Louise Bolotin's blog

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:49:04 -0500

Deary me, it's a poor show when Channel 4 is showing repeats of repeats on Christmas Eve. We know the channel is short of readies right now, but Heston's Christmas Feast has already been aired twice this week. Two of its other main programmes are also reshowings. But don't despair, among the huge stack of films on offer there are still a few things worth catching if you're not out partying.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:41:35 -0500

The problem with the 23rd December is that it's not quite officially Christmas but people are off work and feeling festive and the schedules need to cater for that. So what do they do? They fill the airtime with old Christmas repeats and flung-together compilations. Take my advice and stay well away from Five tonight. Among the dross and the final parts of series coming to season's end, only two shows really stand out.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:19:34 -0500

"Wake up and look at this thing that I bring, Wake up, be bright, be golden and light" - if you remember this, you'll know it's Emily's plea to an old, saggy cloth cat called Bagpuss who had magical adventures with all the other toys in the shop. The man who helped create him, Oliver Postgate, sadly died a year ago, but made a dazzling array of classic children's programmes - The Clangers, Ivor the Engine and Noggin the Nog, to name but a few. BBC4 pays tribute to the great man at 8pm with Oliver Postgate: A Life in Small Films. This documentary lovingly chronicles his genius at creating detailed worlds for the young that stayed with us into adulthood. If you've ever enjoyed even one episode of Postgate's programmes, this really is unmissable.

E20-20 Vision: The Top 10 Best Bits of 2009

Louise Bolotin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:29:48 -0500

Like any soap, EastEnders has its ups and downs. The downs are usually due to poor scriptwriting, thin plotlines and a dearth of credible new characters, sometimes compounded by external circumstances such as actors falling ill which requires urgent cover. On the whole, 2009 was a good year in Walford with a return to its core focus on certain families, some forward thinking and some sparkling writing. So here, in no particular order, are my highlights from Albert Square over the past 12 months.

Louise Bolotin: My Top 10 TV Heroes and Villains of 2009

Louise Bolotin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:16:35 -0500

HEROES

BBC4. Aunty’s unsung hero is the quiet member of the family, tucked away in the schedules and barely advertised. Yet it provides consistently strong cultural dramas and documentaries on all aspects of the arts, from architecture to history via dance and fine art. Friday nights have become memorable for the stunning range of music documentaries, while some truly inspired mini-seasons have covered topics such as popular technology and gaming.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:41:35 -0500

It doesn't happen very often, but sometimes repeats really are the best thing on the box. BBC2 has taken the brave step tonight of running a whole evening of Victoria Wood's past glories. And thank goodness, for Wood is one of the funniest women in TV comedy and a national treasure. The night kicks off at 8.30pm with Victoria Wood: Seen on TV, a nifty compilation of sketches, songs and riffs from her routines, plus clips of Wood talking about her work and co-stars and celebrity fans discussing her appeal.

Louise Bolotin: My Top 10 TV Shows of 2009

Louise Bolotin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:12:24 -0500

2009 was a bumper year for TV drama. Many of the very best followed a new format of the five-night screening of a serial. Channels doing this ask a huge commitment of their viewers to tune in at the same time every night from Monday to Friday. Fortunately, almost all the time it was well worth it. There were also some excellent documentaries and a special mention goes to BBC4 for its commitment to strong cultural programming and some inspired mini-seasons. And so here, in no particular order, are my top picks of 2009.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:33:58 -0500

Friday telly is traditionally about comedy and music and so it remains tonight, although both are a bit thin on the ground a week before Christmas. The big guest appearance this evening is by Eddie Izzard on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC1, 10.35pm), fresh from his marathon marathons (he ran 43 in 51 days this autumn to raise cash for Sport Relief) and his latest stand-up tour. Izzard is always good value, with his surreal flights of whimsy. Ross's other guests are Hugh Grant and singer Rihanna.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:58:52 -0500

Christmas has arrived early! Pop pickers and cult fans alike should hang up their stockings right now because the Time Lord himself has parked his Tardis in one of the funniest slots on the telly. Yes, actor David Tennant - about to bow out of a four-year run as the Doctor - is the guest host of Buzzcocks - the Doctor Who Special on BBC2 at 10pm. Never Mind the Buzzcocks has been on sparkling form this season, with Noel Fielding turning out to be a rather good replacement for Bill Bailey. And with Tennant on the brink of

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:23:26 -0500

Browsing today's programme line-up triggers a Groundhog Day moment - everything looks like it was shown yesterday, or last Wednesday. Some of the schedule is just plain bizarre - who on earth is going to watch sheepdog trialling a week before Christmas?

