Reviews

The Weekend's Television: Small Island, Sun, BBC1
Being Alan Bennett, Sat, BBC2

Best and worst of British

Inside Reviews

James Corrigan: When did Jonathan Pearce undergo charisma bypass?

Monday, 7 December 2009

The View From The Sofa: World Cup Draw, BBC2

Sport on TV: Nothing personal, Gabby, but you are laying it on a bit thick

Sunday, 6 December 2009

It's "the ultimate prize in sport – and what an honour it is," gushed Gabby Logan on Sports Personality of the Year: The Contenders (BBC1, Wednesday), ahead of next Sunday's BBC extravaganza – and how nice of her to tell us.

Big Top, BBC1; Miranda, BBC2

Sunday, 6 December 2009

What was the BBC thinking with this offensive 'comedy' throwback? Still, the tall lady rises to the occasion beautifully

Tempus Fugit, Radio 4

Sunday, 6 December 2009

Time flies in a riveting look at how to make life last

Last Night's TV: Bang Goes The Theory: The Human Power Station, Wonderland, The Restaurant

Friday, 4 December 2009

Together in electric dreams

Last Night's Television: Big Top, BBC 1
The Man Behind the Masquerade, BBC4

Thursday, 3 December 2009

Big Top, a new sitcom set in a travelling circus, is one of those programmes that get you wondering about the commissioning process. You'll need something to entertain you while it's on and speculating about the way it came into being will do as well as anything, unless you've got a dog that's overdue for a combing or some socks to pair up. One assumes that the performers' names came first on the pitch document. One certainly hopes that they came first on the pitch document, since the idea that it was sold on the essential concept and a sample of the writing seems implausible, to say the least. We've thought of a vehicle for Amanda Holden, somebody said, and what's more it's a role that will make it feasible for her to wear hotpants and black stockings nearly all the time. And if you bite there's a good chance that we can bolt on John Thompson, Tony Robinson and Ruth Madoc. How's that for belt-and-braces coverage? Cold Feet, Blackadder and a dab of Hi-De-Hi! behind the ears.