The Comeback, Clash of the Superpowers; Just One Thing

“Once again, The Comeback’s brand of satire couldn’t be more on point, but more earnest than I remember it. The two writers hanging around How’s That?! as a fig leaf don’t want to contribute any jokes because they don’t want “to teach AI how to be better”. Later a showrunner says: “I thought reality TV was coming for us, but AI? F***ing scary.” And most pointedly of all, the sitcom legend James Burrows (director of Cheers, Frasier etc) is here making a heartfelt speech to Valerie — although it may as well be direct to camera — about the importance of real writers (“Those broken, beautiful souls are what makes something great”).”
James Jackson, The Times

“The Comeback nails the minutiae of the showbiz world, from a precarious golf cart drive around a studio lot, brilliantly soundtracked by Doechii’s “Anxiety”, to an array of pitch-perfect faux-show titles (“Cherish The Time”, “Finance Dudes”). It’s proof that, contrary to popular belief, Kudrow’s true comic genius lies far away from Central Perk.”
Jon O’Brien, The i

“Clash of the Superpowers is in different territory to its predecessors. It’s a Donald Trump show. Anything involving Trump becomes a discussion about Trump, and any discussion about Trump becomes a game where everyone else has the hopeless task of second-guessing his caprices and trying to gauge his motivations, all of which are likely to turn out worse than anyone could bring themselves to believe. [Norma] Percy’s films are usually nuanced dramas of manners, with bigwigs from different countries exploiting minor personal weaknesses to achieve big results; Trump staggers in and vomits all over that. Yet, this is Trump in his first term, a leader who by 2026 standards is harmless and quaint. The end of the world is never nigh. It’s less than 10 years ago, but feels so much longer.”
Jack Seale, The Guardian

“Just One Thing was the brainchild of the late Dr Michael Mosley, an evangelist for all kinds of quick health fixes and lifestyle changes, from 24-hour fasts to ice baths. Michael died while on holiday in 2024. The BBC, quite rightly, wants to continue his legacy, but this new daily half-hour show misses half the point. It isn’t enough to offer us advice. Michael Mosley was a compelling presenter because whatever he preached, he tackled himself. Clive [Myrie] was keen to lecture us on the benefits of eating oily fish three times a week, but Michael would have wolfed a tin of sardines before he reached the checkout, and then tucked into kippers for breakfast, pickled herring for lunch and anchovies on toast for tea.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail