Bill Bryson bestseller A Short History of Nearly Everything is being reimagined as an animated TV series by former The Simpsons showrunner Josh Weinstein and Paddington scribe Jason Hazeley, with Richard Ayoade narrating.
Altitude and Brouhaha Entertainment are forging the series version of a book that has sold 15 million copies worldwide and been translated into 50 languages, with a view to turning it into a long-running entertainment franchise.
Published two decades ago, the book sees celebrated writer Bryson take on popular science by tackling issues such as the size of the universe and the development of the human race, and setting them out in layman’s terms. A large part of the book is devoted to relating humorous stories about the scientists behind the research and their sometimes eccentric behaviours. Narrated by Ayoade, the animation will tell these stories spanning centuries and continents, time and space, and the abstract and the real,...
Altitude and Brouhaha Entertainment are forging the series version of a book that has sold 15 million copies worldwide and been translated into 50 languages, with a view to turning it into a long-running entertainment franchise.
Published two decades ago, the book sees celebrated writer Bryson take on popular science by tackling issues such as the size of the universe and the development of the human race, and setting them out in layman’s terms. A large part of the book is devoted to relating humorous stories about the scientists behind the research and their sometimes eccentric behaviours. Narrated by Ayoade, the animation will tell these stories spanning centuries and continents, time and space, and the abstract and the real,...
- 2/12/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Being stupid, as the saying goes, is like being dead – you’re oblivious either way, so it’s only really a problem for the people around you. The people around TV documentarian Philomena Cunk therefore, have a major problem.
At the end of January this year, America met Cunk properly for the first time when new show Cunk on Earth arrived on Netflix US. A documentary series follow-up to 2018’s Cunk on Britain, it’s an ambitious attempt to sum up the history of humankind in five half-hour episodes, made even more ambitious by the fact that it’s presented by a total moron.
A deliberate total moron, let’s be clear. Some apparently still aren’t clear that Philomena Cunk is not a real TV presenter but a character played by British comedy actor Diane Morgan. When Morgan appeared on US chat show Late Night With Seth Meyers earlier this year,...
At the end of January this year, America met Cunk properly for the first time when new show Cunk on Earth arrived on Netflix US. A documentary series follow-up to 2018’s Cunk on Britain, it’s an ambitious attempt to sum up the history of humankind in five half-hour episodes, made even more ambitious by the fact that it’s presented by a total moron.
A deliberate total moron, let’s be clear. Some apparently still aren’t clear that Philomena Cunk is not a real TV presenter but a character played by British comedy actor Diane Morgan. When Morgan appeared on US chat show Late Night With Seth Meyers earlier this year,...
- 6/30/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
UK comedian Diane Morgan’s beloved Philomena Cunk character is returning to the BBC and Netflix for a mockumentary unlocking the mystery of human civilization to discover humankind’s greatest achievements.
Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones’ indie Broke & Bones is behind Cunk on Earth, which will see Morgan reprise the role that placed her on the comedy map with BBC2’s Cunk on Britain.
Long-time Brooker collaborator Morgan was most recently seen in Broke & Bones’ Netflix comedy special Death to 2021 and Cunk on Earth is the first time the Motherland star’s show has been co-produced for the BBC and Netflix, with the U.S. streamer taking rights outside of the UK and Ireland.
From virtually nothing to virtual reality, Cunk will comically tell the story of our greatest inventions such as the wheel, the Mona Lisa and nuclear power. Along the way, she will ask experts hard-hitting questions about humanity’s progress,...
Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones’ indie Broke & Bones is behind Cunk on Earth, which will see Morgan reprise the role that placed her on the comedy map with BBC2’s Cunk on Britain.
Long-time Brooker collaborator Morgan was most recently seen in Broke & Bones’ Netflix comedy special Death to 2021 and Cunk on Earth is the first time the Motherland star’s show has been co-produced for the BBC and Netflix, with the U.S. streamer taking rights outside of the UK and Ireland.
From virtually nothing to virtual reality, Cunk will comically tell the story of our greatest inventions such as the wheel, the Mona Lisa and nuclear power. Along the way, she will ask experts hard-hitting questions about humanity’s progress,...
