“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.

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.

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

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.

Effectively a sister piece to last year’s Fantabulosa shown last year, Walliams, seemingly from nowhere conjures up a portrayal as good as Michael Sheens. Yes that good. Banish all your fears of a repeat of Capturing Mary. And Rafe Spall, who’s everywhere, is not bad playing Howerd’s lover; Dennis Heymer. This leans heavily on Graham McCann’s brilliant biography and equally fine Spike and Co which documents the history of Associated London Scripts. Now there’s a story for another day. A brilliant closer to the BBC Four season and if you’re quick (1 day left) then still time to see Trevor Eve’s performance of a lifetime in the Hughie Green film from last week.

And the sideburns, towards the end, were glorious. Thick, dark, wide and down to the chin.

Episode 2 has the funniest gag about Hear’Say I’ve ever heard mind.

And no I didn’t count how many times he said the word; stability.

Watch out for Diane Abbott, not entirely sure if she’s going to wave the Union Jack when in a Margaret Hodge dig, they play Land of Hope and Glory over the credits at the end.