THE SOUND OF TV WITH NEIL BRAND + SMALL AXE

This article was originally published in The Courier on 28th November 2020.

NEXT WEEK’S TV

The Sound of TV with Neil Brand – Friday, BBC Four, 9pm

The best television theme tunes are indelibly embedded within the national psyche. The ones we grew up in particular with invoke a Proustian rush unlike any other. Neil Brand, that estimable composer and pop culture enthusiast, knows this only too well. His latest series is an embarrassment of riches in which he celebrates the enduring spell of television music. He offers eloquent insight into how and why the best theme tunes work, with highlights including a visit to Portmeirion, where he dissects el maestro Ron Grainer’s dynamic theme from The Prisoner, and a meeting with Dick Mills of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, who analyses the great Delia Derbyshire’s ground-breaking electronic arrangement of Grainer’s Doctor Who theme. It’s all wonderful.

Hospital – Monday, BBC Two, 9pm

Filmed just a couple of months ago, the latest episode of this urgent frontline documentary follows staff at Barnet Hospital in London as they treat elderly patients while dealing with a bed shortage exacerbated by the pandemic. The hospital, which is part of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, is situated in a borough with nearly one hundred care homes. The A&E department has been pushed to its limit. Winter, a time when older people are at their most vulnerable, is looming. Covid-19 is on the rise again. The point of this series couldn’t be clearer. No amount of well-meaning public applause and utensil-banging can compensate for the government’s catastrophic mishandling of the pandemic.

Paul O’Grady’s Great British Escape – Wednesday, STV, 8pm

This week, the nationally treasurable O’Grady reads some Chaucer to his pigs as a prologue to a sojourn in Canterbury. While there, he checks up on the major renovation of Canterbury Cathedral (“Good job I had a stent put in,” he quips while scaling its heights), pops into the cosy country pub where Ian Fleming wrote You Only Live Twice, takes a ride on a vintage steam train, and visits an endangered big cat sanctuary (they’re very keen on Calvin Klein-infused catnip, apparently). This is, quite simply, a nice series. It may not add up to much in the grand scheme of things, but God knows we need some fleeting escape from the grand scheme of things sometimes.

New Elizabethans with Andrew Marr – Thursday, BBC Two, 9pm

Marr’s latest essay is a scattershot dud. His stated aim is to illustrate how British society has changed dramatically during Liz II’s lengthy time on the throne – the second Elizabethan age. To that end he’s chosen a handful of notable public figures who reflect that transformation. A sound idea in theory, but Marr spends far too little time on each of his nominations. The result is a superficial overview, a smash and grab advert for his tie-in book. You simply cannot do justice to the fascinating likes of (deep breath) Graham Chapman, Diana Dors, Ruth Ellis, Tracey Emin, Darcus Howe, Roy Jenkins, Alan McGee, Nancy Mitford, Jan Morris and Mary Whitehouse in the space of an hour. It’s pointless.

Grayson’s Art Club: The Exhibition – Friday, Channel 4, 8pm

Earlier this year, Grayson Perry delivered some emergency lockdown cheer via his Channel 4 series in which he encouraged people to express their hopes and fears through the democratic medium of art. In this one-off special, Perry and his equally splendid wife, the psychotherapist Philippa Perry, host a socially distanced Manchester Art Gallery exhibition of the work they curated during that series. Preview copies weren’t available, the show is still being edited as I type these words, but I can pretty much guarantee that it will fleetingly restore your faith in human nature. The Perrys aren’t pretentious, they’re arty egalitarians. C4 have assured us that, once lockdown is lifted, Grayson’s Art Club will make a triumphant return.

Waterhole: Africa’s Animal Oasis – Friday, BBC Two, 9pm

In this enlightening series, Chris Packham and biologist Ella Al-Shamahi examine the life-threatening impact of climate change on the African ecosystem. They’re on a protected wildlife preserve in Tanzania, where the BBC’s Natural History Unit have built a waterhole discreetly rigged with cameras. Their aim is to study the ways in which these vital sources of water manage to support so many competing species. Episode one is liberally stocked with buffalo, warthogs, elephants, leopards, lions and zebras, who eye each other suspiciously like rival gangs in a pub carpark. But peace is maintained by their overriding need to sup from the waterhole whenever the chance arises. Some of the footage, most of it filmed at night, is extraordinary.