- 1/4/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
"Tonight we celebrate the cliches that have made cinema what it is today!" Netflix has revealed an official trailer for a fun one-hour comedy special coming up next week titled Attack of the Hollywood Cliches!, an authentic tribute to Hollywood history and a chance to make fun of all the dumb things movies do. This is an hour-long one-off event made by Netflix. A special featuring some of the most famous films along with Screenwriters, Academics and Critics as they guide through the funny, weird and controversial clichés which appear on the screens. Ben Caudell is the head writer alongside writers including Dane Baptiste, Sean Doherty, Erika Ehler, Jason Hazeley, Daniel Maier, Michael Odewale, Charlie Skelton. The special is hosted by Rob Lowe, who takes us through some of the best and worst cliches - like the desk sweep, the ticking bomb, the maverick cop. It actually looks like good,...
- 9/24/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Never mind the fact that Netflix original films traffic quite heavily in well-worn tropes — the streaming service has launched the first trailer for a new comedy special called “Attack of the Hollywood Clichés!” that finds celebrities discussing, dissecting, and having fun with familiar plot beats in your favorite movies. Hosted by Rob Lowe, the one-off special features a wide range of celebrities weighing in on everything from the Meet-Cute to the Ticking Time Bomb to the Jump Scare, using iconic films like “Forrest Gump” and “Out of the Past” as examples.
“Stock characters, familiar story beats, and convenient plot devices have crept in over time,” Lowe says in the trailer. “Tonight, we celebrate the clichés that have made cinema what it is today,” Lowe adds, as Netflix is pegging the special as something between a comedy special and a celebration of cinema history. It’s not quite the full-on roasting...
“Stock characters, familiar story beats, and convenient plot devices have crept in over time,” Lowe says in the trailer. “Tonight, we celebrate the clichés that have made cinema what it is today,” Lowe adds, as Netflix is pegging the special as something between a comedy special and a celebration of cinema history. It’s not quite the full-on roasting...
- 9/24/2021
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Netflix has debuted a new trailer for the comedy mockumentary ‘Death to 2020’ featuring Samuel L. Jackson and Hugh Grant.
2020: A year so [insert adjective of choice here], even the creators of Black Mirror couldn’t make it up… but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a little something to add. It is a comedy event that tells the story of the dreadful year that was — and perhaps still is? This landmark documentary-style special weaves together a chorus of narration from some of the world’s most (fictitious) renowned voices with real-life archival footage spanning the past 12 months.
It stars Samuel L. Jackson as “Dash Bracket” – Reporter, New Yorkerly News, Hugh Grant as “Tennyson Foss” – Professor of History, Kumail Nanjiani as “Bark Multiverse” – CEO, Shreekr, Tracey Ullman as “Queen Elizabeth II” – Monarch and Figurehead, Samson Kayo as “Pyrex Flask” – Scientist, Lisa Kudrow as “Jeanetta Grace Susan” – Non-Official Spokesperson, Diane Morgan as “Gemma Nerrick” – Average Citizen,...
2020: A year so [insert adjective of choice here], even the creators of Black Mirror couldn’t make it up… but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a little something to add. It is a comedy event that tells the story of the dreadful year that was — and perhaps still is? This landmark documentary-style special weaves together a chorus of narration from some of the world’s most (fictitious) renowned voices with real-life archival footage spanning the past 12 months.
It stars Samuel L. Jackson as “Dash Bracket” – Reporter, New Yorkerly News, Hugh Grant as “Tennyson Foss” – Professor of History, Kumail Nanjiani as “Bark Multiverse” – CEO, Shreekr, Tracey Ullman as “Queen Elizabeth II” – Monarch and Figurehead, Samson Kayo as “Pyrex Flask” – Scientist, Lisa Kudrow as “Jeanetta Grace Susan” – Non-Official Spokesperson, Diane Morgan as “Gemma Nerrick” – Average Citizen,...
- 12/21/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
“Black Mirror” masterminds Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones have dreamed up an even more horrifying way to end 2020 than with a new batch of “Black Mirror” episodes: a mockumentary about the year we all just suffered through.
Netflix dropped the trailer for Brooker and Jones’ “Death to 2020” special on Monday featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Grant, Kumail Nanjiani, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Lisa Kudrow, Diane Morgan, Leslie Jones, Cristin Milioti, Joe Keery and narrated by Laurence Fishburne.
