Kicking Television's TV Highlights

Reasons to stay in -

Saturday 5th December

The Thick of It (BBC2, 10.30pm) - The last in the present series, and what a series it has been. While Peter Capaldi's Malcom Tucker has once again stolen the show, he has been superbly supported by Rebecca Front as Minister for Social Affairs Nicola Murray, and Chris Addison as her hapless aide, Oli.

Some of my favourite lines from this series:

Malcom Tucker: 'I've got a to do list that's longer than a fucking Leonard Cohen song'

John Duggan: 'Oh no, I'm just obeying orders. Like a Nazi guard, but in a non gassy way'

Glen Cullen: ' I feel like I'm in a therapy group run by my own rapist'

Malcom Tucker: 'They didn't quite give me the time to fuck all the i's and fist all the t's'

Roll on series four!

Sunday 6th December

Top Gear (BBC2, 8.30pm) - This week, Rod, Jane and Freddie race airport vehicles. I only highlight this show, as the theme tune brings out a Pavlov's dog reaction in my 4 year old Son, who has become a little petrolhead. Heaven help us!

Tuesday 8th December

Russell Brand:Skinned (Channel 4, 10pm) - An insight into the mind of Andrew Sach's favourite comedian. The documentary also features Brand being interviewed by Frank Skinner, who currently hosts the best radio show around on the Absolute digital station.

Breaking Bad (Five USA, 10.45pm) - Settling down to be one of this year's TV highlights. Bryan Cranston's Walt surely has to be one of the most tragic underdogs to have graced our screens this decade.

Wednesday 9th December

True Bood (Channel 4, 10pm) - Sam finally shares his secret with Sookie. Is he really a dog who can change into human form, or is there something a little more sinister going on?

Thursday 10th December

Gavin and Stacey (BBC1, 9pm) - Season three has got off to a shakey start, and with Rob Brydon's Uncle Bryn being the only saving grace, it's somewhat of a relief that this will be the last series.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (More 4, 10.40pm) - The Seinfeld reunion continues to move closer, as the whole cast get together for a read through. After shedding some of the incidental characters that have weighed down the show over the past two seasons, Curb has finally returned to form. Pretty, pretty, pretty good!

Go out and do something less boring instead...

Alesha Dixon: Who's Your Daddy? (BBC3, 9pm) - Reportage from the Strictly judge, who is investigating the problem with absent fathers. More licence payers money being pissed up the wall.

Sofa Cinema

Batman Begins (Sunday, ITV1, 8.30pm)
Pan's Labyrinth (Tuesday Film 4, 10.45pm)
Gimme Shelter (Friday, BBC4, 10pm)

Kicking Television's TV Highlights

Reasons to stay in -

Saturday 21st November

The Thick of It (BBC2, 10.20pm) - Nicola is invited to appear on Richard Bacon's Radio 5 show. Until Gavin and Stacey's return later this week, this is the only decent comedy on the Beeb at the moment.

Monday 23rd November

Shaun the Sheep (BBC1, 4.20pm) - The return of the greatest children's show around, as Aardman's woolly hero and his chums get into more scrapes and japes under the watchful eye of loyal farm dog, Bitzer. Genius!

Mouth to Mouth (BBC3, 9pm) - I don't really understand BBC3. For the majority, its output is often crass, loud and obnoxious and clearly aimed at a demographic I no longer belong to. Therefore, it's always refreshing to see the channel taking a punt every know and then on new comedy drama shows such as Mouth to Mouth.
Don't worry kids, repeats of Two pints of Lager are on later in the week.

Tuesday 24th November

Breaking Bad (Five USA, 11.20pm)

Wednesday 25th November

True Blood (C4, 10pm) - Oh no! Has Bill perished in the fire? Of course not, silly! There's a second series on the way. The excorsism of Terra's mum in last week's episode was some scary voodoo shit!

Thursday 26th November

River Cottage (C4, 8pm) - Hugh's making crispy pancakes this week.

Gavin & Stacey (BBC1, 9pm) - Forget the fact Corden is a fat obnoxious fuck. Even forget the fact his awful sketch show - written and performed with G & S co-star Matthew Horne - has been re-comissioned. This show's strengths lie with the magnificent supporting cast, especially Alison Steadman as Gavin's meddling mum, Pam and Rob Brydon as the scene stealing Uncle Bryn. Sheer class!

