JIMMY AKINGBOLA: HANDLE WITH CARE | CHARLES: OUR NEW KING | DOCTOR WHO

A version of this article was originally published in The Courier on 29th October 2022.

NEXT WEEK’S TV

Jimmy Akingbola: Handle with Care – Tuesday, STV, 9pm

When he was just two-years-old, Jimmy Akingbola was uprooted from his Nigerian family and fostered by a white British family who warmly embraced him. In this frank, thoughtful, poignant programme, the acclaimed actor/presenter reflects upon his upbringing. 

He meets up with his beloved foster mother and siblings, as well as two other well-known Black British adoptees, the actor Lennie James and the athlete Kris Akabussi. Their shared insight is compelling. 

Akingbola’s essay doesn’t shy away from the hideous racism and abuse that people of colour are forced to endure, but his message remains hopeful. This, ultimately, is a story of acceptance, love and survival. It's a rather beautiful piece of television.

Scotland’s Biggest Families – Monday, BBC One, 8pm

The Hanns from Dundee are comprised of mum Emma, dad Roy and their 13 children: officially Scotland’s biggest family. Eight of the kids are still living at home. 

This charming new series, which was filmed over a year, welcomes us into their world. 

In my notes I wrote ‘delightful chaos’, and I daresay Emma and Roy would agree with that assessment. 

They were raised as Mormons, but left the church six years ago. Their candour is commendable, it’s an interesting story. 

The Hanns are a lovely family packed with sharp, funny characters. Meanwhile, in Lossiemouth, the equally agreeable Sullivans are getting ready for the arrival of their twelfth child. Prepare to be amazed by their epic shopping trips.

Italia ’90: When Football Changed Forever – Monday, Channel 4, 9pm

I don’t know very much about football, it’s just not for me, but I’m almost always partial to a good documentary about the beautiful game’s behind-the-scenes drama. This new series is a case in point. 

It begins on the eve of the most-watched World Cup in history. The England squad and their fans have arrived in Sardinia. The coming weeks will define the future of the game back home. This is basically Year Zero for top-flight British football as it’s known and loved (?) today. 

The programme explains why that was the case by delving back into the ‘80s, a dark period in the game when hooliganism was rife. Something had to change.

Made in the ‘80s: The Decade That Changed Our World – Monday, Channel 4, 10pm

The ‘80s turmoil continues in episode two of this authoritative series. 

Thatcher’s Britain was scarred with division and unrest, hence why so many people felt a burning desire to rebel against the oppressive status quo. This all took place, as we know, against the tragic backdrop of the AIDS pandemic. 

As its title suggests, the point of this series is to illustrate how so many British pioneers from the entwined worlds of art, entertainment and political activism helped to shape the future of Britain. 

Naturally, the birth of Channel 4, which celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year, is a significant part of the story. Provocative and progressive by design, it was once a thorn in the side of the establishment.

Nazi Hunters: The Real Walk-In – Monday, STV, 10:45pm

A companion piece to The Walk-In, that absolutely pummelling factual drama starring Stephen Graham, this powerful report from ITV’s estimable Exposure strand delves even deeper into the remarkable story of Matthew Collins. 

A former fascist, Collins eventually renounced his hate-fuelled past. He became an undercover journalist intent on exposing the vile activities of British far-right organisations. 

The programme reveals how Collins and his similarly brave colleague Robbie Mullen – who acted as a mole within the neo-Nazi terrorist group National Action - were instrumental in stopping a plot to murder Labour MP Rosie Cooper. 

Nearly twenty people have been imprisoned as a result of their investigation.

Charles: Our New King – Wednesday, STV, 9pm

What kind of monarch will King Charles III be? This balanced profile provides some persuasive clues. 

It’s common knowledge that Charles has deeply-held opinions, and he’s not afraid to express them. In that sense he’s the antithesis of his late mother, who never once rocked the boat throughout her long diplomatic reign. That wasn't her style.

A portrait emerges of a man who can be egotistical and short-tempered, but also very charming, engaged, genuine and sensitive. A complex human being, no less. 

You may be left with the impression, as I was, that for all his immense power and privilege, Charles would’ve preferred a much quieter life. In particular, the chapter on his troubled time at boarding school is rather sad.

How to Survive a Dictatorship with Munya Chawawa – Thursday, Channel 4, 10pm

Comedian Munya Chawawa’s initial plan for this programme involved a return to his Zimbabwean roots, where he could investigate the legacy of notorious tyrant Robert Mugabe. 

But then, at the very last minute, Chawawa and his crew discovered that their filming visas had been cancelled with no explanation whatsoever. 

Undaunted, they travel to South Africa instead, where Chawawa meets up with some of Mugabe’s friends, family-members, henchmen and victims. He wants, if possible, to gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the monster. 

