First things first. I love Charlie Brooker. I think he is witty, likable and quite charming (despite his angry, misanthropic way - it's all an act!). He is also, nine times out of ten, absolutely spot on when it comes to "giving an opinion".
Okay, he's had his fair share of "Oh, he didn't say that, did he?" moments (Not least the wholly over-exaggerated "let's assassinate Bush" non-story that earned him death threats from all corners of the world!) But that's what he does. If you've never had the joyous pleasure of reading his Guardian newspaper columns or seeing any of his "-wipe" TV shows (a kind of dissection of TV and News reports, bringing the more hypocritical, unbelievable aspects to our attention) then I urge you to seek them out.
Yes, a very competent critical journalist he is, with a surprisingly, admirably strong moral standpoint! But he's also a pretty damn good writer too! Anyone remember Nathan Barley (Channel 4) - the under-the-radar masterpiece about a twenty-something upper-middle-class buffoon carving a sickening track through London pop-culture-journalism?
It was amazing! Brooker co-wrote that with Chris Morris! And that Brass Eye Special, he was on the writing board for that too! And Dead Set (E4) - zombies in the Big Brother house?! Him! He's awesome! He should write more stuff. His words just pour off the page and dance about looking glum. Brilliantly cynical and strangely touching.
BUT! He's not just a good journalist and a good writer! No, no! He's also a pretty damn good TV Game/Chat/Panel Show host! Which is why I'm very excited about the return of Channel 4's awesomely hysterical, sometimes tasteless "You Have Been Watching". It's a bit like a cross between "Newsnight Review" and "TellyAddicts" - although that's not giving it the credit it deserves. It stars again on April 15th at 10pm on Channel 4. I urge - no, BEG - you all to tune in! If you don't laugh until your pancreas bleeds then I will eat my cat... HAT! Eat my HAT!...
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