Charlie reviews Sunday night period dramas Mr Selfridge, Ripper Street and Call the Midwife, takes a look at the week's headlines including the situation in Mali, and picks his way through the very worst that television advertising has to offer. Doug Stanhope casts his eye over America's healthcare system and its television doctors, while comedian Bob Mortimer and journalist Camilla Long review Hitchcock, the biopic starring Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren, and take a look at forthcoming first-person slasher Maniac.
Charlie casts his satirical eye over the stories which have been dominating the headlines, including the horsemeat scandal and same-sex marriage, and is joined by comedians Richard Herring and Tony Law to discuss dating shows Take Me Out, The Love Machine, Sing Date and The Choice. Plus a Valentine's Day poem from Tim Key, internet comments, terrible adverts, and cultural commentators Barry and Philomena take a look at Bruce Willis on The One Show and the discovery of Richard III.
It has been a busy week, with the pope's surprise resignation, the manhunt for an ex-Los Angeles policeman Christopher Dorner coming to an end, meteorites striking central Russia and the horsemeat scandal continuing to grow. Peep Show writer Jesse Armstrong and comedian Isy Suttie review the DVD release of Skyfall, the latest James Bond film, and Charlie looks at the way women are portayed by the tabloid press. Plus, media absorbists Barry and Philomena ponder the Wonders of Life, Tim Key reads a poem about asteroids and Doug Stanhope looks at the nasty characters on reality television.
In the news, Oscar Pistorius was judged by the world's press without actually going to trial yet, Hilary Mantel's comments about the Duchess of Cambridge caused outrage without anyone actually reading them and Sony unveiled the PlayStation 4 without showing anyone what it will actually look like. Charlie looks back at yet another thrilling night at the Brit Awards and casts his eye over two new cookery shows, Simon Cowell's Food Glorious Food and the American reality series The Taste. Plus, Philomena and Barry examine the popular internet dance meme The Harlem Shake, Doug Stanhope explains why he enjoys tasteless jokes on Twitter and Charlie is joined by some rather familiar-looking guests to review new film Cloud Atlas. All that, and a look at the advantages of painting a wall bright pink.
Charlie Brooker and guests brighten the depressing post-Christmas gloom as they squeeze a little laughter from a comically absurd world. There are the usual mix of guests including Doug Stanhope and a few new surprises, which is why you really shouldn't miss it. So don't set your recording devices and just tune your eyeballs in instead.
This week, Charlie looks at political sex scandals on both sides of the English Channel and examines the unorthodox tastes of a couple on This Morning. There are also reviews of Scandinavian crime drama The Bridge and reality cookery series The Taste. Meanwhile, Limmy tries to work out which way to vote in the Scottish independence referendum, Jake Yapp compresses an episode of Sunday Brunch down to 99 seconds and American misanthrope Doug Stanhope bemoans the youth of today. Plus, in the latest episode of Moments of Wonder, professional ponderer Philomena Cunk explains the theory of evolution.
On the show this week, the latest exploits of young whippersnapper Justin Bieber, a look at winter sports reality series The Jump, so-called Twitter 'trolls' and some wet toilet paper. Plus, Jake Yapp squeezes an entire episode of Take Me Out down to 94 seconds, Doug Stanhope looks at Discovery Channel's Skywire Live and asks why nobody is interested in his own death-defying acts, and Philomena Cunk explores the world of computers and asks what videogamers did before they were invented.
Subjects on the agenda include gay rights and the Winter Olympics, Angry Birds becoming embroiled in the NSA spying row and Scarlett Johansson's controversial Super Bowl commercial. Plus, Limmy asks if Big Brother is watching him, while cupcake blogger and talking head Philomena Cunk explores another Moment of Wonder, this time looking at the world of money.
In the first of a new series, Charlie Brooker and guests attempt to wring a laugh out of the dark and depressing start to 2015 as they cast their eyes over everything that has generally caused a stir over the first few weeks of the year. Charlie looks at the reaction to the terrorist attacks in Paris, vlogging sensation Zeb has the lowdown on freedom of speech, Philomena Cunk finds out all about Winston Churchill and Cassetteboy meddle with an episode of Top Gear. There is also a look at Get Your Act Together, Wolf Hall, Page 3, the Russian military's cyborg biker and the Microsoft HoloLens.
Charlie counts down to the 2015 general election as excitement builds on the news channels and arguments rage over televised debates. He also takes a look at Channel 5 reality TV show 10,000 BC, uncovers the sinister side of talking doll My Friend Cayla and campaigns on behalf of soon-to-be-evicted diplodocus Dippy. There is also an examination of the mysteries of Broadchurch series two, Jake Yapp distils The One Show down to 84 seconds, 'Russell Brand' reveals the truth behind advertising and Philomena Cunk ponders philosophy.
Charlie Brooker runs through the chart climbers, fallers and new entries with a look at the top 40 things to be worried about this week, featuring all the biggest hits from artificial intelligence to fracking. Jake Yapp compresses talent show The Voice down to 105 seconds and Philomena Cunk takes a moment to wonder about climate change.
The writer and broadcaster takes a satirical look back at the events of the past year, casting his eye over the news, film, TV and social media. Among the stories he reflects on are the ice-bucket challenge craze, the rise and fall of Dapper laughs and the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Featuring contributions by Diane Morgan, Al Campbell, Adam Curtis and Cassetteboy.
As the nation prepares to take to the polling stations, Charlie Brooker's Election Wipe will bring viewers a summary of the good, the bad and the inevitable ugliness of the election campaign. In effect, Brooker will follow it so everyone else doesn't have to. From cringeworthy bacon-sandwich related fails to TV debate triumphs, Charlie will despair, digest and digress over it all. But he won't be doing it on his own. Alongside comedian Morgana Robinson, Weekly Wipe's Philomena Cunk and Barry Shitpeas will impart their unique perspective on the politics, propaganda and party plans the nation is set to have rammed down its throat.
Charlie Brooker is back for his annual review of the year to pick over the bones of 2015's news and cultural events. A year which saw the beginning of Corbyn-mania and a Tory majority and the end of Page Three and Cecil the Lion. Tackling the terrifying truth of the past 12 months as well as the more bizarre news stories, TV shows and general phenomena, Charlie's joined by brilliant guests including comedian Doug Stanhope and the ever insightful Philomena Cunk. It is basically like the Queen's speech but funnier, longer and contains adult humour.
In this one-off special, Charlie Brooker returns to our screens for the first time since his Bafta-winning 2016 Wipe to take a look at life under lockdown. As well as coverage of the crisis itself, Charlie also explores what the public have been watching to while away the hours. Guest contributors joining him, from a safe distance, include the ever-insightful Philomena Cunk and Barry Shitpeas.