The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff is currently filming and getting a bit of attention online. Nice piece by Aaron (hello!) at The British Comedy Guide here which tells us that there are four episodes, one of which is an hour long launch special for Christmas Eve, and it’s pretty much Torchwood to Bleak Expectations’ Doctor Who. Bad comparison from me but I am a geek and maybe I should just explain that it’s set in the radio show’s ‘universe’ but with different characters. It’s written by the familiar (to this blog) Mark Evans, produced by That Producer Gareth Edwards, directed by That Director Ben Gosling-Fuller and stars the also familiar Robert Webb and Katherine Parkinson with appearances from the not-remotely-unknown David Mitchell, Sarah Hadland, The Actor Kevin Eldon and Celia Imrie. Radio Times did a piece too and added a Webb quote: “I’m really looking forward to working with my all-time hero David Mitchell. Apparently Stephen Fry is in it too, which is nice.”
The BBC Comedy Blog has a behind the scenes article which is very nice, and includes this image:
There is also this phrase: “Urchins are scampering about.”
A new film from the director and writer of Calendar Girls was filming in Rickmansworth today. Comedians Rufus Hound and Robert Webb were in St Mary’s Church and other buildings in Church Street for most of the day. The film, called Wedding Video follows the story of a man making a video of his brother’s wedding.
Writer Tim Firth, who is also responsible for Confessions of a Shopaholic, said: “It’s a bit of a wedding documentary, looking at the things a soon-to-be married couple have to go through. “It’s a bit like the Spinal Tap of wedding films.” The film is directed by Nigel Cole, who worked with Mr Firth on Calendar Girls.
Filming will only be in Rickmansworth today, and in other parts of the area later this month. Producer James Gay-Rees said: “We will be back in the area soon and will be needing some extras for the filming, so if anyone is interested get in touch.
I am having Confetti flashbacks now, which is surprising.
While David is off being all clever and political in Channel 4′s new 10 O’Clock Live for the forseeable future at least several people may have wondered what Rob is up to when not recording sarcastic voice overs for things on BBC Three. Well… Lost In TV has the details.
SPACE with Robert WEBB
The Comedy Chat / Panel Show about Life on Earth
Robert Webb hosts SPACE, Channel 4’s exciting new comedy entertainment show. Each week on his ship “Captain” Robert is joined by 3 celebrities as they attempt to define and discover the very best of our planet from the last few thousand years.
In a series of studio based rounds, the nation’s best loved personalities will nominate their most precious possessions, guilty pleasures, best loved landmarks or even all time favourite humans that they believe encapsulate earth as we know it. It is up to Robert and his crew plus the studio audience to decide which of these items will make it onto the ship.
I forgot to mention that Rob was presenting Never Mind The Buzzcocks this week, mostly because it’s usually not a very good programme. Here is a picture to make up for that:
He turns up on Celebrity (aaarrgggh) Mastermind tomorrow night so there’s time to remember that one. There’s a nice video of an extended chat from that here. No embedding, boo hiss boo!
I wrote a sketch for That Mitchell and Webb Look, where a job candidate is being interviewed by a panel of three, one of whom is there to provide “extreme negative feedback”. As the interviewee (Mitchell) responds to questions, the negative feedback panellist (Webb) reacts with obscene comments and eventually violence. The sketch went down well enough; especially the end, when I threw a rubber typewriter at David’s head. Ding!
A few months later, I was watching a DVD of the first episode of one of my favourite sketch shows of the 1980s, Absolutely. In sheer horror, my nostrils expanded to the size of bowling ball finger-grips as the negative feedback sketch started to play itself out before my eyes. I’d seen it in 1989, loved it, forgotten it, and then “had the idea” 17 years later.
The next time I ran into Jack Docherty who had played “my” part in the original, I explained and apologised. I was both relieved and disappointed to see that he obviously didn’t know what the hell I was talking about. He hadn’t seen my sketch and could barely remember his own. “Still, sounds like a good idea,” he said. “Someone should write that.”
Mr Webb has been doing the solo rounds recently and the Have I Got News For You? that he presented last week is online so how could I not post it here?
I think we can say that was a success. More please!
So at this point, aged about 15, I was basically a revolutionary communist. OK, maybe it is obvious: there is such a thing as rebellion. But most of the other boys and girls at that school didn’t see any need for rebellion: it was a nice school and they were happy. I was happy too; I just also wanted to burn the place down.
Where were we? Yes, you introduced yourself and then I insisted on talking about politics. I’m so sorry, that was very boring of me. I’m glad it’s you, though. The guy opposite has that sweaty, embittered look about him that makes you think that he’d love to vote BNP but has only the bravery for UKIP. Let’s talk about him, shall we? Oh darn, I’ve run out of words again. Never mind, there’s always next week. He seems to be shouting rather vulgarly about “Britishness”, though. Who invited him?
I do so love Rob’s new(ish) column in the Telegraph, a place I never thought I would find anything I wanted to read. What a pleasant surprise.
From that most un-espionagey of all the spies aka Digital Spy:
Webb returns for ‘Let’s Dance’ final
Comedian Robert Webb will return for the final of this year’s Let’s Dance For Sport Relief.
The Peep Show star won the first series of the BBC One talent show last year, when he recreated the dance routine to ‘What A Feeling’ from the film Flashdance.
Webb will be on the judging panel next week alongside comedians Jon Culshaw and Jack Dee.
Rufus Hound, Katy Brand, Kate Garraway & Richard Arnold, Debra Stephenson and the two best acts from this week’s heat will compete in the final on March 13.
Let’s Dance For Sport Relief airs on Saturday at 7.15pm on BBC One.
Well… Rob and Abigail won their episode of Mr & Mrs, hurrah! There are probably some clips on the official site but nothing has surfaced on YouTube yet so you’ll have to make do with my rubbish screencaps instead:
An “ooh” moment. Mr & Mrs after the event. Spot the (pingpong) ball.
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