Good Morning,
Another day – another lockdown in England. Hey ho. We have been here before. So let’s dig deep and remember we are global and highly flexible and think internationally.
Production is allowed to continue in the UK as well as many parts of the planet so, as far as we are concerned, it is business as usual.
To give us all a lift, here are a selection of reviews from Argonon’s Holiday offerings. Our PR Rich Turner pulled together some of the best:
WORZEL GUMMIDGE: SAUCY NANCY (24th DEC)
The i
“The film itself was gorgeous…evoking the endless drowse of August afternoons. Like Sherlock and Doctor Who, Worzel Gummidge has mastered the art of imbuing the contemporary, recognisable world with the feel of a classic. There were originally supposed to be two episodes for us this Christmas, unfortunately the second was a casualty of the pandemic. Affectionate, decidedly nostalgic, but never straying into anything approaching cloying sentimentality, this first was a televisual tonic – let’s hope production begins again soon; goodness knows, we need it.”
“Worzel Gummidge is a celebration of the days when children could play out all day, carefree…you could feel the care and attention that went into crafting the episode”
Telegraph
“Mackenzie Crook’s whimsical adaptation returns with another tremendous one-off. Like taking a long, relaxing bath in pure kindness, Worzel Gummidge leaves the viewer with a smile on their face and their heart full – with only a slight bittersweetness lingering as the credits roll, as we’re left wondering when we’ll get to see Worzel and friends again. More please, BBC One – and as soon as humanly (or scarecrow-ly) possible.”
Radio Times
“…this was storytelling as rich and abundant as a late-summer hedgerow. In the bleakest midwinter it was magic, enchantment preserved.”
The Times
THE MASKED SINGER (26th DEC)
“The secret to The Masked Singer’s alchemy is its sheer ridiculousness…The Masked Singer feels a lot like a throwback to the traditional TV gameshow, one suited for the whole family. It doesn’t take itself seriously (at all) and there’s a pleasing sense of chaos to the whole thing. The Masked Singer is fun and colourful and enough to be just the tonic.”
The i
“Once this joyous absurdity is seen, it can never be forgotten”
The Times
“The world’s weirdest but most strangely entertaining show returns. The judging panel benefits from…the actually funny Mo Gilligan…a large part of the charm is driven by Gilligan’s wide-eyed bemusement at the madness surrounding him.”
Telegraph
“Here’s a welcome return. The world’s weirdest but most addictive guessing game is back for a second series. Crackers, but so joyful”
The Sun
“How cunning of ITV to air a new series of the biggest entertainment show of 2020 right in the middle of the festive season just when we all need this kind of unashamedly kitsch fun. Wonderful and wild… if ever there were a time we needed a true injection of silliness it’s now. So thank goodness it’s back on our screens.”
Heat
“The bonkers yet highly entertaining talent contest returns… bring on the craziness”
Closer
THE ROYAL INSTITUTION CHRISTMAS LECTURES (28-30th DEC)
“Tara Shine inspires children with examples of how to help the planet”
The i
“Chris Jackson on his historic Royal Institution lecture – the professor becomes the first black scientist to give a RI Christmas lecture”
Sunday Times
“It’s important to get kids interested in science – particularly the science behind climate change, which could have a profound impact on their lives. And that’s where The Royal Institution (RI) Christmas Lectures come in.”
Irish Times
“’I want to generate opportunities for black scientists’ – UK geoscientist Christopher Jackson will be the first black researcher to deliver a Christmas lecture at the Royal Institution of Great Britain.”
Nature
Radio Times
“Shifting the lectures from their traditional Boxing Day slot this year is understandable when you realise they have three presenters, and they’re offering no less than a complete guide to living on planet Earth… Earth is often described as a “Goldilocks” planet, and these lectures are just perfect for curious minds.”
DISPATCHES – CAN YOU BELIEVE YOUR EYES? (28th DEC)
“As some deepfakes can look very realistic, the fear is they can be used to spread misinformation or fake news. Videos can be created that appear to show people saying or doing things they did not really say or do. Concerns were raised about the technology being used in the world of politics for dishonest purposes. There is also a documentary on Channel 4 which will further explore the world of deepfakes, and their growing uses in today’s world, led by Dispatches Reporter Morland Sanderson.”
The i
“Channel 4’s Dispatches investigates the rise of synthetic media in Deep Fakes: Can You Trust Your Eyes? and finds 60,000 new videos were found in 2020 alone, with victims ranging from politicians to celebrities”
Daily Star
“This is part of a series of programmes examining the spread of misinformation and a Dispatches documentary, Deepfakes: Can You Believe Your Eyes, will further explore the emergence of deepfake technology on 28th December on Channel 4.”
Daily Mirror
“Dispatches investigates the world of internet deepfakes and their effect on the lives of people as well as whole nations – from embarrassing famous figures to influencing elections”
Radio Times
Congratulations to everyone who contributed to these programmes in front of and behind the camera.
And now let’s embrace 2021 and create some magic!
James Burstall
Argonon CEO