Curb Your Enthusiasm (More 4, 10.40pm) - Last week's episode was by far the funniest thing on TV this year.

Friday 27th November

Comedy Showcase: The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (C4, 10.05pm) - Starring Arrested Development star, David Cross.

Johnny Cash Night (BBC4, 9pm) - Includes the Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison documentary, which spawned one of the greatest live albums ever made. What other reason do you need to stay in tonight!

Go out and do something less boring instead...

Paradox (BBC1, 9pm) - Tamzin Outhwaite vehicle. Need I say more?

Sofa Cinema Choices

The Yes Men (C4, 1.20am)
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (ITV1, 11.05pm)

Kicking Television's TV Highlights

Reasons to stay in -

Saturday 14th November

The Thick of It (BBC2, 10.10pm) - Armando Ianucci's satirical comedy continues to set the standard. Sharp, dark and hilarious!

Sunday 15th November

Doctor Who (BBC1, 7pm) - Tennant's tenure as Timelord (trying saying that after a couple of scoops)is about to come to an end. The trailer alone to this one-off special gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Elbow: The South Bank Show (ITV1, 10.45pm) - Forever the perennial indie under-achievers, Elbow finally struck paydirt last year when they waltzed off with the Mercury Prize with their sublime album, The Seldom Seen Kid. Melvin Bragg speaks to the band's frontman, Guy Garvey, and takes a tour around their hometown of Bury.

Tuesday 17th November

Later Live - With Jools Holland (BBC2, 10pm) - I've said enough already about the current series of Later, and with tonight's show featuring David Gray and Annie Lennox, I feel I can finally rest my case. However, with appearances from The Decemberists and The Big Pink, there may well be light at the end of the tunnel. Do you know something? I'm starting to miss Top of the Pops.

Breaking Bad (Five USA, 11.15pm) - Bryan Cranston's Walter continues to strengthen his bid for this year's anti-hero award.

Wednesday 18th November

True Blood (C4, 10pm) - What now for Sookie, now she has given herself to gentlemen vampire, Bill?

Thursday 19th November

The Culture Show (BBC2, 7pm) - After last week's highbrow edition, with pieces on James Elroy and David Hockney, the Culture Show takes its head out of its own arse this week and celebrates 20 years of Wallace and Gromit.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (More 4, 10.40pm) - Larry David has a starring role in the new Woody Allen film, and by all accounts it's bobbins! The new series of Curb, however, goes from strength to strength.

Friday 20th November

Them Crooked Vultures Live at Reading 2009 (BBC2, 12.50am) - Supergroup ahoy! Grohl, Homme and Jones rip it up at this year's Reading Festival.

Go out and do something less boring instead...

I'm a Celebrity Get me out of Here! (ITV1, all week) - Jordan is heading back into the jungle. What are the odds Andre will be parachuted in at some point? A re-kindled romance, re-newed wedding vows, an Hello magazine exclusive, an ITV special on Christmas Eve and so on and so on. Circle of fucking life, man!

Sofa Cinema Choices

36 (BBC4, Sat 12.15am)
Flags of Our Fathers (C4, Sun 9pm)
Letters From Iwo Jima (C4, Sun 11.35pm)
Hard Candy (BBC2, Sun 11pm)
Zatoichi (Film 4, Sun 11.20pm)
Don't Look Now (ITV1, Fri 1.10am)
Lower City (Film 4, Fri 1.10am)

Channel Bee

After you've channel hopped through all 500 channels on your Sky+ and still can't find anything to watch, try switching on your computer and logging into Channel Bee. A mix of football, music and comedy, this online television channel gives the majority of satellite channels a serious run for their money. Castleford's Darren Gibbs showing us how to deal with hoodies from Dewsbury is on of the many delights you can find here.

www.channelbee.com

Later with Jools Holland

As discussed in a previous posting, the current series of Later with Jools Holland, has been overall a disappointing affair. Apart from one or two decent performances - Stornaway on last week's show and The Dead Weather performing their single 'Treat Me Like Your Mother' - the show has predominately featured artists that make you want to put your foot through the TV screen, or at least switch over. Last night's excrutiating performance from Joss Stone and the recent appearance of Sting being two that instantly spring to mind. I have watched the show since it started way back in 1992, and you could often guarentee there wold be at least two to three acts on each show that you would want to check out. This series, however, I have found myself often watching the show on fast forward, which usually means an hour long programme is condensed down to ten minutes. This year a number of new bands have released some great debut records - Delta Spirit, The Leisure Society - who would have benefited with a slot on Later. instead we have to put up with the risible Norah Jones and Andy fucking Williams. Heaven knows who has been booked for the Hootenany show!

