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.