Preview copies weren’t available, but Chawawa is a smart guy who will almost certainly provide some interesting insight into the horrific life and times of one of history’s most brutal dictators.

LAST WEEK’S TV

How the BBC Began – Saturday 22nd October, BBC Two

I was thoroughly engaged and delighted by episode one of this fascinating two-part documentary about the BBC’s first 50 years. 

Playful yet heartfelt and impressively researched, it’s a 180-minute essay that’s been compiled with care over the last eight years. A real labour of love. 

The BBC spends so much time flagellating itself, I reckon it deserves to bask in its achievements during this centenary year. 

The series isn’t self-indulgent, it mocks and critiques whenever it sees fit, but it’s ultimately a celebration of some of those great creative pioneers who built a cultural institution. 

The BBC isn’t perfect, nothing is. We’ll miss it when it’s gone.

Doctor Who – Sunday 23rd October, BBC One

Jodie Whittaker’s final episode was a frenetic wannabe epic mired in outgoing showrunner Chris Chibnall’s terrible expositional dialogue and his desperate insistence on throwing loads of ‘cool stuff’ at the screen in the hope that some of it sticks. 

Dollops of it did, to be fair. Sacha Dhawan’s Master was tremendous fun, and at least it was never boring (while at the same time making no sense). 

As a lifelong fan, I enjoyed the cameos from various previous Doctors and companions, but this was supposed to be Whittaker’s glorious last hurrah. Chibnall inexplicably side-lined her. She always deserved so much better. 

The ‘surprise’ return of David Tennant overshadowed her departure, it grabbed all the headlines, and that ain’t right.

As I'm sure you're aware, Doctor Who will receive a major reboot next year under the auspices of returning showrunner Russell T. Davies, the man who revived the series so successfully back in 2005.

Tennant will star in three specials, before handing over to our new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa. The future of the show looks bright. I just wish that Whittaker had been blessed with a writer of Davies' talent during her tenure. It's such a damn shame.

IMAGINE... MIRIAM MARGOLYES: UP FOR GRABS + INSIDE NO. 9 + DOCTOR WHO

A version of this article was originally published in The Courier on 23rd April 2022.

NEXT WEEK’S TV

Imagine… Miriam Margolyes: Up for Grabs – Monday, BBC One, 11:40pm

The latest episode of this long-running arts strand focuses on an eccentric National Treasure ™. In the tolerable company of Alan Yentob, Miriam Margolyes reflects upon her fascinating life and career. 

The opening scene is quite telling. Margolyes has an effusive review framed in her hallway. She rolls her eyes and shrugs while pointing out that it’s from the Daily Mail. The irony isn’t lost on her. She’s gay, left-wing and progressive. Which makes it all the more remarkable that she’s so warmly embraced by just about everybody. Such is the force of her charmingly smutty, witty personality. 

Eloquent and self-deprecating, Margolyes is a good egg. The programme also reminds us of her impressive acting range.

Long Lost Family Special: Shipped to Australia – Monday, STV, 9pm

This is terribly sad and angering. After World War Two and right up until the early 1970s, thousands of British children were shipped off to Australia with the promise of a better life. Many of them ended up in horrific institutions mired in physical and sexual abuse. Long Lost Family mainstays Nicky Campbell and Davina McCall highlight a scandal that should be common knowledge. 

The episode revolves around a lovely man who lost all contact with his brothers when he was sent to Tasmania. For decades his British relatives assumed that he was living the dream. He’d forgotten all about them. Nothing could be further from the truth. 

When he finally reunites with his family in England, well, you can imagine.

Inside No. 9 – Wednesday, BBC Two, 10pm

Our latest setting is a Welsh village primary school. A newly hired teacher (Reece Shearsmith) has big shoes to fill, as the pupils and staff (Steve Pemberton plays the headmaster) are still in thrall to his much-loved predecessor. But he tries his best to inspire the kids with his heartfelt lessons about environmental issues. 

This being Inside No. 9, things take a cruel and unusual turn. Inappropriate comments and vegetable-based misunderstandings ensue (trust me, that makes sense in context). 

It isn’t one of the strongest episodes, but the denouement, while not entirely surprising, is quite good fun. And I will never tire of Pemberton and Shearsmith’s unabashed fondness for Carry On style humour. They have no shame.

Luxury Food for Less – Thursday, Channel 4, 8pm

Plump up a cushion and get out your notebooks as lifestyle experts – nice work if you can get it – Michelle Ackerley and Sophie Morgan explain to we mere mortals how it’s apparently quite possible to stock your larder with great food while on a budget. Yep, it’s one of those programmes. 

They meet with various supermarket insiders and the culinary boffins responsible for some of Britain’s most popular healthy ready meals. 

I haven’t seen the show, but it sounds well-meaning. I’m recommending it only because I can practically guarantee that it will contain at least one or two nuggets of useful information. Which, if you’re anything like me, you’ll immediately forget while devouring a packet of crisps.

Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer and Me – Thursday, STV, 9pm

The popular television personality Julia Bradbury was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. During this candid, tender and sensitive programme, she talks us through her arduous emotional and physical ordeal. We also spend time with her sister and their octogenarian mother. 

Bradbury doesn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her. She’s fully aware that her story is of no more importance than anyone else’s. She’s also aware that her celebrity status can be exploited as a force for good: one hopes that other breast cancer patients will gain some succour from her honest and open account. 

There is anguish. There is hope. Hats off to all concerned for this valuable and admirably unsentimental essay.

Unreported World – Friday, Channel 4, 7:30pm

Channel 4’s stalwart investigative journalism series visits St Louis this week. It’s a city in the harrowing grip of a drug addiction crisis. Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that, according to research, has claimed more African American lives in recent years than Covid. 

When Krishnan Guru-Murthy meets with local residents, he discovers that many of those addicted to Fentanyl exist, barely, within the ignored margins of society. Some of them are homeless. Some of them are sex workers. He also interviews a local pastor who explains how drug use has become a source of self-medication for these tragically neglected people. 

Same as it ever was, but it’s a vitally important point that’s always worth repeating.

Here We Go – Friday, BBC One, 8:30pm

Here’s a new pre-watershed family sitcom for which I can only provide some faint yet vaguely hopeful praise. It’s amusing, likeable, and I can’t fault its cast of excellent comic actors. 

Jim Howick (Horrible Histories; Ghosts) plays the unemployed patriarch of an extended middle-class family. He’s a textbook harmless ‘dad joke’ buffoon. His wife is played by Katherine Parkinson. Alison Steadman and Tom Basden (who also wrote the series) crop up as his in-laws. 

The whole thing is filmed from the perspective of the teenage son, who’s working on a documentary for his Media Studies course. 

Your obvious reference points are Peep Show and Outnumbered. I’ll reserve judgement on this one, but it does show some promise.

LAST WEEK’S TV

Doctor Who – Sunday 17th April, BBC One

Jodie Whittaker’s penultimate adventure - the 13^th Doctor will regenerate in one final special later this year – reintroduced the Sea Devils, a classic series foe who last appeared on screen in 1984. They barely made an impression.

Set in early 19^th century China, this slapdash yarn also involved a real-life historical figure, the pirate Madame Ching.

A potentially great Doctor Who supporting character, but inevitably that potential was squandered by the entirely incompetent outgoing showrunner Chris Chibnall in an episode flooded with all the frustrating hallmarks of his era: perfunctory plotting, characterisation and dialogue. Does he ever bother with a second draft? 

Despite the shoddy writing and direction, it did at least boast some arresting visuals; the TARDIS resting on the seabed provided a rare moment of magic in an era conspicuously bereft of the stuff. Mild credit where it’s due.

As always, Whittaker transcended Chibnall’s shortcomings with her natural charm and energy. But she deserved so much better. Such a waste.

The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe – Sunday 17th April to Wednesday 20th April, STV

Twenty years ago, John Darwin from Hartlepool faked his own death in order to claim his life insurance. He then proceeded to live next door to his wife, Anne, while keeping a supposedly low profile. In 2007, the Darwins were exposed, charged and imprisoned. 

We’re all familiar with the surface details of this bizarre saga, but writer Chris Lang’s engrossing dramatization dug into the complex emotional core. 

Darwin came across as an irresponsible narcissist, a truly awful, selfish bully who gaslit Anne (the story was primarily told from her guilt-ridden, sympathetic perspective) while sparing no thought for the feelings of his children: they genuinely thought their dad was dead. A harrowing ordeal for Anne and those boys. They were John Darwin’s victims. 

Lang and his cast – outstandingly led by Eddie Marsan and Monica Dolan – got the nuanced tragicomic tone just right.

TALENT + TWO DOORS DOWN + DOCTOR WHO

This article was originally published in The Courier on 4th December 2021.

NEXT WEEK’S TV

Talent – Tuesday, BBC Scotland, 10pm

This charming documentary peers behind the scenes of a Scottish talent agency run by one Sonia Scott Mackay. A documentarian’s dream, Sonia is colourful, tenacious and utterly dedicated to her eclectic roster of clients. 

The programme focuses on four of them: a paramedic and mother of four who has recently broken into acting; an all-rounder (he’s in a Steps tribute act among other things) who’s had a tough time of late; a charismatic chap with a chance of appearing as an extra in a major Hollywood film; and a young actor/model who has experienced prejudice due to her disabilities. 

They’re all lovely people. And while their stories are sometimes poignant, the overall tone is celebratory.

