TV’s teatime troubles

Russell T Davies needs to be widely applauded for many things.
Top of the list is reviving the Saturday teatime TV slot. After years of inane gameshows, poorly conceived and executed revivals of variety shows and other instantly forgettable fare, the return of Dr Who proved a ratings hit for all the right reasons.
Under the guidance [...]

A Vulcan, a Time Lord, a puppet and a cartoon

A round-up of myths and legends:
I have both fingers and toes crossed that The Vulcan will get saved.
A Cardiff landmark for 155 years, the pub opposite the city’s jail is being earmarked for demolition for that vital jewel in the crown of urban regeneration – a multi-storey car park.

The bewery that owns The Vulcan, Brains, [...]

Switched off

The nominations for the National Television Awards have been announced and confirm how out of touch I am in terms of my own viewing pleasure.
David Tennant and Catherine Tate are competing for the outstanding drama award for their roles as the Doctor and his sidekick Donna in the last series of Dr Who.
I find this [...]

Ukuleles vs Daleks

It was no contest really.
The choice was simple enough. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain at the Lichfield Festival or stay in and watch the last episode of this series of Dr Who.
Despite the first genuine cliff-hanger of this hugely disappointing series, the Ukuleles always held a far greater pull than the Daleks.
The only way [...]

Jay-Z to be the new Dr Who

The headline probably gives an insight into my Saturday night TV viewing.
Sandwiched between watching the BBC’s hit and miss coverage of Glastonbury, the penultimate episode of Dr Who managed to do something that no other programme in this series has managed to date – it left me wanting more.
I’m still not entirely impressed that the [...]

Who is afraid of the dark

I’ve been infected by The Apprentice.
My reaction to last night’s Dr Who – Silence in the Library – was pure Lee McQueen.
I felt an overwhelming urge to proclaim: “Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about!”
It has been a long time coming this series, but Dr Who finally started to hit the spot again last night.
No coincidence [...]

Who blinked

So one of the worst kept secrets in television has been confirmed and can bring an end to the speculation – well, some of it at least.
The man who seemingly could do no wrong is moving on from Dr Who after guiding its reincarnation to a Saturday tea time television favourite once again.
The fact that Russell [...]

How very dare Who!

I am trying really hard. Honestly, I am.
But it is getting harder each week to slip into the sea of escapism that Dr Who had previously provided with accomplished ease.
I’ve already stated I think the problem with the new series is Donna, the Time Lord’s latest assistant.
It isn’t just Catherine Tate’s portrayal of Donna I’m [...]

Reincarnation TV

Step aside reality TV, the big new trend for our broadcasters is reincarnation TV.
Sky has already brought back Gladiators and there’s talk of it doing a Blake’s 7 revival, now ITV has confirmed plans to remake The Prisoner.
Throw in the likes of All Star Mr & Mrs – did anyone see Mr & Mrs William Roache and their freakishly [...]

Still bovvered

I’ve taken a little longer this time to gather my thoughts – taking my lead from Sid, my former features editor – before delivering my verdict on the second episode of the latest Dr Who.
Alas, I’m still not convinced it is working.
Previous series have hit the ground running and kept sprinting forward. This time around, Dr [...]