Wednesday’s “Edgar Allan Poe: detective” news

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Theatre

British TV

US TV

Sitting Tennant (week 3, 2011)

Karen Gillan and David Tennant

In a rare outbreak of picture unanimity, virtually the entire massed ranks of picture contributors all decided to submit this marvellous picture last week – yes, Ms Rullsenberg, Hebbie, Toby and Sister Chastity each get 10 points for this picture glory. Who saw that coming?

  1. Rullsenberg, Hebbie: 20
  2. Toby, Sister Chastity, Janice: 10

Only Ms Rullsenberg responded to last week’s question about the return of Fridays’ Sitting Tennant so we’re going to stick with just Tuesdays for now. Only once we have a picture quorum can we change the rules… that I made up at the start of the year. Not sure how that works but that’s how it works.

Over in captionland, once everyone had gotten over the shock of Mr David Tennant’s haircut, we had a burst of inspiration from new arrival Lisa G (hello Lisa!) and from our regulars – as well as something (a cry for help?) from Marie. But the winners were Toby and Rullsenberg, who both get 10 points. Good luck this week everyone!

  1. SK, Rullsenberg: 15
  2. Toby, Electric Dragon: 10
  3. Marie, Joe B, theriverlady, Lisa G: 5

Got a picture of David Tennant sitting, lying down or in some indeterminate state in between? Then leave a link to it below or email me and if it’s judged suitable, it will appear in the “Sitting Tennant” gallery. Don’t forget to include your name in the filename so I don’t get mixed up about who sent it to me.

The best pic in the stash each week will appear on Tuesday and get ten points.

You can also enter the witty and amusing captions league table by commenting on the photo, the best caption getting 10 points, everyone who contributes getting five points.

Random Acts

Random Acts of Ali Larter: Javier Bardem and Johnny Depp

The stress of being Ali Larter’s maternity cover has clearly been worse than we previously thought for poor Scarlett:

She might even be taking something stronger:

Scarlett Johansson surrounded by Moet and balloons

So let’s give her a break and see what Javier Bardem and Johnny Depp can randomly do this week

Javier Bardem and Johnny Depp in Fine Line's Before Night Falls

Nice work guys! That shows promise, even if it’s not a great impression of Ali by Johnny there.

Have you seen Ali Larter or one of her sub-contractors acting randomly? If so, let us know and we’ll tell everyone about it in "Random Acts of Ali Larter"

The CarusometerA Carusometer rating of 4

Third-episode verdict: InSecurity

In Canada: Tuesdays, 8.30pm ET, CBC

As we may recall, the first episode of InSecurity, CBC’s spy comedy, was dreadful – a lame, unfunny half-of-hour of bad acting and obvious jokes that everyone involved should be thoroughly ashamed of.

I’m pleased to say that although it’s not tremendously better, it has, at least, managed to raise a few laughs over the next couple of episodes. While it’s still operating at a base level of obvious, stupid and, again, poorly acted, there’s been a sight uptick in the writing, largely thanks to good old Canadian self-mockery, but with some actual characterisation going on as well.

Episode two has been the best of the crop so far, with the idea that Canada secretly has the most powerful armed forces in the world raising especial laughs, but episode three’s inept right-wing ex-prep school terrorists who can’t even bomb the National Arts Council of Canada properly managed to raise a giggle or two.

It’s clear that it’s always going to be both very hit or miss and stupid, but it does now have a few redeeming qualities and can occasionally make you laugh. It’s still not very good and if you have anything better to do, go and do that instead.

Carusometer rating: 4
Rob’s prediction: Dead by season’s end