Tom Bennett. Created by Christopher Guest, the first season also features appearances by Carrie Aizley, Bob Balaban, Ed Begley, Jr., Maria Blasucci, Matt Griesser, Christopher Guest, Don Lake, Michael McKean, Lisa Palfrey, Jim Piddock, Kevin Pollak, Amy Seimetz, Meera Syal, Ashley Walters and Fred Willard.
Below are the most recent ratings for the first season of Family Tree. The TV show's ratings are the best way to tell if a series will be cancelled or renewed for another season. These figures...
Family Tree airs on Sunday nights and there are eight episodes. The show's cast is made up of Chris O'Dowd, Nina Conti, and Tom Bennett. Created by Christopher Guest, the first season also features appearances by Carrie Aizley, Bob Balaban, Ed Begley, Jr., Maria Blasucci, Matt Griesser, Christopher Guest, Don Lake, Michael McKean, Lisa Palfrey, Jim Piddock, Kevin Pollak, Amy Seimetz, Meera Syal, Ashley Walters and Fred Willard.
Below are the most recent ratings for the first season of Family Tree. The TV show's ratings are the best way to tell if a series will be cancelled or renewed for another season. These figures...
- 5/24/2013
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Armstrong and Miller comic lambasts 'inverse snobbery' while Ricky Gervais teaches guitar – and who's the hottest comedian?
This week's comedy news
We begin with the Telegraph's tale of Alexander Armstrong and the apparent victimisation of "posh" comics. "Why should your background be held against you?," asks the descendant of William the Conqueror, alumnus of a Durham public school and director of a production company called Toff Media. "It is so short-sighted … This tribal aversion to anyone with a posh voice is very boring." Armstrong – best known as one half of the sketch double-act Armstrong and Miller – even lodges the improbable complaint that his privileged upbringing has been detrimental to his career in British entertainment. In the piece, he blames inverse snobbery for the BBC initially spurning Armstrong and Miller after their big break on the Edinburgh fringe in the mid-1990s. And, he adds, "I'm not anticipating an offer to...
This week's comedy news
We begin with the Telegraph's tale of Alexander Armstrong and the apparent victimisation of "posh" comics. "Why should your background be held against you?," asks the descendant of William the Conqueror, alumnus of a Durham public school and director of a production company called Toff Media. "It is so short-sighted … This tribal aversion to anyone with a posh voice is very boring." Armstrong – best known as one half of the sketch double-act Armstrong and Miller – even lodges the improbable complaint that his privileged upbringing has been detrimental to his career in British entertainment. In the piece, he blames inverse snobbery for the BBC initially spurning Armstrong and Miller after their big break on the Edinburgh fringe in the mid-1990s. And, he adds, "I'm not anticipating an offer to...
- 5/14/2013
- by Brian Logan
- The Guardian - Film News
Alright, let’s get this party started. “Why would you consider?,” you may ask. Well, anything created by Christopher Guest (This is Spinal Tab) and starring The It Crowd’s Chris O’Dowd is widely considered to be a party. Alright, fine, maybe not “widely” considered, but being a fan of both, it’s definitely a party to me. The Irish comedian is an up-and-coming star, who is currently getting some decent roles in Hollywood flicks (most notably in Bridesmaids) and will hopefully establish himself as a solid leading man in the future. He truly deserves it. Nevertheless, the character he plays wasn’t even the funniest character in the series premiere of Family Tree, which is Guest’s newest mockumentary. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the director’s work, he’s well-known for writing outlines instead of screenplays and letting his actors improvise the dialogue — think...
- 5/13/2013
- by Paulo Lazo
- We Got This Covered
"Family Tree," the new HBO comedy from Christopher Guest, premiered Sunday (May 12), telling the story of Tom Chadwick (Chris O'Dowd), who begins to explore his family heritage after inheriting a box of trinkets from a great aunt he never met.
The premiere is chock full of charm, allowing O'Dowd to capitalize on the good will he generated from his revelatory turn in "Bridesmaids." But is charm enough to sell a comedy? The premiere also feels like it's crawling towards its end -- not an indicator of high-quality comedy.
