Classic 1990s comedy chat show The Kumars is returning to television, here are the details.
In the 1990s, there were two shows which brought black British comedy into the mainstream. The first was The Real McCoy, a sketch show which launched the television careers of double acts Curtis Walker and Ishmael Thomas, and Llewella Gideon and Collette Johnson. Later series featured Robbie Gee, Eddie Nestor, Judith Jacob, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Syal and the much missed Felix Dexter, amongst others.
The second series was sketch show Goodness Gracious Me, which premiered on the BBC in 1997. Taking an irreverent look at Asian-British experience, the series is probably best known for the now iconic ‘Going For An English’ sketch, which poked fun at the stereotypical British experience of going for a curry, but flipping races to an Indian family going out for bland English food.
Following the success of the show, the BBC...
In the 1990s, there were two shows which brought black British comedy into the mainstream. The first was The Real McCoy, a sketch show which launched the television careers of double acts Curtis Walker and Ishmael Thomas, and Llewella Gideon and Collette Johnson. Later series featured Robbie Gee, Eddie Nestor, Judith Jacob, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Syal and the much missed Felix Dexter, amongst others.
The second series was sketch show Goodness Gracious Me, which premiered on the BBC in 1997. Taking an irreverent look at Asian-British experience, the series is probably best known for the now iconic ‘Going For An English’ sketch, which poked fun at the stereotypical British experience of going for a curry, but flipping races to an Indian family going out for bland English food.
Following the success of the show, the BBC...
- 2/26/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
Exclusive: The Kumars are plotting a return — this time on American television. Fox has ordered a presentation for multi-camera comedy Meet The Kumars, a followup to the award-winning 2001 BBC series The Kumars At No. 42. Most of the original cast is back for the U.S.-flavored revival of the family sitcom/talk show.
Fox also has come in as a partner on The Donut (working title), a single-camera family business comedy in development at Canada’s CBC from Catherine Reitman and Philip Sternberg, stars of CBC/Netflix’s popular comedy Workin’ Moms, which Reitman created.
The two commissions are part of Fox’s international content expansion, which involves developing and producing scripted series with local creators and studios in English-language territories, currently Canada and the UK and ultimately Australia as well.
Fox’s live-action comedy night ambitions
Meet the Kumars and The Donut also are part of a new...
Fox also has come in as a partner on The Donut (working title), a single-camera family business comedy in development at Canada’s CBC from Catherine Reitman and Philip Sternberg, stars of CBC/Netflix’s popular comedy Workin’ Moms, which Reitman created.
The two commissions are part of Fox’s international content expansion, which involves developing and producing scripted series with local creators and studios in English-language territories, currently Canada and the UK and ultimately Australia as well.
Fox’s live-action comedy night ambitions
Meet the Kumars and The Donut also are part of a new...
- 2/23/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
To celebrate the release of Mrs Sidhu Investigates, available to own on DVD & Digital from 30th October, we are giving away DVDs to 2 lucky winners!
Two Of the UK’s most respected actors, Meera Syal and Craig Parkinson, team up for Mrs Sidhu Investigates – a fantastic, feel-good, wryly witty new crime drama that offers an exciting, unique take on the mystery format, spearheaded by a refreshingly diverse cast.
Based on the hugely popular, hit BBC Radio 4 series of the same name, this endearing four-part Acorn TV Original drama created by Suk Pannu (The Kumars at No. 42) is set to arrive on DVD and digital on 30 October 2023 courtesy of Acorn Media International, following its premiere on UKTV Drama tonight. The Mrs Sidhu Investigates Series One DVD also contains a mini featurette filmed during production, which includes a conversation with Meera Syal on set.
Meet Mrs Sidhu (Syal), a caterer from...
Two Of the UK’s most respected actors, Meera Syal and Craig Parkinson, team up for Mrs Sidhu Investigates – a fantastic, feel-good, wryly witty new crime drama that offers an exciting, unique take on the mystery format, spearheaded by a refreshingly diverse cast.
Based on the hugely popular, hit BBC Radio 4 series of the same name, this endearing four-part Acorn TV Original drama created by Suk Pannu (The Kumars at No. 42) is set to arrive on DVD and digital on 30 October 2023 courtesy of Acorn Media International, following its premiere on UKTV Drama tonight. The Mrs Sidhu Investigates Series One DVD also contains a mini featurette filmed during production, which includes a conversation with Meera Syal on set.
Meet Mrs Sidhu (Syal), a caterer from...
- 10/22/2023
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Award-winning British-Indian playwright and actor Meera Syal will be presented with a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television.
Syal, who starred in hit BBC comedies, ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ and ‘The Kumars at No 42’, will be honoured at the BAFTA Television Awards, which will take place on May 14 at the Royal Festival Hall.
