Charlie Brooker
Charlie Brooker; Guardian columnist, host and general TV know-it-all
He’s the star of BBC Four’s Screewipe, author of three books, and a sarcastic Guardian columnist that has reviewed TV and given his views on general life around him for a living and got away with it for several years. He hates children, the general public annoy him, and he’s friends with Aisleyene from Big Brother. He is my idol and comedy writing legend, Charlie Brooker.
Although not one of the most famous people I’ve ever blogged about, Brooker still has a long list of achievements to date and has recently been voted one of Shortlist’s most funniest men amongst Knocked Up creator Judd Apatow , Chris Rock, Michael McIntyre and previous blog mention Stewart Lee.
To anyone that is unfamiliar with Brooker’s humour, it’s sarcastic, satirical, occasionally hate-filled depending on the topic (just don’t mention kids or the X Factor and you’re generally ok though), but always bloody hilarious.
He has also written and hosted the review-like show Screenwipe (about TV), Newswipe (about news, both here and internationally) and Gameswipe (you get the idea). Filmed in his own lounge, and often based on his Guardian columns, it was initially put into a late-night slot. However, Brooker soon moved up in the schedules to an almost prime time evening slot, where he was noticed more and started to gain cult status amongst fans. Check out this classic clip from Screenwipe and you’ll get the general idea.
The show is split into two sections, the first analysing TV, with the second half acting as a comic insider into the work that goes into television, with other comedians often giving “expert opinions” or talking about their views on certain genres of shows. Insider topics have included reality show editing, explaining genres of game, and TV budgeting. Below is an example.
As well as being a host of BBC4 shows, he also fronts the panel show, You Have Been Watching on Channel Four which openly
Brooker's second (and best) book
analyzes, criticises and celebrates everything that is television, (basically Never Mind the Buzzcocks, but about TV.) I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this being filmed in front of my very eyes, and they have over three hours of material to edit into a 45 minute show, and I have no idea how they do it, as every thing I saw was worthy of inclusion. Brooker drops his grumpy act for Channel Four, and becomes a witty, more upbeat host, but always remains equally funny. Below is a clip.
But he’s so much more than TV host, he’s also an incredible writer. As well as his BAFTA nominated zombie drama Dead Set, (based in the Big Brother house, and featuring a cameo from Davina Mccall) and he’s also co-written episodes of Brass Eye,as well as sitcom Nathan Barley.
But don’t take my (slightly biased) opinion as fact, Brooker has also been recognised for his work winning a BAFTA nomination for Dead Set , winning Columnist of the Year at the 2009 British Press Awards for work for the Guardian and Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards in 2009
So what’s next for Brooker? Well he has recently started recording a radio show for Radio 4 called So Wrong It’s Right, where he gets comics such as Tom Basden, Josie Long and Lee Mack to celebrate the joy of failure.Not bad for a guy who has made a living out of watching TV.
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