So has Nick Bateman got what it takes to be a tv presenter? Does he have the talent and ingenuity to enter the hearts of our tv nation?
Well, not that it matters these days, as Lisa’s Riley and Tarbuck so tragically prove, but to answer the original question, he more than does. Not that Trust Me is a fantastic show or anything, but Bateman’s amusing asides and comments about the contestants certainly make it more amusing than, say, Dale Winton ever could have.
The premise of the show is simple. Place two contestants in two small rooms in an empty warehouse, offer them various amounts of money and question them about whether they can trust the people in the other room, and see how long it takes them to crack and take the money.
But what it all boils down to at the end is how good a judge of character the contestants are. So far we’ve seen poker players vs. chess players, Ballet dancers vs Bouncers, a glamour model vs. a truck driver and the police vs. Private detectives, and the most fun has been had seeing how greedy certain individuals are.
It could have all too quickly become dull without the right contestants, but fortunately the bizarre selection of people chosen has worked well, and seeing Lindsey Dawn McKenzie take all the money whilst a macho truck driver struggled to hold back tears was one of the funniest things I’ve seen all year.
There’s certainly no need for a second series of Trust Me, but as a test of Bateman’s presenting skills, it’s succeeded well.
HOLLYOAKS: THE BOYS DO BARCA - 22:00 - Monday - C4
I only watch Hollyoaks is nothing else is on and if I’m particularly bored. It’s not that bad, but it’s a soap opera, meaning that it’s never that great. But due to the tv schedules being so appalling of late, I watched the late night special in the hope of something entertainingly derivative.
But no. It was just nonsense. Full of tacky chase scenes, tiresome romance scenes, and alleged comedy as one cast member almost receives oral sex from a transvestite. Sigh. What was supposed to be exciting quickly became dull, what was supposed to be funny, well, simply never was.
As far as I can see, the only reason it went out so late was due to a brief glimpse of a non-regular cast member’s breast. Which, as you can imagine, was not needed in the slightest, and presumably only added in a tragic attempt to make the soap more sexy in the hope that more people may watch the usually even more tedious evening episodes.
Now soaps can occasionally be good. Throw in the odd controversial plot line, deal with taboo subjects, which Hollyoaks has done in the past, and you’ve got a semi-interesting drama. But this feature length special just proved that Hollyoaks is still just a kids soap.
STELLA STREET - 21:50 - Monday - BBC2
Possibly the freshest sitcom (though the word does this a disservice) to emerge out of the late nineties, it surprises me that we’ve been denied a full length feature.
Phil Cornwell and John Sessions manage incredibly accurate yet still hilarious impersonations of the featured celebrities, and Peter Richardson’s direction is always fresh despite the obvious budgetary limitations. But it’s the script that really shines, capturing the idiosyncrasies of the well known stars but adding a much needed surreal twist to events.
As good as impersonation comedy can get.
LIQUID NEWS - 20:30 - Weeknights - BBC Choice
This is normally a witty, informative and very dry round up of the entertainment world’s breaking news. When Christopher Pryce is hosting the show, anyway.
But recently, due to other work commitments for the channel, Pryce has not always been hosting the show. So some idiotic tv boss decided that this would be the perfect vehicle for Vanessa Feltz to host. Sigh. So a very good show becomes absolutely hideous, as this self obsessed whale rambles on about herself at every opportunity available, and all too often ignores what the guests have to say.
That she knows so very little about the news she’s supposed to be discussing annoys greatly, but then you can’t really blame her – whoever hired this obnoxious woman should be fired immediately.
Alex Finch
SOFT TOP, HARD SHOULDER (1992) - 23:30 - Monday - BBC1
Peter Capaldi wrote and starred in this agreeable road-movie, which sees Capaldi's character Gavin standing to inherit a significant portion of an ice-cream empire, if he can make it back in time for his father's sixtieth birthday.
The ensemble cast is very competent in Richard Wilson, and Elaine Brooks, as the romantic interest/hitchhiker. The complementary soundtrack supplied by Chris Rea gives you the urge to get in your car, and head out on the open roads.
Classic Car Heaven.
MRS. BROWN (1997) - 18:55 - Sunday - BBC1
Essential Viewing for a sunday night, as Billy Connolly and Dame Judi Dench exude stupendous performances as Victoria and John Brown; a highlander and faithful servant of the deceased Prince Albert.
The film is a touching piece that focuses on the relationship between Brown and Victoria, and the impact upon ministers, the royal family and the country at this time. An excellent supporting cast, match the two outstanding leads as Dame Dench proves herself yet again worthy of the resulting BAFTA.
The Big Yin also proves you don't necessarily need to have studied at RADA , and undergone all the classical acting training under the sun, to put on an equally worthy performance.
LATE NIGHT POKER - Saturdays - C4
Another one of 4later's success stories proves to be rather attentive viewing, and is a must for all card sharks out there. Psychology, strategy and tension are the very essence of this programme, as the chip warfare sets up as much drama as an episode of "Who wants to be A Millionaire?".
The incredibly specialised rules add an element of distinctiveness for casual poker players, and the announcers wax lyrically and enthusiastically about a lucrative competition that most mainstream sports fans will be unaware of. The very epitome of cult viewing.
Craig Aston
NME TV - 22:30 - Friday - Bravo
This promised so much, the first regular music programme devoted to alternative music, but it’s all so cheap and cheesy. If you were to believe the full page ads in the NME it’s groundbreaking exciting stuff, packed with live sets and interviews, but infact it’s surprisingly mainstream tosh.
Sections such as ‘Hopelessly Devoted’ in which die-hard fans music have rambled on about their love for Steps or Iron Maiden, or ‘Celebrity Singles Reviews’ - last week reviewed by music experts Brian Harvey and Truesteppers and which only covered pop, are simply embarrassing, poorly shot tv which is of little interest to anyone, and waste time that could have been devoted to giving up and coming bands much needed airplay.