Two Doors Down – Monday, BBC Two, 10pm

Series five of this deservedly popular BBC Scotland sitcom only runs to a mere three episodes. But it’s always a pleasure spending time with these discomfited suburban neighbours. 

In episode one they gather for champagne and curry. While Christine (Elaine C. Smith) struggles with an upset stomach, Ian reveals that he was recently beaten up by some thugs; but that’s nothing compared to the consternation that ensues when his partner Gordon refrains from drinking alcohol. 

As always, writers Simon Carlyle and Gregor Sharp bless their exceptional cast with sharply observed material. Two Doors Down has earned its place on the sofa alongside great single-setting sitcoms such as The Royle Family and Friday Night Dinner.

The Cult of Conspiracy: QAnon – Tuesday, Channel 4, 9pm

The American far-right movement QAnon revolves around one of the most bizarre conspiracy theories of recent years. The details are too sordid to divulge in a family newspaper, but suffice to say these people are members of a deluded cult who believe that sinister forces were conspiring against Donald Trump during his time in office. As if he needed any help in torpedoing his presidency. 

This documentary from journalist Ben Zand spends time with some of QAnon’s most devout believers, in an attempt to understand them on a human level. What led them down this convoluted path of outlandish lies? Louis Theroux will presumably be narked that Zand arrived at this grimly fascinating subject before him.

Nadiya’s Fast Flavours – Thursday, BBC Two, 8:30pm

Nadiya Hussein’s latest culinary odyssey is all about experimenting with flavour in a relatively simple way. 

A sprightly wizard at play in her spacious pastel-coloured kitchen, this week she bakes a loaf of banana bread with salted caramel sauce and a sprinkling of thyme; sculpts some sky-scraping Bombay burgers; serves a platter of sweet and spicy chicken bites; and unveils her very own apple and dumpling pie. “The ultimate put your feet up pie,” she enthuses. Which is a rather pleasing arrangement of words, isn’t it? 

‘Perfect lifestyle’ programmes such as this can often be quite vexing, but Hussein keeps annoyance at bay with her natural sunny charm. She’s a nicely unpretentious host.

And Just Like That… – Thursday, Sky Showcase, 9pm

All we really know about this sequel to Sex and the City is that Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon are reprising their roles. Kim Cattrall has declined to take part, for reasons she’s discreetly kept to herself. And they’re none of our business, frankly. 

She’ll be missed, but if these ten half-hour episodes somehow manages to recapture everything that was good about the show before it became a parody of itself, then the whole thing will be worth it. 

Revivals rarely work, but exceptions aren't unheard of. And surely it can’t be worse than the widely reviled Sex and the City 2? That’s not humanly possible. The series begins with a double-bill.

Grayson’s Art Club: An Exhibition for Britain – Friday, Channel 4, 8pm

Grayson Perry and his wife Philippa are an always welcome presence on our screens, they’re a united force for good. In this one-off instalment of their egalitarian series, the Perrys curate an exhibition displaying artworks created during lockdown. 

Earlier this year, they received more than 17,000 submissions from members of the public, as well as pieces created by professional artists and various celebrities (their guests include Boy George and Johnny Vegas). 

The exhibition opens in Bristol on 4^th December, hence why the programme is still being edited as I write these words on 28^th November, but I can pretty much guarantee that it will be worth your time. Grayson’s Art Club is a quietly life-affirming project.

Vienna Blood – Friday, BBC Two, 9pm

Set in early 1900s Vienna, this pulp melodrama unfolds at times like a fever dream. That’s a compliment of sorts. Matthew Beard stars as Dr Max Liebermann, a Sigmund Freud acolyte who assists the police with their inquiries. 

Series two begins with the death of an elderly Hungarian countess, who has seemingly drowned in her bath. The police assume that she took her own life. Naturally, there’s more to the case than that. The deceased was one of Liebermann’s patients, but he can’t betray her trust. At least not at first. 

Vienna Blood is written by Stephen Thompson, whose credits include Doctor Who and Sherlock, which might give you some idea of the slightly heightened tone.

LAST WEEK’S TV

Freddie Mercury: The Final Act – Saturday 27th November, BBC Two

Freddie Mercury has been the subject of numerous documentaries since his untimely death from AIDS in 1991, but this excellent 90-minute endeavour wasn’t just about His Majesty. 

A sensitive chronicle of Freddie’s tragic final years, the film also examined the widespread panic and ‘gay plague’ hysteria surrounding HIV. Like Sky’s recent series Positive, it served as a blunt reminder of the vile homophobia that was once served up every day during public discourse on this issue. 

A case in point: some appalling archive footage of MP David Blunkett describing Freddie’s lifestyle as “bizarre… and quite unacceptable.” This, remember, was only 30 years ago. No wonder Roger Taylor couldn’t hide his anger. 

