Ooh look, Doctor Who‘s own camcorder-oriented Anne Frank is hard at work again. Yep, it’s time for David Tennant’s video diary – he’s filming behind the scenes of the Easter special this time.
Articles by Rob Buckley
US TV
Review: Trust Me 1×1
In the US: Mondays, 9/8c, TNT
Over the years, there have been surprisingly few shows set in the world of advertising. Given that it’s a sexy, sexy industry, filled with volatile creatives, loads of money and gadzillions of product placement and sponsorship opportunities, you’d have thought it would have been a no-brainer, but apparently not. Bewitched and Mad Men and that’s about it, really.
So, finally, at last, comes the show we’ve all been waiting for (?). Produced by former advertising execs and current producers of The Closer, Trust Me stars Eric McCormack (Will in Will and Grace, who recently had a brief sojourn on The Andromeda Strain), Tom Cavanagh (JD’s brother on Scrubs and Eli’s father on Eli Stone) and Monica Potter (Boston Legal and Martha in Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel & Laurence).
While the lack of class A drugs probably disqualifies it from being called a realistic portrayal of the advertising industry, in many ways it’s a reasonably accurate look at the egos of the creatives in the boys’ club that is the modern advertising industry, right down to the fact there’s only one woman in it.
Pity it’s not as funny as it thinks it is.
Classic TV
Lost Gems: Look Around You – Series One
If you grew up during the 80s (or even the 70s) in the UK, like me, you were probably subjected to some pretty rubbish teaching programmes during science classes – they were usually narrated by Chris Tarrant, if that helps jog your memory. Joe has just reminded me of the marvellous first series of Look Around You, in which Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz mercilessly and very surreally sent up “television for schools and colleges”.
I won’t say too much about it, since it really does speak for itself. Here’s a scary clip of the ‘Helvetica Scenario’ from the pilot episode, Calcium, for those that just want a sample.
For those with more time and who liked that taster, here’s the entire pilot episode. Be warned, you will feel a palpable sensation of nostalgia within about five seconds if you are over 30 and British.
And here’s the Sulphur episode, which is one of my favourites:
If you’re in the US, you can watch all the episodes (with a few adverts) on Adult Swim‘s web site, since it’s currently airing on Sunday nights. If you’re in the UK, if you loved it, you can buy the whole series, including pilot episode, on DVD.
There was also a second series that sent up Tomorrow’s World and Micro Live, but it wasn’t as good IMHO – although it was still pretty hilarious at times. Here’s a sample – you can get it on DVD, too.
PS: At no point should you rely on Look Around You for accurate scientific information.
Today's Joanna Page
Today’s Joanna Page: Love Soup (again)
Today’s Joanna Page is Love Soup again, from her guest appearance last series. Yes, I know I’ve already done it, but this time, you can see her in action, since her collected scenes from that episode are now on YouTube.
The series is by David “Jonathan Creek” Renwick, so you can guess that all is not what it seems: can you crack the mystery before the end of the video? What surprises Mark Heap so much when he visits Heather’s home? The clues are there – can you spot them? Don’t read the original entry before you’ve had a chance to guess though, since I gave the whole game away back then.
US TV
YA Heroes promo – Superbowl
NBC is going all out this year to get people watching Heroes again, after volumes two and three put everyone off it. It’s even making a special ad to run during the Superbowl to advertise the show, the theme of the commercial being “what if the Heroes used their superpowers to cheat in a game of football?” Looks like everyone – even Ali and Haydn – gets to play, although Jack Coleman will be sitting on the sidelines as the team’s coach.
I’ve put together a playlist of behind-the-scenes interviews, as well as some footage of the ad being filmed (you’ll have to wait until the Superbowl to see the final version) over at YouTube, but none of the vids are embeddable so you’ll have to go there to watch them. Sorry.