Watchification » anne

Sorry, I’ve got no head

anne — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:53:41 +0000

The CBBC comedy series, Sorry, I’ve Got No Head is almost at the end of its first series so catch it while you can. It’s become the highlight of our telly week. Seeing as most adult comedy isn’t funny these days, it’s okay to watch the kids’ stuff. This has a great cast, with a couple of familiar names (Mel Giedroyc and Marcus Brigstocke) and some familiar faces (James Bachman, Will Andrews, Anna Crilly) as seen in other quality comedy shows like Little Britain and Lead Balloon. It doesn’t try to do anything clever, thank heavens. It’s just fun and funny. The North Barrasay School for the Gifted is a particular highlight.

Celebrity Masterchef

anne — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:11:53 +0000

Celebrity Masterchef pushes new boundaries. Mainly the definitions of the words “celebrity” and “masterchef”. In the last two weeks a few people you might recognise (Clare Grogan, him out of Brookside, her out of Atomic Kitten, two of the Scousers) have competed against the cast of Holby City for a place in the never-ending semi or is it quarter-finals. All conventional rules are out of the window and it doesn’t matter. The dramatic music and FREQUENT SHOUTING belies the fact that it’s only cooking. And who are those guys that present it? So many questions but still, compelling viewing.

Hedz

anne — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:41:13 +0000

In long summer days when good telly is thin on the ground Hedz is a great pick-me-up. It gently takes the piss out of celebrities through daft sketches where they have giant cardboard cut-outs for faces (in the style of Reeves & Mortimer’s George Michael). It’s on CBBC so is for kids really, but that doesn’t stop it being fun for grown-ups too. It’s sharp enough to be on the mark without being cruel and is a damn site funnier than most satirical shows aimed at adults. It’s just really, really stupid most of the time, which is why it’s so brilliant.

Britain’s Missing Top Model

anne — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:20:10 +0000

The premise of Britain’s Missing Top Model is pretty simple – eight disabled women compete to win the prize of a fashion shoot with Rankin for Marie Claire. It’s twice as tough because they’re expected to be a role model for disabled people and to look amazing at the same time. The first episode quickly descends into the same shallow bitchfest as any other modelling competition (great telly!) but the points it throws up about society’s attitude to disability give a lot to consider. The exchanges between the judges (Wayne Hemingway, Marie O’Riordan, Mark Summers and Lara Masters) look like they’re going to get pretty fiery.

The Culture Show

anne — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:09:09 +0000

The Culture Show is back for a new series, full of vim and vigour. The sweetness and light of Lauren Laverne is balanced by the curmudgeonly Mark Kermode with a back-up team of eminently likeable experts who are smart but not smartarse.

The new Tuesday time slot is much better and there’s an extended version on Fridays for those too cultured to be out at the pub. Another good thing is broadcasts from London and Glasgow on alternate weeks – good news for those of us outside the capital as there’s a chance we could actually get to see some of this fabulous stuff. This week’s episode had a typically eclectic mix with conductor Gustavo Dudamel, don’t-know-it-all Karl Pilkington, music from Richard Hawley and Elbow and a great feature on Scottish land art which explained what those pink sheep on the M8 are all about.

Gavin and Stacey, Season 2, Episode 4

anne — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:19:57 +0000

The second series of Gavin and Stacey has already had a mention here, but last night’s episode deserves another plug for being particularly fine. The characters live in a wonderful place, somewhere between surreal and utterly mundane. The wonderful oven glove scene seemed familiar and yet extraordinary.

The Mighty Boosh: a journey through time and space

anne — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:47:32 +0000

Kicking off BBC Three’s Mighty Boosh night, this documentary shows how Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding became the nation’s top crimping duo. The whole crew is here, Naboo and Bollo too, plus a legion of celebrity fans. Their relentless good cheer is a joy to behold. No tortured artists here – apart from Howard Moon of course.

Delia

anne — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:45:49 +0000

Aimed squarely at the can’t cook/won’t cook demographic, national icon Delia Smith tells us how to make delicious dishes by opening a few tins and digging something out of the freezer. It should have been subtitled “101 uses for frozen mashed potato”. Considering Delia once taught the nation how to boil an egg, something has gone awry. The aim of getting reluctant cooks into the kitchen is a noble one, but beyond that it aims pretty low. The dishes look spectacular but it still feels like she’s joined the dark side. Even Nigel Slater appears as back-up to say that really, it’s okay to cook with packets. In between recipes there are clips of off duty Delia including her glorious “Let’s be having you” moment. If only she showed that passion in the kitchen.

Crufts: 2008

anne — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:11:27 +0000

There’s nothing like Crufts to brighten up a dreary March evening. 23,000 dogs come to Birmingham’s NEC, but only one will be crowned top dog. It’s hard to pick a favourite because there are all shapes and sizes. Last night’s show focussed on the Utility and Toy Groups so there was a great showing from the classic, the cute and the downright freaky with Dalmatians, Chow Chows, Schnauzers (large and small), Pugs, a dizzying array of Poodles and those crazy shaved rat-type ones that I’ve forgotten the name of. As always, the owners are as entertaining as the dogs, particularly if you’ve seen Best in Show. Anyone who still sniggers at the words “bitch” and “Shih Tzu” won’t last long in this deeply serious business but from the comfort of the sofa this is a highly entertaining display of doggy style. There’s coverage on BBC2 every night until it ends on Sunday.

Hotel Babylon

anne — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:53:15 +0000

Reporting from the Watchification Guilty Pleasures Department, tonight’s Hotel Babylon was a real treat. Alan Davies guest stars as a celebrity chef who is cuddly on TV but fearsome in the kitchen. ”I’m not that genial tit off the google box” he said. Not typecast at all, obviously.

I’ve come to Hotel Babylon quite late but the great thing is it takes no effort to follow, has a great cast (fab guest stars) and despite its sleazy appearance is actually rather sweet. There’s lots of flirtation and repression, like Jane Austen but with shorter skirts.