So Hot Right Now #32
Welcome to The Velvet Onion – the central hub for an interconnected range of alternative comedy and more. Click through for the latest news, and see what’s so hot right now THIS WEEK below…
HERE COMES THE SUN TRAP
Wednesday, 10:45pm, BBC ONE
© Happy Tramp / Adam Lawrence
This week sees the launch of Sun Trap, the new BBC One sitcom starring Kayvan Novak and Bradley Walsh, with a sizable bevvy of TVO regulars along for the ride in guest roles throughout the six part run.
Novak stars as undercover reporter Woody, who is forced to go on the run by a corrupt editor and finds his old mentor Brutus (Walsh) running a bar in a holiday resort. Together, the pair take on a series of investigations – and a variety of disguises – to keep their newfound paradise in check.
In this first episode, Woody’s life on the run begins, and the wife of a pension’s fraudster asks the duo to help find her husband’s hidden millions. Also starring Jamie Demetriou, Emma Pierson and Bea Segura, there’s something warm and inviting about the show – and we’re not just talking about the climate. It’s a little old-fashioned, especially for alternative comedy nutjobs like us, but stick with it, and you’ll find much to enjoy, including a lot of familiar faces giving it an extra stamp of quality.
The likes of Simon Day, Paul Kaye, Alex Kirk, Tracy Ann Oberman, Morgana Robinson and Tony Way pop up across the series, alongside other big names such as Jack Dee, Keith Allen, Lee Boardman, Clive Swift and Sean Gilder.
Directed by Ben Palmer (Star Stories, Penelope Princess of Pets, Bad Sugar etc), and produced by Neil Webster (Would I Lie To You, Them From That Thing) – the same duo currently working on Morgana’s long awaited sketch-show via their production company Happy Tramp, Sun Trap is a slice of pure fun, that’s on at the unfathomably late time of 10:45pm, starting Wednesday 27th May on BBC One.
HORRIBLE HISTORIES IN DA FOOCHA
Monday, 7:45am / 5pm CBBC
© Lion TV / Laura Rawlinson
We thought it was a goner, but this week sees the return of CBBC smash Horrible Histories for a series of six revamped specials.
Once more featuring series regulars Simon Farnaby and Jim Howick, albeit as the sole remaining members of the previous team, new regulars include Tom Stourton, Adam Riches, Naz Osmanoglu, Natalie Walter and Jessica Ransom. There’s also a number of big name guest stars lined up, including Rowan Atkinson, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kathryn Drysdale, Lorna Watson and The Actor, Kevin Eldon.
This week, Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal is thrust into the centre of the action, as we look at the life of King Alfred the Great, who defeats the Viking using cunning tactics and summons the spirit of Ed Sheeran. Early birds can see the results at 7:45am on Bank Holiday Monday, but if you can wait a little longer, it’s also repeated at 5pm – and of course, will be available on iPlayer shortly after transmission.
A LITTLE BIT OF SUGAR IN IN SUCCESSVILLE
Wednesday, 10pm, BBC THREE
© BBC / Tiger Aspect / Ollie Upton
Tom Davis‘ madcap, partially-improvised murder mystery sitcom gameshow hybrid Murder in Successville is proving to be a big hit with viewers, and this week will surely sweeten the deal as TV heart-throb Dermot O’Leary is joined by special guest star Ricky Grover (Being Human, The Day They Came To Suck Out Our Brains, Getting On, Black Books, Red Dwarf and many more), as local sweet-shop proprietor Alan Sugar.
Sugar is just one potential suspect in the murder of Amanda Holden, the PA to town mayor Simon Cowell (the brilliant Liam Hourican). Other suspects include nursing home proprietor Miley Cyrus (TVO regular Cariad Lloyd) and martial arts expert Jessie J (Jenny Bede), and it’s up to Rookie Dermot and the ever unreliable DI Sleet (Davis), to crack the case.
Once again featuring friend of TVO, Nico Tartarowicz as put-upon cop Sid, this is another riotously brilliant episode of MiS that’s bound to go down well with fans of the show. After last week’s slight misstep with grumpy Deborah Meaden, it’s good to have another guest who really goes for it, and gets stuck in to Successville’s bonkers world – and it’s safe to say Dermot gets a bit over-excited. Tune in on Wednesday evening to find out more, and check out a preview clip featuring him grilling Cariad Lloyd below.
STRANGE AND NORRELL GETS STRANGER
Sunday, 9pm, BBC ONE
© JSMN Ltd / Bertrand Calmeau / BBC
The BBC fantasy epic Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell has been wowing critics since its début earlier this month, and it’s not hard to see why. Impeccable direction from Toby Haynes, a flawless script from Peter Harness, and a pitch-perfect ensemble cast have brought the world of Susanne Clarke’s novel to glorious life, and the series shows no signs of flagging in this third instalment.