LAST WEEK’S TV

Fela Kuti: Father of Afrobeat – Saturday 21st November, BBC Two

The Nigerian musician Fela Kuti was a revolutionary artist, a radical political activist, a countercultural hero. He was also an enigma. By the end of this frustrating documentary, I felt no closer to understanding him than I did at the start. It succeeded in illustrating Kuti’s fearlessness when it came to standing up against a dictatorial regime in the 1970s and 1980s – he risked his life in the name of personal freedom – but it skirted coyly around the subject of his communal compound, which was full of young women at his beck and call. Some of them, it hinted, may have been underage. No one had a bad word to say about him, but an uncomfortable subtext simmered throughout.

Small Axe – Sunday 22nd November, BBC One

The second film in Steve McQueen’s anthology of dramas about London’s West Indian community was an immersive ode to youth in all of its intensity, romance, confusion and defiance. It took place at a house party in 1980, a time when young black people weren’t welcome in predominantly white nightclubs. McQueen’s camera lingered fondly (not creepily) over kids on the verge of adulthood as they sang, danced, smoked, drank and fell for each other. But this was no rose-tinted celebration. A woman was raped. Racism circled the building. The party represented an oasis of escape set against an encroaching backdrop of violence. McQueen, with characteristic eye for vivid detail, captured all the joy and pain. A magnificent piece of work.

 

SMALL AXE + A SPECIAL SCHOOL + THE HIJACKER WHO VANISHED: THE MYSTERY OF D.B. COOPER

This article was originally published in The Courier on 21st November 2020. 

NEXT WEEK’S TV

The Hijacker Who Vanished: The Mystery of D.B. Cooper – Monday, BBC Four, 9pm

In November 1971, a man who came to be known as D.B. Cooper hijacked a commercial flight, demanded a $200,000 ransom, then made a daring escape via parachute. No trace of him was ever found. It is the only unsolved case of air piracy in aviation history. This absorbing Storyville documentary is inevitably inconclusive, we will probably never know who Cooper was and what became of him, but that doesn’t really matter. The mystery surrounding him is so strange, it sustains dramatic interest. We meet a woman who claims that her husband confessed to being Cooper on his deathbed, a couple who insist he was transgender, and a retired FBI agent who is convinced that Cooper was a decorated Vietnam veteran. Or was he all of the above? Answer: no. But it's quite a saga.

Hospital – Monday, BBC Two, 9pm

As this exemplary series continues, Royal Free London’s staff are gradually recovering from the first Covid wave while preparing for the second. Under normal circumstances, their transplant unit deals with 12 cases a month. At the moment, due to massive delays caused by the pandemic, they’re dealing with 20. If the unit is forced to close down again, the effects could be catastrophic. The programme spotlights seriously ill patients in urgent need of treatment, as doctors, nurses and consultants struggle to surmount the restrictions placed upon them. The reciprocal healthcare system has saved millions of lives, but Brexit legislation is threatening the influx of vital organs and medication from Europe. Still, at least we won’t have to worry about any more misshapen bananas.

Return from ISIS: A Family’s Story – Monday, BBC One, 10:45pm

A few years ago, Samantha Sally, her husband Moussa and their two young children left a comfortable life in America to join ISIS in Syria. Samantha, who is now in prison, has always claimed Moussa tricked her into believing they were moving to Morocco. In this troubling Panorama report, Sally initially comes across as an innocent victim. But the deeper it digs, the murkier it becomes. Sally and her children eventually escaped, but Matthew, now 13, is in therapy to help him deal with the trauma. Brainwashed by his father and seemingly encouraged by his mother, Matthew was used as a propaganda tool. The stark video footage of him assembling a suicide belt – “my new toy” – will haunt you. 

Sofia Coppola: A Life Cinematic – Wednesday, BBC Four, 10pm

This intermittent series of specials in which filmmakers discuss their biggest influences continues with the arthouse writer/director best known for Lost in Translation and The Virgin Suicides. The interlocutor is Edith Bowman, who comes across as more passionate and insightful than her subject. Coppola seems perfectly pleasant, but she doesn’t have much to say about the films she’s chosen. Her work is often accused of being all style and no substance; it’s quite telling that sound design and art direction are the aspects of filmmaking she’s most comfortable with during this semi-informal interview. Excellent choices, though. Films under mild review include Brief Encounter, Do the Right Thing, Fish Tank and In the Mood for Love.

Saving Britain’s Pubs with Tom Kerridge – Thursday, BBC Two, 8pm

During the final stage of his nationwide mission, Kerridge tackles the disastrous effects of the pandemic on an already ailing industry. During lockdown, he stays in touch with the various landlords he’s been assisting since last November. In order to stay afloat, most of them have set up takeaway services for local residents in need. Kerridge has always argued that pubs provide a vital community service, and it’s hard to disagree. As always, he’s full of sound, friendly advice. When the pubs eventually reopen, he assures their owners that social distancing measures needn’t destroy the convivial atmosphere that customers have come to except. With regards to his own pub, he says, “We practice physical distancing, but we’re socially close.”