“I am thrilled and honoured to be the recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship. I am particularly delighted that this year’s award is twinned with opportunities to mentor and support participants in BAFTA’s learning programme — where I hope to engage with many talented practitioners and continue working to make BAFTA a truly representative and celebratory place for all our creatives,” Syal said.
As part of the fellowship, she will work directly with the...
Syal, who starred in hit BBC comedies, ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ and ‘The Kumars at No 42’, will be honoured at the BAFTA Television Awards, which will take place on May 14 at the Royal Festival Hall.
“I am thrilled and honoured to be the recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship. I am particularly delighted that this year’s award is twinned with opportunities to mentor and support participants in BAFTA’s learning programme — where I hope to engage with many talented practitioners and continue working to make BAFTA a truly representative and celebratory place for all our creatives,” Syal said.
As part of the fellowship, she will work directly with the...
- 5/1/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Honor
Actor and screenwriter Meera Syal has been honored with a BAFTA fellowship. The U.K. top film and TV org describes its fellowships as “the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television.”
Syal, who is known for her work in “Goodness Gracious Me,” “The Kumars at No. 42” and, more recently, “The Devil’s Hour,” has over 140 credits to her name over four decades of work. She has also been instrumental in bringing British-Asian stories to the screen.
As part of the Fellowship, which will be presented during the BAFTA TV Awards next month, Syal will take part in a number of BAFTA programs to nurture upcoming creative talent.
“Meera Syal has made an extraordinary impact on the screen and literary arts,” said BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip said. “As an actor and writer, she is an exceptional storyteller with enormous range,...
Actor and screenwriter Meera Syal has been honored with a BAFTA fellowship. The U.K. top film and TV org describes its fellowships as “the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television.”
Syal, who is known for her work in “Goodness Gracious Me,” “The Kumars at No. 42” and, more recently, “The Devil’s Hour,” has over 140 credits to her name over four decades of work. She has also been instrumental in bringing British-Asian stories to the screen.
As part of the Fellowship, which will be presented during the BAFTA TV Awards next month, Syal will take part in a number of BAFTA programs to nurture upcoming creative talent.
“Meera Syal has made an extraordinary impact on the screen and literary arts,” said BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip said. “As an actor and writer, she is an exceptional storyteller with enormous range,...
- 4/27/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Queen Elizabeth II apparently loved Twin Peaks so much that she once turned down a private Paul McCartney performance to instead catch a new episode of the David Lynch drama.
Following the death of the Queen on Thursday (8 September), a past interview resurfaced in which Twin Peaks composer Angelo Badalamenti recalled the incident.
“Back when Twin Peaks was kicking off around the world, I flew by Concorde to London, to work with Paul McCartney at Abbey Road,” Badalamenti explained in an interview included in a Twin Peaks DVD box set .
Then he retold the story that The Beatles musician told him back in the 1990s.
“[McCartney] said, ‘I was asked by the Queen’s office to perform 35 minutes of my music to celebrate her birthday at Buckingham Palace. I’m very excited about it, and here comes the night, and I’m about to go on and the Queen kind of walks by me and says,...
Following the death of the Queen on Thursday (8 September), a past interview resurfaced in which Twin Peaks composer Angelo Badalamenti recalled the incident.
“Back when Twin Peaks was kicking off around the world, I flew by Concorde to London, to work with Paul McCartney at Abbey Road,” Badalamenti explained in an interview included in a Twin Peaks DVD box set .
Then he retold the story that The Beatles musician told him back in the 1990s.
“[McCartney] said, ‘I was asked by the Queen’s office to perform 35 minutes of my music to celebrate her birthday at Buckingham Palace. I’m very excited about it, and here comes the night, and I’m about to go on and the Queen kind of walks by me and says,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Queen Elizabeth II lived a remarkable life – but not everyone knows she made time to watch TV too.
The Royal Family announced that the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday (8 September), aged 96.
In the wake of her death, fans are remembering the Queen’s rather eclectic taste in television.
According to reports, the Queen received selected shows from the BBC, who would occasionally add in unrequested items they thought she may enjoy.
Other reports have suggested that she once asked that a Doctor Who DVD box set be sent to Balmoral, and that she told actor Peter Sallis that she loved Last of the Summer Wine.
She also visited the set of EastEnders in 2001.
It would seem that even royals aren’t above a hate-watch either, as she is said to have once commented on police procedural series The Bill: “I don’t like The Bill but I just can’t help watching it.
The Royal Family announced that the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday (8 September), aged 96.
In the wake of her death, fans are remembering the Queen’s rather eclectic taste in television.
According to reports, the Queen received selected shows from the BBC, who would occasionally add in unrequested items they thought she may enjoy.
Other reports have suggested that she once asked that a Doctor Who DVD box set be sent to Balmoral, and that she told actor Peter Sallis that she loved Last of the Summer Wine.
She also visited the set of EastEnders in 2001.
