I've been carefully avoiding all stories about The Riches (the series with Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver trying to con their way into suburbia) because I so loved the first series that I wanted to be unspoilt for the second. However, the show's not yet been renewed for a third series in the US and according to this story, its showrunners seem to be moving on. What a disappointment! I hope they managed to at least wrap things up well at the end of the second series, then.
New cast member for Primeval (seriously, Douglas Henshall, get out of there too).
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Last Night's Telly: 31/7/08 - Lost Land Of The Jaguar/Dangerous Jobs For Girls
Lost Land Of The Jaguar, BBC1
Dangerous Jobs For Girls, Channel 4
The camera panned a river then plunged down a spectacular waterfall: as programme openings go, it was a good one. "If you think the whole world has been explored – think again," declared the narrator, promising that Lost Land Of The Jaguar would reveal wonders unseen even by David Attenborough.
This highly enjoyable nature documentary series certainly delivered, bringing not only glimpses of tiny frogs, giant otters and spindly spiders but also gorgeous scenery from the largest unspoilt rainforest left on earth. The premise involves four naturalists boldly going where few have gone before, on a mission to discover as much amazing stuff as possible to help those trying to save it from becoming the largest former rainforest logging site on earth.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Dangerous Jobs For Girls, Channel 4
The camera panned a river then plunged down a spectacular waterfall: as programme openings go, it was a good one. "If you think the whole world has been explored – think again," declared the narrator, promising that Lost Land Of The Jaguar would reveal wonders unseen even by David Attenborough.
This highly enjoyable nature documentary series certainly delivered, bringing not only glimpses of tiny frogs, giant otters and spindly spiders but also gorgeous scenery from the largest unspoilt rainforest left on earth. The premise involves four naturalists boldly going where few have gone before, on a mission to discover as much amazing stuff as possible to help those trying to save it from becoming the largest former rainforest logging site on earth.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Telly News: 30/7/08
Scottish Gold channel planned. I really can't imagine what, besides Taggart and classic football games, will form the backbone of this channel. There simply isn't enough homegrown programmes of quality (does anyone really want to watch old High Road episodes? Or The Best Of The One O'Clock Gang?). That said, I do have one suggestion if they do go ahead for a series it would be good to see again - 80s teen drama Maggie.
Marco Pierre White unpopular with viewers? I certainly didn't take to him.
I thought this headline was ironic: Reality TV Stars React To The Los Angeles Quake ... but it doesn't seem to be! (The US BB House is on a sound stage? Do they have Truman Show-style fake sunsets?)
The sweet-faced Gretchen Mol is to play Annie, in the latest news from the US remake of Life On Mars.
Buffy's Amber Benson has made a TV ad supporting Barack Obama. I've got a feeling ... it could be bunnies.
Marco Pierre White unpopular with viewers? I certainly didn't take to him.
I thought this headline was ironic: Reality TV Stars React To The Los Angeles Quake ... but it doesn't seem to be! (The US BB House is on a sound stage? Do they have Truman Show-style fake sunsets?)
The sweet-faced Gretchen Mol is to play Annie, in the latest news from the US remake of Life On Mars.
Buffy's Amber Benson has made a TV ad supporting Barack Obama. I've got a feeling ... it could be bunnies.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Last Night's Telly: 29/7/08 - When Beauty Goes Wrong / Banged Up
When Beauty Goes Wrong, BBC3
Banged Up, Five
A women’s magazine article brought to life, When Beauty Goes Wrong was enlivened by Konnie Huq with an impressively convincing array of horrified exclamations when listening to tales of beauty disasters they’d done earlier. “No way!” “You didn’t!” “Stop it!” “Ewww!”
In fact, “ewww”, that most useful of modern onomatopoeic coinages, would have served as a perfectly suitable alternate title for this over-long documentary. Look at that woman’s face/that man’s nose/that girl’s tongue/that woman’s eyes – ewww! Everyone knows what these programmes are really for – to gasp in glee at the nasty residue of vanity gone vile, with as many gory photographs of the results as possible.
Really, they should just show the pictures, over a soundtrack of canned laughter or maybe a comedian making sarcastic comments. But no, that would be too downmarket for the BBC, so poor Konnie had to intersperse her “Ooh yuk!” comments with a pseudo-investigation of the various pitfalls in various unrelated treatments.
Some were serious, like the sad case of a young guy in a band who died of an infection after getting a lip ring. And some were, despite the programme’s best efforts, less so, like the woman whose acrylic nails had damaged her real nails. “Could it be a fungal infection?” gasped Konnie (not a phrase she probably used much on Blue Peter). Then there was another woman who gave herself a bad toe by wearing stilettos. “But worse was to come,” warned the narration darkly, as the tragic victim revealed the full horror: “I had to start wearing Crocs!”
Of course, each incident was no doubt unpleasant for those concerned: you couldn’t help but feel sorry for the bride whose dodgy eyelash perm left her eyes so swollen she was unable to see who she was marrying. Luckily, her groom proved he was the right one by rushing her to hospital at 3am on the wedding night.
This random range of everything from face mask farrago (result: reddish skin for a few weeks) to another lip ring infection (result: two strokes, permanent loss of feeling in fingers, years of recovery; note to self, never ever get lip ring) made the show bulge like an over-stuffed make-up bag. Pointless sequences of Konnie informing passing shoppers that straightening their hair is bad for it – duh, really? – or wearing uncomfortable shoes gives you corns, also helped swell to a full hour what should have been a much shorter feature.
And after all that, Konnie’s conclusion was underwhelming: “The pursuit of beauty can be a risky business.” Gosh – or as she would say, “No way!”
Also concluding was Banged Up, Five’s experiment in rehabilitating David Blunkett as a TV personality, with the help of some young bad lads and a dummy prison.
Actually, the former home secretary only appeared briefly to chair a pseudo-parole hearing, lending his stunning lack of charisma and experience to make comments like: “Repeat offending is commonplace,” (perhaps an indication that he’s thinking of returning to politics).
The real stars of this programme were the ex-cons who volunteered to be jail mentors to the young offenders, trying to scare them straight with their own hard-won knowledge. In each case, their trainee cellmates appeared to consider these rough, tough hard men their best friends ever after just a few days.
Two months on, the experiment had worked for all but one of the boys, keeping them out of trouble and real jail so far. But it didn’t do much for the thousands of others, teaching us nothing much about the realities of prison life – and it certainly didn’t do much for Blunkett’s credibility.
This review also appears in today's Scotsman, but due to an error is not available at its website as usual - apologies.
