February 15, 2009 - Express.co.uk - Anthony Head (UTHER PENDRAGON) - new foul comedy "Free Agents"

Is this the foulest 'comedy' ever?

TV watchdog Ofcom is preparing for a wave of complaints this week over the shocking language used in a Channel 4 sitcom.

By: David Stephenson and Neil Hughes

Published: Sun, February 15, 2009

BLUNT SPEAKERS: Agents Sharon Horgan, Stephen Mangan and Anthony Head

The c-word featured three times in the new comedy, Free Agents, first aired last Friday.
Actor Anthony Head plays the head of a talent agency in the six-part series, written by Chris Niel and described as a caustic romantic comedy.
Head, who became famous in the cult show Buffy The Vampire Slayer, said: “Free Agents is a very adult show but it is very ­funny, and I get to say words I’ve never said on ­television before. It’s very ­liberating.”

In the first few minutes, Head’s character Stephen Cauldwell said: “Good morning, my dear c***s.” The f-word also featured 22 times in the half-hour episode.

Mediawatch spokesman John Beyer said: “The obscene language in this programme is appalling by any standard. It shows a disregard of public concern that is completely unacceptable from a public service broadcaster.
 

“We invite readers to sign our Stop Swearing on TV online petition to the Prime Minister and we call again on the regulator, ­Ofcom, to rewrite the terms of its Broadcasting Code so that offensive language of this sort and ­intensity attracts substantial fin­ancial penalties.” An Ofcom spokesman said: “All TV stations must abide by our Broadcasting Code.”

The content of the show is bound to ­offend viewers, with the ­female lead played by Sharon Horgan, the sister of Irish rugby star Shane Horgan, “celebrating” the anniversary of her boyfriend’s death by sleeping with her colleague Alex (Stephen ­Mangan).
 

ITV has also recently received complaints about the drama Trial And Retribution, where the f-word was used frequently throughout an episode just two weeks ago ­despite boss Michael Grade’s ­attack on the “indiscriminate” use of bad language on the channel.

An ITV spokesman said: “We constantly keep public concerns about language under review and are mindful of the regulatory requirements to observe generally accepted standards. Language is always given careful consideration in terms of editorial context.”

Decmber 22, 2012 - Hyable - Anthony Head & Richard Wilson Film & TV Projects

Richard Wilson

One Foot in the Grave (1990-2000)

Surely you didn’t believe that we wouldn’t mention this one?! Hahahaaa… Yeah, all right, that one might be getting a bit old, but there’s a reason people can’t stop quoting him! Richard Wilson’s One Foot in the Grave character Victor Meldrew is one of the most iconic personalities in the history of British comedy, and his catchphrase “I don’t believe it!” still gets repeated even 12 years after the show ended. Can you believe it? (Okay, we’ll stop.)

Under the Hammer (1993)

Why did we pick this seemingly random series? Because Under the Hammer is so incredibly, unbelievably British, nothing like the self-conscious, excessively sexualised kitchen sink black comedies of recent years. This show is funny, yes, and pokes fun at the upper-class auction house business (of all things, right?), but it is also just a little slice of old school Britain. A perfect little series to give you an idea of Wilson’s extensive career.

Doctor Who (2005)

Considering this British legend’s epic CV, it might seem strange to include a one-off appearance on Doctor Who, but if you for some reason aren’t yet into this series, wanting just a bit more Gaius in your life might be the perfect reason to start! Wilson appears in one of the most famous New Who episodes, the series 1 two-parter “The Empty Child”/”The Doctor Dances,” as the wonderful character Doctor Constantine – and if you like Merlin, you’ll love Doctor Who, so you have no excuse not to check it out! Watch out though, this episode is way creepier than Merlin ever was.

Anthony Stewart Head

Nescafe Gold Blend (1987-1993)

We try to include the “origin roles” for each actor if we can, so while Head has done a number of amazing, epic movies and shows, we’ve chosen a series of coffee commercials for the third spot. Yep, that’s right. Often named as one of the most iconic advertisements of all time, the Nescafe Gold Blend (Taster’s Choice in America) series not only sold a hell of a lot of coffee, but also launched Anthony Stewart Head’s career. The commercials, which put together are like a little movie, show Head’s character slowly fall in love with Sharon Maughan. It’s a beautiful will they/won’t they love story, and hey, it’s not like product placement doesn’t happen in actual shows, right?!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2004)

Tony Head was great as Uther. But nothing, nothing will ever beat Giles. We love Giles. We want to take Giles home and let him live in our local library so he can help us fight our (metaphorical and literal) demons and generally make the world a better place. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is fully deserving of its status as one of the most iconic genre shows of all time – it’s got heart, humour, drama, angst, and it manages to walk that fine line of putting the characters through hell while never taking itself too seriously. If you like Merlin, you’ll need to check out this show for sure. Especially if you found yourself wishing that Uther could have been nicer – because when he’s reincarnated as Giles, he is everything to Buffy you wish he could have been to Arthur.

Free Agents (2009)

The American reboot might not have been a success, but the original British Free Agents comedy is brilliant (though it’s only six episodes long)! Head stars as Stephen Cauldwell, the sex-obsessed and totally off the wall boss of the main character (Stephen Mangan), and it’s completely different from Giles, Uther, or any other role you could imagine Tony Head in. Seriously, watch it, and cringe and/or laugh so hard you cry. (And once you’re done with this, check out Little Britain.)