It would seem that even royals aren’t above a hate-watch either, as she is said to have once commented on police procedural series The Bill: “I don’t like The Bill but I just can’t help watching it.
- 9/9/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
When there’s no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth. As Cybermen. See what he did there? The Master is back, and has been working on this plot for Quite a long time. Some old friends return for the fight, we say goodbye (for now, anyway) to some others, and oh goodness, were there still surprises. I don’t know why you’d be reading this recap before you saw the episode, but if you are, don’t. Because it makes much more sense to know about the…
Death In Heaven
By Steven Moffat
Directed by Rachel Talalay
As things rather ended in the moment last week, this week’s adventure starts just the same. Clara, when discovered by the newly minted Cyberman, takes the lessons she’s learned throughout the year and put them to use – she lies through her teeth. She claims to be The Doctor,...
Death In Heaven
By Steven Moffat
Directed by Rachel Talalay
As things rather ended in the moment last week, this week’s adventure starts just the same. Clara, when discovered by the newly minted Cyberman, takes the lessons she’s learned throughout the year and put them to use – she lies through her teeth. She claims to be The Doctor,...
- 11/9/2014
- by Vinnie Bartilucci
- Comicmix.com
The Kumars' Sanjeev Bhaskar has Tweeted about filming Doctor Who series 8 with Peter Capaldi...
News
Update: The BBC has officially confirmed that Bhaskar will be appearing in the series eight finale. Read more about it, here.
This one comes straight from the horse's mouth, well, Twitter account. Actor and writer Sanjeev Bhaskar (Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars At No. 42, The Indian Doctor) Tweeted the following not hours ago:
"So. I can finally reveal that I've spent part of this week flying about w/ this guy @bbcdoctorwho #DrWho #nospoilers" The Tweet was accompanied, for clarity, by a Peter Capaldi pic.
Though the as-yet-undisclosed guest role will be Bhaskar's first in the TV series, the actor previously provided the voice of Dr Avishka Sangakkara in Eighth Doctor Big Finish Audio Adventures The Eight Truths and Worldwide Web.
Doctor Who is also keeping it in the family with this particular guest star,...
News
Update: The BBC has officially confirmed that Bhaskar will be appearing in the series eight finale. Read more about it, here.
This one comes straight from the horse's mouth, well, Twitter account. Actor and writer Sanjeev Bhaskar (Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars At No. 42, The Indian Doctor) Tweeted the following not hours ago:
"So. I can finally reveal that I've spent part of this week flying about w/ this guy @bbcdoctorwho #DrWho #nospoilers" The Tweet was accompanied, for clarity, by a Peter Capaldi pic.
Though the as-yet-undisclosed guest role will be Bhaskar's first in the TV series, the actor previously provided the voice of Dr Avishka Sangakkara in Eighth Doctor Big Finish Audio Adventures The Eight Truths and Worldwide Web.
Doctor Who is also keeping it in the family with this particular guest star,...
- 7/11/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
One recent Friday afternoon HeyUGuys had the privilege to round off our week in conversation with Vincent Ebrahim, star of South African comedy Material.
Vincent discussed with us the inspirational moments that led him on the path to acting, the role and influence of poetry, stepping out of his comfort zone, returning to work in South Africa and looking ahead to taking up the pen.
Why a career in acting? Was there that one inspirational moment?
There was not necessarily one inspirational moment, but rather a series of moments. When I was at school and considering a career I was originally planning to be a marine engineer. Then in high school I lost track of that ambition, and being good at English I became more interested in the drama society. So I began my performing life reading poetry in a poetry group. Then with marine engineering having gone out of the window,...
Vincent discussed with us the inspirational moments that led him on the path to acting, the role and influence of poetry, stepping out of his comfort zone, returning to work in South Africa and looking ahead to taking up the pen.
Why a career in acting? Was there that one inspirational moment?
There was not necessarily one inspirational moment, but rather a series of moments. When I was at school and considering a career I was originally planning to be a marine engineer. Then in high school I lost track of that ambition, and being good at English I became more interested in the drama society. So I began my performing life reading poetry in a poetry group. Then with marine engineering having gone out of the window,...
- 5/2/2014
- by Paul Risker
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
London, Dec 21: Popular British TV show 'The Kumars at No. 42' is making a comeback after seven years.
The new series is going to be aired on Sky 1, and the Kumars have shifted from their house at number 42 to a flat in Hounslow, the Daily Star reported.
Sanjeev Bhaskar, show's creator and star, said that it is going to be incredibly exciting to revisit the warm, oddball characters. (Ani)...
The new series is going to be aired on Sky 1, and the Kumars have shifted from their house at number 42 to a flat in Hounslow, the Daily Star reported.
Sanjeev Bhaskar, show's creator and star, said that it is going to be incredibly exciting to revisit the warm, oddball characters. (Ani)...