Banged Up, Five
A women’s magazine article brought to life, When Beauty Goes Wrong was enlivened by Konnie Huq with an impressively convincing array of horrified exclamations when listening to tales of beauty disasters they’d done earlier. “No way!” “You didn’t!” “Stop it!” “Ewww!”
In fact, “ewww”, that most useful of modern onomatopoeic coinages, would have served as a perfectly suitable alternate title for this over-long documentary. Look at that woman’s face/that man’s nose/that girl’s tongue/that woman’s eyes – ewww! Everyone knows what these programmes are really for – to gasp in glee at the nasty residue of vanity gone vile, with as many gory photographs of the results as possible.
Really, they should just show the pictures, over a soundtrack of canned laughter or maybe a comedian making sarcastic comments. But no, that would be too downmarket for the BBC, so poor Konnie had to intersperse her “Ooh yuk!” comments with a pseudo-investigation of the various pitfalls in various unrelated treatments.
Some were serious, like the sad case of a young guy in a band who died of an infection after getting a lip ring. And some were, despite the programme’s best efforts, less so, like the woman whose acrylic nails had damaged her real nails. “Could it be a fungal infection?” gasped Konnie (not a phrase she probably used much on Blue Peter). Then there was another woman who gave herself a bad toe by wearing stilettos. “But worse was to come,” warned the narration darkly, as the tragic victim revealed the full horror: “I had to start wearing Crocs!”
Of course, each incident was no doubt unpleasant for those concerned: you couldn’t help but feel sorry for the bride whose dodgy eyelash perm left her eyes so swollen she was unable to see who she was marrying. Luckily, her groom proved he was the right one by rushing her to hospital at 3am on the wedding night.
This random range of everything from face mask farrago (result: reddish skin for a few weeks) to another lip ring infection (result: two strokes, permanent loss of feeling in fingers, years of recovery; note to self, never ever get lip ring) made the show bulge like an over-stuffed make-up bag. Pointless sequences of Konnie informing passing shoppers that straightening their hair is bad for it – duh, really? – or wearing uncomfortable shoes gives you corns, also helped swell to a full hour what should have been a much shorter feature.
And after all that, Konnie’s conclusion was underwhelming: “The pursuit of beauty can be a risky business.” Gosh – or as she would say, “No way!”
Also concluding was Banged Up, Five’s experiment in rehabilitating David Blunkett as a TV personality, with the help of some young bad lads and a dummy prison.
Actually, the former home secretary only appeared briefly to chair a pseudo-parole hearing, lending his stunning lack of charisma and experience to make comments like: “Repeat offending is commonplace,” (perhaps an indication that he’s thinking of returning to politics).
The real stars of this programme were the ex-cons who volunteered to be jail mentors to the young offenders, trying to scare them straight with their own hard-won knowledge. In each case, their trainee cellmates appeared to consider these rough, tough hard men their best friends ever after just a few days.
Two months on, the experiment had worked for all but one of the boys, keeping them out of trouble and real jail so far. But it didn’t do much for the thousands of others, teaching us nothing much about the realities of prison life – and it certainly didn’t do much for Blunkett’s credibility.
This review also appears in today's Scotsman, but due to an error is not available at its website as usual - apologies.
Telly News: 29/7/08
Shia Muslims complain about Channel 4's recent programme on the Qur'an. I'm no expert, but it's a shame as this seemed to be a good season in general.
The Countdown Controversy continues!
Jon Tickle (remember him?) now out of work. Who knew he was still in it!
Broadcasters fighting over Alan Carr? Offering him £3million? I DO NOT get it. He's just a lame Larry Grayson throwback.
The Streets Of San Francisco to be remade? I would suspect the likelihood of this happening depends on the success of the US version of Life On Mars.
The Countdown Controversy continues!
Jon Tickle (remember him?) now out of work. Who knew he was still in it!
Broadcasters fighting over Alan Carr? Offering him £3million? I DO NOT get it. He's just a lame Larry Grayson throwback.
The Streets Of San Francisco to be remade? I would suspect the likelihood of this happening depends on the success of the US version of Life On Mars.
Monday, 28 July 2008
Telly News: 28/7/08
The power of John Barrowman - or possibly the continuing demise of Big Brother: his show The Making Of Me got more viewers.
And now Carol Vorderman is stepping down from Countdown too, claiming she was forced out. Cue the 'running out of time' music ... do do, do do, doodlededoo, doo!
The remake of The Prisoner to be joined by Lennie James and Ruth Wilson - great news, I'd say they are two of the best British TV actors around (though star Jim Caveziel is a bit wooden).
Very interesting (and a bit spoilery) comments on Doctor Who from the panel at Comic Con.
Trailers for the new series of Prison Break: one and two. Oooh!
And speaking of trailers, have you seen this mad one for Holby City?! If only the programme was really like this!
RIP Estelle Getty, Golden Girl. She was only in her early 60s when she played 80-something Sophia, who knew?
And now Carol Vorderman is stepping down from Countdown too, claiming she was forced out. Cue the 'running out of time' music ... do do, do do, doodlededoo, doo!
The remake of The Prisoner to be joined by Lennie James and Ruth Wilson - great news, I'd say they are two of the best British TV actors around (though star Jim Caveziel is a bit wooden).
Very interesting (and a bit spoilery) comments on Doctor Who from the panel at Comic Con.
Trailers for the new series of Prison Break: one and two. Oooh!
And speaking of trailers, have you seen this mad one for Holby City?! If only the programme was really like this!
RIP Estelle Getty, Golden Girl. She was only in her early 60s when she played 80-something Sophia, who knew?
Friday, 25 July 2008
Telly News: 25/7/08
I'm back from my break, with a round-up.
Freema Agyeman WAS apparently going to join Torchwood, but now she's doing Law And Order instead. I'm a little sceptical about this story though, it was never confirmed she was joining Captain Jack's merry band, although the Doctor Who finale certainly gave that impression, and if so surely she would have been under contract by now. And if Law And Order isn't filming till the autumn and Torchwood only has five episodes this year, it could have been made to work if required.
ITV to make more comedy. Well, it's worth a try, eh guys?
And they're also going to remake Bouquet Of Barbed Wire.
David Brentski! Yes, finally a Russian version of The Office. I went to Russia a few years ago and they have the most surreal sense of humour - this could be bizarre. I hope to get to see it (with subtitles) sometime.
Oh wow! So, about the only thing the American remake of Life On Mars had going for it was the fine actor Colin Meaney and they've dumped him. But they've replaced him as Gene Hunt with Harvey Keitel and, sorry Colin, that could actually be amazing. I am actually excited for this now.