This week, Strange (Bertie Carvell) arrives in Spain, only to find Lord Wellington (Ronan Vibert) has no use for him. Frustrated, he demonstrates how his magical talents could be used to help fight the Napoleonic armies in a stunning sequence we’d be really naughty spoiling for you. Meanwhile Mr Norrell (Eddie Marsan) is battling to keep his secrets hidden, while Arabella (Charlotte Riley) discovers the recently resurrected Lady Pole (Alice Englert) has become dangerously unhinged – but when she tries to warn her husband, it turns out her letters are being intercepted by the mysterious figure known only as The Gentleman (Marc Warren).
Also featuring Ariyon Bakare, Samuel West, Enzo Cilenti, Vincent Franklin, Brian Pettifer and TVO regulars Edward Hogg and Paul Kaye, this is a truly wonderful ensemble delivering powerful material that’s hard to resist. You can read our exclusive interview with star Paul Kaye about the show over yonder, and if you like what you see, why not pre-order the Blu-Ray and DVD from our Amazon Store?
CARIAD HAS MORE NEWS FOR YOU
Monday, 10:45pm, BBC ONE
© Hat Trick / Richard Kendal
Every now and then, we miss something happening, and with recent episodes of BBC One’s long running topical panel show, Have I Got News For You shifting and changing around at a moment’s notice due to strike action and/or producer-thumping former-presenters glimpsed in the background of the above photo, it’s sometimes difficult to keep track of a show that, whilst usually brilliant, rarely has TVO connections.
However, last Friday’s edition saw Cariad Lloyd follow in the footsteps of Tony Law and Graham Linehan, amongst others, by appearing as a guest panellist, poking fun at the latest news stories alongside journalist/author Jon Ronson and regulars Ian Hislop and Paul Merton. Stepping into the host chair was none other than comedian and recent Doctor Who star Frank Skinner.
If you missed it, you’re in luck – as Monday evenings is typically when BBC One air an extended repeat, with more bits packed in for good measure. Have I Got More News For You airs at 10:45pm on Bank Holiday Monday, and will be available on iPlayer shortly after transmission.
ON STAGE THIS WEEK
There’s almost always a chance or two to see a TVO regular on stage, often in London, but as demonstrated this week, also up and down the country. Here’s where you can find them throughout the week.
© Rob Grieg
Monday 25th May
Colin Hoult: Sit on the Ledge and Jump Down to the Ground
The Warren, Brighton Fringe
6pm, £8
TICKETS
Lou Sanders, Tiffany Stevenson, Gareth Richards and Stuart Black plus a special guest
The Phoenix, London
8:30pm, £5.50
TICKETS
Tuesday 26th May
Dan Skinner and Alex Lowe in The Angelos and Barry Show Live Podcast
Gunabara Club, London
7pm, £13.75
TICKETS
Wednesday 27th May
Paul Foot: Hovercraft Symphony in Gammon # Major
The Courtyard, Hereford
7:30pm, £13.50
TICKETS
Thursday 28th May
Adam Kay, Eric Lampaert, Michael Legge, David McIver and Ian Lane
The Garage, Highbury, London
7pm, £5
TICKETS
Paul Foot: Hovercraft Symphony in Gammon # Major
South Street, Reading
8pm, £14.50
SOLD OUT
Friday 29th May
Monkey Toast: Phil Whelans, David Shore, Susan Harrison, Lauren Shearing, Graham Dickson, Richard Soames and special guest Rob Broderick
The Proud Archivist, London
7:30pm, £4-£10
TICKETS
Paul Foot: Hovercraft Symphony in Gammon # Major
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
7:30pm, £13.50
SOLD OUT
© PBJ
Saturday 30th May
Sarah Kendall, David Cross, Jared Christmas, Amir Khoshokhan, Ed Aczel, Joel Dommett, Nish Kumar and Tom Toal
Rich Mix Studios, London
7:30pm, £12
TICKETS
Paul Foot: Hovercraft Symphony in Gammon # Major
The Hawth Theatre, Crawley
7:45pm, £14.00
SOLD OUT
Sunday 31st May
The Comedy Store Players: Cariad Lloyd, Phill Jupitus, Josie Lawrence, Neil Mullarkey, Niall Ashdown, Steve Edis
The Comedy Store
7:30pm, £19.00
TICKETS
Paul Foot, Mark Watson, Tim Key & Nish Kumar
Wells Little Theatre, Wells Comedy Festival
8pm, £15.40
TICKETS
ALL WEEK
Tracy Ann Oberman in McQueen
St James Theatre, London
7:30pm (and Saturday matinee at 2:30pm), £25-65
TICKETS
BIG SCREEN FUN
© Handle Productions Oy
This week gives you a chance to catch a couple of TVO regulars at the cinema for good measure. Out on general release now is Moomins on the Riviera featuring the voice of Tracy Ann Oberman as Ma Moomin in the revival of an animated classic.