It's all about the food tonight - if you haven't yet planned your feast for the big day, or even started the supermarket run, you'd best tune in now to Jamie's Family Christmas (C4, 8pm). Oliver has one of those smug faces you always want to slap, but boy can he cook! And he's passionate about eating well. This is a double helping with extra oomph as the boy wonder demonstrates a classic roast turkey dinner plus all the trimmings with ease. If you're aiming to cook a traditional menu, Jamie'll show you how to do it. Episode 2 looks at brunches and snacks, American style.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:43:23 -0500

Much as it's gratifying to agree with other reviewers on the top programmes to watch, I see it as my civic duty to unearth the viewing gems tucked away in the more obscure corners of the schedules. There aren't many, granted, especially in mid-December when the terrestrials are offering little of note because they're keeping the best stuff for next week. But fear not, music aficionados, and set your recording kit now.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:30:59 -0500

It's well-known we poor Brits are enslaved to our jobs. The long hours culture we have is the worst in Western Europe and most people come home shattered, with the sole intention of flopping on the sofa with a glass of wine and the chance to unwind a bit with the family. And then there are the work junkies, the ones who just can't switch off like normal mortals. Channel 4's Kidnapped by the Kids (9pm) tells the story of Lester Adams, a workaholic for whom putting in an 80-hour week he'd consider to be lightweight. The trouble is, his two children never see him because Lester often sleeps at his workplace so they take drastic action. What follows is an emotional overhaul for Lester when his kids "kidnap" him from work, hide his laptop and force him to spend a week in a remote country location with him in the hope he'll learn how to be just "Dad". Be prepared to shed some tears along with Lester. This charming documentary is, however, a bleak reminder of how damaging our work culture is to our personal lives.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:21:53 -0500

David Attenborough has probably attained National Treasure status, after more than 50 years on our screens. He's introduced us to every aspect of life on our planet and we've hung on to his every word. But one thing was always missing. The biggest, most widespread life form on Earth. Us. Worry no more for Attenborough finally takes up the challenge in Horizon (BBC2, 9pm). Subtitled How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth?, he investigates the explosion in population - from 2.5 billion in 1950 to today's staggering 7 billion.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:04:55 -0500

Fans of Russell Brand are in for a treat tonight at 10pm on Channel 4, when he delivers a surprisingly candid interview to fellow stand-up Frank Skinner. Russell Brand: Skinned follows the bearded womaniser on his latest tour, a show built entirely on the Sachs phone call incident that led to him resigning swiftly from the BBC a year ago. But it's when he opens up to Skinner about his drug addictions that you see a vulnerable side he rarely shows.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:27:15 -0500

As Christmas rapidly approaches, today's tips have a very seasonal flavour. When you were a child you almost certainly had a game as a present and if you've now got kids of your own it's odds on you'll be buying games for them for Christmas. Games Britannia (BBC4, 9pm) is a historical exploration of the nation's love of games, with a delve into the kind of play our ancestors in the Middle Ages and Victorian times liked to indulge in. This is wonderful stuff, from why the Church used strategy games to instil religious doctrine to how the Cold War influenced market choice in the post-war period. This is the first of a three-part trip into the past and also the future.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:40:18 -0500

Comedy dominates the ether tonight, with a good selection of stars gracing the screen. Top billing surely goes to the fabulous Eddie Izzard - Circle, here doing a classic stand-up gig in New York in 2000. Izzard is renowned for his surreal and whimsical riffs on whatever grabs his attention and he doesn't disappoint here. He covers everything from half-speed whalesong to God being married to an elf via a dinosaur who resembles his cousin. Catch him on More4 at 11.10pm, perfect for when you get back from the pub.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:18:28 -0500

