February 23, 2012

Fast Show episode six is best yet

If you’ve been following our advice and checking out the brand new series of 90s comedy The Fast Show online at Fosters.co.uk, you surely won’t have been disappointed.

The show’s old characters are back with the same old catchphrases and attitudes, but in situations relevant to today of course.

Anyway, all the episodes so far have been truly excellent; these are some seriously funny videos, but number six was the best yet for me.

Good old pub bore Billy Bleach is back, engaging a woman in unwelcome conversations (and dominating it!) as she tries to make sense of her new smart phone.

Arthur Atkinson, faux music hall legend, also puts in a welcome appearance in black and white as ever, with the worst comedy you’ve ever heard and the most nonsensical catchphrases. But it never fails to appeal to Arthur’s post-war audience who’ll laugh at anything – just as we laugh at them! And the person it seems to appeal to  most is, as ever, the great man himself – Arthur is always deeply amused by his own jokes.

Meanwhile, Ron Manager looks like landing himself in hot water with his sexist comments when caught off camera with his two equally chauvinistic co-hosts. Ron’s a little out of his depth, though, as he struggles to maintain his sexist coherence and, as usual, loses it completely at one point.

And let’s not forget the legendary Lord of the Manor Ralph and the object of his strange obsession Ted the groundsman. This time, the pair are discussing Ted’s use of the internet and specifically of Facebook and Twitter. The best line goes to Ralph who says to Ted “Do you Tweet”.

“Marvellous isn’t it hmm?” as Ron Manager might comment.

Greatest ever British comedy show?

What is your greatest ever British comedy? OK, perhaps that’s an unfair question as there are loads to choose from and it’s impossible to settle on just one. Also, you’re comparing chalk with cheese when looking at sitcoms in relation to sketch shows etc.

But anyway – who would be in say, your top five?

What about Dad’s Army? The show did have the knack of putting you in the moment, but maybe it’s one of those that’s better in the memory than it is in reality?

How about Til Death Us Do Part? Alf Garnett trying to rule over his family but being thwarted at every turn. The film version of the show taking Alf and family from World War 2 and after, to the World Cup win of 1966, the demolition of the old terraced house and the family’s compulsory relocation to a tower block is quite superb. If any kids want to really know about post war social history in Britain – they should just watch that.

How about Monty Python or The Office? The Good Life maybe? It Aint Half Hot Mum? Love Thy Neighbour? The list goes on…

Fawlty Towers was one of the most popular ever but doesn’t seem to quite stand the test of time for me – though I loved it at the time it was shown in the late 1970s. So I suppose there are two different questions here – which are your favourites now – and which, honestly, were your favourites at the time they were first shown.

To be completely fair to the producers of the shows, the latter has to be the definitive list – even if there are past favourites you feel a little embarrassed at in hindsight. Comedy reflects the time it was created. Something cutting edge and new at the time, like Monty Python, can seem a bit tired decades on.

So without further ado, my chronological top five are: Dad’s Army, Monty Python, Reggie Perrin, Reeves and Mortimer, and The Fast Show.

What’s yours?

Protect your pc from viruses

There are so many sites you can download or stream music, TV programmes and movies from these days that everyone seems to have got the hang of it. It doesn’t matter what age you are, and you don’t need to have any IT knowledge, just press the download button and follow the instructions of how to install programmes on to your PC or Mac.

However, every time you download something new from the internet, you are exposing your hardware to potential threats from viruses.  So, it’s vital that you have good internet security on your pc or tablet to give it protection from these viruses which, left to their own devices, can totally ruin your hardware.

It used to be that you would have to pay to be protected, but there are now many free antivirus software programmes available. These are basic versions of commercial products, and while they provide a reasonable level of antivirus security, they are limited compared to the paid for products, and they also offer little or no technical help service.