For those of you yearning for a bit of classic Later, check out this clip of Bon Iver from last year.

The X Factor

So X Factor fans are up in arms over Simon Cowell's decision to pass on the opportunity to get rid of Irish inbreds, John and Edward Grimes during Sunday night's eviction show. Cowell has been branded a coward for not casting the final vote that would have sealed the duos fate, as instead he opted for the public vote count to decide who would be leaving the show. Alanis Morrissette mini-pop, Lucie, was the one cast aside like a dirty tissue, leaving the ridiculously quiffed brothers to fight another day. Fans of The X Factor are so riled with Cowell's decision not to vote, that they are calling for a boycott of the show, which has left some commentators claiming this to be the beginning of the end for this end of the pier talent contest.

What Angry from Tunbridge Wells fails to realise, is that reality programmes such as X Factor are produced as much for business as they are for entertainment. Keeping John and Edward in the competition continues to ensure column inches for the show, and keeps it the topic dujour around the country's water coolers. Lets face it, once these two simpletons have left the show, what else is there to tune in for? Especially when the favourite to win the overall competition - and therefore guarantee themselves the coveted Xmas number 1 - has been likened to a cross between Robbie Williams and Will Young. That's an even scarier thought than having Jedward's moronic faces staring into our living rooms just as we're about to tuck into our turkey.

Kicking Television's TV Highlights

Reasons to stay in -

Saturday 7th November 2009

The Thick of It (BBC2, 10.15pm) - I have to watch each episode at least twice just to ensure I've caught the sheer brilliance of each barbaric putdown that is spat from Malcom Tucker's mouth. Genius!

Tuesday 10th November 2009

Later Live - With Jools Holland (BBC2, 10pm) - What shampoo does Dave Grohl use? His hair looked so luxurious on last week's show. With Sting last week and Joss Stone one of tonight's guests, this series has been one of the weakest in recent years. Record and fast forward to Martha Wainwright.

True Stories (More 4, 10pm) - After last week's astonishing Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo, we journey into the heart of Rio and witness the dark underbelly of the city's favelas.

Breaking Bad (Five USA, 11pm) - Last week's birthday masturbation scene was one of the funniest things I've seen on TV this year.

Wednesday 11th November 2009

True Blood (C4, 10pm) - Screw Buffy! This here is real vampire shit!

Thursday 12th November 2009

The Culture Show (BBC2, 7pm) - Crime writing demi-god, James Ellroy talks about his fascination with the L.A. of the 1950s.

River Cottage (C4, 8pm) - Fearnley-Whittingstall returns with a new series, where he rides fat naked men around River Cottage HQ before ripping out their insides and making a hearty stew from their intestines. Probably.

Misfits (E4, 10pm) - Heroes for the Asbo generation. Wait! Don't go! Those who have seen the opening episode reckon E4 may have another hit on their hands.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (More 4, 10.40pm) - Lets hope Larry keeps those legs covered up this week.

Friday 13th November 2009

Comedy Showcase (C4, 10.05pm) - The latest comedy pilot is set in a mobile phone shop and stars Emma Fryer recently seen in the excellent Home Time on BBC2.

Go out and do something less boring instead...

The Execution of Gary Glitter (C4, Tues 9pm) - WTF!!!

Sofa Cinema Choices

Y Tu Mama Tambien (C4, Sun 12.35am)

The Proposition (Film 4, Tues 11.25pm)

Ils (C4, Thurs 1.10am)

And finally...

Primal Scream's 'Rocks' got a 21st makeover on last week's X Factor with the line 'Junkies keep a scorin' re-written to 'Birds keep a tweetin'
Check out the real deal here.

I'm a Celebrity starts in two weeks. Avoid ITV1 and 2 at all costs.

Kicking Television's TV Highlights

Reasons to stay in -

Saturday 31st October

The Thick of It (BBC2, 10.10pm) - Malcom Tucker continues to 'fuck all the i's and fist all the t's' as he steers the new secretary of state (played impeccably by Rebecca Front) through the rocky waters of Whitehall.