Sure, it has to introduce a world -- tonight, we meet Tom's dad Keith (played by Guest regular Michael McKean) and sister Bea (played by Nina Conti), along with best friend Pete Stupples (Tom Bennett). But is that world enough of an excuse to avoid actual laughs?
There's a strange subplot with Bea, who carries with her a monkey hand puppet to reveal her honest thoughts.
The premiere is chock full of charm, allowing O'Dowd to capitalize on the good will he generated from his revelatory turn in "Bridesmaids." But is charm enough to sell a comedy? The premiere also feels like it's crawling towards its end -- not an indicator of high-quality comedy.
Sure, it has to introduce a world -- tonight, we meet Tom's dad Keith (played by Guest regular Michael McKean) and sister Bea (played by Nina Conti), along with best friend Pete Stupples (Tom Bennett). But is that world enough of an excuse to avoid actual laughs?
There's a strange subplot with Bea, who carries with her a monkey hand puppet to reveal her honest thoughts.
- 5/13/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Digital Spy presents a list of the winners at this year's Arqiva BAFTA Television Awards, which took place tonight (May 12) at London's Royal Festival Hall:
> BAFTA Television Awards 2013 - red carpet pictures
Leading Actor
Ben Whishaw - Richard II (The Hollow Crown) - Winner
Derek Jacobi - Last Tango in Halifax
Sean Bean - Accused ('Tracie's Story')
Toby Jones - The Girl
Leading Actress
Anne Reid - Last Tango in Halifax
Rebecca Hall - Parade's End
Sheridan Smith - Mrs Biggs - Winner
Sienna Miller - The Girl
Supporting Actor
Peter Capaldi - The Hour
Stephen Graham - Accused ('Tracie's Story')
Harry Lloyd - The Fear
Simon Russell Beale - Henry IV, Part 2 (The Hollow Crown) - Winner
Supporting Actress
Anastasia Hille - The Fear
Imelda Staunton - The Girl
Olivia Colman - Accused ('Mo's Story') - Winner
Sarah Lancashire - Last Tango in Halifax
Entertainment Performance
Alan Carr...
> BAFTA Television Awards 2013 - red carpet pictures
Leading Actor
Ben Whishaw - Richard II (The Hollow Crown) - Winner
Derek Jacobi - Last Tango in Halifax
Sean Bean - Accused ('Tracie's Story')
Toby Jones - The Girl
Leading Actress
Anne Reid - Last Tango in Halifax
Rebecca Hall - Parade's End
Sheridan Smith - Mrs Biggs - Winner
Sienna Miller - The Girl
Supporting Actor
Peter Capaldi - The Hour
Stephen Graham - Accused ('Tracie's Story')
Harry Lloyd - The Fear
Simon Russell Beale - Henry IV, Part 2 (The Hollow Crown) - Winner
Supporting Actress
Anastasia Hille - The Fear
Imelda Staunton - The Girl
Olivia Colman - Accused ('Mo's Story') - Winner
Sarah Lancashire - Last Tango in Halifax
Entertainment Performance
Alan Carr...
- 5/12/2013
- Digital Spy
With '2012', 'Accused', 'The Girl' and 'Last Tango In Halifax' all up for four awards tonight, and no 'Sherlock', 'Doctor Who' or even 'Downton Abbey' to steal the limelight, it's all to play for at this year's BAFTA TV Awards ceremony. Here are all the winners, as they happen.
Full nominees list here, Winners In Bold...
Leading Actor
Sean Bean - Accused (Tracie's Story)
Derek Jacobi - Last Tango in Halifax
Toby Jones - The Girl
Ben Whishaw - Richard II (The Hollow Crown)
Leading Actress
Rebecca Hall - Parade's End
Sienna Miller - The Girl
Anne Reid - Last Tango in Halifax
Sheridan Smith - Mrs Biggs
Supporting Actor
Peter Capaldi - The Hour
Stephen Graham - Accused (Tracie's Story)
Harry Lloyd - The Fear
Simon Russell Beale - Henry IV Part 2 (The Hollow Crown)
Supporting Actress
Olivia Colman - Accused (Mo's Story)
Anastasia Hille...
