UK TV

An archive of blog entries about UK TV programmes and production.

Matt LeBlanc auditions to play Matt LeBlanc in Showtime/BBC’s Episodes

13 January 2010 Rob Buckley 4 Comments

Imagine you have a hit BBC sitcom and the US want to adapt it. In the UK, it’s Ian McKellen or Derek Jacobi who stars. In the US, it’s… Matt LeBlanc. Ruined huh?

Well that’s what happening with the BBC’s/Showtime’s Episodes. Except this whole process is the comedy, not the TV show. Matt LeBlanc plays Matt LeBlanc in the show, except for the show within the show, he has to audition to play Matt LeBlanc. Confusing, huh? Then watch this:

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BBC Winter/Spring drama highlights

13 January 2010 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

Here’s a little vid of the BBC’s showing the highlights of their current and forthcoming drama output. Full details after the jump, but there’s Idris Elba in Luther, Billie Piper in A Passionate Woman, Christopher Eccleston in Lennon Naked, Douglas Henshall in The Silence, Alan Bleasdale’s The Sinking of the Laconia, as well as bits from Ashes to Ashes, Doctor Who (nothing new), Being Human, Survivors and The Deep.

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Wednesday’s Mannequin on the move news

13 January 2010 Rob Buckley Post a comment

Film

British TV

  • Hugh Dennis to replace James May on Oz and James’ Big Wine Adventure? [registration required]
  • Law & Order watched by 5.6m viewers
  • Glee does well, too
  • iPlayer now available

Canadian TV

  • Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald to make half-hour 80s nostalgia comedy for Canwest

US TV

Tuesday’s Chuck me news

12 January 2010 Rob Buckley Post a comment

Film

British TV

US TV

UK TV

Review: Being Human 2×1

11 January 2010 Rob Buckley 4 Comments

In the UK: Sunday 10th January, 9.30pm, BBC3. Available on the iPlayer
In the US: No air date yet, but probably BBC America again

Being Human, an everyday tale of a ghost, a vampire and a werewolf who house-share, was the surprise success of BBC3’s 2008 pilot competition. I loved it to pieces. It was great.

Although beaten at first to the series draw by Phoo Action, it got a series pick-up a few months later once it became clear that it was a vastly better show, thanks in part to an Internet fan campaign, and thanks again in part to people having seen Phoo Action.

Mostly recast, it soon became BBC3’s surprise drama success of last year. Now it’s back for a second series. Can it maintain the quality?

Not quite, and I’ll tell you for why – it doesn’t feel so real any more.


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