Do a bit of online research to find an antivirus programme that works for you. You can get pure antivirus software, but you may also want to get a security suite which includes anti-spyware, spam filter and firewall.  When you first install this kind of internet security you may find your computer goes more slowly than before, as sites you access are checked over by the software.  This is usually a teething process, and once it’s been running a few days, you’ll be back up to the usual speed.

However, some software can remain aggravatingly slow, and make your pc feel sluggish to use. In this case, it’s probably best to switch to another antivirus programme.  Don’t forget to uninstall one before downloading and installing something different though.

Check out great comedy at the click of a mouse!

The Fast Show, Harry Enfield and Chums, The Catherine Tate Show, Little Britain – nobody does sketch shows quite like the British.

Now, the show which revolutionised sketch comedies in the mid-1990s is back online for a 12-episode online series which began on November 10. That is right – The Fast Show is back and its funny video clips available right now at the click of a mouse.

The Fast Show’s creators Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson struck on an idea while working with Harry Enfield for his show. They wanted to take Enfield’s concept and redefine it. So they did just that.

Whitehouse and Higson made a version which contained even more sketches, with a vast array of characters and catchphrases, such as “Suit you, sir!” and “Scorchio!” Little Britain and The Catherine Tate Show would later take The Fast Show’s lead.

A decade on from its last television appearance, The Fast Show has followed in the footsteps of fellow comedy acts Alan Partridge and Vic and Bob and reunited for an online-only series. Accessing funny videos has never been so easy.

The cast is back with fresh material and has picked up where it left off all those years ago. The likes of Whitehouse and Caroline Aherne have slipped back into their roles seamlessly. Swiss Toni, Ted and Ralph, Rowley Birkin QC – all these familiar characters are back and as funny as ever.

Little Britain and The Catherine Tate Show may have dominated the Noughties – with Lou and Andy, Joannie ‘Nan’ Taylor and Bubbles DeVere stealing the show – but The Fast Show set the standard in the 90s and is back to remind people why it was held in such high regard in the comedy industry.

X Factor hopeful Janet Devlin to perform with Coldplay?

X Factor singer Janet Devlin is already on her way to superstardom if reports are to be believed that she’ll be taking to the stage with Coldplay.

The Northern Irish hopeful, who is being mentored by Kelly Rowland in the show, is set to sing with the hit British group if she gets to the final of the programme next month, according to The Daily Star. Anyone placing an X Factor bet should remember this.

Chris Martin’s band are said to have been booked to sing with one of the three finalists and, if Janet’s still in the competition, it’ll be her.

With her mentor Kelly away, yet again, though, Janet’s days in the competition could well be numbered. The Destiny’s Child singer is currently in Paris, shooting a video, but is said to be back later this week.

According to sources, producers believe Janet’s voice is the only one which will complement Coldplay.

“There isn’t anyone left in the show who would suit Coldplay’s music apart from Janet. She wowed everyone when she sang Fix You. It shows how confident everyone is that Janet will make the final,” an insider told the newspaper.

Coldplay aren’t the only big-name act said to be taking to the X Factor stage either, with Michael Buble along the stars being suggested for a duet with Marcus Collins. Those looking at the X Factor odds should bear this in mind.

The third act isn’t known yet, but Olly Murs admitted he’d love to sign with Little Mix if they get to the final of the show.

However, Little Mix apparently aren’t sure whether they’d want to sing with the Xtra Factor presenter, with Jesy Nelson telling the tabloid she would love to duet with Jessie J.

Check out The Fast Show on the web

The new online series of The Fast Show launched on November 10th and the show has rolled back the years, delivering the same level of humour which made the show an instant success in the 1990s.

There are no new characters as Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson focus on the same household names and catchphrases which made the show a hit in the mid-90s. That isn’t to say the creators haven’t moved with the times. As well as joining the ever-growing internet revolution, the show focuses on current affairs in a typically witty manner.

Ted and Ralph, Ron Manager, Professor Denzil Dexter, the Chanel 9 team, all these instantly recognisable characters are back and it is as if they have never been away. Caroline Aherne is also back after missing the Last Fast Show Ever in 2000, but Mark Williams isn’t part of the cast and he is missed, particularly at The Suit You Tailors.