How much energy have you used logging into Screenjabber to read this? Most of us probably don't think about such trivia, but on the eve of the Copenhagen summit, a special edition of Bang Goes the Theory should jolt you out of any complacency. Subtitled the Human Power Station, the BGtT team have set up an experimental house that has no grid power. The guinea pigs are the Collins family, who merrily go about their domestic activities totally unaware that all their electricity is being supplied by a few cyclists using pedal power to charge up dynamos. At an hour, it's slightly too long but

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:50:06 -0500

Once upon a time there was a magnificent golden hare, bedecked with jewels and lying under an ancient spreading oak tree. The hare was created by artist Kit Williams, who published a cryptic book about it and sparked a massive treasure hunt 30 years ago. The Man Behind the Masquerade (BBC4, 9pm) tells the tale of Williams, who lost his artistic credibility and became a recluse as a result. It's a fascinating look at the vagaries of fame and talent and the choices people make. This documentary also captures the intensely emotional moment when Williams is reunited with the jewelled hare he created and last saw when he buried it under the tree.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:38:40 -0500

You just know Christmas is not far off when the BBC wheels out Delia Smith to tell us how to throw a festive dinner together effortlessly. And so it goes in Delia's Classic Christmas (BBC2, 9pm), when the nation's favourite kitchen cheat demonstrates a host of traditional recipes and plenty of useful tips for avoiding the stress of cooking for family relatives you normally wouldn't spit on. It's hard to believe she's not done a Christmas special since 1991, but her food looks good, especially her panettone trifle. Don't miss Delia if you need help, as the timing of the screening is deliberate to give you the maximum time to prepare...

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:33:34 -0500

BBC4's The Women We Loved season draws to a close tonight. After delivering two excellent, in-depth biopics on Enid Blyton and Gracie Fields, tonight Margot Fonteyn goes under the microscope at 9pm. Anne-Marie Duff mesmerises in the title role as the ballet star torn between respectable marriage and a tempestuous pairing with Rudolf Nureyev (Michael Huisman), their chemistry spilling off the stage into bed with often disastrous results. There's a fine supporting cast - Lindsay Duncan, Penelope Wilton, Derek Jacobi. Watch it and weep - with pleasure.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:08:24 -0500

There's no avoiding the Children in Need telethon tonight which starts at 7pm and runs for a solid seven hours, apart from the 10 o'clock news. There will be the usual parade of pop stars playing their latest singles and the casts of various soaps doing funny sketches (EastEnders does Motown, the One Show presenters condense Fame into three minutes...), while the BBC newsreaders can usually be relied on to embarrass themselves too. Watch out for the exclusive preview of the Christmas Doctor Who episode and Sir Terry himself will playing the squire in a special Lark Rise to Candleford. After the news, there's a surprisingly good music line-up to entertain you into the wee small hours, including

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:42:56 -0500

Even if you don't want to tune in for tomorrow's charity telethon, if you love music you won't want to miss Children in Need Rocks the Albert Hall (BBC1, 8pm). There's a massive all-star line-up on hand for two hours of musical treats. This is the concert that saw Robbie Williams finally reunited (although very briefly) on stage with the rest of Take That and rumour has it Dame Shirley Bassey is sharing the spotlight with Dizzee Rascal, who will rap on one of her biggest hits. Lily Allen, Katherine Jenkins, Snow Patrol, Mika and Paul McCartney are just some of those waiting to entertain you. Chris Moyles is MC, aided by Sir Terry Wogan himself and Peter Kay.

Nobody the Great bags top gong at Bel Air fest

Louise Bolotin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:44:34 -0500

EXCLUSIVE: It's with a swell of British pride that Screenjabber can announce that Nobody the Great has won the award for the Best International Feature Film at the Bel Air Film Festival 2009.

