TV Forum favourite Charlie Brooker has sadly confirmed that this year will not have his usual review of the year which has been a staple of BBC Two's Christmas schedules since 2009, and as part of his Screenwipe series on BBC Four since 2006.
After avidly waiting for 2016 Wipe last year given the massive news stories that had hit last year and seeing Charlie's take on it, its a shame that Charlie had run out of time to do a 2017 Wipe. It is understandable given his busy schedules and career now in the USA.
There's still going to be a big Charlie-shaped hole in my Christmas TV highlights this year however!
I've been a fan of his Wipe series since I was first introduced to it in a Media Studies class, and since then, I've felt a little sad that he's abandoned it in favour of more roles behind the camera. Whether or not he consciously wanted to let go of it is something up for debate, especially considering the growing prominence of Diane Morgan in the later yearly Wipes. As great a writer as he is, and even though the raw Wipe quality took a downturn when it transferred to BBC Two, his onscreen work is something I'm missing a lot... especially when he was arguably the best thing about 10 O'Clock Live.
shame but not a total disaster as the article suggests Philomena Cunk will be back next year (following on Cunk on Shakespeare, Cunk on Christmas and her fabulous "Moments of Wonder" mini-series in previous Wipe episodes) and she now seems set to ultimately rack up more screen time than the series that created her in the first place.
I’m pretty disappointed as the end of year Wipe has been my comedy highlight of the Christmas season for several years now, and I don’t like the Cunk character or sketches. I understand how busy he is these days though.
A real shame. I wonder if he will do it after Christmas when he gets time or if we're just gonna have to wait until this time next year to enjoy another Wipe? This year was ripe for the picking too with Trump and Brexit.
To be honest, I think he would have an uphill struggle trying to make something funny this year, considering most of what has happened in the news has been horrific and hard to make light of. Terrorist attacks, sexual assault allegations, everything Trump has ever done. Even last year, his main shtick for the whole thing was that he was completely depressed at the whole year. It would seem somehow inappropriate to stick Barry S**tpeas straight after a clip of Terrorist attacks.