Doctor Who – Sunday 28th November, BBC One

Fair play to divisive showrunner Chris Chibnall, this truncated serial is clearly the best thing he’s written for Doctor Who. Many flaws and all, it’s been quite enjoyable in a superficial way. 

So even if Sunday’s finale collapses in on itself (a very real possibility), the journey was diverting for the most part. The penultimate episode even featured a comic scene with jokes which actually landed.

And Jodie Whittaker, who’s been sadly ill-served during her tenure, has to her credit usually managed to rise above the material she’s been lumbered with. 

She’s been particularly good and ‘properly’ Doctorish during this almost valedictory run. It’s as if Chibnall has finally worked out how to write for her. Better late than never I suppose.

 

 

 

MIRIAM & ALAN: LOST IN SCOTLAND + WORZEL GUMMIDGE + DOCTOR WHO

This article was originally published in The Courier on 13th November 2021.

NEXT WEEK’S TV

Miriam & Alan: Lost in Scotland – Tuesday, Channel 4, 9:15pm

This new series involves Miriam Margolyes - whose father was Glaswegian - and Alan Cumming driving around Scotland in a campervan. Sounds like fun? Well yes, for the most part it is, but episode one features a saddening sequence in which Cumming revisits his childhood home in rural Tayside. 

His father was an abusive tyrant; watching his otherwise sunny demeanour fade as the awful memories come flooding back feels like a private moment we perhaps shouldn’t be intruding upon. But I understand why Cumming felt the need to share it. Their encounter with old pal Bill Paterson in the beautiful village of Fordyce is also rather bittersweet. 

There are some amusing moments too, though, I assure you.

Dispatches: Did Brexit Work for Business? – Monday, Channel 4, 8:30pm

The latest epistle from Channel 4’s long-running current affairs strand examines Brexit’s impact so far on the fortunes of British businesses. Reporter Harry Wallop strikes an irritatingly arch tone, as if it’s all a big joke, but if you can ignore that – good luck - the programme makes a sobering stats-heavy point. 

It’s based on an exclusive survey and some independent analysis (which factored in the effects of the pandemic). 635 small and medium-sized businesses were polled. Nearly half of them declared that they’re now doing significantly less overseas trade than before. Some of them have stopped trading with the EU entirely. 

They’re wandering through a bureaucratic minefield, an import/export shambles. Who would’ve thought?

The Outlaws – Monday, BBC One, 11:20pm

Worlds continue to collide in the fourth episode of Stephen Merchant’s good-natured comedy drama. This week, the community service gang’s accidentally appropriated drug loot needs to be discreetly laundered, and hapless lawyer Greg (Merchant) is the very man for the job. 

This leads to an amusing scene in which he has to pretend he’s familiar with the Twilight saga (it all makes sense in context). 

The Outlaws is occasionally quite contrived, but it’s also sweet, funny and sincere. The characters are engaging, the storyline is solid, and I admire the assured way in which it balances comedy and drama without any whiplash shifts in tone. Ricky Gervais could learn a lot from his erstwhile comedy partner. But he won't.

DIY SOS: The Big Build Children in Need Special – Tuesday, BBC One, 9pm

A Hull-based charity funded by Children in Need, the St Michael’s Youth Project provides social opportunities for thousands of local kids. An admirable endeavour. Its latest expansion plan involves a countryside campsite and adventure playground; so who better than the DIY SOS team to bring that dream to fruition? 

Regular host Nick Knowles was too busy with other work commitments to take part in this very special episode, but emergency guest presenter Rhod Gilbert is an amiable temp. 

A particularly compassionate and politically-pointed episode, it conveys an important message about poverty. No one should be starving in Britain today; a shameful state of affairs. It is, would you believe, a quietly forthright plea for change.

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

An informal weekly book club, Between the Covers is a pleasant distraction. Hosted by the ever-so-likeable Sara Cox – an entirely natural broadcaster who, one suspects, is just as they appear to be on screen – it polls the opinions of various fiction-steeped celebs. 

This week’s line-up: comic actor John Thomson, cheerfully sentient toffee apple and Saturday Kitchen booze expert Olly Smith, plus two excellent comedians, Fern Brady and Lou Sanders. 

Books under review include new releases The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald and The Coward by Jared McGinnis. Brady also recommends one of her favourites, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson, while Smith waxes lyrical about the novelisation of Ghostbusters.

Children in Need 2021 – Friday, BBC One, 7pm

Highlights of this year’s telethon include: a special teddy bear-based instalment of The Repair Shop; BBC News and sport journalists playing a round or two of I Can See Your Voice; Team GB and Paralympics GB competing in a school sports day; and CBBC presenters Sam and Mark taking on Danny Dyer's wonderfully ludicrous gameshow, The Wall. 

Dyer will hopefully pause proceedings to blearily demand some viewer donations: “Give the kiddies some readies, you muppets!” 