Starring Darren Darnborough, interviewed here on Screenjabber just two days ago, Nobody the Great is a quirky comedy about two flatmates who inadvertently shelter a pair of suspected terrorists.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:35:04 -0500

Andrew Marr's The Making of Modern Britain (BBC2, 9pm) has been wonderfully satisfying so far, with its eclectic selection of events, people, cultural changes and politics that he uses to sum things up so neatly. Tonight Marr moves on past the Great War and into the Jazz Age, as Britain entered a post-war boom period that saw sweeping experimentation in culture - from art to literature and music. It was the birth period for decadence in the form of nightclubs, new dances and cocktails - the Roaring Twenties equivalent of that old staple - sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. The BBC was founded and people began buying radios. Politically, Michael Collins took on Lloyd George over the Irish issue, the General Strike kicked off in 1926 and the entire decade fell apart with the Wall Street Crash - that may have been across the Atlantic, but its repercussions were still felt in the UK. Only Marr could pull all this together into an hour's worth of compelling social history. Don't miss.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:33:33 -0500

Just how long is a piece of string? We all throw this pat question back at people who ask vague queries and the cliché is so embedded in the language that no one has yet come up with a replacement. But, it's a valid question in its own right and Horizon will attempt to find an answer on BBC2 at 9pm. Comedian and genial TV personality Alan Davies is at the helm, helping unravel the complexities of quantum physics for us in lay terms with a crew of eminent physicists and mathematicians. Throw in some stuff about Schrodinger's cat, yardsticks and fractals and this becomes a terrific hour's worth of popular science presented in a very easily digested format. If you're like me and need to take your socks off to count past 10, Horizon's nifty exploration of a topic you'd ordinarily be tempted to run from should be top of your viewing list tonight.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:54:33 -0500

Time for plum cake, lashings of ginger beer and a trip to Kirrin Island? Or time to turn the spotlight on much-loved children's author Enid Blyton? BBC4's Women We Loved drama season opens tonight at 9pm with Enid by exposing the truth behind the creator of the Famous Five, Noddy and countless other childhood favourites. The real Mrs B was cold to her own offspring, banned her first husband from seeing them when they split up and was a self-obsessed snob prone to casual racism, often on display in her books.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:08:00 -0500

Break out the Bellinis and settle in for some late-night 80s nostalgia. The champagne and peach juice cocktail means only one thing - it's Duran night on BBC4. Classic Albums at 10pm celebrates Rio, possibly the Brummie 5-piece's finest moment on vinyl, although placing it in the pantheon of classic albums might be stretching it a bit. At 10.55pm, theWild Boys: the Story of Duran Duran documentary takes a more general tack on the band's success, complete with shoulder pads, bleached bouffants and glamorous videos. There are also some unexpected cameos from the likes of Lou Reed and others.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:15:01 -0500

Most parents struggle to cope with two or three kids - we all know raising children is the toughest job in the world. But imagine if you had 14, and eight of them were all the same age. Would you sink, or swim? Octomum: Me and My 14 Kids follows the life of American Nadya Suleman, who hit the global headlines last year when she got pregnant with octuplets through IVF treatment. Quite apart from the health risks of carrying eight babies to term, outrage ensued when it was revealed Nadya already has 6 children and is single. This documentary is certain to arouse strong emotions, not to mention the temptation to judge the wisdom of her actions. At the heart of it all - are the children thriving in a good parenting environment? Tune in and see for yourself - Channel 4, 9pm.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:17:11 -0500

Finally, there is a point to Calum Best. For the last several years he's been famous for nothing other than being the son of someone famous and making a nice living off the back of it, falling out of nightclubs with Page 3 blondes and gracing the pages of Heat and co. As far as I know he's never even had a proper job. But at last he's going to do something worthwhile - front a programme for Children in Need. Brought Up by Booze (BBC1, 10.45pm) sees the "celebrity" exposing the damage alcohol abuse by parents does to young children. Best's father, footballer George, was as notorious for his alcoholism as his pitch skills and was often carted home from the pub by the young Calum. This promises to be difficult viewing - Calum will be interviewing some very damaged kids. Be very moved, then open your wallet.

Tonight's terrestrial TV tips

Louise Bolotin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:19:53 -0500

I've always secretly divided people into two groups - those you can't shut up and those you can't get two words out of.* The ability to speak is one of the things that sets us apart from other species and one that has also occupied the scientists for a very long time. Tonight's Horizon (BBC2, 9pm), subtitled Why Do We Talk, explores some of the theories behind speech - whether it's a genetic trait or simply learned. Renowned linguistics professor and deep thinker, Noam Chomsky, is on hand to share his knowledge and theories.