A format more similar to Liquid News (or, if you have to tacky and brash, Bits) would have been far more interesting, and a fair few more sightings of NME journalists would be welcome too.
ALLY MCBEAL – 22:00 – Wednesday - C4
A lot of series start off well, only to decline quickly in their third year, and sadly Ally has become such a show.
At first it all quirky and witty, mixed with a more serious dramatic legal side. But as the importance to the plot of the legal side diminished and the show centred on the relationships within the law firm it all too quickly got dull.
Sympathising with Ms McBeal has always been difficult, but as she’s slowly declined in to madness it’s all been too much, especially as the cause of all her mental difficulties seem to come from the simple fact that she sometimes heard her parents argue when she was a kid. Sigh. And whilst Billy’s death was handled well, all too quickly it’s just become yet another reason for Ally to act like a spoilt child.
Still, there is some hope for the show. Last night’s episode, the final of season two, resulted to the old lets do a musical episode cliché (as seen in Chicago Hope, The Simpsons, South Park etc, etc.), with each cast member bursting in to song at any moment, but managed to pull it off with some dignity, and as life seems to be calming down around Ally, hopefully sanity will be found as well.
Advance word from the States suggests that the addition of ex-crazed maniac Robert Downejy Jnr as Ally’s longterm boyfriend improves the show much, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
THE SIMPSONS – 18:30 – Sunday - SKY ONE
Should it be cancelled? Should it run forever? Is it really any good anymore? How many times are they going to repeat the same plot and just change (some of) the jokes?
Alas the problem with a long running classic show like The Simpsons is that inevitably it has to one day end, but no one quite knows when the plug should be pulled. It’s certainly not as good as it once was, with each season throwing up a fair few duff episodes (something rarely seen back in the first six years or so), and the plots are becoming a little repetitive – how many more times will a family member get a new pet / travel somewhere new / change jobs etc?
But it can still be sometimes very funny. Last season’s finale ‘Behind the Laughter’ was one of the freshest and most engaging episodes ever, taking a behind the scenes look at the show as if it was based on the real Simpson’s lives.
But ‘Insane Clown Poppy’, the first episode of Season 12 to be shown in the UK, was a mixed affair, packing in too many celebrity cameos (Stephen King, John Updike, Drew Barrymore) and a dody plot in which Krusty learns he’s a father and asks Homer for parenting advice. Yeah, it did have it’s moments, the best of which being Krusty’s golf war affair, Homer’s gossiping with God and playing Devil’s Advocate, but it’s just all too familiar these days.
Inevitably the show will go on until it stops making Fox money or the cast die, and is one of the better shows on tv, but, well, it’s just frustrating that a once classic show is gradually becoming tiresome.
THE STRETCH – 21:00 - Sunday - Sky One.
Much promoted by Sky as the long awaited tv reunion of Leslie Grantham and Anita Dobson, this should have been utterly terrible, but somehow wasn’t.
Now lets get one thing straight quickly, this was hardly classic groundbreaking drama, and more like a quite good episode of The Bill (and you know how rarely that happens), but all in all it was perfectly watchable, and, hey, occasionally gripping too. The script had all the usual double crosses, twists and bleak dialogue, but trundled along at a fair old pace and all the supporting characters well acted too. Not great, but it passed the time well enough, but what really surprised was the strength of Dobson’s performance.
Far better than Leslie Grantham, who once again rehashed his ‘Dirty Den’ persona, she was elegant, noble and strong, and even made the most cliched of dialogue sound fresh. Give this woman a starring role in a C4 drama now.
RUBY – 23: 15 - Weeknights – BBC2
If only this wasn’t presented by Ruby Wax it could have been one of the best chat shows on tv. But then perhaps it wouldn’t work without her trademark brand of outspoken ramblings.
This week saw some superb guests on the show, but at times Ms. Wax did everything possible to overshadow them. Eddie Izzard and Ewan McGregor seemed relaxed in her company, but that might have much to do with the amount of alcohol served, but she often ignored them, presuming the public were more interested in her tales of drama school than Mr McGregor’s or Izzard’s Hollywood exploits.
Indeed if I’d only seen that edition of the show last week the programme would have received a far more damning review, but I caught the next night’s programme (in the interests of journalistic integrity) and was far more impressed. For somehow Michael Gambon, James Fleet and Kevin McNally managed to speak over her incessant ramblings and the conversation flowed far more smoothly (and wittily) without Wax’s constant interjections.
In her defence, Ruby does ask occasionally searching questions and does seem to be able to put her guests at ease, but if only she would, ahem, shut up a little more, this could have been outstanding tv.
THE BBC2 AWARDS – 22:30 - Sunday – BBC2
The problem with this supposedly cutting edge awards show is that like so many well intentioned ideas, it all fell just a little flat. Some of the right programmes were nominated for once (Jam, League of Gentlemen, Arena: Wisconsin Death Trip, Nice Girl) but the winner of each category was still most often the most mainstream and acceptable of the nominations.
Things started off badly when Trigger Happy TV won the award for Best Entertainment Programme, according to the judges because it re-invented the candid camera style show. Which is of course a load of bollocks as Dom Joly and co. has been making such sketches for years now – his fillers on the paramount comedy channel were far funnier than his later work too. Whilst the truly original Jam (and to a lesser extent The League of Gentlemen) were praised – giving the award to such a standard mainstream programme undermined what the award show was supposed to be about.
Sure, not every award went to the blandest nomination – Ratcatcher deservedly won best film, and Wrecked best short film, but the majority of awards went to the most tedious of programmes, and normally the most popular.
But the worst item in the show was the ‘perfect moment’ award – now I don’t know who compiled this collection of clips, but they clearly don’t have an understanding of what perfect tv is – because it certainly wasn’t any of the selection of soap opera / comedy / documentary / drama clips they showed – and it was no surprise to see Big Brother winning either, as all the other clips were tediously bland.