The Wire gets great reviews, poor ratings. But this doesn't say anything about British viewers: it's simply because it's on FX. If it were picked up by Channel 4 or even More 4, it would do better. Do you have FX? I don't and neither do most people on Freeview (so I've been watching The Wire on DVD).
Eastenders and Bonekickers, however, have no excuse for falling ratings.
New show for Mrs Soprano, Edie Falco - she can definitely carry it. I thought she was by far the best thing about The Sopranos, though she did show a strange lapse in judgement in dating Nasty Nick from Big Brother for a while.
Rory Bremner to take over Countdown? Bit of a waste, surely?
Interesting new figures about the popularity of documentaries on TV (courtesy of the promoters of the third annual BRITDOC festival at Oxford this week) - 48% of adults regularly watch them, compared to only 4% who see documentaries at the cinema and 10% on DVD. And a third of respondents said they liked TV documentaries as much as fictional dramas. But the survey found many people giving vague 'don't know' or 'neutral' answers, so concludes that documentaries need a makeover.
Well, I think there's some truth in this. Despite that lowish figure, the profile of documentaries at the cinema is fairly high, with films like Fahrenheit 9/11, March Of The Penguins, Touching The Void etc almost as high as any mainstream release and getting more attention than some. Yet on TV, regularly brilliant programmes which are as good as any of those are ignored - the True Stories and Storyville strands throw up many brilliant films which are, I suspect, little seen except by telly reviewers desperate to find something new to write about other than Trinny and Susannah again. They'd never win a mass audience, but they could be better promoted.
Freema Agyeman WAS apparently going to join Torchwood, but now she's doing Law And Order instead. I'm a little sceptical about this story though, it was never confirmed she was joining Captain Jack's merry band, although the Doctor Who finale certainly gave that impression, and if so surely she would have been under contract by now. And if Law And Order isn't filming till the autumn and Torchwood only has five episodes this year, it could have been made to work if required.
ITV to make more comedy. Well, it's worth a try, eh guys?
And they're also going to remake Bouquet Of Barbed Wire.
David Brentski! Yes, finally a Russian version of The Office. I went to Russia a few years ago and they have the most surreal sense of humour - this could be bizarre. I hope to get to see it (with subtitles) sometime.
Oh wow! So, about the only thing the American remake of Life On Mars had going for it was the fine actor Colin Meaney and they've dumped him. But they've replaced him as Gene Hunt with Harvey Keitel and, sorry Colin, that could actually be amazing. I am actually excited for this now.
The Wire gets great reviews, poor ratings. But this doesn't say anything about British viewers: it's simply because it's on FX. If it were picked up by Channel 4 or even More 4, it would do better. Do you have FX? I don't and neither do most people on Freeview (so I've been watching The Wire on DVD).
Eastenders and Bonekickers, however, have no excuse for falling ratings.
New show for Mrs Soprano, Edie Falco - she can definitely carry it. I thought she was by far the best thing about The Sopranos, though she did show a strange lapse in judgement in dating Nasty Nick from Big Brother for a while.
Rory Bremner to take over Countdown? Bit of a waste, surely?
Interesting new figures about the popularity of documentaries on TV (courtesy of the promoters of the third annual BRITDOC festival at Oxford this week) - 48% of adults regularly watch them, compared to only 4% who see documentaries at the cinema and 10% on DVD. And a third of respondents said they liked TV documentaries as much as fictional dramas. But the survey found many people giving vague 'don't know' or 'neutral' answers, so concludes that documentaries need a makeover.
Well, I think there's some truth in this. Despite that lowish figure, the profile of documentaries at the cinema is fairly high, with films like Fahrenheit 9/11, March Of The Penguins, Touching The Void etc almost as high as any mainstream release and getting more attention than some. Yet on TV, regularly brilliant programmes which are as good as any of those are ignored - the True Stories and Storyville strands throw up many brilliant films which are, I suspect, little seen except by telly reviewers desperate to find something new to write about other than Trinny and Susannah again. They'd never win a mass audience, but they could be better promoted.
Saturday, 19 July 2008
This Week's Telly: 19/7/08
Burn Up, Wednesday, BBC1
High Times, Thursday, STV
John Barrowman – The Making Of Me, Thursday, BBC1
It's so much easier when characters introduce themselves properly, don't you think? "You're the shiny new renewables girl." "And you're the sexist dinosaur oil lobbyist, right?" No, he's Josh from The West Wing and she's Neve Campbell from the Scream movies, but pleased to meet you anyway. And who's this? Why, it's Marc Warren, who's "looking for love, scared of commitment" although, as he says, "I sometimes wonder whether my colourful socks make people underestimate me."
Sadly, nominal hero Rupert Penry-Jones doesn't get as good an opening line as Neve or Josh, and therein lies the problem with this big-budget drama series about big oil, global warming and the search for a decent script. A workmanlike leading man, Penry-Jones is saddled with a character, Tom, who is supposedly the CEO of a huge multinational oil corporation, yet is incredibly naïve and a bit of a drip.
To read the full preview, click here:
The Scotsman.
I'll be taking a break from blogging this week, back soon.
High Times, Thursday, STV
John Barrowman – The Making Of Me, Thursday, BBC1
It's so much easier when characters introduce themselves properly, don't you think? "You're the shiny new renewables girl." "And you're the sexist dinosaur oil lobbyist, right?" No, he's Josh from The West Wing and she's Neve Campbell from the Scream movies, but pleased to meet you anyway. And who's this? Why, it's Marc Warren, who's "looking for love, scared of commitment" although, as he says, "I sometimes wonder whether my colourful socks make people underestimate me."
Sadly, nominal hero Rupert Penry-Jones doesn't get as good an opening line as Neve or Josh, and therein lies the problem with this big-budget drama series about big oil, global warming and the search for a decent script. A workmanlike leading man, Penry-Jones is saddled with a character, Tom, who is supposedly the CEO of a huge multinational oil corporation, yet is incredibly naïve and a bit of a drip.
To read the full preview, click here:
The Scotsman.
I'll be taking a break from blogging this week, back soon.
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Last Night's Telly: 17/7/08 - The 30s In Colour/Margo My Right To Die
The Thirties In Colour, BBC4
Margo MacDonald – My Right To Die, BBC1
It's the 1930s, but not as we think we know them. Amateur film maker Rosie Newman didn't just record her travels with an early polychromatic colour camera, she used a rose-tinted lens to film the sunny side of that troubled decade.