Also out now is family comedy Up All Night which features a cameo from Kevin Eldon, whilst on Friday, Man Up starring Simon Pegg, Lake Bell and Sharon Horgan is released nationwide. You can see trailers for all three films below.
AND THE REST…
As always, there’s so much going on at the Velvet Onion, it’s easy to miss things. As well as our News pages, the best way to keep track is via our Twitter feed, so here are a few highlights from throughout the week gone by. This week, we had a Twitter exclusive competition, so if you missed it, start following us now, so you can definitely keep up with the next one. Until next time, keep on peeling!
We have THREE copies of Inside No. 9 on dvd to give away. To enter: reply to this tweet with the name of your fav ep. pic.twitter.com/5NxPpSh9fN
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 18, 2015
A winner will be picked at random on FRIDAY after @ReeceShearsmith‘s appearance on Chatty Man. Entries worldwide but dvd is Region 2&4!
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 18, 2015
I can’t believe it’s been 11 years since the first airing of the Boosh and I’m only 12 years old.
— Rich Fulcher (@Rich_Fulcher) May 18, 2015
BBC iPlayer will play host to six new comedy feeds later this year feat. @BigTomD @mrmichaelsmiley & @EllieWhite5 http://t.co/Onh0s1mxsQ
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 19, 2015
So, we went to download Sun Trap pics for an article. The zip file gave us photos of @AdamWoodyatt for good measure. pic.twitter.com/25OG1lFA2z
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 19, 2015
Here’s a trailer & pics from new comedy Sun Trap starring @Kayvannovak1 & Bradley Walsh with lots of TVO guest faces. http://t.co/cXa0zQ5lMJ
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 19, 2015
10th anniversary of The Thick Of It: having a laugh. pic.twitter.com/bWPNjfySdG
— Simon Blackwell (@simonblackwell) May 19, 2015
Friend of TVO @johndredge found something good on an old vhs recording of Ceefax. Fascinating stuff. https://t.co/CiLM7OabhT
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 19, 2015
Things we have discovered today: @BradleyWalsh has a diehard following in Japan. #suntrap
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 19, 2015
The amazing @TracyAnnO as Isabella and incredible @stephenwightfan as Lee. Photo by @specularworld. #McQueenThePlay pic.twitter.com/HDnZFSGlSf
— McQUEEN The Play (@McQueenThePlay) May 19, 2015
Just us thinking the lady in the middle looks a little like @alicelowe in her pilot for the aborted People Place? https://t.co/NkfY7IQr2X
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 19, 2015
I mean, it’s quite uncanny. @denofgeek @alicelowe pic.twitter.com/cxMREakuUp
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 19, 2015
Watch our interview with Matt Berry following the recent home studio install we did for him. Thanks @porksmith https://t.co/Mw9IG9MADQ
— Amber Creative (@amber_creative) May 18, 2015
Buzzfeed celebrate 25 Years of The Crystal Maze with the team behind it – including Boosh/LuxuryCom’s James Dillon. http://t.co/5Ax6KEiwb2
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 19, 2015
If you missed it over the weekend, here’s our exclusive interview with Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell star Paul Kaye. http://t.co/nldZ1qEUZQ
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 19, 2015
Horrible Histories returns on Monday with @simonfarnaby & Kevin Eldon featuring in the run. http://t.co/tsKh1pjQKS pic.twitter.com/rrhTYY1J8d
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 20, 2015
Stubbing Out Problems #14 with lovely @IslaLindsay the South African – https://t.co/ws1K8r5vuX
— Rachel Stubbings (@RachelStubbings) May 20, 2015
Happiest of birthday wishes to @noelfielding11. We hope it’s been suitably Luxurious xx pic.twitter.com/LBx7xn0gVK
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 20, 2015
For those of you wondering why we’re wishing Noel Fielding happy birthday today, it’s because it’s already 21st May for him x
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 20, 2015
New print release! 20 artist proofs (From an edition of 64) of ‘Susan’ available here! – http://t.co/6XX0yRzdf8 pic.twitter.com/xcTXurvulz
— Mr Bingo (@Mr_Bingo) May 20, 2015
Hello little deer. Filming has started on Stag, a new dark comedy with @ReeceShearsmith & @rufusjones1 for BBC2: http://t.co/0XYcXtDvgR
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 20, 2015
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell go to Comic Con http://t.co/PWNJT2YWx6
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 21, 2015
The incredible #DollAndEm with the beloved @WellsDolly & Emily Mortimer, returns on 3rd June. Here’s a trailer! https://t.co/YfxZpCQJ1M
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 22, 2015
Count Arthur Strong will be back on BBC1 next year http://t.co/xqhPYeEcme
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) May 22, 2015
@thevelvetonion “The second half hour, about urine, was my favourite set of the evening” NS sees Stewart Lee http://t.co/LMcK6j0B53
— Northern Soul (@Northern_Soul_) May 23, 2015
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