So finally to all the programmes they missed out. No nominations for Queer as Folk 2, Mark Thomas, Kid in the Corner, Comedy Lab, Michael Moore (which is partly UK funded) or My Hero (okay that last one was a joke). Sigh. Much will have to change if I’m to waste an hour and a half of my life viewing the awards next year.
THE SINS – 21:10 – Tuesday – BBC 1
It’s been such a long time since the Beeb showed a quality drama on it’s main channel that I’d nearly given up watching the first episode of each, feeling no need to sit through what would undoubtedly be ‘slightly above average, but slightly patronising at the same time drama’.
But Pete Postlewaithe’s return to Tv, plus a major role for the wonderful but sadly underemployed Frank Finlay drew me to the show, and for once, I wasn’t disappointed. Infact, I was going to review this after the first episode – but decided to wait, presuming that it had just been a fluke, that this tense, witty and swift drama would soon become dull and cliched. But no.
If anything, the second episode was even better, with character and thematic development, and, perhaps most importantly, a lightness of tone that fits the show perfectly. Finally the BBC has made something to rival the quality of The Soprano’s.
NORTH SQUARE – 21:00 – Wednesday – C4
Everything that Ally McBeal should be but sadly isn’t. Realistic but still funny, fast paced with furious dialogue and in Peter McLeish a lead character who is utterly loveable whilst clearly twisted at the same time.
So much has taken place in the first three episodes that’d it be pointless to summarise in detail, but birth, death, sex, racism, love, hate, etc, etc, etc, have all been dealt with poignancy, subtlety (though only sometimes) and a sense of humour.
Now, if only Pete Postlewaite and Phil Davey were to co-star together….
THAT PREZZIE SHOW – Thursday - ITV
Now I know it’s hidden away in the night time schedules and presumably only a couple of people have ever bothered to watch a whole episode of this poor excuse for television, but that’s no excuse for ITV to produce such a cheap and cheesy show.
The format’s as simple as they get – three ‘experts’ and a wacky host give away presents to lucky viewers, and then review them. And then to add insult to injury they make a comedy advert which is so bad that it nearly made this tired hack burn his tv and return to bed.
It’s just all so poor – the experts are so desperate to appear wacky and amusing but just come across like the much hated office joker, and the presents reviewed are normally awful too – last weeks show saw reviews of a Yoda doll, a candle making set and a remote control bike (the only half decent product reviewed on the show).
Presumably aimed at the type of idiot who can’t decide what to buy anyone for Christmas, I can’t believe for a second that anyone would purchase anything on the strength of seeing these imbeciles poorly review it. Possibly the worst tv show ever made.
Alex Finch.
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? - 20:05 - Saturday - ITV
Clearly positioned to match Casualty for the drama element. This hour long show didn't disappoint.
Just when we thought the million would be won, TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN THOUSANDS POUNDS was lost on a gamble. It does look as if it will take blarney stones, four leaf clovers, magic lamps, or a blessing from the omnipotent governor for anyone to win the million.
If you are prepared to wait until the thirty two thousand milestone gets surpassed, the tension really begins.
TOP 10'S:1980 - 22:35 - Saturday - C4
Becoming a permanent fixture of saturday nights, this in a long line of theme shows, is really rather well put together.
Featuring interviews from selected subjects, and opinions from pundits, in this weeks case Peter Stringfellow and resident pundit Stuart Maconie, offering their proverbial two cents. Phill Jupitus is far better improvising on Never Mind the Buzzcocks than presenting a show, but deals with the task adequately. Out of curiosity, is there anything that Stuart Maconie does like?
A nice way to spend Saturday Nights in, although I am considering badgering channel 4 to return to showing repeats of ER, and Drop the Dead Donkey, like they did three years ago.
LATER: WITH JOOLS HOLLAND - 23:20 - Saturday - BBC2
Artists featured this week included Morcheeba, Webb Brothers, kd lang, and Mansun.
As usual, the best music show on television never fails to deliver.
Highlights included Mansun's "Electric Man", and to close the show, kd lang's "Constant Craving", her signature tune or anthem, which was heavily under-rated when released, and in years to come will surely be regarded as a wonderfully absorbing, emotional classic.
Craig Aston.
TIME GENTLEMEN PLEASE – 22:30 – Monday – Sky One
Sigh. This could have been so good. This could have been the one sitcom per decade that is popular in the states. Based on an established and critically acclaimed stand up show, co-written by Murray himself and Richard Herring, an excellent cast including Murray, Julia Swahala, a fair few cameo’s from the cast of Harry Hill and a decent budget.
But at best it’s just mildly funny, and like so many Brit sitcoms of late, often mildly irritating as well. It’s a mix of Cheers, and Moe’s bar from the Simpsons but without the hint of tragedy that made those shows so good. It’s all just played a little too loudly, a little desperately for laughs, and some of the jokes are just too obvious.
Add to this already uneven mix poor regular supporting characters and you’ve got a show that’s in trouble. The professor character (Frasier) is by far the weakest, seedy and cliched, Phil Daniels just farts and drools throughout and even Jason Freeman’s barman is far too whiney.
But time to be a little fairer. There are some very funny moments in the programme, some episodes have been reasonably good, and both The Simpsons and Cheers started out pretty unevenly too – though both shows weren’t afraid to change or lose poor / unpopular characters either. Which is what Time Gentlemen Please will have to do if it is to improve.
Alex Finch.
THE FRANK SKINNER SHOW - Monday - 10 PM - ITV
BBC made a major mistake in not keeping the West Brom funnyman as part of its programming schedule.
It's always worth watching for the the little skits he does, the bit of monolgue to introduce the show, and at times the way he entertains guests. This of course depends on how engaging and responsive they are to his brand of humour. Tonight was good, with Jamie Oliver and Denise Lewis more than happy to oblige in interacting with Frank and repsonding favourably to his jokes.