Sunday 1st November
Celebrity Come Dine With Me (C4, 8pm) - More C-list celebrities showing off their culinary and entertaining skills. The real pleasure for us viewers, however, is having a snoop around their gaudy show-homes and watch famous people getting pissed. As always, Dave Lamb is on hand to cut through the pretension with his caustic voice-over.

Spiral (BBC4, 10pm) - Last in the series. Seriously, if you haven't managed to see the show, get yourself straight over to Amazon and purchase season one and two of this sublime cop show.

Tuesday 3rd November

Breaking Bad (Five USA, 11pm) - Bryan Cranston - the scene-stealing dad from Malcom in the Middle - plays a terminally ill high school teacher who becomes an unlikely producer of crystal meth. Five's sister station continues to take a punt on American imports inexplicably overlooked by the beeb and Channel 4.

Wednesday 4th November

True Blood (C4, 10pm) - Getting darker and funnier each week, with Jason and Lafayette the stand out characters.

Thursday 5th November

Curb Your Enthusiasm (More 4, 10.40pm) - Swearing, misanthropy, slapstick and Larry David - what's not to like?

Friday 6th November

Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop (BBC4, 9pm) - From the early blues inspired days of Peter Green, right through to the drug-addled, million album selling behemoths of the mid-seventies, all you need to know about The Mac is right here in this new documentary.

Comedy Showcase (C4 10pm) - Seven more sitcom pilots from the strand that brought us this year's Free Agents.

Go out and do something less boring instead...

Gordon Ramsey's F Word (C4, Tues 9pm) - The craggy faced cock returns with another series of fawning guests, reportage and Janet Street fucking Porter.

Sofa Cinema Choices

Romanzo Criminale (BBC4, Tues 10.30pm)

Whisky (Film 4, Weds 1am)

The Descent (More 4, Fri 10pm)

Kicking Television's TV highlights

Reasons to stay in -

WC 25th October 2009

Sunday 25th October

Spiral (BBC4, 10pm) - Episode six of the sublime French police drama.

Monday 26th October

30 Rock (Comedy Central, 10pm) - Season three of Tina Fey's superb sitcom. A little over-egging the special guest quota - Steve Martin appears this week - but still one of the funniest shows on TV.

Mr Maker (Cbeebies, 10am) - Return of the 21st century Tony Hart.  The eerie dancing shapes are no match for Morph or Chas, however.

Life (BBC1, 9pm) - Is anyone else still having nightmares about last week's footage of the Kimodo Dragons?

Tuesday 27th October

Later Live with Jools Holland (BBC2, 10am) - Watching Later these days is akin to a shopping expedition in TK Maxx. You have to persevere through the tat to get to that one item that will make it all worth the while. This week's Fred Perry in amongst the Hackett and Lonsdales are Kendal's Wild Beasts, whose second album will no doubt feature in many year end best of lists.

Ghosts in the Machine (BBC4, 9pm) - With Halloween just around the corner, this documentary looks at the history of supernatural programmes on British TV. Make the sure the doors and windows are locked.

Wednesday 28th October

True Blood (Channel 4, 10pm) - Continues to tick the boxes for anyone who loves murder, mystery, sex and ....vampires!

Thursday 29th October

The Event:How Racist Are You? (Channel 4, 10pm) - Recreating the exercise to highlight racism where pupls are divided by eye colour, teacher Jane Elliot finds an unexpected response in 21st century Britain.

Hung (More 4, 10pm) - Following the fortunes of a big-dicked gigolo. Not as crass as it sounds.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (More 4, 10.40pm) - Larry attempts to get the cast of Seinfeld back together as part of his masterplan to get Cheryl back. The new series has set off at a blistering pace. Long may it continue!

Friday 30th October

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC1, 10.35pm) - Christopher Walken guests. William Hills have already closed the book on whether he will dance or not.

Saturday 31st October

The Thick of It (BBC2, 10.10pm) - The best British comedy on TV. Fact!

Go out and do something less boring instead...

7 Days on the Breadline (Tues, 9pm ITV1) - Keith Allen, Mel B and Trinny Woodall spend a week living with residents of a council estate. Need I say more?

Britain's Best Brain (Weds, 8pm C5) - Jamie Theakston and Zoe Ball present a gameshow that tests contestants meemory, recognition and risk-taking skills. No, it's not the return of Krypton Factor!