Your hosts for the evening are Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc, Graham Norton, Chris Ramsey and Alex Scott. A charitable celeb-based edition of University Challenge unfolds on BBC Two at 10pm, and the benign ghost of Terry Wogan haunts proceedings throughout.

Griff’s Great New Zealand Adventure – Friday, STV, 8pm

The very definition of avuncular, Griff Rhys Jones is one of the imperial doyens of celebrity travelogues. Yes, it’s an overstocked market, but Griff is particularly good at This Sort of Thing. He’s funny, charming and inquisitive. 

In episode one of his latest odyssey, he surfs down some sand dunes, checks into New Zealand’s oldest hotel, bakes a haphazard kiwi pavlova, and marvels at some striking contemporary art dotted throughout a verdant private farm populated by giraffes. 

He also learns about some traditional Maori customs and, err, sings God Save the Queen with a sensational indigenous choir. That’s a slightly awkward moment, but clearly well-intentioned. It’s a culturally sensitive and respectful programme; a nice vicarious vacation.

LAST WEEK’S TV

Worzel Gummidge – Saturday 6th November, BBC One

What a magical piece of television this is. Writer/director/star Mackenzie Crook’s fresh adaptation of the Worzel Gummidge saga has, since 2019, become a yearly treat: a bucolic, summery balm during our deep winter depression. 

The latest episode featured Crook’s old Detectorists cohort Toby Jones in multiple roles, if only to prove that you literally can’t have enough of Toby Jones. That other indispensable character actor, Paul Kaye, also burned brightly (sorry) as an affable if somewhat petulant Guy Fawkes effigy. 

This is bona fide family entertainment: it’s warm, witty, slightly unsettling in its whimsically folk horrific way, and entirely bereft of cynicism. Crook's Gummidge is an ugly/beautiful triumph. Look out for two more episodes over Christmas. 

Doctor Who – Sunday 7th November, BBC One

Episode two of Chris Chibnall’s (more or less) final lap was a pleasingly straightforward affair. Time has gone haywire, hence why the Sontarans are involved in the Crimean War, but Chibnall didn’t get too bogged down in whatever his overarching plan is. 

He delivered a traditional adventure yarn in which Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor was actually allowed to show some gumption and moral fibre for once; Chibnall, inexplicably, usually writes the 13^th Doctor as a bemused passenger in her own show. 

I have little faith in his ability to tie this serial together in a satisfying way, but that hopefully doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Russell T. Davies will be back soon enough. So far, so fun.

 

THE HERMIT OF TREIG + THE TOWER + DOCTOR WHO

This article was originally published in The Courier on 6th November 2021.

NEXT WEEK’S TV

The Hermit of Treig – Tuesday, BBC Scotland, 10pm

Ken Smith is one of the UK’s last remaining hermits. For over 40 years, he’s lived without electricity or a phone signal on the banks of a loch in the remote Scottish Highlands. Two years ago, he allowed filmmaker Lizzie MacKenzie to document his solitary lifestyle. The results are rather beautiful. 

It’s an intimate, meditative film in which MacKenzie gently encourages Smith to explain why he chose to live in almost total isolation. It was, initially at least, a way for him to process some of the grief and trauma he experienced as a young man. 

But Smith, despite being frustrated by his failing health, seems genuinely happy with how things have turned out. This is his life. No regrets.

The Tournament – Monday to Friday, BBC One, 2:15pm

This new Alex Scott-hosted daytime gameshow doesn’t boast any particular angle or gimmick as such. It’s a no-frills general knowledge quiz in which contestants answer exceedingly simple questions such as: “The Scottish city of Dundee stands at the mouth of which river?” And did Oasis once release an album called “Certainly Feasible”? 

It's not a challenging show, it’s a harmlessly generic piece of afternoon filler. And the head-to-head rounds are amusing, as the affable contestants have clearly been instructed to stare at each other with the utmost burning intensity. No mean feat when you’re fielding questions about Homes Under the Hammer. 

Villages By the Sea – Monday, BBC Two, 7pm

Archaeologist Ben Robinson is an enthusiastic, wide-eyed giraffe of a man, and here he is, in this scenic new series, to deliver some engaging history lessons about Britain’s coastal villages. 

His first port of call is Bamburgh in Northumberland, which is situated just a few miles south of the Scottish border. Overlooked by an impressive hilltop castle, Bamburgh is also home to a seventh century Christian burial ground: as Robinson reveals, we can learn a lot about the diet and lifestyle of ancient Britons by examining the state of their teeth. 

He also peers into an ancient well and explains how, many moons ago, this humble little village established a prototypical version of the welfare state.

The Tower – Monday to Wednesday, STV, 9pm

ITV’s never-ending slew of crime dramas continues with this three-part series, which begins with a teenage girl and a policeman falling to their deaths from the top of a residential tower block. So far, so gloomy, but this is an obvious cut above your standard ITV cop show fare; it has slightly more grit and depth than the likes of The Long Call. 