The Thirties In Colour is the latest instalment of the BBC's oddly compulsive trawl through the archives of the Edwardian, First World War and Twenties periods.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Margo MacDonald – My Right To Die, BBC1
It's the 1930s, but not as we think we know them. Amateur film maker Rosie Newman didn't just record her travels with an early polychromatic colour camera, she used a rose-tinted lens to film the sunny side of that troubled decade.
The Thirties In Colour is the latest instalment of the BBC's oddly compulsive trawl through the archives of the Edwardian, First World War and Twenties periods.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Telly news: 15/7/08
Oh woez! Katie & Peter's chat show axed. Where will we be able to see Peter Andre's smashing up-to-the-minute impressions of Dr Evil now? Oh, that's right, on one of their many other programmes, I guess.
The TV adaptation of Crash will not be as downbeat as the movie. Or about class or race. So in what way is it an adaptation? It's a puzzler.
"Casual sex, casual drugs, casual murder - what more could you ask for?" says Ash Atalla, describing his forthcoming ITV2 drama, Trinity.
What would you rename the telly channels?
Hints about the next series of The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman: they may be doing Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, but they're definitely not doing each other anymore.
Australia has cancelled their series of Big Brother. We can but hope.
The TV adaptation of Crash will not be as downbeat as the movie. Or about class or race. So in what way is it an adaptation? It's a puzzler.
"Casual sex, casual drugs, casual murder - what more could you ask for?" says Ash Atalla, describing his forthcoming ITV2 drama, Trinity.
What would you rename the telly channels?
Hints about the next series of The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman: they may be doing Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, but they're definitely not doing each other anymore.
Australia has cancelled their series of Big Brother. We can but hope.
Last Night's Telly: 14/7/08 - Sasha Beauty Queen At 11 / Seven Wonders Of The Muslim World
Sasha: Beauty Queen At 11, BBC3
The Seven Wonders Of The Muslim World, Channel 4
Everyone, quick, sharpen your claws and gather round to condemn Jayne Harris! Jayne is a self-confessed former glamour model in Burnley who hopes her 11-year-old daughter will be the next Jordan. She blatantly enters her in beauty contests decked out in enough make-up to restock a small branch of Boots. Clearly the woman – who pathetically seeks reassurance that she still looks the same as in her old pictures – is an Evil Mother living vicariously through her kids, no?
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
The Seven Wonders Of The Muslim World, Channel 4
Everyone, quick, sharpen your claws and gather round to condemn Jayne Harris! Jayne is a self-confessed former glamour model in Burnley who hopes her 11-year-old daughter will be the next Jordan. She blatantly enters her in beauty contests decked out in enough make-up to restock a small branch of Boots. Clearly the woman – who pathetically seeks reassurance that she still looks the same as in her old pictures – is an Evil Mother living vicariously through her kids, no?
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Monday, 14 July 2008
Tonight's Telly: 14/7/08
The Seven Wonders Of The Muslim World, Channel 4 7.50pm
The Qur'an, Channel 4 8pm
Or, everything you ever wanted to know about Islam but were afraid to ask. Two worthy documentaries explaining the faith.
Sasha - Beauty Queen At 11, BBC3 9pm
Sad documentary about a wee girl with too much make-up on.
Check back tomorrow for the full review.
The Qur'an, Channel 4 8pm
Or, everything you ever wanted to know about Islam but were afraid to ask. Two worthy documentaries explaining the faith.
Sasha - Beauty Queen At 11, BBC3 9pm
Sad documentary about a wee girl with too much make-up on.
Check back tomorrow for the full review.
Telly News: 14/7/08
People featured in Channel 4's Personal Services Required are thinking about legal action. And not just because it's a rubbish programme.
Don't tell 'em Pike! Or rather, do tell 'em: Ian Lavender of Dad's Army says there aren't enough family comedies these days.
Echo Beach axed, Moving Wallpaper to return ... from the grave?
Lee called in sick on his first day working for Alan Sugar, Claire the runner-up got a job with Karen Brady, now posho also-ran Raef is working with Richard and Judy.
Don't tell 'em Pike! Or rather, do tell 'em: Ian Lavender of Dad's Army says there aren't enough family comedies these days.
Echo Beach axed, Moving Wallpaper to return ... from the grave?
Lee called in sick on his first day working for Alan Sugar, Claire the runner-up got a job with Karen Brady, now posho also-ran Raef is working with Richard and Judy.
Friday, 11 July 2008
Last Night's Telly: 11/7/08 - Lab Rats / The Hotel Inspector
Lab Rats, BBC2
The Hotel Inspector, Five
When the giant snail appeared, I realised what Lab Rats had been reminding me of: The Goodies. Never very fashionable, the show has rarely been cited as an influence on modern comedians, but I'd be surprised if Chris Addison – Lab Rats' star and its co-writer – wasn't a fan of the trio's surreal, silly sitcom from the 1970s and 1980s. For snail, see giant kitten; for the way Bill Oddie and Graeme Garden used to mock Tim Brooke-Taylor, see the running joke about Addison's "gay hair"; and for the three-seater tandem – well, maybe that's to follow.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
The Hotel Inspector, Five
When the giant snail appeared, I realised what Lab Rats had been reminding me of: The Goodies. Never very fashionable, the show has rarely been cited as an influence on modern comedians, but I'd be surprised if Chris Addison – Lab Rats' star and its co-writer – wasn't a fan of the trio's surreal, silly sitcom from the 1970s and 1980s. For snail, see giant kitten; for the way Bill Oddie and Graeme Garden used to mock Tim Brooke-Taylor, see the running joke about Addison's "gay hair"; and for the three-seater tandem – well, maybe that's to follow.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Telly News: 9/7/08
Yes, but how much do they save by not giving every house its own prop washing machine?
And more BBC news: annual report time.
One question - if only 23% of 16-34 year olds watch BBC3, a channel which is entirely aimed at, shall we say, the young - what are the rest watching? And do they, perhaps, not want to be forcefed rubbish sitcoms and leery dating shows?
Kevin McKidd is apparently joining Grey's Anatomy. Poor sod.
Survivors remake going ahead. I rented the original in a spate of obsession with post-apocalyptic stories once, but it was so dull I kept falling asleep.
Hmm, how are those American idols getting on?
Churchill teaming up with Doctor Who? This could be either horribly cheesy or kind of awesome. Although he really should have fought the Daleks (which I hope are not coming back for a while, since we're surely all sick of them).