Highlights included the wardrobe door, and the sheer embarrassment was a 0.8 on the Judy Finnegan scale (with 1.0 being the height of embarrassment).
LOUIS THEROUX'S WEIRD WEEKENDS - Monday - 9 PM - BBC 2
Third episode of the current series saw Mr. Theroux encounter white separatists of South Africa, in particular, the Boers. Another example of people with misguided beliefs clearly shown up as having very Jurassic opinions in a modern society where integration is part and parcel of everyday life, and is respected as such.
Theroux finds treading carefully is very difficult, as the slightest polite disagreement during most of the subjects' interviews increased their amount of hostility towards him.
What has also become a trademark gentle style of interviewing, often makes Theroux look uncomfortable in overbearing areas such as this, which is understandable, given the Boers hostility towards the English.
And it was interesting to see how blind and bigoted some people are this world, although not defendable.
Craig Aston.
THE TOM GREEN SHOW – 01:30 – Weeknights - MTV
Cheap, trivial comedy from the States which actually works is a rare thing, but then I guess so is The Tom Green Show.
A cross between David Letterman, Micheal Moore and a sprinkling of Chris Morris, Green’s show is a collection of Trigger Happy TV esque outside broadcasts/sketches, held together by Green and a sidekick in a studio. Moved to one thirty in the morning because it is so offensive, and part of the station’s MTV Dark schedule, Green’s desperation to get laughs is what makes this show so good.
From a forty second french kiss with his stunned sidekick, complete with extreme close ups, to harassing old people and small children, Green is prepared to do anything to appease his audience. And so whilst a few sketches fall a little flat - Green buying fruit juice of children and acting incredibly stupid quickly became dull – when it works it really is hilarious, laugh out loud tv.
Whether Green will become a victim of his own success is undoubtedly open to question, but for the time being this show is one of the best tv exports around.
Alex Finch.
LOUIS THEROUX'S WEIRD WEEKENDS - 21:00 - Monday - BBC2
First in a new series from the man last acknowledged for that famous and extraordinary interview with Sir Jimmy Saville.
The topic for exploration tonight: Influence and Empowerment. With the exception of the first expert, who was a Hypnosis expert, the other 'experts' Theroux met seemed either very creepy or very evangelistic. The Hypnosis segment was particularly interesting and identifiable with me personally, as I had used Self-Hypnosis in the past, and found it to work.
However, the confident guy, who managed to set up some weird conservation to get this woman interested, and the stark contrast when Theroux tried, was amusing, as the latter seemed uncomfortable invading the privacy of passer's by.
Finally, we meet evangelist/charlatan Marshall Sylver, who seemed very uncooperative, which I suppose is justified given Theroux's scepticism, but most of the time the scepticism was justified. During the seminars, it just seemed like Marshall and his employees were giving out vague pieces of advice, making vague comments with the hope that the members of the audience would have a sense of empathy, which they would then exploit and reassure people's vulnerabilities.
If you lack in confidence, you want reassurance and positive feedback; but you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on programmes, which chances are will teach you the same thing, except with some nonsensical analogies mixed in for good measure.
And Theroux, like most of the viewers of this programme including myself, could see straight through Sylver's act.
Craig Aston.
EASTENDERS – 20:00 - Monday – BBC1
I don’t normally have a lot of time for Soaps, but Eastenders does occasionally surprise and amuse, and the writers have recently pulled out all the stops with a euthanasia plot line featuring Dot and Ethel which has been both intelligent and thought provoking.
June Brown, one of the few good things about Gormenghast, has consistently turned in a superb performance despite the material she has sometimes had to work with, and for once Eastenders has dealt with a serious subject with tenderness and insight.
And even if only one terminally ill old person kills themselves as a result of the show, well, it’ll have done some good too.
Alex Finch.
THE ANIMATION WEEKEND – Saturday, Sunday – C4
A hit and miss affair for Channel 4's weekend dedicated to the world of animation. Futurama offered an inspired opening to the weekend, and anyone who compares this to the Simpson's is many ways a dolt.
The shows work in similar ways, using Irony as one of the main sources of humour; naivety and slapstick also feature heavily. But I think the majority of Simpson's fans will think that Futurama isn't as good because they have yet to hear any distinguishable catchphrases. However, 10 years of Simpson's and a pilot of Futurama is not a very good comparison.
From there to Our Toon. This involved celebrities giving their personal favourites, and was enjoyable if only for the clips of classic shows like Mr. Benn, Bagpuss, and Wacky Races, amongst others.
We then moved on to Adam and Joe's world of animation, which oddly enough, I thought was going to explore classic cartoons, and give us even more chance to reminisce on a spent youth. However, Messrs Buxton and Cornish with the aid of Baaaaaaadad, offered various comic characters to illustrate a select number of the world's animations.
The two Cartoon anoraks were the best characters, but it was a shame that more footage could not have been shown. Then South Park. Fairly enjoyable, but not as funny as Futurama. Some Sitcom shorts, my favourite being Johnny and the Guinea pig, a humour slice of cartoon adolescence.
The final segment I'd recorded was the Bits animation special: "The bits they didn't want you to see." As always, presented impressively by the three ladies, the games mentioned raised questions over the conservativeness of the censors, and the minds of the adolescent consumers that would buy these games, and whether they would be affected by the content.
The programme seemed to just leave the age-old belief; I you watch a TV programme or film, or play a computer game of an explicit nature, and your actions as a result match that, you seriously need a reality check.
TELLY SALES: A HOME SHOPPING STORY - 22:00 - Tuesday - C4
On Tuesday, Channel 4 offered its audience the chance to get insight into the launch of Digital TV Channel; the pressures, the problems, and like most documentaries; it followed their progress as the idea went from being a pipe dream to a realistic proposition.
