Much Ado About Nothing: backstage for NT Live – in pictures
We joined rehearsals for the National Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s comedy starring Katherine Parkinson before its live broadcast to UK cinemas on 8 September
July 2022
The week in theatre: Much Ado About Nothing; Jack Absolute Flies Again; Crazy for You
Much Ado About Nothing review – screwball Shakespeare goes with a swing
May 2022
‘We were always trying to push boundaries’: Jim Howick on breaking taboos, coping with life and the joy of dogs
TV review
Spreadsheet review – Katherine Parkinson’s sex sitcom does not belong in 2022
TV tonight
TV tonight: Katherine Parkinson wants commitment-free sex in new dating drama
TV tonight
TV tonight: Love Life’s second season is even funnier than the first
April 2022
TV tonight
TV tonight: Alison Steadman is an interfering grandma in new BBC sitcom
Katherine Parkinson also navigates life’s everyday mundanities in Here We Go. Plus: Not Going Out heads to the woods in search of drugs. Here’s what to watch this evening
March 2022
Catherine Tate’s The Nan Movie: when sketch characters run out of road
The Nan Movie review – brutally unfunny outing for Catherine Tate’s sweary old lady
June 2021
Lack of support for theatre is to discourage dissent, says top playwright
Laura Wade, writer of Posh and Home, I’m Darling, criticises government’s attitude to industry as unions fight cuts to performing arts degrees
April 2021
The funniest thing
Katherine Parkinson: 'I dreamed I was riding a dog – it was quite beautiful'
The Bafta award-winning comedy actor and The IT Crowd star on the things that make her laugh the most
March 2021
'Reinvent the macarena': Taskmaster's Alex Horne sets us four fiendish new challenges
The smash Channel 4 show returns for its 11th season this week. To mark the occasion, the show’s assistant set our writer four challenges to fulfil – is he up to the task?
December 2020
Observer TV reviews
The week in TV: Taskmaster; Dementia Choir at Christmas; The Year That Changed Love; Nadiya's American Adventure
An unmissable comedy challenge, a gentle spotlight on people with dementia, and Nadiya warms up America
October 2020
TV review
Taskmaster review – a delightfully daft diversion from the world
‘Rage, clumsiness and brains’: the joy of Taskmaster, TV's funniest show
September 2020
The Q&A
Katherine Parkinson: 'I bought a Chanel dress with my first proper paycheck. It's hideous'
The actor on learning ancient Greek from scratch, missing out on MI5 and the book that changed her life
March 2020
Shoe Lady review – Katherine Parkinson's off-kilter commuter delights
Observer New Review Q&A
Katherine Parkinson: ‘Felicity Kendal’s wellies are big ones to fill’
January 2020
Katherine Parkinson to take on Felicity Kendal's role in The Good Life on stage
The IT Crowd actor will star as the green-living Barbara in a stage adaptation of the popular 70s sitcom