Of course, those big-name actors aren’t playing themselves, but rather versions of people who have become the “stars” of 2020: Jackson as Dash Bracket – Reporter, New Yorkerly News; Grant as Tennyson Foss – Professor of History; Nanjiani as Bark Multiverse – CEO, Shreekr; Ullman as Queen Elizabeth II – Monarch and Figurehead; Kayo as Pyrex Flask – Scientist; Kudrow as Jeanetta Grace Susan – Non-Official Spokesperson; Morgan as Gemma Nerrick – Average Citizen; Jones as Dr. Maggie Gravel...
Netflix dropped the trailer for Brooker and Jones’ “Death to 2020” special on Monday featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Grant, Kumail Nanjiani, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Lisa Kudrow, Diane Morgan, Leslie Jones, Cristin Milioti, Joe Keery and narrated by Laurence Fishburne.
Of course, those big-name actors aren’t playing themselves, but rather versions of people who have become the “stars” of 2020: Jackson as Dash Bracket – Reporter, New Yorkerly News; Grant as Tennyson Foss – Professor of History; Nanjiani as Bark Multiverse – CEO, Shreekr; Ullman as Queen Elizabeth II – Monarch and Figurehead; Kayo as Pyrex Flask – Scientist; Kudrow as Jeanetta Grace Susan – Non-Official Spokesperson; Morgan as Gemma Nerrick – Average Citizen; Jones as Dr. Maggie Gravel...
- 12/21/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
BritBox’s reboot of British satirical puppet show Spitting Image has been renewed for a second season just days after it premiered the first episode of Season 1 online.
The Avalon-produced caricature comedy will be back in fall 2021 after BritBox said its first series premiere helped boost new subscribers ten-fold compared to its average daily sign-up rate.
Reemah Sakaan, group director of ITV SVOD and chief creative and brand officer of BritBox, said: “The fantastic response to Spitting Image just goes to show how much the world needs public service satire. Not only can subscribers look forward to another 9 weeks of anarchy but also now another series in 2021.”
The renewal comes just hours after executive producer Jon Thoday revealed that NBC backed out as Spitting Image’s U.S. broadcast partner just weeks before the premiere. The Avalon founder said there was “too much nervousness” about its satirical content among NBC executives.
The Avalon-produced caricature comedy will be back in fall 2021 after BritBox said its first series premiere helped boost new subscribers ten-fold compared to its average daily sign-up rate.
Reemah Sakaan, group director of ITV SVOD and chief creative and brand officer of BritBox, said: “The fantastic response to Spitting Image just goes to show how much the world needs public service satire. Not only can subscribers look forward to another 9 weeks of anarchy but also now another series in 2021.”
The renewal comes just hours after executive producer Jon Thoday revealed that NBC backed out as Spitting Image’s U.S. broadcast partner just weeks before the premiere. The Avalon founder said there was “too much nervousness” about its satirical content among NBC executives.
- 10/7/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The reboot of classic British comedy series Spitting Image is set to premiere on Facebook – a day after its UK debut.
The Avalon-produced puppet parody, which is headed up creatively by co-creator Roger Law and The Simpsons’ Jeff Westbrook as showrunner, will launch on Facebook Premiere at 9Pm Pt and will be available for 24 hours. It was commissioned in the UK by BritBox, the streaming service run by ITV and BBC Studios.
Deadline understands that a broadcast network deal for the show, which was hastily rewritten to include President Donal Trump’s Coronavirus diagnosis, was close but that fell away around four weeks ago.
The show, which was well liked in many liberal circles in the States, is still expected to find a home for the full season, however, the fact that the comedy is quite close to the bone, featuring a skewering of the Commander in Chief, made...
The Avalon-produced puppet parody, which is headed up creatively by co-creator Roger Law and The Simpsons’ Jeff Westbrook as showrunner, will launch on Facebook Premiere at 9Pm Pt and will be available for 24 hours. It was commissioned in the UK by BritBox, the streaming service run by ITV and BBC Studios.
Deadline understands that a broadcast network deal for the show, which was hastily rewritten to include President Donal Trump’s Coronavirus diagnosis, was close but that fell away around four weeks ago.
The show, which was well liked in many liberal circles in the States, is still expected to find a home for the full season, however, the fact that the comedy is quite close to the bone, featuring a skewering of the Commander in Chief, made...
- 10/4/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Network: BBC America
Episodes: 15 (half-hour)
Seasons: Two
TV show dates: June 21, 2015 -- February 8, 2016
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Ed Gamble, Jason Hazeley, Amy Hoggart, Samantha Martin, Joel Morris, Seamus Murphy-Mitchell, Tom Neenan, Piers Torday, and Gemma Whelan.