Ideal World was planned as a channel, which would be a rival to the well-established and reputable QVC. Ideal world was the brainchild of marketing executives Val Kaye and Paul Wright, who notably have backing from current Leeds United football club chairman Peter Risdale.
In their quest to gain sufficient exposure, and produce as professional an image as QVC, they have enlisted Ex QVC employees, as well as new people to train. It gives them a mixture of experienced people in key areas, matched with fresh-faced talent, which has limited or no experience, but potential to their credit.
To raise the profile of the channel, they enlisted the help of Max Clifford, a PR 'Guru'. Suggestions included increase the public involvement of Peter Risdale, whom Clifford describes as a 'hot property'; he is seen as a status symbol, which in terms of publicity is expected to increase interest amongst consumers. Other celebrities considered included Victoria Beckham, as she is part of the current vogue of celebrity endorsers.
In terms of product, Ideal world had to generate their own response to the main product success within QVC: Diamonique. Their response was Gemesis, as was promoted as being in every size, shape and colour.
Experts were product testing, as comprehensive planning was constantly occurring, with the production of the set, and the amount of airtime primary concerns. Max Clifford was receiving a retainer to publicise the channel, and emphasise the channel number, which was 642.
As the channel was reaching its debut airing, it was clear that limits were evident in production and products and media interest and appetite was not at the desired level, but the acquisition of Tony Blackburn, another QVC defector, would help raise the profile.
And indeed, desperate measures taken by the channel on its launch, gained them notoriety, which in essence increases the publicity. This was due to them being short on items, so they advertised photographs of the presenters, which was well received by some media commentators.
The channel has recently surpassed its three-month anniversary, and looks set to gradually increase its market share. This programme was of more interest to me as a Business Student, than as a TV critic, and I don't think it would have kept the majority of viewers interested, considering schedules are saturated with documentaries.
Craig Aston
ROCK PROFILES - 21:40 – Weeknights – UK Play
Now here’s a rare find, a decent comedy show on a digital channel. One that’s never been shown on terrestrial tv,.And has a semi-famous cast, with Matt Lucas, Jamie Theakston and (ahem) David Walliams taking the lead roles in each episode.
The format’s simple (and vaguely similar to Stella Street) – Jamie Theakston interviews pop stars each week (who are always played by Lucas and Walliams) and shows chart show esque video’s with blatant lies about the stars appearing at the bottom of the screen throughout.
Lucas and Walliams’ impersonations of the stars are reasonably spot on, with a depressed Damon Albarn and and an extremely camp Leslie Phillips like Alex James making the Blur profile must see viewing, and even Theakston is fairly entertaining throughout.
As previously mentioned, the Blur episode has been the best so far, but the Elton John interview (in which his every other line was “I’m Leaving”) and various spice girls parodies throughout the series have entertained too. Almost (but not quite) good enough to start taping.
THE COPS – 21:00 – Monday and Tuesday - BBC 2
The Cops started out as a hard hitting look at Britain’s police today, our very own NYPD Blue (complete with Roy in the Dennis Franz role), and was gritty, violent and compulsive viewing.
But sadly whilst it still looks like the same show, with a familiar cast and shaky camera shots, the quality of the writing declined a fair amount throughout the second series and this special one off two parter did nothing to allay my fears that this programme is going the way of The Bill. Ie. dull soapy plot lines and an almost patronising emphasis on community. Sure the acting is far superior, and it does have a fair few moments of interest, but its not the must see tv show that it once was.
I’m not expecting shoot outs and explosions each week, but a little more emotional turmoil and a couple more dangerous situations may recapture the spirit of the first series.
As it is, this is quickly becoming just another fairly watchable cop drama, and there’s just too many of them around at the moment to really make this a noticeable event in the tv schedules.
MALCOM IN THE MIDDLE – 19:00 - Sunday - Sky One
The latest American sitcom that’s been highly praised finally reaches these shores thanks to Sky one, and once again it’s quite good, entertaining and witty but never really that great. But it tries hard, I’ll give it that, being reasonably inventive, and is more influenced by The Simpsons and South Park than, say, Roseanne or Frasier.
For those yet to see it, the basic premise is that Malcom, the central character and narrator of the show is one of three brothers,
The problem is that it just doesn’t feel that original. I can imagine the producers of the show coming up with the formula - ‘a bit Wonder Years, a little Simpsons, a dash of South Park, some Dawsons Creak, obviously, and hey, why not throw in some Ally McBeal too’. Once again the kids are super witty, and the parents more than a little flawed (though they do try their best, obviously).
Still, it’s early days, in its first series, and advance word from the US was so good that we can but hope that the series improves and finds its own voice a little more.
THE COEN BROTHERS – 23:35 - Sunday - BBC2
For once a film documentary that was actually worth watching. Not filled with the ramblings of producers, lighting directors or critics, or just a fifty minute advert for their new film (Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? released in cinema’s on Friday).
It dealt in depth with the Brother’s whole career, with extensive interviews with not just Joel and Ethan themselves but also Jeff Bridges, John Turturro, John Goodman and many other familiar faces from the Coen’s superb catalogue of films.
Of course I find myself being a little biased having loved their work from when I first saw Raising Arizona and Millers Crossing (at that age without realising that they were written and directed by the same people). But after making eight classic films I think they deserve such acclaim, and I cant help imagine that in fifty or so years their work will have book upon book published on it at the very least.
Enough gushing. Basically put, if you like their work (or even just have a passing interest), this documentary was interesting, informative and entertaining, and for me the finest programme on over the weekend.
TIME GENTLEMEN, PLEASE – 22:30 - Monday - Sky One
This is cheating a little as we haven’t yet seen the first episode of this sitcom, but we were at the filming of the second (a full review of which is in Audience Participation).
Thus I won’t go in to too much detail, but for once Sky has struck gold, as the show’s just extremely funny, and worthy of a Friday night nine ‘o clock slot on either BBC2 or Channel Four.