Sofa Cinema choices

A Guide to Recognising Your Saints (Weds, 11.55pm BBC1)

Election (Thurs, 1.10am C4)

Offside (Fri, 1.50am C4)

Happy viewing!

Spiral

The second series of French police drama 'Spiral (Engrenages)' hit our TV screens this week, and as with the first series, there was no shortage of gore, violence and twists; enough to make British cop dramas such as the Caroline Quentin vehicle 'Blue Murder' look like a day out with Balamory's PC Plum. Boasting the best looking cast of actors on television - Caroline Proust for the boys (or girls) and Gregory Fitoussi for the girls (or boys) - the second series of the show follows Captain Laure Berthaud (Proust) as she investigates the discovery of a burned corpse found in the boot of a car. As the investigation widens, Berthaud and her team unearth a complex web of drugs, arms dealing and corrupt politicians. With a fine supporting cast, including Phillipe Duclos as the intriguing Judge Roban and Audrey Fleurot as the flame-haired lawyer, Spiral joins a long list of foreign language mini-series that have been championed by BBC4.

Also look out for HBO's Generation Kill, David Simon's Iraq War series which starts on Channel 4 next Monday. Phenomenal Television!

Strictly Come Dancing

Z list central this year on Strictly. Where have they pulled this year's contestants from?

Fingers crossed for Flavia this year, who has been partnered with some jobbing actor.

Is it me, or does Tess Daley look dead behind the eyes?

Home Time

I knew I'd be onto a winner with the new BBC sitcom 'Home Time' when the opening credits were played in by the Super Furry Animals 'Hometown Unicorn' Perfectly soundtracked by some of the greatest hits of Britpop, Home Time follows the fortunes of Gaynor, who has returned home after running away to London 12 years previously, waking up in her old bedroom with walls still adorned by posters of Oasis and Brian Harvey and a wardrobe full of Adidas, Kangol and Union Jack dresses. Having come to terms with her Mum's new Irish accent 'had it for three months, ever since she joined the aerobics class at the Irish Club' Gaynor has to face the four best friends she abandoned when she left home to seek a better life in the capital city. During her friend's inquisition into why she left, Gaynor finds out what she has missed and how her hometown of Coventry has changed:

'We've got an Ikea. The garage sells sushi'

'Becky fucks like a man. I've come along way, and many times'

'Mel went blind with grief for a week when Diana died'

'You even missed your own Dad's 60th birthday. Mel had to Ralgex his legs after the conga'

Funny and poignant, this new series from Steve Coogan's Baby Cow production company is highly recommended for anyone missing the bad girl shenanigans of Sharon Horgan in Pulling, which was inexplicably dropped by the BBC last year.

What's on the end of the stick?

After saying goodbye to Flight of the Conchords, we now have to prepare ourselves to wave bon-voyage next week to the sublime Psychoville. Two comedy shows that have constantly hit the mark, and ones that will leave a huge hole in the BBC's summer schedules. So what do we have to look forward to over the next couple of months before we move into autumn and the brand new series of Peep Show and a welcome return to Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer's Shooting Stars? In a nutshell? Sweet FA! Before you start kicking in your television set and going off to do something less boring instead, let me draw your attention to Channel 4's 4OD website, where you can find a host of classic comedy shows from the past 20 years. From one-off shows such as Ricky Gervais' Golden Years to whole series of Peep Show and The Inbetweeners , the website offers a veritable feast of classic comedy that should sate the appetite for anyone unable to wait until the autumn. For those of you moist with anticipation for the return of messrs Mortimer and Reeves, here's where it all began, with the peerless Big Night Out

Twats in the Park

This Saturday's Guardian reported the BBC had sent over 400 members of staff to cover the recent Glastonbury Festival, and just over 300 to cover this weekend's T in the Park held at Balado, Kinross-shire. Now you would think with all this personnel - along with the multi-channel options now available through digital TV - the Beeb could offer the viewer an opportunity to check out some of the smaller stages that host bands who have yet to make it onto the Radio One playlist or the front cover of Q magazine. Alas, BBC Three's coverage of this weekend's T in the Park concentrated on the two main stages and therefore brought us the likes of Blur, Franz Ferdinand, The Specials and Lily Allen, all of whom featured as part of the Glastonbury highlights only a fortnight ago. As suggested in a previous post, a quick money saving win for the BBC, would be to ditch the presenters who bring fuck all to the proceedings with their inane ramblings and sychophantic love-ins with their celebrity chums, and with the money saved from leaving Zane Lowe and Jo Whiley behind, they could increase their coverage of some of the smaller stages and introduce the armchair viewer to the likes of the fabulously named Danananakroyd and We Were Promised Jetpacks.