A Special School – Friday, BBC Two, 7pm

In the final episode of this touching series about Britain’s biggest school for children with additional learning needs, motorbikin’ head teacher Chris Britten – an abundantly lovely man – gets ready for Christmas. We meet the school hairdresser, the home economics teacher and a team of nurses, all of whom exemplify the school’s humbling philosophy. This is an environment defined by unconditional love and acceptance, where children are encouraged to discover their self-esteem and a sense of independence. The rock school programme, a free creative outlet, is a perfect example. “It makes me happy,” says Rhiannon, who sings in the band. “I just love to let my voice out. It has helped my anxiety, I feel more myself when I’m singing.”

LAST WEEK’S TV

Small Axe – Sunday 15th November, BBC One

This excoriating drama from Oscar-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave) told the hitherto shamefully underexposed true story of Frank Crichlow, a West Indian man whose Notting Hill restaurant was repeatedly raided by police in the late 1960s and 1970s.

When Crichlow and his friends, including the activist Darcus Howe, mounted a peaceful protest against this racial discrimination, they were met with more police brutality and thrown in jail. The ensuing trial, a black power triumph, exposed the systematic racism coursing through British society. But their victory, while significant, was fleeting.

McQueen’s point was clear and powerfully conveyed: racism may be less blatant in this supposedly enlightened age, but it still exists in a more insidious form. It is everywhere. This vital, relevant film should be shown in schools as part of the curriculum.

God knows I find it difficult to defend the BBC sometimes, but hats off to them for showing such an important and uncompromising piece in a primetime slot usually reserved for period dramas about privileged white people. There are four more films to follow in the series.

Ronnie’s: Ronnie Scott and His World Famous Jazz Club – Sunday 15th November, BBC Two

Part celebration, part requiem, this beautiful feature-length documentary about the legendary London jazzman struck several potent chords. Throughout his colourful life, Scott was known to the public as the genial co-owner of Britain’s hippest jazz club. He was a self-effacing clown who, for over 30 years, told deliberately bad jokes while playing host to the cream of international jazz talent. In private he suffered from depression, and lamented the fact that he was, generally speaking, better known as a comedy emcee than as a talented musician in his own right. And yet he never lost his passion for music. No wonder. The film was packed with electrifying live performances, all of them facilitated by the great man himself. 

 

 

 

WHAT WE WERE WATCHING: SONG AND DANCE SPECTACULARS + HIS DARK MATERIALS + INDUSTRY

A version of this article was originally published in The Courier on Saturday 14th November 2020. 

NEXT WEEK’S TV

What We Were Watching: Song and Dance Spectaculars – Friday, BBC Four, 7pm

This, much to my surprise, is a mini-masterclass in how to present a compendium of archive light entertainment. In the late ‘60s and ‘70s, dance troupes such as Pan’s People and The Young Generation were toothsome fixtures on British television. They were naff, brilliant, weird, charming; vaguely hippie-ish, but thoroughly scrubbed clean of all muddy traces of the counterculture.

Their elaborate and sometimes overly-literal interpretations of contemporary pop hits were something to behold. Host Grace Dent is clearly a fan. I was expecting an irony-drenched sneer-fest. Instead, it's a fond, irreverent celebration. Dent's links are brief, she allows room for the clips to breathe. Highlights include a Lulu performance of the Theme from Shaft featuring a cameo from Les Dawson, Aretha enduring awkward comedy banter with Cliff, and The Young Generation launching the Keep Britain Tidy campaign. It’s all wonderful.

My Family, the Holocaust and Me with Robert Rinder – Monday, BBC One, 10:45pm

In the second and final episode of this haunting series, Rinder and his mother visit Treblinka for the first time. It is estimated that between 700,000 and 900,000 Jews were murdered at Treblinka. Several of the Rinder’s ancestors were among them.  “Our family had names,” says Rinder. “They were alive, they lived and they died here.” We also meet Noemie, whose French mother was arrested as a child by the Nazis. Now 85, she has never spoken of her experience. When Neomie travels to France, she uncovers an extraordinary story of survival. Meanwhile, Bernie’s difficult journey continues with a visit to Dachau, where his uncle died. By recounting these stories we restore the humanity of those who were lost. We remember, always.