Last night's premiere of Bonekickers (in some areas; showing in Scotland on Friday) has sparked hilarious rage in some quarters of the blogosphere e.g. here or here. Having now watched two more episodes, I stand by my claim that it's madly brilliant. Yes, the plots are unbelievable but given the vast amount of awful programmes around just now, I found it a bit of fun light relief. Plus: Adrian Lester. Pretty.
Personally I think Family Guy is a dreadful, unfunnier reprise of Wait Till Your Father Gets Home, but if you disagree, you may want to know about Seth MacFarlane's next project, a remake of Glen Michael's classic show. Okay, no it isn't. Ah, Glen Michael. What moments of happiness you gave me in my extreme youth - I'll never forget the time you read out my letter on its Mickey Mouse notepaper. Now there was a man who knew a good cartoon. I bet he doesn't like Family Guy either.
And more BBC news: annual report time.
One question - if only 23% of 16-34 year olds watch BBC3, a channel which is entirely aimed at, shall we say, the young - what are the rest watching? And do they, perhaps, not want to be forcefed rubbish sitcoms and leery dating shows?
Kevin McKidd is apparently joining Grey's Anatomy. Poor sod.
Survivors remake going ahead. I rented the original in a spate of obsession with post-apocalyptic stories once, but it was so dull I kept falling asleep.
Hmm, how are those American idols getting on?
Churchill teaming up with Doctor Who? This could be either horribly cheesy or kind of awesome. Although he really should have fought the Daleks (which I hope are not coming back for a while, since we're surely all sick of them).
Last night's premiere of Bonekickers (in some areas; showing in Scotland on Friday) has sparked hilarious rage in some quarters of the blogosphere e.g. here or here. Having now watched two more episodes, I stand by my claim that it's madly brilliant. Yes, the plots are unbelievable but given the vast amount of awful programmes around just now, I found it a bit of fun light relief. Plus: Adrian Lester. Pretty.
Personally I think Family Guy is a dreadful, unfunnier reprise of Wait Till Your Father Gets Home, but if you disagree, you may want to know about Seth MacFarlane's next project, a remake of Glen Michael's classic show. Okay, no it isn't. Ah, Glen Michael. What moments of happiness you gave me in my extreme youth - I'll never forget the time you read out my letter on its Mickey Mouse notepaper. Now there was a man who knew a good cartoon. I bet he doesn't like Family Guy either.
Last Night's Telly: 9/7/08 - Imagine / True Stories
Imagine: Love, Loss And Anthony Minghella, BBC1
True Stories: Café de los Maestros, More 4
They looked more than a little similar, Alan Yentob and Anthony Minghella, as the former paid tribute to the latter, the director and writer whose sudden death in March came just days before the premiere of his last film for TV, The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. But Yentob was also a fitting person to eulogise his friend, having commissioned Minghella's first feature film for the BBC in 1990, Truly Madly Deeply.
The sense of an almost film-like appropriateness didn't end there, as that classic film was itself centred on a man who had died. And cutting between Juliet Stevenson as the character mourning Alan Rickman, and the actress – barely changed 18 years later – as herself mourning Minghella, was strange, but somehow seemed right.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
True Stories: Café de los Maestros, More 4
They looked more than a little similar, Alan Yentob and Anthony Minghella, as the former paid tribute to the latter, the director and writer whose sudden death in March came just days before the premiere of his last film for TV, The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. But Yentob was also a fitting person to eulogise his friend, having commissioned Minghella's first feature film for the BBC in 1990, Truly Madly Deeply.
The sense of an almost film-like appropriateness didn't end there, as that classic film was itself centred on a man who had died. And cutting between Juliet Stevenson as the character mourning Alan Rickman, and the actress – barely changed 18 years later – as herself mourning Minghella, was strange, but somehow seemed right.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Telly News: 8/7/08
Channel 4 are to film three of David Peace's novels. I have only read one of them, but despite what the article says there, they are not just about the Yorkshire Ripper. He was recently the subject of a South Bank Show.
Possible US guest roles for everyone's favourite 1980s time traveller Michael J Fox - which presumably means his health is good at the moment, which is nice to know.
Channel Five praised for its children's programmes.
Interesting figures showing the average age of American TV viewers - and soon, I suspect, here too - is getting older (the mention of Monk not being successful in Britain is spurious though - it's a fun show which would have done fine in a Sunday night slot, rather than the middle of a Saturday afternoon on BBC2).
Eurovision comes to Glasgow!
Horrible prospect of The Osbournes Family Variety Hour.
From Tony Soprano to Gene Hunt: Michael Imperioli is the new Ray in Life On Mars. Sounds like the revamp of this dodgy remake could be extensive, as Ray's character was not originally being included.
9.4 million watched Doctor Who's finale on Saturday.
Possible US guest roles for everyone's favourite 1980s time traveller Michael J Fox - which presumably means his health is good at the moment, which is nice to know.
Channel Five praised for its children's programmes.
Interesting figures showing the average age of American TV viewers - and soon, I suspect, here too - is getting older (the mention of Monk not being successful in Britain is spurious though - it's a fun show which would have done fine in a Sunday night slot, rather than the middle of a Saturday afternoon on BBC2).
Eurovision comes to Glasgow!
Horrible prospect of The Osbournes Family Variety Hour.
From Tony Soprano to Gene Hunt: Michael Imperioli is the new Ray in Life On Mars. Sounds like the revamp of this dodgy remake could be extensive, as Ray's character was not originally being included.
9.4 million watched Doctor Who's finale on Saturday.
Monday, 7 July 2008
Telly Stuff: Doctor Who Theories & Thoughts
Donna will be back. Donna has to be back. I say this not as a particularly grieving fan - I appreciate what they were trying to do with Donna, who as written is a wonderful character, but could never get past my discomfort with Catherine Tate's acting style (though she pretty much justified her casting by doing a great impersonation of Ten - who is written to annoy the hell out of me, but I can stand it because I like David Tennant as an actor and personality, if not in this role).
But Donna will come back because dramatically, you can't leave the story like that - with a character who learned nothing, gained nothing, who didn't change at all, because for her none of it happened. That's just not how popular fiction works: there are rules, there are expectations and while people might accept it for now, at some level if it is never resolved you end up tainting the perception of the show (like Buffy, or any other TV show which ends up with an ambiguous or defensive reputation).
I'm not saying Tate will come back, as that may not be possible (though they got Billie Piper back, which at one time seemed unlikely, because they equally couldn't leave Rose broken and weeping at Bad Wolf Bay). But at some point, there will be something that refers to Donna, that lets the Doctor - and us - know that she was alright: she may not have remembered, but something seeped through and changed her. Perhaps the lovely Bernard Cribbins could deliver that message. Or they may take the option of scooping up her stuttering sort-of-husband in some 51st Century adventure and having the Doctor drop him off near Chiswick, telling him to go find her. Something.
