Bull (2015 TV series)

Bull is a British television sitcom created and written by Gareth Gwynn and John-Luke Roberts, who adapted it for television from their radio pilot, Antiquity.[2]

Bull
Promotional image released in anticipation of the series' broadcast, from left to right: Naz Osmanoglu (Toby), Maureen Lipman (Beverley Bull), Claudia Jessie (Faye), and Robert Lindsay (Rupert Bull)
GenreSituation comedy
Created byGareth Gwynn
John-Luke Roberts
Based onAntiquity
by Gareth Gwynn and John-Luke Roberts
Written byGareth Gwynn
John-Luke Roberts
Directed bySimon Gibney
Starring
ComposerStephen Coates
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producersLayla Smith
Paul Jackson
Simon Lupton
Matt Lucas[1]
ProducerJack Cheshire
Production locationsPinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, England
EditorJames Cooper
Running time30 minutes
Production companyJohn Stanley Productions
Release
Original networkGold
Original release21 October (2015-10-21) 
4 November 2015 (2015-11-04)

The show stars well-known comic actors Robert Lindsay and Maureen Lipman as the eponymous siblings and antiques shop owners Rupert and Beverley Bull, around whom the programme centres, alongside Claudia Jessie and Naz Osmanoglu as their hapless staff-members Faye and Toby respectively.

Cast

Production

Bull was one of three sitcoms, alongside Marley's Ghosts and Henry IX, announced by UKTV on 28 May 2015, and was initially slated for broadcast in late 2015 or early 2016.[3][4]

The show was created by writers Gareth Gwynn and John-Luke Roberts, who adapted it from their 2010 Radio 4 pilot, Antiquity, which had starred Tim McInnerny as Rupert Bull.[3]

Screenings at which a laughter track was recorded for the programme took place before a studio audience between 4 September, and 10 September 2015.[5]

Broadcast and reception

Bull was well received by viewers; the show currently holds a 9.8/10 rating on TVGuide.co.uk,[6]

Critical reception

Bull received highly positive reviews from critics, with particular praise reserved for Robert Lindsay's performance.

Reviewing for the Independent, Sally Newall wrote the series "left [her] wanting more", singling out for particular praise Matt Lucas' "scene-stealing" guest turn, and the performances of leads Lindsay and Lipman, who were a "treat to watch". She also praised the plotting as "unpredictable and illogical", to her a sign of "good surreal comedy".[7] Writing for Beyond the Joke, Bruce Dessau acclaimed the series as "endearingly, instantly classic", again singling out Lindsay for particular praise as "his pedigree is second to none". He also praised an "elaborate knockabout visual gag", which opened the first episode, as "So brilliant, in fact that they shamelessly do it twice".[8]

References

  1. Earnshaw, Jessica (July 23, 2015). "Robert Lindsay and Maureen Lipman to star in new antiques shop sitcom Bull". Daily Express. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  2. Eames, Tom (July 23, 2015). "Robert Lindsay is returning to sitcoms in Gold's new antiques shop comedy Bull". Digital Spy. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  3. "UKTV Gold orders studio audience sitcom Bull". comedy.co.uk. British Comedy Guide. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  4. Earnshaw, Jessica (23 July 2015). "Robert Lindsay and Maureen Lipman to star in new antiques shop sitcom Bull". express.co.uk. Daily Express. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  5. "Bull: Production Details". comedy.co.uk. British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  6. "Bull". tvguide.co.uk. TVGuide.co.uk. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  7. Newall, Sally (21 October 2015). "Bull, TV review: Maureen Lipman and Robert Lindsay flourish on Gold". independent.co.uk. The Independent. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  8. Dessau, Bruce (18 October 2015). "TV:Bull, Gold". beyondthejoke.co.uk. Beyond the Joke. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
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