The actors have aged noticeably but it matters little. If anything, it adds to the appeal of characters like Rowley Birkin QC, who is as unintelligible as ever during the opening episode of the new series.

The web-based series will run for 12 episodes, with each one lasting approximately eight minutes. Watch the first two episodes now, simply by searching ‘YouTube Fast Show on the web.

The shows are significantly shorter and the clips within them longer than we are used to, meaning less airtime for our favourite characters. However, with so many characters at their disposal, Whitehouse and Higson have plenty of room to be creative and we can expect this new series to gather pace as the weeks go on.

Let’s have a good look at Aliona Vilani

Like a number of the Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers, 26 year old Aliona Vilani originally hails from Russia, but her family moved to America when she was just thirteen.

When aged 5, Aliona enrolled in Arts Gymnasium for classical ballet and performing arts and started ballroom dancing when she turned 11. She was a natural and soon excelled in Eastern European competitions.

In 1997, she was asked to go to America to become a member of the Kaiser Dance Academy in New York, where she started learning Salsa, Hip Hop and Jazz in the Broadway Dance Center.

Regular Strictly viewers will be able to confirm that Aliona’s speciality is Ten Dance at which she simply excels, although she is also skilled in Salsa, Hip Hop and Jazz. Anyone looking at the Strictly Come Dancing odds should remember this.

But last week with her partner Harry Judd of McFly drumming fame, Aliona produced a quite superb Argentine Tango. Craig somehow thought Harry had delivered a little passion, and Len shouted at him for being a “silly little sod”, while Bruno told Harry he’d never been more attractive.

All this resulted in the first real 10 of the season for Harry from Bruno (“real” on the basis that Alesha 10s don’t count!).

It also helped lift the pairing into the top spot with the nation’s bookies. Aliona and Harry are now only available at around 5/4 in the Strictly Come dancing winner odds.

Aliona first appeared on Strictly Come Dancing two years ago in 2009 when she and partner Rav Wilding survived only until Week 3. But last year, with Matt Barker, she made it all the way to the grand-final and impressed with a final Samba, but missed out on the overall win to  Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev.

It looks like the Russian temptress could go one better this time around.

Tension between Janet and Kelly blows over

Last week, former Destiny’s Child star turned X Factor judge Kelly Rowland had been accused of falling out with schoolgirl entrant Janet Devlin, and that the stress of this endangered Janet’s live performance at the weekend.  However, Janet’s mother and a representative from Rowland’s camp have been busy scotching the rumours of any rift.

Apparently Janet had felt sidelined by mentor Kelly Rowland, who had been spending more time coaching Misha B – her other act left in the contest.  They’d also disagreed on outfit choices.

Leading up to last week’s show Janet had missed two days of rehearsals as she was in bed, apparently suffering from exhaustion.  She has said that preparing for the Gaga show had been really stressful, but that she’d done her best to make her Lady Gaga song her own. Those looking at the X Factor odds will have been impressed.

Judge Gary Barlow slammed her performance on Saturday. He felt that her version of Somebody to Love by Queen was dull, and that he was ‘starting to lose interest’ in Devlin’s singing. Instead of getting behind her act, Kelly just said “Janet worked really hard this week and went back to her roots. I respect her for that.” Despite the negative comments by the judges, Janet was voted straight through by the public.

The sixteen year old Northern Irish singer from County Tyrone finished her GCSEs this summer.  Given her young age, she seems to be handling the pressure of life in the spotlight.  She got onto the X Factor with her amazing folksy rendition of Elton John’s Your Song at her Liverpool audition.

Amelia Lily and Marcus Collins are currently the bookies’ favourites to be the X Factor winning act, with odds around 3/1, and Janet Devlin and Little Mix are just behind them at 9/2.  Looking like the most likely to be eliminated next is Misha B, whose odds are now 14/1.