They have to.
I got to watch the last episode with a group of Doctor Who fans which was unusual for me - usually I watch telly alone, in advance, and can't really discuss it as no one else is at the same point as me. Though no preview discs were issued for this finale making me, quite happily, have to watch it live, normally I wouldn't have anyone around who cared about it, so it would still be a solitary thing. But what a difference it makes when you do! While there were a dozen flaws in the episode (and DoctorDonna's Amazing Ability To Press Buttons Which Conveniently Saved The Day was a total cheat), it was tremendously entertaining to watch with people ready to pick up on every point - whether good or bad - literally sitting on the edge of our seats completely engaged.
But reading over some online discussions today was so depressing (check out the Guardian Organ Grinder blog which is already characterising this as the "whole concept of regeneration has been cheapened" tendency). Not because I mind that many people don't seem to have enjoyed it as I did, but because I just wish they had. And I wonder if it was the communal experience that made it work for me. Because even though I can and do find fault with certain stories, actors and characters, I love that so many people are engaged with it. It's the same reason that I so loved reading the Harry Potter books, knowing that millions of people all over the world were doing the same at the same time - even though, in themselves, they were fine but not ever going to be my favourites.
If a preview disc had been available, of course I would have dutifully watched and reviewed it. But I am SO GLAD that they weren't, even if this contradicts what I'm actually paid to do! And I'm so glad that, even with the whole timey-wimey nature of telly these time-shifted, Sky+/Tivo/YouTube/BitTorrented days, there's still a place for a communal, unspoiled sharing of a story. That's brilliant.
I also have many theories and ideas ...
Doctor 10½ - a human, actually called Doctor Who (not The Doctor), who builds a time-travelling ship called Tardis (not The TARDIS) and has granddaughters, adventures in his world, fights Daleks … sound familiar? Squint a little and you could even imagine an old David Tennant resembling Peter Cushing.
Torchwood – now with added Martha (having now realised that nice as he was, Dr Tom was only a rebound relationship) and Mickey … well, that’s it. Martha + Mickey: not their first loves, but not each other’s second choice. I really do want to see this. But Mickey had his own rebound from Rose …
Jackie and Pete – staying together for the sake of baby Tony and trying to repair the damage done to their relationship by her brief mad fling with Mickey. It was caused by their mutual confusion in the new universe, AltPete’s obsession with making money and Jackie’s kindness when Mickey’s gran died. Rose, eventually, forgave her mother – but she just couldn’t forgive Mickey, who figured it would be best for all concerned if he left that dimension entirely.
Wilf and Mr Copper – they meet and team up to become the best darn pub domino team in London.
Harriet Jones, GC (that’s George Cross) – awarded posthumously, because now everyone knows who she really was.
Somehow, somewhere in space and time, Joan Redfern is thinking: "Huh. I didn't get my own Clone John Smith. And we were engaged and everything!"
I could be totally wrong, I usually am (I clung for far too long to my “Rose as Wendy in Peter Pan” ending speculation) but from the Christmas trailer I’d say Dervla Kirwan = evil, David Morrissey = a (one-off) male companion for a Doctor probably feeling like a break from female ones for a while.
And two borrowed theories others came up with: confused post-regenerative Eighth Doctor said he was half-human simply because his jumbled brain (which sees "all that is, all that was, all that ever could be") accidentally saw ahead to the creation of Ten 1/2.
The Rift in Cardiff was (both retrospectively and from now on) caused by anchoring the TARDIS to it to pull Earth home.
Oh, and because it can't be said enough: Adrian Lester for Eleven (or Twelve, or whatever we're up to now). You know it makes sense!
But Donna will come back because dramatically, you can't leave the story like that - with a character who learned nothing, gained nothing, who didn't change at all, because for her none of it happened. That's just not how popular fiction works: there are rules, there are expectations and while people might accept it for now, at some level if it is never resolved you end up tainting the perception of the show (like Buffy, or any other TV show which ends up with an ambiguous or defensive reputation).
I'm not saying Tate will come back, as that may not be possible (though they got Billie Piper back, which at one time seemed unlikely, because they equally couldn't leave Rose broken and weeping at Bad Wolf Bay). But at some point, there will be something that refers to Donna, that lets the Doctor - and us - know that she was alright: she may not have remembered, but something seeped through and changed her. Perhaps the lovely Bernard Cribbins could deliver that message. Or they may take the option of scooping up her stuttering sort-of-husband in some 51st Century adventure and having the Doctor drop him off near Chiswick, telling him to go find her. Something.
They have to.
I got to watch the last episode with a group of Doctor Who fans which was unusual for me - usually I watch telly alone, in advance, and can't really discuss it as no one else is at the same point as me. Though no preview discs were issued for this finale making me, quite happily, have to watch it live, normally I wouldn't have anyone around who cared about it, so it would still be a solitary thing. But what a difference it makes when you do! While there were a dozen flaws in the episode (and DoctorDonna's Amazing Ability To Press Buttons Which Conveniently Saved The Day was a total cheat), it was tremendously entertaining to watch with people ready to pick up on every point - whether good or bad - literally sitting on the edge of our seats completely engaged.
But reading over some online discussions today was so depressing (check out the Guardian Organ Grinder blog which is already characterising this as the "whole concept of regeneration has been cheapened" tendency). Not because I mind that many people don't seem to have enjoyed it as I did, but because I just wish they had. And I wonder if it was the communal experience that made it work for me. Because even though I can and do find fault with certain stories, actors and characters, I love that so many people are engaged with it. It's the same reason that I so loved reading the Harry Potter books, knowing that millions of people all over the world were doing the same at the same time - even though, in themselves, they were fine but not ever going to be my favourites.
If a preview disc had been available, of course I would have dutifully watched and reviewed it. But I am SO GLAD that they weren't, even if this contradicts what I'm actually paid to do! And I'm so glad that, even with the whole timey-wimey nature of telly these time-shifted, Sky+/Tivo/YouTube/BitTorrented days, there's still a place for a communal, unspoiled sharing of a story. That's brilliant.
I also have many theories and ideas ...
Doctor 10½ - a human, actually called Doctor Who (not The Doctor), who builds a time-travelling ship called Tardis (not The TARDIS) and has granddaughters, adventures in his world, fights Daleks … sound familiar? Squint a little and you could even imagine an old David Tennant resembling Peter Cushing.