- 12/21/2013
- by Rahul Kapoor
- RealBollywood.com
The follow-up to International Emmy and Peabody Award-winning comedy/talk show hybrid The Kumars At No. 42 will bring the Kumar clan back to television after a seven-year break. The new show, titled The Kumars, is a six-part series that will air on the UK’s Sky1 HD from January 15th. The original ran on the BBC for 53 episodes and was also broadcast on BBC America. There is no U.S. deal yet, but given the earlier show’s popularity and the caliber of guests, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it land Stateside. The original scripted and improvised show centered on three generations of a British Indian family. Sanjeev Bhaskar played the thirtysomething son whose parents support his dream of being a talk show host by building a TV studio onto the back of their home. Celebrity guests were greeted with fanfare at the family’s front door,...
- 12/19/2013
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
News
Rory Kinnear might be gamblers’ top pick to take over the lead role in Doctor Who, but Kinnear told The Independent that he hasn’t been approached for the role and he isn’t particularly interested, having never watched the show.
Rory Kinnear
Chi McBride is joining the cast of Hawaii Five-0, EW reports. McBride will play Swat Captain Lou Grover, a character from the original Five-o series.
Bravo is working on another adaptation for its next potential scripted pilot. After looking at turning Heathers, The Joneses and the Danish series Rita (so far, only Rita looks like it will film the pilot), the channel is developing a modern-day version of Charles Dickens‘ Bleak House.
Lisa Edelstein will appear in a multi-episode story arc on the upcoming season of Castle, according to TVLine. She’ll play a Federal Investigator who works with Beckett as she debates taking that Washington DC job.
Rory Kinnear might be gamblers’ top pick to take over the lead role in Doctor Who, but Kinnear told The Independent that he hasn’t been approached for the role and he isn’t particularly interested, having never watched the show.
Rory Kinnear
Chi McBride is joining the cast of Hawaii Five-0, EW reports. McBride will play Swat Captain Lou Grover, a character from the original Five-o series.
Bravo is working on another adaptation for its next potential scripted pilot. After looking at turning Heathers, The Joneses and the Danish series Rita (so far, only Rita looks like it will film the pilot), the channel is developing a modern-day version of Charles Dickens‘ Bleak House.
Lisa Edelstein will appear in a multi-episode story arc on the upcoming season of Castle, according to TVLine. She’ll play a Federal Investigator who works with Beckett as she debates taking that Washington DC job.
- 7/11/2013
- by Lyle Masaki
- The Backlot
London, May 14: Hugh Jackman is set to make a guest appearance in the comedy show 'The Kumars at No. 42'.
The creator and writer of the comedy, Sanjeev Bhaskar, revealed that the show would be back on screens later on in the year, the BBC reported.
"We've got these sketches that we do in the show now," he said. "Hugh Jackman has done one for us. Zoe Wannamaker's done one for us as well."
Bhaskar hinted that the star's part would involve a trampoline.
It was announced last year, that after a six-year hiatus, the comedy show had a new home on Sky1 HD.
Sanjeev Bhaskar added that the Oscar-nominated actor.
The creator and writer of the comedy, Sanjeev Bhaskar, revealed that the show would be back on screens later on in the year, the BBC reported.
"We've got these sketches that we do in the show now," he said. "Hugh Jackman has done one for us. Zoe Wannamaker's done one for us as well."
Bhaskar hinted that the star's part would involve a trampoline.
It was announced last year, that after a six-year hiatus, the comedy show had a new home on Sky1 HD.
Sanjeev Bhaskar added that the Oscar-nominated actor.
- 5/14/2013
- by Ketali Mehta
- RealBollywood.com
It's that time of year when TV stars dig out their best suits and practice their best 'loser's smile face' - the TV BAFTAs are back.
Graham Norton is our host for the evening, and stars from Last Tango In Halifax, Game of Thrones, Homeland and The Thick of It are among the talent competing for the main gongs.
Join us live from 8pm on Digital Spy when we'll be live blogging the TV BAFTAs.
22:03Well, that's just about it! Aside from quite an underwhelming performance from Graham Norton and a dodgy Tetris-esque stage, that was a throughly enjoyable evening if I may say so. Thanks for joining Digital Spy, and don't forget to write below who you think deserved to win and who was robbed. Goodnight, all!
22:02And so to the annual tack-on bit at the end where some of the more boring credible people and programmes...
Graham Norton is our host for the evening, and stars from Last Tango In Halifax, Game of Thrones, Homeland and The Thick of It are among the talent competing for the main gongs.
Join us live from 8pm on Digital Spy when we'll be live blogging the TV BAFTAs.
22:03Well, that's just about it! Aside from quite an underwhelming performance from Graham Norton and a dodgy Tetris-esque stage, that was a throughly enjoyable evening if I may say so. Thanks for joining Digital Spy, and don't forget to write below who you think deserved to win and who was robbed. Goodnight, all!
22:02And so to the annual tack-on bit at the end where some of the more boring credible people and programmes...
