Thursday’s “US Braquo remake, Shatner’s World and new BBC dramas” news

12 January 2012 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

Theater

British TV

  • Tuesday ratings: Body of Proof starts with 1.7m viewers on Channel 5
  • 61% of BBC shows are repeats
  • Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid to star in rom-com Antony and Cleopatra
  • Dennis Lawson joins New Tricks
  • Sean Bean to star in The Accused
  • BBC announces five new dramas including The Moonstone, Truckers, War of the Roses, Room on the Broom and The Secret of Crickley Hall, casts Hayley Atwell in Restless, renews Death in Paradise for a second series
  • Victoria Wood to write another 90-minute film for BBC1 [subscription required]
  • Channel 4 to launch a repeats channel? [subscription required]
  • BSkyB axes Current TV

US TV

TMINE

Question of the week: which TV shows would be more interesting re-gendered?

11 January 2012 Rob Buckley 3 Comments

Suits on USA

So I’ve recently been watching Suits with my lovely wife – it’s coming to Dave in the UK on the 17th and I heartily recommend you watch it. But as I was watching it, a thought came to mind: it’s essentially about two blokes. Then another thought came to mind: is there any good reason why it couldn’t have been about two women? In fact, wouldn’t it have been even more interesting with two women in the main roles? Okay, Gabriel Macht’s fantastic but all the same, there are plenty of strong actresses who could have been Harvina Specter.

Guys – everywhere. Women? Not so much – at least not in these kinds of roles (don’t mention Ally McBeal anyone).

So this week’s question is a simple:

What TV show with primarily male leads would be more interesting with female leads? Or vice versa?

There are some shows that really need male or female leads – 2 Broke Girls, Man Up! and New Girl are all about situations specific to a particular gender. Even Suburgatory would have changed subtly if it were less about mean girls than mean boys.

But would Terra Nova have sucked less with a female lead? Would A Gifted Woman have been more interesting than A Gifted Man or just the same? Would Grimmin have been better – or just Buffy again? Would Boss have worked better with a female mayor?

What do you think? Answers below or on your own blog, please!

Wednesday’s “Saving Thor 2, more Psych and Paul Bettany unmasters sex” news

11 January 2012 Rob Buckley Post a comment

Film

Theatre

  • Torchwood‘s Eve Myles to star with Scrubs‘ Zach Braff in All New People

British TV

Canada

US TV

Competitions

Competition: Win John Bishop Live – The Collection

10 January 2012 Rob Buckley 6 Comments

Win John Bishop Live on DVD

Well, the BBC Shop sent it to me last year…

BBC Shop Badge

…but there’s no chance whatsoever that I’m going to watch it, so it’s time for a simple competition to win John Bishop Live: The Collection on DVD. Included are Elvis Has Left the Building and The Sunshine Tour, together worth £17.99 at the BBC Shop.

And to enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below or email me! Usual competition rules apply and you have to live in the UK. Closing date is Monday 16th at 11.59pm.