All concerned (Al Murray, Julia Sawalha and Phil Daniels especially) are very funny in their own right, the script by Herring and Murray is tight and most importantly it doesn’t take anything too seriously. Highlight of the week.
Alex Finch.
BIG BROTHER - 20:30, 23:00 - Friday - C4
This isn’t really a run of the mill Tv Comment but the recent events in the Big Brother programme have prompted me to share with you my thoughts on Nick Bateman’s eviction, a subject which is the joy of many a tabloid journalist but which I believe may have very serious consequencies for the London stockbroker.
So Nick Bateman, the man the public love to hate, has left the Big Brother house probably feeling depressed and ashamed. The public/ media hate him and this leaves the question of how will he cope in the outside world and do we, the public, have any right to destroy the life of a man merely for “bending the rules “ of a game show?
Anyone who’d never heard of Big Brother would think that Nick was a new Hitler, that he’d commited genocide. He was just playing a game show and yes he cheated. He clearly had an agenda from the start.
And yes everybody trusted him , but should these facts make it alright for us to hound and ruin a man who has done nothing worse than take an extra £100 from the bank in Monopoly?
Of course not. He should be forgiven and allowed to carry on with his life. The reasons for this;
For the first time ever I actually felt sordid and guilty for watching BB last night.
I can cope with watching Andy and Mel snog, Tom get a hard-on etc. but last night was painful. Seeing the others sat round a table confronting Nick and watching him try to redeem himself was awful. Clearly here was a man who deeply regretted what he’d done and was close to tears. Afterwards when he was shown crying in the bedroom I could hardly watch and just wished that for once Big Brother was not all seeing.
His tears prove as well that the man is not a cold hearted bastard ready to back stab the other contestants but that he was someone who did actually like and maybe even care for some of the others.
If he really didn’t give a fuck then why cry? And this is also why I think he was getting more paranoid in the last weeks. He was trying to use his plan to tactically influence the votes but as the weeks went on he clearly seemed to have formed quite close bonds with some of the contestants.
Sada and Andy were easy to influence as at the beginning, Nick could remain detached from his feelings but as the weeks went on it became progressively harder to stick to his plan. His dilemma? To give up on winning £70 000 or try to carry on his plan all the same. He’s a public school educated stockbroker so obviously giving up the prize was not an option. Guilt set in after he’d decided this and this manifested itself in his paranoia and his obsession with how the public saw him.
In his final moments I think we saw a man whose conflicts in his mind had become too much and what we saw on screen last night seemed uncomfortably close to a nervous breakdown.
So my final plea to everyone reading this is give Nick a break. Ok he made a mistake but he’s hardly a rapist or anything and certainly doesn’t deserve to have the rest of his life destroyed.
How sad are we as a nation when we don’t give a fuck about real life atrocities where people are dying but can get so angry and hateful over a game show? Just think how bad you’d feel if Nicholas Bateman became just another suicide statistic.
Paul Monk
ALLY MCBEAL – 22:00 – Wednesday - C4
Ally McBeal is one of those programmes. You know, the sort that people either love passionately or hate incredibly. Few people seem to think that it’s just okay, or alright - how most people describe British soap operas, I find.
But for me, Ally McBeal is just one of those programmes that’s reasonably entertaining, but not exactly an example of classic TV. Simply put, it’s no The Soprano’s, Queer As Folk or Jam. Sometimes annoying, sometimes fun, but never shocking or surprising.
And now that it’s entering its third season, it all seems to be getting a little stale. Sure, Billy may have dyed his hair and split with Georgia, and Fish and Ling’s sexual activities have turned out to be less than sensational for one of them, but the old cliché the more things change the more the stay the same just has to be trotted out here.
Ally McBeal is quickly turning in to Dawson’s Creek for adults, packed with long and tedious conversations on the nature of love and the meaning of life, and some weeks there’s no court based action at all to liven things up.
Still, I have some hope for the programme. In Wednesday’s episode Ally finally talked face to face with her parents, discovered that ‘they were just human beings after all’ and came face to face with a fair few questions she’d been avoiding answering since the programme began. Plus it’s also nice to see Tracey Ulman in the programme too.
So once again I find myself warily recommending a show which is sometimes fun, amusing, and interestingly written, but at times can be pretty poor too.
GOOD Vs EVIL - 21:00 – Wednesday - Sky One
Things that simply don’t make sense in a series of, oh, I don’t know, several million. No.1 – Why do tv stations cancel (the so very few) critically acclaimed shows so readily and then allow dross like Beverly Hills 90210 to run for what seems like forever?
Alas the answer is all too obvious, as if a show isn’t a ratings success it is unlikely to return. Sure there are exceptions when fan pressure occasionally succeeds in convincing a tv network to give a show another series, but these are rare events indeed. Good Vs Evil was one of these shows, but sadly, its now been cancelled for a second time, which is a real shame as its far better than many of the shows it’s obviously been influenced by.
And it's one of only a few shows that manages to be effortlessly cool, amusing and entertaining all at once. Sure, occasionally it has gotten a little soapy, especially where Chandler’s son Ben is involved, but even this has been dealt with well, and also often surprisingly – the episode which had three different outcomes, two of which a major character died in, worked so well because of Chandler’s relationship with his son.
Wednesday’s episode dealt with a refugee from Kosovo signing a deal with the Morlocks to ensue his wife and children’s safety in America, and dealt with a difficult political subject well, without forgetting that it was still a decent fantasy comedy/drama series at the same time. All the performances are impressive, a mixture of 70’s cool and 90’s grittyness, and the soundtracks pretty decent too.
So despite not being shockingly original, this is one of the best shows around at the moment. Catch it now before it ends, sadly, forever.
CHICAGO HOPE – 23:30, 00:15 - Thursday – BBC1
Though recently cancelled in the states, we’re fairly behind in the UK, so we’ve still got quite a lot of Chicago Hope yet to see, which is no bad thing, no bad thing at all.