- 5/12/2013
- Digital Spy
Doctors has more familiar faces popping up in guest roles over the coming months. Digital Spy can confirm that Butterflies actress Wendy Craig appears in the episode airing on Tuesday, February 26 - taking on the part of Edith Jessop. Edith is the overprotective mother of Heston Carter's friend Rory. She is determined to break up her son's potential relationship, but will she succeed? Meanwhile, The Kumars at No. 42 stars Indira Joshi and Vincent Ebrahim have (more)...
- 1/25/2013
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
With Jersey Shore nearing its end, another cast member of the blockbuster reality series is staying at MTV with a new show. The network has greenlighted hybrid talk show/reality series The Show With Vinny hosted by Jersey Shore‘s Vinny Guadagnino. Executive produced by Jersey Shore mastermind SallyAnn Salsano of 495 Prods, the series will be set at Guadagnino’s family home in Staten Island, NY. The Show With Vinny, which sounds a lot like UK’s The Kumars At No. 42, combines the reality of Guadagnino’s home life with off-the-cuff and unscripted interviews with stars invited over to break bread. It will feature a host of real characters from Guadagnino’s personal life, from his ultimate hostess mother Paula to party boss Uncle Nino and more. Celebrities will share a meal and a candid conversation about whatever comes up complete with lots of commentary from Vinny’s peanut gallery of loved ones.
- 11/13/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
BollySpice joined the best of British Asian artists last night in central London for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Gala Premier of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing – bollywood style! Featuring Meera Syal as Beatrice, amongst a stellar cast of great British Asian talent, this re-enactment of Shakespeare’s classic comedy of love and deceit is transformed to India and is currently showing at the Noël Coward Theatre, London.
For those of you who aren’t aware of the original play, or may have read it many years ago and need some memory jogging, Much Ado About Nothing was one of the many classic comedies which Shakespeare wrote. It focuses around two cousins Beatrice (Meera Syal) and Hero (Amara Karan) and their two lovers Benedick (Paul Bhattacharjee) and Claudio (Sagar Arya). Whilst Beatrice and Benedick scorn each other, they are nonetheless tricked into confessing their love for one another. On...
For those of you who aren’t aware of the original play, or may have read it many years ago and need some memory jogging, Much Ado About Nothing was one of the many classic comedies which Shakespeare wrote. It focuses around two cousins Beatrice (Meera Syal) and Hero (Amara Karan) and their two lovers Benedick (Paul Bhattacharjee) and Claudio (Sagar Arya). Whilst Beatrice and Benedick scorn each other, they are nonetheless tricked into confessing their love for one another. On...
- 10/1/2012
- by Anjum Shabbir
- Bollyspice
Welcome to the first edition of Comedy Corner, What Culture’s new fortnightly column about various aspects of both modern and classic comedy. The focus of this week’s piece is the debate around BBC One’s latest sitcom Citizen Khan.
It seems these days that making a comedy centred around a minority group is a real minefield. On the one hand, you may find yourself being praised to the hilt for doing something new and different. But on the other hand, you run the risk of coming under fire from the political correctness brigade and the especially humourless members of the minority in question. The bulk of the media attention surrounding new BBC One sitcom Citizen Khan seems to be the latter.
The character of Sparkhill’s self-proclaimed community leader Mr Khan first appeared in Radio 4’s spoof phone-in show Down The Line in 2008. Following this, the character migrated...
It seems these days that making a comedy centred around a minority group is a real minefield. On the one hand, you may find yourself being praised to the hilt for doing something new and different. But on the other hand, you run the risk of coming under fire from the political correctness brigade and the especially humourless members of the minority in question. The bulk of the media attention surrounding new BBC One sitcom Citizen Khan seems to be the latter.
The character of Sparkhill’s self-proclaimed community leader Mr Khan first appeared in Radio 4’s spoof phone-in show Down The Line in 2008. Following this, the character migrated...
- 9/20/2012
- by James T. Cornish
- Obsessed with Film
What made this time right for the cinematic coming-together of the Monty Python comedy troupe for the first time in 16 years? “I just like having friends around,” says Terry Jones, the Python vet who is directing John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, and presumably Eric Idle (though that deal has not been inked yet) for the upcoming Absolutely Anything. EW spoke with Jones and producer Chris Chesser about the film, which centers on a pack of aliens who grant absolute power to an unwitting Englishman then sit back and watch what havoc he wreaks.
The Python guys will lend their...
The Python guys will lend their...
- 1/27/2012
- by Lanford Beard
- EW - Inside Movies
A screenwriter any actor would jump to work with, William Monaghan shot to the scribing A-list following his Oscar win for his magnificent work on Martin Scorsese’s Best Picture winning remake of Infernal Affairs; The Departed. London Boulevard, his latest foray into crime fare – this time set on our turf, ostensibly – is overflowing with talent, and though Monahgan’s directorial debut is a considerably lesser work than his previous, there is still plenty to applaud in this wincingly brutal albeit uneven film.
