Everyone appears to be off having fun in the sun or looking after their kiddywinks, this week, so you've probably not watched any actual tele. But just in case you have, anything good or was there anything you shouldn't have tuned in for?
We didn't watch much this week, beyond cracking open the remastered original series Star Trek DVDs and giving them a go. Not as good as I remember, but still better than a whole lot of things I could mention. And we haven't even got on to the really good eps yet. We have, however, been getting through those Come Dine With Mes at a rate of knots. I've got the first couple of episodes of Glee sitting around somewhere, ready to watch and review – should I bother? I've also got that Michael Woods 'Beowulf' thing from BBC4 to cast my eye over when I have a mo.
No The Daily Show this week, unfortunately. On The Apprentice: surprised to see James survive again – he's so out next week – and I can understand why Howard got the chop, but Lorraine was probably more deserving. Interesting to see if we get an all-woman final which would be nice, and I'm suspecting it'll be Nadine v Deborah (sp? x2).
As always, no spoilers unless you're going to use the <spoiler> </spoiler> tags, please? Ta!
May 29, 2009 | Reply
Well Springwatch is back so that's a nice way to relax of an evening. Always loved Simon King's enthusiasm, so I thought he'd be best to take over from Mr Oddie, but having seen Chris Packham, I reckon they made a good choice actually.
Also finally got round to watching one of the poetry programmes last night - Michael Wood on Beowulf. Tried to pack in too much, but the snippets of performance by Julian Glover were brilliant.
May 29, 2009 | Reply
Watched...
Breaking Bad, the penultimate episode to season 2. I will miss this show when it is off the air. It's been a constant thrill each week, never knowing what to expect from it (except brilliance).
Reaper, the final episode. As a season finale, it rocked my world. As a series finale, it broke my heart.
Ashes to Ashes hasn't been as good since the police corruption story ended but it's still diverting.
Alexander Armstrong on HIGNFY is always something to relish.
I've watched three episodes of Ideal which is in its fifth series and I hadn't even heard of it... To be fair on me, I don't live in the UK much. But still, why did no one tell me that there is still fresh and brilliant comedy in the UK? Best thing since Spaced/Green Wing. Love it and now I need to track down the dvds.
ER (channel 4) has been dull without Dr Carter in it. Now I remember why I stopped watching in the first place.
Oh- caught up on Supernatural. I really adored the final three episodes. That show really nails finales on the head. I feel it a shame the seasons themselves can often drag as they tread water waiting for the season to end (why can't it change that structure around a bit? It's so predictable to have a big finale... how about a big episode 17 followed by four episodes of the boys sunning themselves on a beach?).
And finally, you mention Glee... Well, I saw the first episode and it was cheesy but self aware, undercutting itself and putting a spin on the cliches. However, cheesy High School Musical things are obviously not for me and I am not sure that there is anything to become involved in here as the characters are paper thin and there is no real plot to it. But hey, I know lots of people like dance numbers and it is good that they have something to watch.
May 29, 2009 | Reply
Have managed to miss all the poetry progs. Grr... Particularly wanted to see the one on Milton.
Loving the Apprentice. That tv gig has got be the best task they have to do. So cringy. Debra annoyingly did really well this week. Lorraine total disaster, but I can see why Howard had to go. Kate is either really crap and has kept it well hidden till now, or is very devious and deliberately fails to deliver when it matters. Eg on this task she couldn't get fired cos she chose the right items and went hell for leather selling the air guitar, but why when she was producing did she not keep reminding Howard and Lorraine to mention the price not the product. Stupidity or deliberate slip? In an early task she cocked up presenting food, claiming not to know what a blini was, and she and Philip deliberately tried to cock things up for Lorraine. I think she's playing a clever game and may get to the final.
Lorraine for all her gut instinct chooses some crap stuff. I think she should go next. Or James, though I do like James. I think it will be Yasmina and Debra/Kate for the final.
Still loving Ashes to Ashes. Gene had some particularly fine lines this week. And the scene in the scrap yard was hilarious.
Omid Djalili now sadly finished. I loved his version of Henry VIII and applaud his courage in taking a pop at everyone. The Reality TV show with Osama Bin Laden was particularly inspired.
QT not quite as much fun this week. Probably because I cannot summon up any enthusiasm or interest in the European elections...
May 29, 2009 | Reply
Watched the Milton poetry programme - wonderful and enthusiastic (and we even found we had the same edition of Paradise Lost as AI used for the programme)
Also caught the not-Star-Trek episode of CSI. incredibly silly and I can imagine it annoyed many people but I have to admit I loved it.
The Mentalist was bonkers as ever, but I am quite keen on it. or maybe on the cute buns of Simon Baker in his suits, I'm not finally decided on that.
Caught a new season ep of NCIS whilst we temporarily had FX which at least reassured me about how the last season we saw on Five progressed.
Finally got around to watching episode 5 of Being Human and want to watch the finale all over again. In fact just the whole series because it's brilliant.
BTW bob, I've not watched Ideal for a while but when I did it brought back slightly disturbing reminders of someone we once knew (maybe it was the Manchester thing).
May 29, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Lisa, that's the second recommend for the Milton prog. Have to watch it on iplayer now (particularly as I have quoted from PL in my latest wip). Glad you liked Being Human. Now you know why we were all raving!
May 29, 2009 | Reply
Ha, well given I missed most of the Milton programme as friend was over i only caught end so we sat and watched on the iPlayer last night!
And re: BH --- well, I just don't know what was up with my head managing to miss the pilot and not getting into watching it at the time. But I certainly trusted your lots judgement on how brilliant it was and it has utterly lived up to expectations! My only complaint - and it isn't against BH as such - is why on earth couldn't Doctor Who, or even Torchwood! manage to combine such a deft level of humour, horror and fantasy genres...the Whoniverse sci-fi setting surely cannot preclude that?!
May 29, 2009 | Reply
I haven't watched squat this week. Here in the US it's the summer hiatus, which means repeats and reality shows. Aside from a casual interest in Survivor and occasionally The Amazing Race, I don't watch reality shows (let's face it, if I want to see real people behaving badly, I need only look around during my commute or when I'm shopping at Target). I'm also working on 'acquiring' more British shows to watch, but haven't quite got that system up and running yet.
I do have a plan to watch everything that's saved up on my DVR so I can clear it off before autumn, so that ought to keep me busy for a while. I still have to catch up on 12 episodes of Lost, as well as some House and Friday Night Lights episodes. I also have Little Dorrit (shown on PBS' Masterpiece Classic) saved up, though the reviews I read for it were middling at best.
I am looking forward to checking out some of the programmes coming to BBCA this summer and autumn, particularly Being Human. And I'll be there to watch the DW specials (again) and Torchwood: Children of Earth.