Less graphic than ER, and more involved in the personal lives of the staff, Chicago Hope is just as gripping, and has an equally talented cast. Peter Berg shines throughout, adding a much needed cheeky charm to the series, whilst Adam Arkin and Mark Harmon deal with their various demons admirably.
Last night’s double bill on BBC was as action packed as always, dealing with a gang related shooting in the hospital, a mother who intentionally poisoned her daughter, a stockbroker having a gradual heart attack as well as all the soapy elements always present in the show.
And when Mandy Patinkin returns to the show, I’m sure things will only get better. Sure, it’s a little too sweet and sickly from time to time, but Hope is a refreshingly optimistic medical drama on tv, which makes a pleasant change.
FREAK OUT – 22:50 - Thursday – C4
C4’s new light hearted look at the disabled was must see tv. Sure, the message may be a little old – that disabled are normal people too, okay, but it is one which sadly seems to be needed to be repeated.
In last nights show we were introduced to a wide variety of disabled people who led everyday, normal (if not better than that) lives, which included visiting a stunt school for the disabled, tips for the wheelchair bound, and various comedy sketches which you couldn’t help be amused by.
Sure, it all looked a little cheap and rough, and I doubt that C4 have spent that much money on it, but that only added to it’s charm. So throw away any preconceptions you may have, and watch this extremely funny slice of life that is rarely represented on television.
BURNSIDE – 21:00 – Thursday – ITV
Good old ITV. They can always be trusted to produce slightly average cops shows by the dozen, and, predictably, Burnside is watchable but hardly exciting tv. Just like The Bill, A Touch of Frost, and far too many others.
Obviously shot with a larger budget than The Bill, it also tried to be more modern and harsher, but sadly only succeeded in being rather amusing. Opening with Burnside interrupting a hostage situation on a boat, rather easily it must be said, the show tried to be dark and gritty, packed with guns and light swearing, but sadly didn’t convince.
The problem with shows like this is that you can guess the outcome before you even start watching, and you know that Burnside will inevitably come up smelling of roses at the end of each case. Add to this dialogue and action sequences attempting to mimic those seen in far too many American shows, and you’ve got a show that you could swear you’ve seen before.
Christopher Ellison isn’t a bad actor, though it would be hard to imagine him playing a sensitive new age male, and carries the show well enough, and the supporting cast aren’t bad, either, but despite all the ‘talent’ on display, Burnside is only okay.
It has unfortunately been scheduled an hour before the far superior NYPD Blue on Channel Four, and looks far weaker when compared to that outstanding series. Only wearily recommended.
FUTURAMA – 19:00 – Sundays - Sky One
The second series of Matt Groening’s ‘other’ cartoon has disappointed, rather sadly. There seems so much potential in the show that can anywhere in the Universe, and has a wide range of diverse characters, but it seems very formulaic already.
Most of the plots revolve around Bender being selfish and/or heartless or Fry simply being lazy, and most episodes aren’t, at the end of the day, that funny. Sure, each episode has a couple of decent moments or ideas, but they’re often wasted or ignored, and cheap and easy slapstick comedy becomes the order of the day.
But what makes the show suffer the most is the lack of likeable characters in the show, bar Bender who is plainly just Homer in metallic form. They all seem to be too one-dimensional, and, unlike in The Simpsons, it’s hard to actually care about any of them.
The worst of all the ‘adult’ animated shows on tv, I’d be extremely surprised if the show lasts more than a couple of years.
EURO 2000 – All the bloody time – BBC, ITV, Eurosport
As always, the Summer provides a weak line up of entertaining programmes, and the schedules seem full of repeats, so I’ve been forced in to spending much of my time watching the football, which has been reasonably enjoyable, at least from time to time (esp. the Yugoslavia v. Slovenia match), and exploring the lesser known digital channels.
And out of the huge selection of channels available (see The Channel Guide for further info), only Sky One, UK Play and Paramount Comedy Channel have provided any real alternative to the sport. And with Wimbledon beginning next week the schedules are even worse than usual, I suppose I’ll depend on these channels even more for a regular dose of engaging tv.
So a brief recommendation goes out for the following programmes if you’re sick of the sport (or just bitter that England are out of Euro 2000) – Harry Hill, Vic Reeves Big Night Out, Clive Anderson Talks Back, Duckman, South Park, and Bang Bang It’s Reeves and Mortimer, have all relieved boredom over the last week or so.
THIS LIFE – 23:20 - Weeknights – BBC2
I missed ‘This Life’ the first time round, but have found it surprisingly charming viewing. It hasn’t aged badly at all, is surprisingly similar to my own experiences of living in a shared house (especially when the washing up is concerned), and is well acted and directed.
A sure sign of a classic tv show is one that you want to watch daily (hence no soaps fall in to this category), and I’m glad that the show only lasted two series, as most successful programmes have a habit of running themselves in to the ground.
If you didn’t catch it last time, and hey, even if you did, this is essential viewing in the dry summer season.
LOCK, STOCK AND FOUR STOLEN HOOVES - 21:00 – Monday – C4
Channel Four’s recent output of drama and comedy has been up to it’s usual standard, with Queer as Folk and Kid in the Corner worthy of special mention, but sadly Lock, Stock just didn’t entertain.
The pilot episode was no where near as good as the (admittedly classic) original movie, which was genuinely cool and yet charming at the same time. Sure, it tried to be too cool, too witty, too laddish, but was let down by pretty poor acting (bar Withnail and I’s Ralph Brown), flashy but tedious direction, and a script that simply wasn’t as funny as it thought it was.
The plot was convoluted, but at the same time predictable, and of course you knew that by the end of the episode the lads would get clean away without (unfortunately) suffering any physical harm.
Add to all of this a sprinkling of misogyny and homophobia, and we’re left with a bright and breezy comedy drama that leaves a bit of a nasty taste in your mouth. I guess I’ll give the show a chance and watch the second episode, but, rather sadly, reluctantly.