London Boulevard is released today on Blu-ray and DVD. Here is our review…
Mitchell (Colin Farrell) has just been released from prison after a 3-year stint for GBH. Quickly reconnecting with old mate Billy (Ben Chaplin), he nevertheless rejects his old ways in favour of a cleaner lifestyle, serving as a bodyguard and pap-buffer for the reclusive, constantly hounded actress, Charlotte (Keira Knightley). However, motivated by the murder of an old friend,...
London Boulevard is released today on Blu-ray and DVD. Here is our review…
Mitchell (Colin Farrell) has just been released from prison after a 3-year stint for GBH. Quickly reconnecting with old mate Billy (Ben Chaplin), he nevertheless rejects his old ways in favour of a cleaner lifestyle, serving as a bodyguard and pap-buffer for the reclusive, constantly hounded actress, Charlotte (Keira Knightley). However, motivated by the murder of an old friend,...
- 3/21/2011
- by Shaun Munro
- Obsessed with Film
They are the two comeback stories of this pilot season, projects developed years ago that have been resurrected and have landed orders at the broadcast networks. The two comedies — Nirvana at Fox and Outsourced at NBC — have something else in common: They both are ensemble shows about Indians and Indian-Americans. A third project, a Us version of popular British comedy The Kumars at No. 42, about an immigrant Indian family, also is poised for revival. Eight years after NBC took a stab at the format, the show’s British producers are shopping it to Us networks, including FX. Is ...
- 2/2/2010
- Hindustan Times - TV
They are the two comeback stories of this pilot season, projects developed years ago that have been resurrected and have landed orders at the broadcast networks.
The two comedies -- "Nirvana" at Fox and "Outsourced" at NBC -- have something else in common: They both are ensemble shows about Indians and Indian Americans.
A third project, a U.S. version of popular British comedy "The Kumars at No. 42," about an immigrant Indian family, also is poised for revival. Eight years after NBC took a stab at the format, the show's British producers are shopping it to U.S. networks, including FX.
Is it a coincidence or a delayed "Slumdog Millionaire" effect?
"I do think that 'Slumdog' had a lot to do with it," a TV studio executive said of India's rapid emergence on the U.S. pop culture scene. "It was boiling, hovering there, with the increasing popularity of Indian clothing,...
The two comedies -- "Nirvana" at Fox and "Outsourced" at NBC -- have something else in common: They both are ensemble shows about Indians and Indian Americans.
A third project, a U.S. version of popular British comedy "The Kumars at No. 42," about an immigrant Indian family, also is poised for revival. Eight years after NBC took a stab at the format, the show's British producers are shopping it to U.S. networks, including FX.
Is it a coincidence or a delayed "Slumdog Millionaire" effect?
"I do think that 'Slumdog' had a lot to do with it," a TV studio executive said of India's rapid emergence on the U.S. pop culture scene. "It was boiling, hovering there, with the increasing popularity of Indian clothing,...
- 1/31/2010
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hippie Hippie Shake
Opens: 2010
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Sienna Miller, Max Minghella, Emma Booth, Lee Ingleby
Director: Beeban Kidron
Summary: Follows the love story of Oz editor Richard Neville and Louise Ferrier. Neville and his cohorts launch the London edition of Oz amidst the 1960s counterculture and are subsequently put on trial for distributing a sexually explicit issue.
Analysis: One of the most troubled productions in Working Title's history, 'Hippie' began development back in 1998 but failed to get beyond script stage both in 1999 and in 2002 when "Elizabeth" helmer Shekhar Kapur was attached to direct. Filming finally got underway late 2007 with director Beeban Kidron in charge and shooting seemed to proceed without issue aside from feminist author Germaine Greer being vehemently unhappy about being depicted on film.
Actually the film scored quite a bit of free press for a skinny dipping scene where full-frontal shots of actress Sienna Miller shooting the sequence...
Opens: 2010
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Sienna Miller, Max Minghella, Emma Booth, Lee Ingleby
Director: Beeban Kidron
Summary: Follows the love story of Oz editor Richard Neville and Louise Ferrier. Neville and his cohorts launch the London edition of Oz amidst the 1960s counterculture and are subsequently put on trial for distributing a sexually explicit issue.
Analysis: One of the most troubled productions in Working Title's history, 'Hippie' began development back in 1998 but failed to get beyond script stage both in 1999 and in 2002 when "Elizabeth" helmer Shekhar Kapur was attached to direct. Filming finally got underway late 2007 with director Beeban Kidron in charge and shooting seemed to proceed without issue aside from feminist author Germaine Greer being vehemently unhappy about being depicted on film.
Actually the film scored quite a bit of free press for a skinny dipping scene where full-frontal shots of actress Sienna Miller shooting the sequence...