The excellent Gemma Whelan delivers a sensitive, understated performance as the DSI tasked with solving this mystery, the details of which are gradually revealed via flashback. NB: I only had access to episode one, so apologies in advance if it all falls apart.

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Rivers – Wednesday, BBC One, 7:30pm

Paul ‘Not Paul Merton’ Murton and his familiar wide-brimmed hat – Crocodile Dunoon? – have returned for another wander around the watery veins of Scotland. This week’s destination is the River Garry in Perthshire. 

Our genial guide never shies away from some of the darker tributaries of Scottish history; Garry and its surroundings are beautiful, but this episode serves as a reminder that many of the picturesque environments we all enjoy today were once scarred by weirdness, horror and violence. Something to think about during your next family picnic. 

But Murton keeps it light for the most part. That’s his M.O. He’s the 21^st century Tom Weir, and I can think of no higher praise than that.

Nadiya’s Fast Flavours – Thursday, BBC Two, 8:30pm

The effervescent Nadiya Hussein hosts this new home cooking show, which, as the title suggests, is primarily concerned with the ways in which a dash of extra flavour can improve your everyday meals. Feel free to experiment, people! Her macaroni and cheese recipe – which is seasoned with beefy yeast and Worcestershire sauce – looks delicious. 

Yes, this is just another aspirational lifestyle series in which a solvent expert dispenses advice from their vast, perfect, sunlit kitchen; but Hussein is such a likeable presence, her programmes never come across as bizarre and vaguely unsettling upper middle-class fantasies a la Nigella Lawson’s almost Lynchian transmissions from a parallel universe.

The Trial of Louise Woodward – Thursday, STV, 9pm

24 years ago, British au pair Louise Woodward was convicted of the involuntary manslaughter of Matthew Eappen, an eight-month-old infant in her care. Woodward, who was 19 at the time, became the subject of intense media scrutiny. The details of her court case were shared both here and in America, where the crime took place. 

This documentary, which wasn’t available at the time of writing, boasts access to key figures associated with the case. It examines each stage of Woodward’s trial while taking in the aftermath. I’m cautiously recommending this programme, as one hopes – for the sake of all of those directly concerned – that it’s a sensitive and responsible account of a terrible tragedy. 

LAST WEEK’S TV

Doctor Who – Sunday 31st October, BBC1

The most you can ever expect from a Chris Chibnall-penned episode of Doctor Who is that it’s surprisingly decent, and that’s the lofty bar we hit last week when the series returned. 

Chibnall’s trademark clunky dialogue aside, it was an enjoyable, intriguing, occasionally suspenseful and frenetically scene-setting opener in which fan favourites the Weeping Angels and the Sontarans returned alongside this year’s Big Bad: a marauding entity that’s threatening to devour the universe. 

Meanwhile, new companion John Bishop made a fairly promising impression, even though his character is basically little more than a patronisingly-sketched salt-of-the-earth Scouse stereotype. Otherwise, not bad at all; actual fun ensued. Fingers crossed, eh?

Showtrial – Sunday 31st October, BBC One

Like The Tower, this new crime drama proudly presents itself as Actually Being About Something. The abiding theme here is class inequality in Britain today. 

When a young working-class woman went missing after a posh student ball, the police apprehended the daughter of a powerful property developer. An instantly objectionable symbol of arrogant entitlement – the Bullingdon mentality incarnate – she is, of course, putting up a cold front to disguise some private trauma. 

Showtrial isn’t subtle, nor is it especially compelling, but it’s occasionally quite cynical and witty. Well-acted too: all rare commodities in dramas of this nature. Whether it follows through on its vague promise and ambition, well (if you will) the jury’s out.

 

THE SERPENT + DOCTOR WHO + WORZEL GUMMIDGE

This article was originally published in The Courier on Boxing Day 2020.

NEXT WEEK’S TV 

The Serpent – New Year’s Day, BBC One, 9pm 

This absorbing thriller is based on the sordid true story of French conman and serial killer Charles Sobhraj (Tahar Rahim), who, together with his girlfriend Marie-Andree Leclerc (Jenna Coleman), preyed on hippie backpackers in 1970s Southeast Asia. His unlikely nemesis was a concerned young diplomat from the Dutch embassy. Co-produced by Netflix, it’s a big-budget affair with a distinct whiff of Tarantino and Scorsese in terms of editing, non-linear structure and killer soundtrack. Rahim commands the screen with his sinister snake-eyed charm. Superior stuff, although it’s docked a few points for failing to include a scene in which the French-accented Coleman wears an obvious disguise and says, “It is I, Leclerc.”