Torchwood – now with added Martha (having now realised that nice as he was, Dr Tom was only a rebound relationship) and Mickey … well, that’s it. Martha + Mickey: not their first loves, but not each other’s second choice. I really do want to see this. But Mickey had his own rebound from Rose …
Jackie and Pete – staying together for the sake of baby Tony and trying to repair the damage done to their relationship by her brief mad fling with Mickey. It was caused by their mutual confusion in the new universe, AltPete’s obsession with making money and Jackie’s kindness when Mickey’s gran died. Rose, eventually, forgave her mother – but she just couldn’t forgive Mickey, who figured it would be best for all concerned if he left that dimension entirely.
Wilf and Mr Copper – they meet and team up to become the best darn pub domino team in London.
Harriet Jones, GC (that’s George Cross) – awarded posthumously, because now everyone knows who she really was.
Somehow, somewhere in space and time, Joan Redfern is thinking: "Huh. I didn't get my own Clone John Smith. And we were engaged and everything!"
I could be totally wrong, I usually am (I clung for far too long to my “Rose as Wendy in Peter Pan” ending speculation) but from the Christmas trailer I’d say Dervla Kirwan = evil, David Morrissey = a (one-off) male companion for a Doctor probably feeling like a break from female ones for a while.
And two borrowed theories others came up with: confused post-regenerative Eighth Doctor said he was half-human simply because his jumbled brain (which sees "all that is, all that was, all that ever could be") accidentally saw ahead to the creation of Ten 1/2.
The Rift in Cardiff was (both retrospectively and from now on) caused by anchoring the TARDIS to it to pull Earth home.
Oh, and because it can't be said enough: Adrian Lester for Eleven (or Twelve, or whatever we're up to now). You know it makes sense!
Telly Stuff: Play It Again, RTD
First draft of Journey's End climax:
Doctor: Rose, you’re getting off this TARDIS.
Rose: But I don’t understand, what about you? What about what you (nearly) said at Bad Wolf Bay?
Doctor: We said a great many things. I’ve done a lot of thinking since then and it all adds up to one thing: you staying here in this parallel universe with the Cloned Doctor 10½. It’s where you belong (at least until you make another series of Secret Diary of A Call Girl).
Rose: But Doctor, no!
Doctor: You’ve got to listen to me. Have you any idea what you’d have to look forward to if you stayed here? Nine chances out of ten we’d both wind up being irrevocably typecast as these characters - isn’t that true Lis Sladen?
Sarah-Jane: Yes, I’m afraid the fans will insist.
Rose: You’re saying this only to make me go.
Doctor: I’m saying it because it’s true. Inside we both know you belong with a half-Donna, half-Time Lord clone grown from a hand. You’re the reason for his plot, the thing that keeps him from returning as an Evil Twin someday. If the TARDIS leaves this dimension and you’re not with him, you’ll regret it – maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but possibly last week in a big ball of timey wimeyness. Especially if you stay on BBC salaries.
Rose: But ... what about us?
Doctor: We’ll always have the smugness of our romance in series two. We didn’t have, we lost it until you came back for cameo appearances. But we got it back.
Rose: And I said I would never leave you.
Doctor: And you never will. You’ll be able to do autograph sessions, convention appearances and Big Finish audio plays forever. But I have a job to do and where I’m going you can’t follow – what I’ve got to do, you can’t be any part of. Because Steven Moffat will be in charge and he likes to write lots of new love interests for me, ideally ones who only last one episode.
Look, I’m no good at being Donna Noble (though she’s rather good at being me) but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people, or two people and a Clone, don’t amount to a hill of jellybeans in this crazy universe. Someday you’ll understand that (see, the Moffat-style patronising attitude to women is seeping in already). Now now – here’s looking at you, bad wolf.
Rose thinks for a minute, shrugs and snogs the Clone. After all, she’s a professional.
Doctor: Well, Donna, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Donna: More like the end, sunshine: I’m off to do another comedy show. See ya, don’t wanna be ya.
Doctor: Damn. Right, let’s see: is Madonna free for the Christmas Special? George Michael? Ricky Gervais?
Doctor: Rose, you’re getting off this TARDIS.
Rose: But I don’t understand, what about you? What about what you (nearly) said at Bad Wolf Bay?
Doctor: We said a great many things. I’ve done a lot of thinking since then and it all adds up to one thing: you staying here in this parallel universe with the Cloned Doctor 10½. It’s where you belong (at least until you make another series of Secret Diary of A Call Girl).
Rose: But Doctor, no!
Doctor: You’ve got to listen to me. Have you any idea what you’d have to look forward to if you stayed here? Nine chances out of ten we’d both wind up being irrevocably typecast as these characters - isn’t that true Lis Sladen?
Sarah-Jane: Yes, I’m afraid the fans will insist.
Rose: You’re saying this only to make me go.
Doctor: I’m saying it because it’s true. Inside we both know you belong with a half-Donna, half-Time Lord clone grown from a hand. You’re the reason for his plot, the thing that keeps him from returning as an Evil Twin someday. If the TARDIS leaves this dimension and you’re not with him, you’ll regret it – maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but possibly last week in a big ball of timey wimeyness. Especially if you stay on BBC salaries.
Rose: But ... what about us?
Doctor: We’ll always have the smugness of our romance in series two. We didn’t have, we lost it until you came back for cameo appearances. But we got it back.
Rose: And I said I would never leave you.
Doctor: And you never will. You’ll be able to do autograph sessions, convention appearances and Big Finish audio plays forever. But I have a job to do and where I’m going you can’t follow – what I’ve got to do, you can’t be any part of. Because Steven Moffat will be in charge and he likes to write lots of new love interests for me, ideally ones who only last one episode.
Look, I’m no good at being Donna Noble (though she’s rather good at being me) but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people, or two people and a Clone, don’t amount to a hill of jellybeans in this crazy universe. Someday you’ll understand that (see, the Moffat-style patronising attitude to women is seeping in already). Now now – here’s looking at you, bad wolf.
Rose thinks for a minute, shrugs and snogs the Clone. After all, she’s a professional.
Doctor: Well, Donna, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Donna: More like the end, sunshine: I’m off to do another comedy show. See ya, don’t wanna be ya.
Doctor: Damn. Right, let’s see: is Madonna free for the Christmas Special? George Michael? Ricky Gervais?