TV show description:
BBC America's first original comedy follows the journey of aristocratic brother and sister Georgie (Ed Gamble) and Poppy (Amy Hoggart) Carlton as they fulfill their father's dying wish and embark on a Royal tour of the USA.
Fiftieth and fifty-first in line to the British throne, the naïve pair travel across the Land of the Free, expanding their horizons by meeting real Americans, learning about the culture and giving something back.
Read More…...
Episodes: 15 (half-hour)
Seasons: Two
TV show dates: June 21, 2015 -- February 8, 2016
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Ed Gamble, Jason Hazeley, Amy Hoggart, Samantha Martin, Joel Morris, Seamus Murphy-Mitchell, Tom Neenan, Piers Torday, and Gemma Whelan.
TV show description:
BBC America's first original comedy follows the journey of aristocratic brother and sister Georgie (Ed Gamble) and Poppy (Amy Hoggart) Carlton as they fulfill their father's dying wish and embark on a Royal tour of the USA.
Fiftieth and fifty-first in line to the British throne, the naïve pair travel across the Land of the Free, expanding their horizons by meeting real Americans, learning about the culture and giving something back.
Read More…...
- 8/10/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Louisa Mellor Jun 1, 2017
Some exciting new UK drama and comedy commissions are making their way to TV over the next year or so…
We know, we know. You still have two episodes of Fargo season two before you can think about starting season three. You’ve already fallen behind on American Gods. Your planner memory is chock-a-block with Big Little Lies and that Oj Simpson thing and some Spanish prison series your workmate bullied you into recording. You’re struggling to make time for Twin Peaks. New Game Of Thrones is just around the corner. And guess what, Netflix UK have just added a whole new season of It’s Always Sunny, those sods. You need a list of new TV show recommendations like you need a hole in the head.
See related Metroid: Other M Nintendo Wii review
And yet, as long as they keep making them, we’ll keep recommending them.
Some exciting new UK drama and comedy commissions are making their way to TV over the next year or so…
We know, we know. You still have two episodes of Fargo season two before you can think about starting season three. You’ve already fallen behind on American Gods. Your planner memory is chock-a-block with Big Little Lies and that Oj Simpson thing and some Spanish prison series your workmate bullied you into recording. You’re struggling to make time for Twin Peaks. New Game Of Thrones is just around the corner. And guess what, Netflix UK have just added a whole new season of It’s Always Sunny, those sods. You need a list of new TV show recommendations like you need a hole in the head.
See related Metroid: Other M Nintendo Wii review
And yet, as long as they keep making them, we’ll keep recommending them.
- 5/31/2017
- Den of Geek
Rachel Meaden Nov 27, 2016
It’s the penultimate episode of Yonderland series 3 and we’re finally getting some answers to what Cuddly Dick is getting up to…
This review contains spoilers.
See related Tom Hiddleston interview: The Avengers, modern myths, playing Loki and more Tom Hiddleston interview: The Avengers, War Horse, Greek mythology and more Marvel Studios movies: UK release date calendar Why Thor: Ragnarok may be a pivotal film in Marvel's phase 3
3.7 Miss Smashing
Yonderland does beauty pageants in episode 7 but something about it doesn’t feel quite right when all the rejected contestants start going missing…
This week sees the re-emergence of a Televised Beauty Contest Yonderland called Miss Smashing. Debbie thinks that something about the show smells a bit fishy and endeavours to get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile Negatus is a double agent working for Cuddly Dick once again and trying to decide if he should...
It’s the penultimate episode of Yonderland series 3 and we’re finally getting some answers to what Cuddly Dick is getting up to…
This review contains spoilers.
See related Tom Hiddleston interview: The Avengers, modern myths, playing Loki and more Tom Hiddleston interview: The Avengers, War Horse, Greek mythology and more Marvel Studios movies: UK release date calendar Why Thor: Ragnarok may be a pivotal film in Marvel's phase 3
3.7 Miss Smashing
Yonderland does beauty pageants in episode 7 but something about it doesn’t feel quite right when all the rejected contestants start going missing…
This week sees the re-emergence of a Televised Beauty Contest Yonderland called Miss Smashing. Debbie thinks that something about the show smells a bit fishy and endeavours to get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile Negatus is a double agent working for Cuddly Dick once again and trying to decide if he should...