C'mon BBC, let the music play!

Let the Wild Rumpus Start!

One of this year's most anticipated movie releases has to be Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story 'Where the Wild Things Are' Starring Catherine Keener and featuring the voices of James Gandolfini and Mark Ruffalo, the film follows the fortunes of Max - played by the fabulously named, Max Records - and his adventures amongst the mythical 'Wild Things'
Released in the autumn, the movie's trailer alone, should bring joy to even the hardest of hearts.

Also out this year, John Woo's interpretation of 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea' and Russell Crowe as 'The Gruffalo'

Obviously these two are just figments of my over-active imagination, but feel free to pitch them as your own ideas the next time you bump into a Hollywood movie mogul down at your local Tesco Express.

Glastonbury 2009

Once again, the BBC's wall-to-wall coverage of the Glastonbury Festival brought the mud, music and mayhem of Worthy Farm's annual hoedown to our front rooms. Fans of Neil Young, Blur and the law-breaking Bruce Springsteen couldn't fail to be disappointed with the extended highlighs of their respective headlining sets, while live performances from Lily Allen, Lady Ga Ga and Jack Penate offered the nation's yoof an alternative to hoary old rockers.

The problem with the Beeb's Glastonbury love-in, and one that has been an issue for a number of years, is the choice of presenters assigned to be our festival guides throughout the weekend. Apart from Mark Radcliffe and Lauren Laverne, the rest of the team - Jo Whiley, Edith 'indie starfucker Bowman, Reggie Yates and Zane Lowe - are allowed far too much airtime to look smug and self-satisfied while sporting the latest festival chic and saying absolutely nothing of interest as they attempt to fill time while waiting for The Wombats to take to the stage (note to Jo Whiley: you have four children and are the wrong side of 40 - hotpants are not a good look. Grow up!).

Take Friday night for example. Twenty minutes into the BBC's first broadcast of the weekend, we had managed to see some brief highlights from Lily Allen's set, a roving reporter speaking to a guy with a loud hailer and Reggie Yates telling us how fucking excited he was to be at Glastonbury! Now I'm not sure how much the BBC spend on having the likes of Whiley and Lowe holed up in their 'treehouse' throughout the weekend, but surely the money would be better spent having more cameras around the festival to record some of the action at the lesser known areas such as the Park Stage. With over twenty stages in operation at the festival, surely it's not beyond the BBC to be able flit from one to another, and therefore avoid having to return to Bowman and her pink Hunter wellies every ten minutes.

My only other gripe about this year's Glastonbury? The flags! Enough already!

The Chaser's War on Everything

Having hit paydirt with shows such as Kath and Kim, Summer Heights High and The Flight of the Conchords, this week the BBC introduced their latest import from down under to the TV schedules. The only problem with the Beeb's new acquisition, The Chaser's War on Everything, compared to these other shows, is that it's a crock of shit!

Started by Candid Camera and finished by Dom Joly's Trigger Happy TV, I thought 'prank' shows had been assigned to the television history vaults along with Top of the Pops and Brookside. Perhaps our Australian cousins missed that meeting.

There are two main problems with the show:the team of pranksters and the pranks themselves. In anyones book, this is not a good start. The pranks - including one set-up where a member of the CWoE team attempts to have a conversation with a member of the public whilst turning their back on them - are so puerile, that even Noel Edmonds would never have considered them for his House Party. My main gripe, however, is with the CWoE team and the cringe-inducing links that they deliver as way of introducing the next segment to the show. A bunch of smug, self - satisfied pricks I have not seen on TV since Richard and Judy were last allowed some air-time.

Avoid in the same way you steer clear of the Fosters beer deals in your local Tesco Express, as both will leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Pulling - Auntie Knows Best?

The BBC’s decision, not to re-commission a third series of the superb sitcom, Pulling, is another example of Auntie not realising what they have got until it’s gone. The Simpsons, 24 and for a brief period, Match of the Day, have all slipped through the Beeb’s fingers in recent years, and when you start to think about what they have kept hold of – Two Pints of Lager, My Family – it makes the loss of these and other exceptional programmes a bitter pill to swallow.