- 12/23/2009
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Karen Gillan's cousin has won a role in the next series of Doctor Who. Caitlin Blackwood, who is nine years old and comes from Inverness in Scotland, landed the role over hundreds of hopefuls. A pupil at the city's St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, she has just returned from Cardiff, where the first series to star Gillan and Matt Smith is currently being filmed.
Blackwood is quoted as saying: "It was really exciting. Doctor Who was really nice and good fun." Christine Cameron, St Joseph's headteacher, said the whole school was delighted for Caitlin, adding "Everyone involved in the production of Dr Who is impressed with Caitlin, her ability to listen to and follow direction, be flexible in her approach, and get on with new people."
The Inverness Courier has a full report on its website.
It was also announced on the Paul O'Grady show today that actor...
Blackwood is quoted as saying: "It was really exciting. Doctor Who was really nice and good fun." Christine Cameron, St Joseph's headteacher, said the whole school was delighted for Caitlin, adding "Everyone involved in the production of Dr Who is impressed with Caitlin, her ability to listen to and follow direction, be flexible in her approach, and get on with new people."
The Inverness Courier has a full report on its website.
It was also announced on the Paul O'Grady show today that actor...
- 11/24/2009
- by Marcus
- The Doctor Who News Page
Matt LeBlanc is reteaming with "Friends" co-creator David Crane for "Episodes," a Showtime/BBC comedy series spoofing the TV business.
Showtime has ordered six half-hour episode of the series, which Crane created with Jeffrey Klarik, for a 2010 premiere on Showtime and BBC Two.
"Episodes," which will start production in January in London and Los Angeles, centers on a successful British husband-and-wife comedy team thrilled by the prospect of producing an U.S. version of their hit series. But they are soon forced to replace the erudite British lead in the original with the quintessential U.S. comedy star, Matt LeBlanc, who will be playing a version of himself. They begin to sink deeper into the quicksand that is the Hollywood TV business ruled by a legion of network and studio executives.
"We jumped at the chance to get involved with this cockeyed look at network television told through the eyes...
Showtime has ordered six half-hour episode of the series, which Crane created with Jeffrey Klarik, for a 2010 premiere on Showtime and BBC Two.
"Episodes," which will start production in January in London and Los Angeles, centers on a successful British husband-and-wife comedy team thrilled by the prospect of producing an U.S. version of their hit series. But they are soon forced to replace the erudite British lead in the original with the quintessential U.S. comedy star, Matt LeBlanc, who will be playing a version of himself. They begin to sink deeper into the quicksand that is the Hollywood TV business ruled by a legion of network and studio executives.
"We jumped at the chance to get involved with this cockeyed look at network television told through the eyes...
- 9/30/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva and James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Will lead television productions and strategic TV content partnerships across all territories outside the U.S.
By Wrap Staff
NBC Universal International Thursday named Denise O’Donoghue president of International Television Productions.
London-based O’Donoghue, co-founder and former chief executive of independent production company Hat Trick, will begin work in her new position on Sept. 14, the company announced on Thursday.
O’Donoghue worked on such shows as “Have I Got News for You” and “The Kumars at No. 42” and fits within Nbcu’s plans to grow internationally.
As head of the international production division, O'Donoghue will le...
By Wrap Staff
NBC Universal International Thursday named Denise O’Donoghue president of International Television Productions.
London-based O’Donoghue, co-founder and former chief executive of independent production company Hat Trick, will begin work in her new position on Sept. 14, the company announced on Thursday.
O’Donoghue worked on such shows as “Have I Got News for You” and “The Kumars at No. 42” and fits within Nbcu’s plans to grow internationally.
As head of the international production division, O'Donoghue will le...
- 8/27/2009
- by Deborah Stokol
- The Wrap
Emmy Award winning TV writer Sharat Sardana has died at the age of 40. British-born Sardana collapsed at his father’s home on Friday after suffering from a streptococcal virus. He passed away on Tuesday at London's Whipps Cross University Hospital, surrounded by family and friends.
Sardana penned cult U.K. TV comedy Goodness Gracious Me, and won a coveted International Emmy award and three BAFTA nominations for its follow-up, The Kumars at No.42.
He was believed to be working on a new TV series, billed as a male version of Sex & The City, when he died.
No further details were available as WENN went to press.
Sardana penned cult U.K. TV comedy Goodness Gracious Me, and won a coveted International Emmy award and three BAFTA nominations for its follow-up, The Kumars at No.42.
He was believed to be working on a new TV series, billed as a male version of Sex & The City, when he died.
No further details were available as WENN went to press.
- 1/30/2009
- WENN
LONDON -- Denise O'Donoghue, one of producers behind such shows as The Kumars at No. 42, Have I Got News for You? and Father Ted is leaving Hat Trick Prods., the company she co-founded in 1986, it was announced Monday. Amid speculation that she may be about to join BBC3 as channel head, O' Donoghue would only confirm that she was leaving Hat Trick at the end of January. O'Donoghue and Hat Trick joint managing director Jimmy Mulville each made more than £11 million when they sold 45% of the production company to private equity firm Kleinwort Capital.
