Watchification

I don’t agree with Rod Liddle about much but his views of the the first series of Outnumbered

“An exquisitely middle-class, middle-aged domestic situation comedy set in north London – maybe Crouch End or Tufnell Park – and starring one of those bloody stand-up comics who now festoons every network, it really should be hated before it is even seen…but Outnumbered is very funny indeed: despite its current bout of self-flagellation, the BBC still knows how to make people laugh”

pretty much nails it.  Just look at the screen grab above for confirmation of the former.

The set up for this episode which is about parents struggling with the outcomes of banning their kids from using the TV and computers on a Sunday. “Spongebob is educational because it tells you how to make crabby patties and what goes on under the seas” pleads the youngest daughter when its taken away wasn’t far off my ludicrous attempts to impose a weekday Wii ban. I mean what’s the bloody point ?

The kids especially Daniel Roche who plays 8 year old Ben are astonishing, I can’t quite bring myself to take my eyes of Clare Skinner (Life is Sweet scarred me for life), and incredibly you might even warm to the sympathetic portrait of a confused 40something parent by Hugh “Now Show” Dennis.

Best sitcom of the year, alongside the underrated The Cup and Gavin and Stacey of course.

* This is  one of those “stacked” series on iPlayer so if you’ve missed em you can go back and watch episodes 1 and 2 as they’re available longer than just yer 7 days.

Repeated on BBC4 as part of “Cab Night” and now nearly 30 years old ; I saw this when it was first shown on Thames in 1979. Everyone did. I think it appealed at the time because it played to my nerdy 13 year old fantasies of having to  learn over 15,000 streets and thousands of buildings just to be even given the chance of driving a black taxi for a job. Ii think i just liked the displacement idea of it. The idea that you had to do ‘research’ before even starting a job. Something i kid myself with every time i pick up the paper or read a book.

Anyway its a brilliant drama, with a heartbreaking ending that well, er stay with you for thirty years. Nigel Hawthorne is especially good as a sadistic army officer tester and Michael Elphick looking (pre Boon, pre Booze) very young and chirpy. The theme tune is hilarious. The best thing Jack Rosenthal and Euston Films ever did.

For the most forensic coverage of the political story of the week then iPlayer (as does Sky) gives English/Welsh viewers nightly access to the excellent Newsnight Scotland. Presented by the under-rated Gordon Brewer (surely a down south promotion is due) this episode has lots of shots in Holyrood of a very glum Wendy Alexander and a very cheery First Minister as they debate the Labour party’s referendum position.

So thats what happens then when Paxman signs off at 11pm every night.

Probably as out of step these days as you could be and with several BBC Directors looking on in the front row this is a sober and welcome reminder of Reithian/Carleton Green values from the BBC’s longest serving employee (1952 and counting)

This lecture from David Attenborough and commissioned by the BBC as part of Ofcom’s never ending PSB review , it hit the headlines last week for its passing criticism of the BBC’s reliance on makeover shows. It is in fact a 30 minute canter through hammocking, the impact of ITV, and a withering dismissal of “niche” channels which “have their place” but …. And in a piece of supreme ironic scheduling the BBC have tucked this spirited defence and history of public service broadcasting on BBC Parliament on a Saturday night. You really will not see his like again.

Britains Got Talent meets Pheonix Nights. Second series of BAFTA winning CBBC variety/comedy programme set inside a “mock” prison starring John Thompson and Ted Robbins. Ventriloquists, acrobats, illusionists with ridiculous names that make the kids gasp and a lot of jokes about Peter Andre and Shayne Ward. Should be in prime time.