12 Puppies and Us – Wednesday, BBC Two, 8pm

Those first few months between humans and their pets are crucial. In this upbeat series, various families and pups adjust to their new lives together. The star turn this week is Fabio, a Chinese Crested Powderpuff who has essentially been purchased as a replacement for a scraggy little muppet called Hugo (RIP). Alisa doted on Hugo, who happily put up with wearing a variety of kitschy outfits. Fabio doesn’t appear to be humiliated by this leisurewear either. Alisa’s partner, Colin, wryly accepts his lowly place in the pecking order. The programme isn’t cruel or judgemental, it accepts Alisa for the mildly eccentric person she is. Her little family – there are no children – is happy.

Paul O’Grady’s Great British Escape – Wednesday, STV, 8pm

Paul O’Grady is television’s nicest man. Face facts, Palin, you monster. This series is really just an excuse to spend some time in his friendly, quick-witted company, as he wanders around his adopted county of Kent. It’s a picturesque balm. In episode two he embraces the beautiful desolation of Romney Marsh, where he gingerly encounters some leeches, goes fishing for shrimp, and visits an alpaca farm. Like Connolly and Palin (sorry about what I said earlier, Mike), O’Grady bonds naturally with everyone he meets. He’s either a very good actor, or he’s someone without a trace of showbiz ego. Also, hats off to whoever compiles the soundtracks for his programmes: Iggy, Elvis and Otis are among the picks this week.

A Special School – Friday, BBC Two, 7pm

“Communication is every child’s right. No matter what level they’re at, they have every right to communicate something.” So says one of the many inspiring teachers in this beautifully-made BBC Wales series about Ysgol y Deri, Britain’s preeminent school for children with special needs. 15-year-old Luke was born with a hole in his brain, but his cognitive abilities are acute. Via voice-generating software, he articulates his fears and frustrations: “I hate it when people patronise me, especially when people talk to me like a baby. It makes me feel hurt and uncomfortable.” His family, friends and teachers never patronise him. They accept him for who he is. “It makes me feel humble,” he says.

Between the Covers – Friday, BBC Two, 7:30pm

In the final episode of this emergency televised podcast, the likeable broadcaster Sara Cox hosts another celebrity book group. Her guests this week are Desiree Burch, Ben Miller, Graham Norton and – here she is again – Grace Dent. Norton gets in a plug for his third (third?!) novel, while praising one of his favourite books, The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. He makes a sound point: if you meet a prospective partner who doesn’t enjoy Bennett’s work, then they’re definitely not for you. So much time and heartache could be avoided via use of that simple test. This cosy little series, this chattering media bubble of absolutely nothing, may serve as a vaporous distraction while Trump barricades himself inside a cupboard with the nuclear codes.

Griff’s Great Australian Adventure – Friday, STV, 8pm

ITV aren’t even trying with their celebrity travelogue titles now, they all merge into a ‘great’ morass of blandness. Penelope Keith’s Berserk Icelandic Rumble; David Jason’s Outstanding Hats of Minsk. They’d stand out in the listings. Griff Rhys Jones, to his credit, is an affable conduit for this sort of thing. The title isn’t his fault. He’s no O’Grady, but he has his own distinctive spin. Griff is never conspicuously impressed by anything. He’s bemused and amused, but not in an insulting way. This week, his continent-spanning train journey stops off in rural Queensland, where he cautiously observes farmers extracting semen from a bull. He also meets some archaeologists dusting for dinosaur tracks in the middle of nowhere.

LAST WEEK’S TV

His Dark Materials – Sunday 8th November, BBC One

Tarot cards on the table: I am immune to the charms of epic fantasy fiction involving wizards and whatnot. I simply cannot fathom the appeal, no matter how hard I try. The first series of this adaptation of Philip Pullman’s trilogy was particularly gruelling. A hectic, rudderless tumult of riddle-me-ree prophecies with no emotional core. Even as a fantasy sceptic, I found it bewildering and tedious. 

So no, of course I didn’t enjoy its return last week. As before, all I could find to admire were its production values and the performances by Dafne Keen and Ruth Wilson. This is poor storytelling on a massive scale. An expensive mess, the very worst kind of mess. I will never speak of it again.

Industry – Wednesday 11th November, BBC Two

It’s possible to sculpt a decent drama around awful people with too much money. We’ve all seen This Life. But this HBO/BBC co-production about young London investment bankers is a ghastly chore. It’s presumably intended as a sharp piece of satire, an arch meditation on the hollowness of capitalist greed. It misses the mark completely. Industry expects us to care about these characters on some level, while wringing its hands over the chrome and glass world they inhabit. 

The characters are bland. Their world is objectively vile and soulless. So what’s the point? There is nothing to engage with. This pilot was directed by Lena Dunham, an obliviously entitled artist who will never understand why people find her work so annoying.