Last Night's Telly: 7/7/08 - The Conspiracy Files / Trexx And Flipside
The Conspiracy Files, BBC2
Trexx And Flipside, BBC3
The whole premise of The Conspiracy Files, indeed of any conspiracy theory, can be summed up in three words: OR DID IT? Take any statement you like – for instance that a third office block at the World Trade Center collapsed after the Twin Towers due to all the fires and debris – and create doubt by just adding the phrase: OR DID IT?
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Trexx And Flipside, BBC3
The whole premise of The Conspiracy Files, indeed of any conspiracy theory, can be summed up in three words: OR DID IT? Take any statement you like – for instance that a third office block at the World Trade Center collapsed after the Twin Towers due to all the fires and debris – and create doubt by just adding the phrase: OR DID IT?
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
This Week's Telly
Bonekickers Tuesday (Friday in Scotland), BBC1, 9pm
New Tricks Monday, BBC1, 9pm
George Gently Sunday, BBC1, 8pm
The title is genius. How do you make a show about archaeologists, who by definition spend most of their time ever-so-carefully scraping away with teeny scalpels, sound like action heroes? Why, give them a nonsensical name (wouldn't kicking the bones damage them?) which sounds a bit like "asskickers"! Even better, this Time Team are not real ale-swigging beardies, but are young, gorgeous and not just fiddling about with dusty old pottery shards. They're constantly falling over ancient mystical artefacts which conveniently are also being hotly sought by secret modern bad guys.
Bonekickers is absolutely shameless hokum, and I kind of love it.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
New Tricks Monday, BBC1, 9pm
George Gently Sunday, BBC1, 8pm
The title is genius. How do you make a show about archaeologists, who by definition spend most of their time ever-so-carefully scraping away with teeny scalpels, sound like action heroes? Why, give them a nonsensical name (wouldn't kicking the bones damage them?) which sounds a bit like "asskickers"! Even better, this Time Team are not real ale-swigging beardies, but are young, gorgeous and not just fiddling about with dusty old pottery shards. They're constantly falling over ancient mystical artefacts which conveniently are also being hotly sought by secret modern bad guys.
Bonekickers is absolutely shameless hokum, and I kind of love it.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Last Night's Telly: 3/7/08 - Personal Services Required, Marco's Great British Feast, Celebrity Masterchef
Personal Services Required, Channel 4
Marco's Great British Feast, ITV
Celebrity Masterchef, BBC1
If you watch enough reality TV, you can really start to hate people. Not content with bringing us the vile bullies of Big Brother, Channel 4 now presents the awful employers of Personal Services Required, a grubby little show in which job-seekers audition to become personal assistants to idiots.
According to the programme, PR consultant Suzi and businessman Peter are very successful at whatever it is they do. Goodness knows how. In the course of giving trials to the three prospective candidates, they both managed to embarrass themselves so thoroughly that anyone in their right mind would rather clean sewers than work for them.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Marco's Great British Feast, ITV
Celebrity Masterchef, BBC1
If you watch enough reality TV, you can really start to hate people. Not content with bringing us the vile bullies of Big Brother, Channel 4 now presents the awful employers of Personal Services Required, a grubby little show in which job-seekers audition to become personal assistants to idiots.
According to the programme, PR consultant Suzi and businessman Peter are very successful at whatever it is they do. Goodness knows how. In the course of giving trials to the three prospective candidates, they both managed to embarrass themselves so thoroughly that anyone in their right mind would rather clean sewers than work for them.
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Telly News: 2/7/08
Don S. Davis, who did a great job playing tough-but-fair General Hammond in Stargate SG-1 - as well as many other telly roles - has died. Obituary on the GateWorld fansite.
Joss Whedon's new show Dollhouse will be ten minutes longer than the usual.
Chris Moyles to get a TV show. Words can't express how little I'm looking forward to that one.
The Star Trek Experience attraction in Las Vegas is closing. I am sad, because secretly I always wanted to go there.
Joss Whedon's new show Dollhouse will be ten minutes longer than the usual.
Chris Moyles to get a TV show. Words can't express how little I'm looking forward to that one.
The Star Trek Experience attraction in Las Vegas is closing. I am sad, because secretly I always wanted to go there.
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
Last Night's Telly: 1/7/08 - Jess My New Face / Inside America's Toughest Jail
Jess: My New Face, BBC3
Inside America's Toughest Jail, Sky One
What a difference perspective makes. If Jess: My New Face had been called The Girl With The Weird Head, Help I Look Strange, or one of those other shock titles that BBC3 is supposedly going to phase out (according to its controller recently), it would have been quite another programme. But instead of being an uncomfortable voyeuristic experience, by letting 17-year-old Jess Lee tell her own story it became a nice little insight into how appearance and self-image are connected.
Lee was an engaging narrator. "The bad news for you," she began, "is that you're going to have to watch my ugly mug for an hour."
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Inside America's Toughest Jail, Sky One
What a difference perspective makes. If Jess: My New Face had been called The Girl With The Weird Head, Help I Look Strange, or one of those other shock titles that BBC3 is supposedly going to phase out (according to its controller recently), it would have been quite another programme. But instead of being an uncomfortable voyeuristic experience, by letting 17-year-old Jess Lee tell her own story it became a nice little insight into how appearance and self-image are connected.
Lee was an engaging narrator. "The bad news for you," she began, "is that you're going to have to watch my ugly mug for an hour."
To read the full review, click here:
The Scotsman.
Telly News: 1/7/08
Strictly Come Dancing news: new pro dancer and royal rumour.
More revealed about the remake of The Prisoner. Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian, YOU ARE NUMBER SIX!, Sir Ian, Sir Ian.
ITV could do with a hit - last Saturday was their second worst day for ratings ever.
Jane Tranter, top BBC non-factual person, is not leaving. Apparently. The Guardian's Gareth McLean may be disappointed.
New Iraq War drama due.
The Doctor's future wife, Alex Kingston, to star inHope Springs, which sounds like a sequel to Widows.
The Hollywood strike season may not be quite finished: now it's the actors' turn.
But there could still be a Battlestar Galactica movie.
More revealed about the remake of The Prisoner. Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian, YOU ARE NUMBER SIX!, Sir Ian, Sir Ian.
ITV could do with a hit - last Saturday was their second worst day for ratings ever.
Jane Tranter, top BBC non-factual person, is not leaving. Apparently. The Guardian's Gareth McLean may be disappointed.
New Iraq War drama due.
The Doctor's future wife, Alex Kingston, to star inHope Springs, which sounds like a sequel to Widows.
The Hollywood strike season may not be quite finished: now it's the actors' turn.
But there could still be a Battlestar Galactica movie.
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