Full nominees list here, Winners In Bold...
Leading Actor
Sean Bean - Accused (Tracie's Story)
Derek Jacobi - Last Tango in Halifax
Toby Jones - The Girl
Ben Whishaw - Richard II (The Hollow Crown)
Leading Actress
Rebecca Hall - Parade's End
Sienna Miller - The Girl
Anne Reid - Last Tango in Halifax
Sheridan Smith - Mrs Biggs
Supporting Actor
Peter Capaldi - The Hour
Stephen Graham - Accused (Tracie's Story)
Harry Lloyd - The Fear
Simon Russell Beale - Henry IV Part 2 (The Hollow Crown)
Supporting Actress
Olivia Colman - Accused (Mo's Story)
Anastasia Hille...
- 5/12/2013
- by The Huffington Post UK
- Huffington Post
Chicago – Christopher Guest, the beloved writer/director behind “Best in Show” and “Waiting For Guffman,” comes to TV this weekend with the premiere of HBO’s “Family Tree” and the result is something unique for television comedy — a show that doesn’t force the laughs as much as build likable characters. Don’t get me wrong. There are major “laugh set-pieces” in the first few episodes of “Family Tree,” such as an amazing first date gone wrong and a race with people dressed like horses and other animals, but the jokes come at a more casual pace than we’re accustomed to with television comedy and Guest seems more laid back than in his more manic films. The result of the slower pace makes for a show that I’m guessing many will wish was more laugh-inducing funny but few shows this season have produced a more consistent smile than HBO’s new offering.
- 5/12/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Tom Chadwick is an affable British-Irish chap stuck in a bad patch. He’s reeling from a breakup, and he’s just been made redundant at his job. His longtime best friend keeps setting him up on disastrous dates with dim-witted women. Tom needs to Move Along, Please!, to borrow the title from his father’s favorite sitcom. Into Tom’s stultifying life drops a box of heirlooms bequeathed by a dead great-aunt. He begins investigating the knotty roots of his screwy family history, which takes this hangdog Homer on an absurdly funny odyssey into oddball quarters and pastimes (pantomime horse racing,...
- 5/10/2013
- by Jeff Jensen
- EW - Inside TV
Family Tree, a new faux documentary series on HBO, chronicles one man’s attempts to discover his lineage.
After losing his job and his girlfriend, Tom Chadwick (played by Chris O’Dowd) receives a box of things belonging to a great aunt he never knew. This prompts him to begin investigating his past.
The show, created by Christopher Guest (Best in Show) and Jim Piddock (The Five-Year Engagement), features a lot of improvised dialogue by veteran actors — many of whom have worked with Guest in the past. Familiar faces Ed Begley, Jr., Fred Willard, Michael McKean, Nina Conti, and Bob Balaban...
After losing his job and his girlfriend, Tom Chadwick (played by Chris O’Dowd) receives a box of things belonging to a great aunt he never knew. This prompts him to begin investigating his past.
The show, created by Christopher Guest (Best in Show) and Jim Piddock (The Five-Year Engagement), features a lot of improvised dialogue by veteran actors — many of whom have worked with Guest in the past. Familiar faces Ed Begley, Jr., Fred Willard, Michael McKean, Nina Conti, and Bob Balaban...
- 5/9/2013
- by Amanda Taylor
- EW - Inside TV
Christopher Guest has, over the course of his filmmaking career, developed a distinct comedic style, one that has garnered him critical acclaim and a loyal following. Like many auteurs, Guest will soon be taking his talent to the ever-growing television medium, having inked a deal with cable channel HBO to co-create a show with Jim Piddock. The show, titled Family Tree, centres around a man in his 30s trying to figure out his lineage, and the characters and stories within, and sees rising comedian Chris O’Dowd take the lead role alongside Nina Conti, Tom Bennett, Michael McKean, Ed Begley Jr., Bob Balaban, Kevin Pollak, Amy Seimetz, and Fred Willard.