Alex Finch.
Click Here for January to June's Tv Comment
They Think It's All Over - 21:30 - BBC1
So, another tired show gets another series. And has it improved? Is it funnier? Or more of the same tacky sexual innuendo as always? Ah, of course it is. And any respect I ever had Jonathon Ross has been lost since seeing him on this nonsense. Avoid.
North Square - 21:00 - Wednesday - C4.
Getting better by the week. Sure, it's just a slightly aged This Life, but it's just so wickedly fun, and Phil Davis' central lead one of the most captivating characters seen in Brit drama for a long time. Watch. Now.
Hidden Love - A Girl's Best Friend - 22:30 - Tuesday - C4.
A whole hour of women talking about how great vibrators are. Fine, informative etc, but was there really any need for a show this long? And what about the male perspective - why no comments from men celebrating the different ways of masturbation?
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - 21:00 -Monday - ITV.
So the million was finally won, the media ruined the event by informing the world of the news, and it wasn't even particularly that exciting. And who cares if Victor Meldrew was dying on the other side - anyone who really cared could have videoed his tedious demise.
Panorama - 22:15 - Sunday - BBC1
Another documentary attacking reality tv, this saw various participants from Big Brother, Jerry Springer and Jenny Jones complain about the way they were treated, and the terrible side-effects they've suffered since mass tv exposure. Some of the points made were fair enough, but Melanie Hill's attack on how she was edited on Big Brother annoyed greatly, as she apparently forgot that the website showed the contestants 24 hours a day, and often gained more 'viewers' than the tv show.
Bits - 02:40 - Sunday - C4
This is almost very good for computer games tv, with lots of previews of up coming games and all, but if only the presenters didn't find themselves so hilariously funny, it would have deserved a far better time slot.
TFI Friday - 18:00 - Friday - C4
Somehow this show has actually got worse..... Presented inadequately by the Spice Girls, it was even more sycophantic and balnd than usual. Thank God this is the final series.
Too Much Sun - 22:35 - Friday - BBC1.
Shite. Just utter shite comedy, with a good cast utterly wasted with dull and tedious cliched comedy. Do everything possible to avoid.
The Weakest Link: Champions League - 20:30 - Thursday - BBC1.
Quite good quiz show which makes extremely amusing tv due to Anne Robinson's cutting remarks and general sarcasm. Certainly worth catching if bored of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire....
Blockbusters - 18:00 - Weekdays - Sky One.
It's amazing how easy it is to turn a once classic show into a travesty, but Lisa Tarbuck's done it with ease, with her unique brand of tackiness and weak sexual innuendo. Only the immediate return of Bob Holness could save the show.
Vids - 02:45 - Sundays - C4
Nige and Stef are still ranting amusingly in the small hours on C4 - I know the subject matter is often a touch risque, but isn't it time these boys had a more mainstream slot?
Never Mind The Buzzcocks - 22:00 - Fridays - BBC2
I'm not too sure why Mark Lamaar is still hosting NMTB - for an allegedly respectable and intelligent comedian you'd have thought he'd have left years ago - for the it's very quickly become rountinely tedious, rarely amusing and the calibre of celebrity guest is never that high. The far too long intro round is just tedious now too, and it's all just become a little too laddish for my tastes these days.
The Barfly Sessions – 01:05 – Wednesdays - C4
All too short indie live show. At best you get one whole song per band (normally the latest single), a couple of clips of others and a rather dull interview. Considering the timeslot it’s been given, the show should have been at least half an hour longer. Disappointing.
The Stand Up Show – 23:45 – Saturdays – BBC1
Surprisingly decent stand up comedy show from the beeb, showcasing two or three up and coming comedians per week. Tommy Tiernan annoys a little, but thankfully is given little screen time, and the post pub timeslot is perfect for this sort of show.
The Soprano’s – 22:30 – Thursdays – C4
I could write a thousand words attempting to describe how good this show is, but what’s the point? Everyone already knows it’s the best drama to come out of America since Twin Peaks, and it’s the only programme on at the moment that upsets me if I miss it. Must video tv.
Harry Enfield’s Brand Spanking New Series – 22:00 – Mondays - Sky One
Does anyone still really love Harry Enfield? Is he still somebody’s favourite comedian? Or is he still just trotting out the same old comedy characters and attempting to seem more alternative by liberally sprinkling the script with obscenities? Again, not terrible, but not particularly good either.
My Family – 20:00 - Tuesdays – BBC1
Okay, so it’s a bit familiar, and nothing we haven’t seen a hundred times before, but My Family has come in for a lot of criticism in it’s brief six week run that hasn’t been completely deserved. Robert Lindsey and Zoe Wannamaker have made appealing leads, and at least it’s better than the god-awful My Hero (which is soon to return to our screens for a second series).
Popular – 20:00 – Thursdays – Sky One
Beverly Hills 90210 for the 20 00’s? Well, why not – and this benefits from a sharp script, a sense of irony and only occasionally threatens to get a little too serious. Fluff, but entertainingly so.
Titus – 23:00 – Mondays – Sky One
New American comedy that raises some laughs but seems to desperate to be funny, hip and smart at the same time. Stacey Keach gets all the best laughs as the tyrannical father, but more often than not it all falls a little flat.
Worlds Most Amazing Video’s - 01:00 – Weeknights – Bravo
I know, I know, this cheap tacky tv, but it’s still more consistently funny than most British sitcoms of the last decade – perhaps due to it’s being hilariously over dramatic. From cops being shot at to skiers falling off mountains, at least one clip per show is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.
Richard Jobson’s Movie Talk – Various times/dates – Sky Premier
Surprisingly informative and intelligent film chat show where top industry figures discuss the current state of film. I never had much time for Jobson before, but he leads an interesting and articulate discussion, and thus the programme is well worth catching.
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