Written by and starring Sharon Horgan, Pulling followed the fortunes of Donna, facing up to single life after ditching her fiancé on the eve of their wedding. Rude, crude and containing more visual comedy in one half hour episode than there is in a Mr Bean box-set, the short-lived series was a hidden gem awaiting to be unearthed.

However, Just like Julia Davis’ Nighty Night and Sean Lock’s 15 Storeys, two series was all we were going to get, and Pulling sadly passed over to TV afterlife otherwise known as Dave.

Get on Amazon now and buy the DVD box-set, you won't be disappointed.

Psychoville - Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Half way through the Beeb's new Thursday night comedy, Psychoville, I started to wonder how viewers would react to the show if they had stumbled upon it while flicking through the channels looking for 'My Cat Has Two Scrotum's' or whatever else is offered up as light entertainment these days. Fans of Psychoville's creators Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, will have been well aware what to expect through their previous work alongside Mark Gatiss and Jeremy Dyson as The League of Gentleman, and will have been lapping up the dark comedy and creepy goings on during this opening episode. But what of the newcomers? The casting of Dawn French as midwife, Joy Aston, may well have attracted viewers accustomed to her homely role in The Vicar of Dibley, but how would they react to her character's relationship with surrogate baby, Freddie? And if we're talking relationships, what about the dynamics between the serial-killer obsessive, David Sowerbutts, and his 'caring' mother, Maureen? For those of us who have followed the journey of The League of Gentleman from radio to TV onto stage and the silver screen, Psychoville's collection of oddballs will feel strangely familiar,as if they were ex-pats from village of the damned, Royston Vasey.

Alongside unhinged childrens entertainer, Mr Jelly, an ex-pornstar dwarf and a blind eccentric with a penchant for cuddly toys, the show's six main protagonists are linked by a mystery letter dispatched from the local post office by a shadowy figure with exquisite handwriting.

Fans of The League of Gentleman will be well aware that Psychoville ain't going to be an easy ride, but for anyone just discovering the dark genius of Shearsmith and Pemberton's work, I urge you - even if you're having to watch from behind the sofa - to stick around until the end, you'll be glad you did.

The Flight of the Conchords - We Have Lift Off

After a sluggish start, and with a little help from French director Michel Gondry and 'Inbetweeners' script-jockeys Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, the second series of 'Flight of the Conchords (BBC4, Tues) finally took off this week. Centred around Jermaine's blossoming romance with his new Australian girlfriend, Keitha, the episode was bolstered by two fabulous musical interludes that also acted as a reminder of what the new series has been sorely missing.

Honed over a number of years, the songs from series one acted as the focal point to the adventures of Flight of the Conchords - New Zealand's 4th most popular folk parody duo - as they attempted to break the big time in New York. With obvious nods to artists such as Bowie, Prince and The Pet Shop Boys, these songs said more in three minutes about the perils of living and working in the Big Apple, than anything released by the City's favourite sons, The Strokes.

Despite having its moments - Murray's friendship chart being one of the few series highlights so far - the songs this time around have yet to match the sheer genius of numbers such as 'Think About It' and 'Business Time' from the debut series. So it was great to see the show finally hitting its stride this week, with the 21st century disco of 'Too Many Dicks on the Dancefloor' and a hilarious parody of Paul Simon's 'Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover' where Gondry's music-video past really came to the fore.

And all this without an appearance from uber-stalker, Mel.

The Conchords are finally airborne.

Big Brother 9

Summer has finally arrived with tonight's launch of Big Brother 9. Introduced into the house by BB matriach, Davina MacCall - looking like Cynthia Payne - the geeks, freaks and wannabes were welcomed by the now traditional crowd of braying donkeys. Anyway, if you were fortunate enough to miss the show, here's this year's motley crew:

Freddie - Matthew McConaughey
Lisa - Lisa Stansfield
Sophie - Paris Hilton
Kris - Susan Boyle
Noirin - Ronaldinho
Cairon - Pharrell Williams
Angel - Edward Furlong
Karly - Donatella Versace
Marcus - Waltzer operator
Beinazir - Pete Burns
Sophia - Gary Coleman
Rodrigo - David Platt
Charlie - Will Mellor
Saffia - Mother of the Year
Sree - Ben 10
Siavash - Tanita Tikaram

Roll on September!