Friday’s “I have the power!” news

30 January 2009 Rob Buckley Post a comment

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US TV

  • Lauren Graham pilot gets a green light
  • CBS greenlights three new drama pilots
  • Promo for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles promises fresh start
  • Life on Mars‘ ratings not good
US TV

Review: Trust Me 1×1

29 January 2009 Rob Buckley 7 Comments

Trust Me, with Eric McCormack, Monica Potter and Tom Cavanagh

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.

Continue reading “Review: Trust Me 1×1”

Classic TV

Lost Gems: Look Around You – Series One

29 January 2009 Rob Buckley 10 Comments

Look Around You

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.