- 11/27/2016
- Den of Geek
Network: BBC America
Episodes: Ongoing (half-hour)
Seasons: Ongoing
TV show dates: June 21, 2015 -- present
Series status: Has not been cancelled
Performers include: Ed Gamble, Jason Hazeley, Amy Hoggart, Samantha Martin, Joel Morris, Seamus Murphy-Mitchell, Tom Neenan, Piers Torday, and Gemma Whelan.
TV show description:
BBC America's first original comedy follows the journey of aristocratic brother and sister Georgie (Ed Gamble) and Poppy (Amy Hoggart) Carlton as they fulfill their father's dying wish and embark on a Royal tour of the USA.
Fiftieth and fifty first in line to the British throne, the naïve pair travel across the Land of the Free, expanding their horizons by meeting real Americans, learning about the culture and giving something back.
Read More…...
Episodes: Ongoing (half-hour)
Seasons: Ongoing
TV show dates: June 21, 2015 -- present
Series status: Has not been cancelled
Performers include: Ed Gamble, Jason Hazeley, Amy Hoggart, Samantha Martin, Joel Morris, Seamus Murphy-Mitchell, Tom Neenan, Piers Torday, and Gemma Whelan.
TV show description:
BBC America's first original comedy follows the journey of aristocratic brother and sister Georgie (Ed Gamble) and Poppy (Amy Hoggart) Carlton as they fulfill their father's dying wish and embark on a Royal tour of the USA.
Fiftieth and fifty first in line to the British throne, the naïve pair travel across the Land of the Free, expanding their horizons by meeting real Americans, learning about the culture and giving something back.
Read More…...
- 9/1/2015
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
ITV has commissioned a new topical puppet sketch show.
Newzoids will tackle the week's news events, while featuring some of the world's most recognisable faces in unique ways.
The six-episode series will feature the voices of impressionist duo Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson, with a mixture of low-tech puppetry and animation from the award-winning team at Factory bringing the stories to life.
"Imagine a world where David Cameron and Nick Clegg battle it out on Jeremy Kyle, where Ed Miliband joins Ant and Dec on I'm A Catastrophe…Get Me Out Of Here, and where Professor Brian Cox finds an extraordinary new planet in the solar system - Kim Kardashian's backside," ITV teased.
Among those set to feature are Beyoncé, Harry Styles, David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Barack Obama, Prince Harry, Simon Cowell, And & Dec and Wayne Rooney.
Elaine Bedell, Director of Entertainment and Comedy for ITV, said: "ITV has...
Newzoids will tackle the week's news events, while featuring some of the world's most recognisable faces in unique ways.
The six-episode series will feature the voices of impressionist duo Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson, with a mixture of low-tech puppetry and animation from the award-winning team at Factory bringing the stories to life.
"Imagine a world where David Cameron and Nick Clegg battle it out on Jeremy Kyle, where Ed Miliband joins Ant and Dec on I'm A Catastrophe…Get Me Out Of Here, and where Professor Brian Cox finds an extraordinary new planet in the solar system - Kim Kardashian's backside," ITV teased.
Among those set to feature are Beyoncé, Harry Styles, David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Barack Obama, Prince Harry, Simon Cowell, And & Dec and Wayne Rooney.
Elaine Bedell, Director of Entertainment and Comedy for ITV, said: "ITV has...
- 2/11/2015
- Digital Spy
BBC America has greenlighted its first original comedy series, and it has a strong British theme. Almost Royal, which has received a seven-episode order, tells the tale of two young British aristocrats, Georgie (Ed Gamble) and Poppy Carlton (Amy Hoggart), on their first trip to the U.S. – interacting with real-life Americans. The project comes from Burning Bright Prods, with Clive Tulloh (Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man) as executive producer and Seamus Murphy-Mitchell (Friday Night With Jonathan Ross) as producer. Almost Royal will premiere June 21, following the Season 2 finale of BBC America’s breakout drama series Orphan Black. BBC America entered original scripted programming with its first original drama Copper, which ran for two seasons, followed by Orphan Black. Georgie and Poppy Carlton are heirs to Caunty Manor, a large country estate in Norfolk, England, where they have enjoyed privileged lives as distant descendants of the British Royal Family. They have...
- 3/25/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
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