Reviews of various programmes that I’ve been blogging about recently (bar Prime Suspect, which I’ll be blogging about once I’ve watched the second episode).
Torchwood, BBC3
“Unless it improves quickly, even they [the fans] might start to notice that this really isn’t Doctor Who for adults, as promised. Instead, it’s Doctor Who with added sex and swearing – which isn’t the same thing at all.”
James Walton, The Daily Telegraph
Torchwood, BBC3
“This looks promising: it’s slick, quick and a tiny bit scary.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian
Simon Schama’s Power of Art, BBC2
“They’d spent some money on costumes and stick-on beards, but the sets were empty and the acting was of the declamatory sort.”
Phil Hogan, The Observer
Simon Schama’s Power of Art, BBC2
“There is just enough substance in the programme to leave you feeling spiritually nourished.”
Hermione Eyre, The Independent on Sunday
Simon Schama’s Power of Art, BBC2
“The point of these authored, visually clotted documentaries is really to be infomercials for instant coffee table tomes.”
AA Gill, The Sunday Times
Prime Suspect, ITV1
“Despite the occasional wobble along the way, both Tennison and the programme had remained true to their ideals by resisting the pressure to go out with a melodramatic bang.”
James Walton, The Daily Telegraph
Prime Suspect, ITV1
“The first episode of Prime Suspect was about as good as television ever gets.”
AA Gill, The Sunday Times
Lead Balloon, BBC4
“Lead Balloon is well worth watching. It is a delectable comedy of everyday embarrassment, and as such feels exquisitely British.”
Hermione Eyre, The Independent on Sunday
Robin Hood, BBC1
“Correction: in a review earlier this month, I may have implied that Robin Hood was quite good. Having now sat through three hours of dialogue as clunky as a 1970s seat belt, it’s perfectly clear that I couldn’t have been more wrong. Apologies all round.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian
