Bovey Traces

This was my TV review of the sitcom The IT Crowd, first published on a now-retired blog on 7 February 2006.   The IT Crowd Channel 4 – 9.00 P.M. Even with a pedigree like Graham Linehan’s ( The Day Today , Father Ted , and Black Books ), Channel 4’s decision to show the first two episodes of his new sitcom The IT Crowd  back-to-back is unclear. Perhaps they felt, as with Father Ted , it needed a couple of episodes to get to know the characters. So the first episode was spent mostly setting up the situation of Jen (Katherine Parkinson) disrupting the geeky world of computer nerds Roy (Chris O’Dowd) and Maurice (Richard Ayoade). Despite the inevitable IT clichés early on (technophobe Jen forgetting to plug her computer in) the show had got into gear by the second episode. Chris Morris was reminiscent of Reggie Perrin’s C.J. as the overbearing boss Denholm, and there was evidence of the surreal, knowing plot-telegraphing that Linehan excels at (involving a barefoot Jen and a Japa...

This is an album review that I wrote for the Digital Fix website in 2012. Short-lived Brighton four-piece the Chefs emerged around the same time as fellow post-punk DIY-sters and indiepop touchstones the Television Personalities and Orange Juice. Led by the gastronomically named Helen McCookerybook, the Chefs released a few 45s, did a couple of Peel sessions and then split in 1982, not before renaming themselves Skat and recording a cover of the Velvet Underground and Nico’s ‘Femme Fatale’. Damaged Goods' comprehensive compilation collates most of the band’s recorded output, including all their singles, demos and radio sessions. On the likes of ‘Sweetie’ and ’24 Hours’, you can hear pre-echoes of the C86 movement, sharing much of its unambitious, shambling qualities, which ensured the band’s resolutely cult status. The Chefs may not come from kitchens of distinction then, but Records & Tea manages to rustle up a few tasty morsels.

This was an advertorial I wrote for a free newspaper, the Surrey & Hampshire Guardian, on 5 November 2007. In recent years, the top Christmas toys have been computer consoles or their vast range of accompanying games. There was a time before the advent of Sega and Nintendo, though, when toys had a simpler, hand-made quality. Playmotion owner, Daniel Messer, remembers this time and puts a tremendous amount of love and care into choosing his products. This family-run business offers an impressive range of children’s toys, catering to various age groups and interests. For the early learners, Playmotion has several toys from Brio and the Toyworkshop. Whether it’s a bell rattle, a shape sorter or a first walker, the baby and toddler range will help to entertain and inspire your little one. From Make Your Own Blacklet and Necklace Sets to wooden construction toys, Playmotion allows your children to fulfill their creativity. The Make and Play range includes well-thought-out kits tha...

This was my TV review of the sitcom Pulling, first published on a now-retired blog on 19 May 2009. Last night saw the final 60-minute special of the brilliant  Pulling  on BBC Three, after the channel announced it was, ahem, pulling  the cult sitcom last year. For anyone who’s never seen the show, it follows the dysfunctional relationships of three female housemates, Donna, Karen and Louise. In the previous two series, episodes have mined some pretty dark areas for a sitcom (think  Sex and the City  as conceived by Joe Orton), including suicide attempts, copious drug abuse, stalkers, flashers and feline euthanasia. The final episode continued in the same vein, with themes of obsessive love (Louise returns from abroad several pounds lighter but burdened with an unwanted partner, whom she discovers she prefers comatose to conscious), terminal illness (Karen’s ex Billy reveals he has cancer and wants to go swimming with dolphins before he dies) and domestic abuse...