Celebrity: A 21^st Century Story – Tuesday to New Year’s Day, BBC Two, 9pm

If you feel like ending chucklesome 2020 on a particularly desolate note, watch this grimly diverting series about the birth and growth of modern celebrity culture. The first series of Big Brother, which enveloped an unwary nation 20 years ago, looks so innocent now, but it spawned a monster. Reality TV and money-spinning talent contests elevated people to instant stardom. They were exploited and discarded by villains such as Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan. Fame for fame’s sake became the abiding narrative. The media landscape became shallower, grubbier, allowing rampant narcissists such as Johnson and Trump to seize power. People began to live their lives in public via powerful social media platforms. And this is where we are. Happy New Year!

Bruce Dickinson: Scream for Me Sarajevo – Tuesday, BBC Four, 9pm

In December 1994, Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson performed a concert during the Siege of Sarajevo. Dickinson and his band risked their lives to entertain people trapped in the midst of a hellish warzone, but this excellent documentary is about so much more than that. It’s a humbling account of Bosnians rising up against their barbaric fascist oppressors, using art as a weapon of defiance. Although Dickinson contributes his side of the story – his account of organising the concert provides some sporadic light relief - the film focuses on the kids who lived through the horror of ethnic cleansing. It contains necessarily distressing scenes and eyewitness accounts. You may, however, emerge with some hope for humanity.

The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne – Wednesday, BBC Two, 10pm

You can’t have too much metal at Christmas, so here’s a profile of the man who forged it all. Produced by the Osbournes themselves, it’s very much an official document of Ozzy’s wild life, but it’s no hagiography. How could it be? There is just no way to frame this story in an entirely upbeat way. He’s a recovering addict who, at his most deranged, once tried to kill his wife, Sharon. But she forgave him, as did his children. For all his failings, he is beloved. Ozzy comes across as a fundamentally decent, sensitive soul who for years could only cope with life on a colossal diet of drink and drugs. But the film feels like a eulogy.

Billy Connolly: It’s Been a Pleasure – Hogmanay, STV, 9:30pm

Ever since he went public with his Parkinson’s diagnosis a few years ago, there have been several programmes paying tribute to The Big Yin. Quite right too, he’s one of the greatest stand-ups of all time, right up there with Pryor. As he prepares to retire from the spotlight, this programme celebrates some of his funniest stand-up moments. Preview copies weren’t available, but we’re promised a new interview with Billy from his Florida home, plus the obligatory glowing assessments from celebrity fans such as Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Lenny Henry, Paul McCartney and Dustin Hoffman (hasn’t he been cancelled?). Billy is one of the few comedians who can make me cry with laughter. He’s a beacon of joy.

Doctor Who – New Year’s Day, BBC One, 6:45pm

It’s just so sad, really. Jodie Whittaker being cast as the first female Doctor was a cause for celebration, but from day one she’s been saddled with the staggering ineptitude of showrunner Chris Chibnall. I say this without a hint of hyperbole: the man is an abysmal writer. How I miss the wit, craft and emotional depth of his predecessors, Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat. Chibnall seemingly writes via hastily scribbled Post-It notes. Clumsy political satire abounds in this typically anodyne episode, wherein poor old Whittaker and returning guest-star John Barrowman gamely plod from A to B. Bradley Walsh, who has been excellent as one of the Doctor’s companions, needn’t have bothered turning up at all. They all deserve better.

LAST WEEK’S TV

Worzel Gummidge – Christmas Eve, BBC One

Just like last year, Mackenzie Crook’s adaptation of Barbara Euphan Todd’s classic books for children stole the Christmas TV crown. Crook, who writes, directs and stars as Worzel, gets everything just right. It’s funny, clever, charming, moving and ever so slightly creepy. The latest episode featured a wonderfully bizarre performance from Shirley Henderson as Saucy Nancy, the ship’s masthead whose salty profanities make no sense whatsoever (by sheer coincidence, in the much-loved Jon Pertwee version, Nancy was played by the recently departed Barbara Windsor). Crook’s Worzel feels like a natural follow-up to Detectorists, which also contained traces of vaguely eerie yet essentially comforting English folklore; the strange, ancient magic of the fields. It’s such a beautiful piece of work.

The Wall Versus Celebrities – Christmas Eve, BBC One

“We don’t spread Corona in this gaff!” I love The Wall. The very idea of Danny Dyer hosting a gameshow is ridiculous. That’s why it works. The game itself is solid, enjoyable, but it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without uber-geezer Dyer at the helm. Unless you count “Is it wrong, or is it right?” as a catchphrase, he doesn’t bother with the standard golden rules of gameshow hosting. Yes, he nudges it along and looks like he’s enjoying himself, but apart from that he trims off all the fat. The disembodied voice of Angela Rippon asks the questions, Dyer isn’t required to do even that. It’s an absolute masterclass in achieving stellar results while apparently doing nothing.