Strictly’s Twelfth Night special

Strictly’s 12th of November show – the last before the Wembley extravaganza, more than lived up to its billing as the most exciting yet in the current series.
Alex and James were up first with a jive. Alex, dressed as a cheerleader, then picked up a ragdoll and did a little girl act. But the doll quickly went, thankfully, and Alex started throwing herself around and Bruno loved it all.

Robbie and Ola’s smooth American number came up next. Robbie was a touch wobbly here and but somehow pulled it off and Bruno gave Robbie’s ability to sway the thumbs up.

Audley and Natalie’s Cha-cha failed to impress, unfortunately, and Bruno came down hard on the unfortunate boxer, whilst Len was hard but fair saying: “…the only way you’re going to Wembley is on the Jubilee line”. Those looking at the Strictly Come Dancing odds wouldn’t have been impressed.

Then Harry and Aliona’s Argentine Tango saw fake moustaches but, despite the cheesiness, the dance came off very well indeed; the first 10 score of the current series from Bruno – and yet another 10 from Alesha!

Next, Jason and Kristina’s Viennese Waltz saw the Australian back (well almost…) to his best, and the judges loved it yet again. Anyone looking for Strictly Come Dancing tips should bear this in mind.

Chelsee and Pasha’s Foxtrot was a nice surprise. Chelsee’s preview claim not to be at all elegant wasn’t reflected in her routine and the judges loved it.

Anita and Robin also went for an Argentine Tango. It was an intense and highly dramatic number but the judges didn’t award highly dramatic scores and Anita’s hanging on to her place in the competition by a slender thread; much like some of her costumes.

Holly and Brendan, meanwhile, came in with a daring Rumba as Artem wasn’t fit to dance. The good news for Holly is that there wasn’t a lot of footwork involved, and the judges were a little mixed in their opinion.

Russell and Flavia yet again provided the best entertainment if not the best dancing ability. Another American Smooth saw a mixed performance and Len summed it up well, saying – “The music was ‘I am what I am’, you are what you are, and that was what that was”. Craig added: “Immortal dahhling”.

In the end, Harry finished top with poor Audley at the bottom, so no Wembley appearance for the big man, sadly.
Off to Wembley we go…

Bremner exits Strictly

After failing to pull off a convincing enough impression of a dancer, TV impressionist and funny man Rory Bremner is the latest celebrity contestant to get the boot from Strictly Come Dancing 2011.

Rory and his partner, professional dancer Erin Boag, landed at the bottom of the score board this weekend, along with the indestructible Nancy Dell’Olio and her professional dancing partner Anton Du Beke.  Those looking at the Strictly Come Dancing odds will know neither pair have looked good.

Despite a gallant attempt at the Cha Cha Cha, Rory failed to make a good impression with the Strictly judges, and was told by Italian firebrand Bruno Tonioli that he looked like a ‘cocky rooster chasing a hen around the yard. Strictly stalwart Len Goodman described Bruno as being ‘like the government – there’s a lot going on and not all of it is good’. Ooh, political!

Although Nancy and Anton received less votes than Rory and Erin, coming away with the lowest score of the night with only 18 points, the public seem to have warmed to the Italian siren (as Nancy describes herself) and kept her and Anton in to dance another day. Those looking for Strictly Come Dancing tips won’t be expecting them to hang round though.

So it’s goodbye, so long, auf wiedersehen and farewell to Rory and Erin, who leave this year’s Strictly Come Dancing with eleven remaining couples. Next week the remaining celebrity contestants, who include Jason Donovan; Holly Valance; Harry Judd; Chelsee Healey; Alex Jones; Audley Harrison; Lulu; Russell Grant; Robbie Savage; and of course Nancy Dell’Olio, will perform Halloween-themed routines.

Who will cast a spell on the Strictly judges and the voting public next week, and who will face the curse of the low scores? It should be a magical evening of entertainment all round, and we will be watching entranced as always.