US TV

Review: The Cleaner 1×1

The Cleaner

In the US: Tuesdays, 10/9c, A&E

A&E has something of a thing for Benjamin Bratt at the moment. As well as starring in the colossally expensive The Andromeda Strain remake, he’s now starring in the not-as-expensive-as-its-own-marketing-campaign The Cleaner.

Yep, in an effort to get away from being known as the “channel that likes to show Sopranos re-runs”, A&E is spending up to $8 million just on promoting The Cleaner, one of its first original drama series in a very long time.

Building on the dark and gritty image the network already has, The Cleaner explores the world of addiction, whether it’s addiction to drugs, gambling, sex or alcohol. Bratt, in a role “inspired” by reality, plays William Banks, a man who attempts to get over his past heroin addiction by weaning others off their addictions.

Unfortunately, “inspired” seems to mean “converted into something a bit like every other television series you’ve ever seen – and about as realistic”.

Continue reading “Review: The Cleaner 1×1”

A new meme gets passed on

Everyone’s doing sterling work over on Monday’s meme: the voice of the people is pretty clear and it appears to be saying, “Steven Moffat is top!” The only debate appears to be over which of his episodes are topper than the others.

Toby, meanwhile, has started up a counter-meme in response. He wants to know which three of nu-Who‘s guest stars have been the best. I’m guessing people like Lis Sladen and Catherine Tate don’t count once they’ve become regular cast members on the main show or its spin-offs (Tobes: help me out here!). Ditto the Torchwood crowd.

Anyway, mine are:

  1. Bernard Cribbins (for just being brilliant),
  2. Julian Bleach (for being creepy enough to be Davros and doing a brilliant impression of the previous Davroses) and
  3. John Simm (I’m not saying it was a subtle performance, only that it was the equal of David Tennant’s, which is what you need from The Master).

As always, leave your own list on your own blog and a link on Tobe’s blog or just post straight to Tobe’s comments. And you can leave a link to yours here, too, if you want.

PS Toby suggests MINErs as a collective name for anyone who comments here regularly. Is this apt and should it be officially adopted? Do any of the assembled Welsh here feel upset at the suggestion they’re miners (cf that Pot Noodle ad)?

Friday’s Rorschach’s mask news

Doctor Who

Film

Theatre

  • Full cast of Old Vic’s The Norman Conquests revealed

British TV

US TV

Review: Doctor Who – Sisters of the Flame

Sisters of the Flame

You always know you’re in safe hands with Nicholas Briggs. He’s been doing Doctor Who audio plays for 20 years or more – writing them, directing them, acting in them – so he’s pretty much got them down pat.

If he has an area of expertise, it’s the Doctor Who continuity piece. Above all other Big Finish writers, he’s the one most inclined to use an old enemy and reference continuity, all within the realms of a reasonably traditional story, albeit one unrestricted by special effects and design budget.

Guess whether Sisters of the Flame is a continuity fest (older fans may already spot the reference).

Continue reading “Review: Doctor Who – Sisters of the Flame”

Thursday’s British-German crossover news

Doctor Who

  • Journey’s End most watched TV programme of the week
  • Catherine Tate injures ankle, cancelling first night of Under the Blue Sky

Film

Radio

British TV

Canadian TV

US TV