- 10/31/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Hat Trick and Shed Prods., two of the United Kingdom's most successful independent television producers, were reported Wednesday to be in advanced talks to merge. Hat Trick, the company behind Whose Line Is It Anyway? and The Kumars at Number 42, was said by the Guardian newspaper's Web site to have agreed to terms with Shed Prods., maker of Bad Girls and Footballers' Wives for ITV. But, according to the report, both sides have yet to sign the deal. Calls to Hat Trick founder Denise O'Donoghue and Shed managing director Eileen Gallagher were not returned by press time.
- 3/11/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gavin Polone's Pariah is bringing the acclaimed British comedy series Father Ted to the United States. NBC-based Pariah has teamed with London-based Hattrick Prods., the producer of Father Ted, which ran on Channel 4 for three years, to create an American version of the show and has recruited Emmy-nominated writer-producer Spike Feresten to adapt the original series. Father Ted marks the second collaboration between Pariah and Hattrick. Their first project, The Ortegas, based on Hattrick's hit comedy series for BBC The Kumars at No. 42, landed on the fall Fox schedule.
- 6/29/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cross-cultural comedy chat show The Kumars at Number 42 led the field at the 2003 BAFTA TV nominations announced Sunday. The awards, which are the highlight of the annual television year in the United Kingdom, will be aired on BBC1 from London on April 13. Hat Trick Productions/BBC2-produced Kumars was nominated in the best entertainment program category alongside the Open Mike Productions/BBC1 Letterman-style chat show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross and Granada/ITV1's I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. Kumars stars Sanjeev Bhaskar and Meera Syal were both nominated in the best entertainment performance category alongside fellow Hat Trick talent Angus Deayton and Paul Merton, who were named for their roles in the satirical BBC1 panel show Have I Got News for You.
- 3/17/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SYDNEY -- The Australian version of the long-running U.K. hybrid sitcom/talk series The Kumars at No. 42, to be produced by Granada Prods. for the Seven Network, will be directed by Kris Noble, the former head of drama at the Nine Network. Noble exited Nine at the end of last year during a management shake-up that has seen the departure -- voluntary and otherwise -- of a number of top-level execs. Noble also will have executive producer credit on the Australian series, which will be called Greeks on the Roof and star local comedienne Mary Coustas. It will feature a Greek family instead of the original's Indian clan. The U.S. version of the show, The Ortegas, about an upper-middle-class Mexican family in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley, is being produced by Gavin Polone's NBC-based Pariah TV. Rory Callaghan, Granada Prods.' head of programs, sealed the deal for the Australian series with U.K.-based Hat Trick Prods. Callaghan is also a former Nine Network executive. He was head of light entertainment until he quit to join Granada last year and worked closely with Noble for several years. "I'm thrilled that a man of Kris' talents is on board," Callaghan said.
- 3/11/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After an extensive nationwide talent search, comedian Al Madrigal has been cast as the lead in NBC's hot half-hour project The Ortegas. Based on the hit British series The Kumars at No. 42, Ortegas revolves around a multigenerational upper-middle-class Mexican family in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley whose son, first-generation Mexican-American Luis (Madrigal), hosts a talk show on a set built by his father in the family's backyard. The original show's producer, U.K.-based Hat Trick Prods., and Gavin Polone's NBC-based Pariah Television are producing the hybrid sitcom/talk show pilot written by Wally Wolodarsky and executive produced by Polone, Wolodarsky and Hat Trick's Jimmy Mulville and Denise O'Donoghue.
- 10/23/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A remake of The Courtship of Eddie's Father, a medical drama from writer-producer John Masius and the Miss Wannabe Beauty Pageant special are among the highlights of the development slate at Gavin Polone's Pariah Television. The bulk of Pariah's series projects -- eight for broadcast networks and three for cable -- are being developed through the company's rich production pact with NBC. Moreover, Pariah has signed development pacts with talent ranging from such writers as Pulitzer prize-winner David Mamet, John Riggi, Nell Scovell and David Steinberg to magicians Penn and Teller. Polone has recruited Wally Wolodarsky ("The Tracey Ullman Show") to serve as showrunner on another Pariah adaptation, the Americanization of the hit BBC 2 comedy The Kumars at No. 42, which recently landed at NBC with a sizable put pilot commitment after a heated bidding war with Fox (HR 7/30). The show's unconventional format blends sitcom and talk-show elements. In addition to Kumars, Pariah is developing three other projects for NBC: dramas The Calling, from The Sopranos writer-producer Frank Renzulli; "Nevada," from writer Walon Green; and an untitled comedy from writer Lona Williams.
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