To give new viewers a better idea of what’s in store, HBO now gives people an opportunity to make their own awkward family photos. Until May 19th, fans can go to this website and create their own awkward portrait,...
To give new viewers a better idea of what’s in store, HBO now gives people an opportunity to make their own awkward family photos. Until May 19th, fans can go to this website and create their own awkward portrait,...
- 5/1/2013
- by Deepayan Sengupta
- SoundOnSight
Miranda Hart, Diversity, Warwick Davis and Nina Conti have been added to the Channel 4 Comedy Gala lineup.
The foursome join a bill which already includes Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre, Alan Carr and Rhod Gilbert.
Jack Dee, Adam Hills, Jason Byrne, Jo Brand, Jonathan Ross, Noel Fielding, Rich Hall and Paddy McGuinness are also performing at the event.
Hosted at London's O2 on May 18, the show will air in a two-hour Channel 4 special later in the year.
The event is a fundraiser for the Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Tickets are currently on sale priced £40-£100.
Watch Nina Conti performing stand-up below:...
The foursome join a bill which already includes Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre, Alan Carr and Rhod Gilbert.
Jack Dee, Adam Hills, Jason Byrne, Jo Brand, Jonathan Ross, Noel Fielding, Rich Hall and Paddy McGuinness are also performing at the event.
Hosted at London's O2 on May 18, the show will air in a two-hour Channel 4 special later in the year.
The event is a fundraiser for the Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Tickets are currently on sale priced £40-£100.
Watch Nina Conti performing stand-up below:...
- 4/26/2013
- Digital Spy
Christopher Guest's television series "Family Tree," his first major project since 2006's "For Your Consideration," will premiere Sunday, May 12 at 10:30pm on HBO. The new behind-the-scenes video below offers a better sense of the half-hour show than anything the network's released so far. "We use the genealogy as an excuse to go into different worlds," explains co-created Jim Piddock, as we get a closer look at Chris O'Dowd as Tom Chadwick, a young man who decides to track down members of his extended family after a bad breakup, accompanied by his sister Bea (Nina Conti, "Her Master's Voice") and his friend Pete (Tom Bennett). No sight yet of Amy Seimetz, who's been cast as Tom's potential love interest, but there are plenty of Guest regulars to be had. The eight-episode season was directed by Guest and, like his films, was shot mockumentary-style and improvised by the cast.
- 4/15/2013
- by Alison Willmore
- Indiewire
The nominations have been announced for the 2013 BAFTA Television Awards. "The Girl," the TV movie about Alfred Hitchcock's relationship with actress Tippi Hedren, leads all with eight nominations, followed by Benedict Cumberbatch's "Parade's End" with seven.
Popular U.K. drama "Downton Abbey" has received zero nominations this time around. It previously received nominations as Best Drama Series and Supporting acting nominations for Brendan Coyle and Maggie Smith. U.S. series "Game of Thrones" and "Homeland" each scored a pair of nominations.
The TV BAFTAs will be awarded May 12 in London. The complete list of nominees is below:
Leading Actor
Ben Whishaw - Richard II (The Hollow Crown)
Derek Jacobi - Last Tango in Halifax
Sean Bean - Accused (Tracie's Story)
Toby Jones- The Girl
Leading Actress
Anne Reid - Last Tango in Halifax
Rebecca Hall - Parade's End
Sheridan Smith - Mrs Biggs
Sienna Miller - The Girl...
Popular U.K. drama "Downton Abbey" has received zero nominations this time around. It previously received nominations as Best Drama Series and Supporting acting nominations for Brendan Coyle and Maggie Smith. U.S. series "Game of Thrones" and "Homeland" each scored a pair of nominations.
The TV BAFTAs will be awarded May 12 in London. The complete list of nominees is below:
Leading Actor
Ben Whishaw - Richard II (The Hollow Crown)
Derek Jacobi - Last Tango in Halifax
Sean Bean - Accused (Tracie's Story)
Toby Jones- The Girl
Leading Actress
Anne Reid - Last Tango in Halifax
Rebecca Hall - Parade's End
Sheridan Smith - Mrs Biggs
Sienna Miller - The Girl...
- 4/9/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
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