The Time of Your Life (Monday 9pm, ITV1)
It’s a shame about this series. At the heart Time for Your Life a really good show waiting to break out, with lots of heart and humour and great character drama. The central hook of the girl who fell into a coma at 18 and weeks up at 35 is beguiling. It started well with decent ratings, but the decision to string a murder mystery storyline out to six episodes was a mistake. The identity of Brian’s killer should have been wrapped up by the end of episode two with the rest of the series’ plots coming from the characters. Still, at least tonight, everything is wrapped up, and I’d quite like to see this back for a retooled second run, although that seems doubtful.
The Wire (Monday 10pm, FX)
I have been told that The Wire is the best drama series ever and that once I’ve watched it, every other drama I watch will feel weak and limp next to it. What, even Rough Diamond? Still, with FX starting a complete rerun of the The Wire, I’m prepared to jump in and see what the fuss is about. I’m always wary of shows that I’m told are the best thing ever – if it’s not up to scratch, there’ll be trouble…
TV Heaven/Telly Hell (Monday 11.05pm, C4)
Poor Sean Lock, he’s worth much more than a hosting a Room 101-style show about celebrities loves and loathes on television. Still, as we’re all generally TV dafties around here, it’s always going to be interesting to tune in – this week, find out what Jack Dee is driven to distraction by on the box.
EastEnders (Tuesday 7.30pm, BBC1)
EastEnders is on a roll at the moment after last week’s storming set of episodes, and as the fallout from Stella’s death continues, two promising new characters totter into the square on their high heels. Yes, the Mitchell clan has more branches than Primark, and sisters Ronnie and Roxy arrive from Ibiza expecting a finger buffet and some champagne – what they get is an empty Queen Vic and dour faces. These blonde bombshells might just be what Albert Square needs to liven things up.
How Gay Sex Changed the World (Tuesday 11.05pm, C4)
Channel 4’s excellent season to mark the 40th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality continues with this frank account of the major historical moments that led to changing social attitudes to gay lifestyles. Contributors include Matthew Paris, David Furnish and Simon Callow.
The Simpsons: A Culture Show Special (Wednesday 7.30pm, BBC2)
Ahead of this week’s launch of the much-anticipated The Simpsons Movie, The Culture Show comes over all yellow and overbitey to dip into the cultural phenomenon that is The Simpsons. Just what makes this show tick, who are its fans, and will it ever end? This will probably go overboard a touch on the analysis side, when the secret of the show’s success is really very simple. But, as the world prepares to go mad for Springfield all over again, it’s as good as a can of Duff to get in the mood for the movie.
Top Gear – Polar Special (Wednesday 8pm, BBC2)
What’s this? A brand new Top Gear special? You’d think BBC2 had a high profile launch of a much-hyped US import debuting straight after this sure-fire ratings banker. Oh. Hang On…
Heroes (Wednesday 9pm, BBC2)
Finally, the terrestrial launch of one of the best US shows to come along in ages. Heroes has already been on the Sci-Fi Channel, so this is doubtless old news to you multi-channel savvy types around here, but I’ve been gagging to see this for months. I only had Sky installed a couple of weeks before the end of the Sci-Fi run, so it’s shiny and new for me. It plays like a cross between The Tomorrow People and the X-Men with a bit of soapy drama in there to keep it audience-friendly. Thankfully, the Beeb are showing the first two episodes back to back, which is good, as episode one drags a touch. Stick with it though – the cliffhanger to episode two is gob smacking and will hook you in for the long-haul.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (Thursday 10pm, More 4)
Enjoy it while you can! This much talked about, little seen US drama arrives on our shores, and boy, it’s good. Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry are note perfect as the writer/producer team brought in to revive the flagging fortunes of the titular comedy sketch show. Think Saturday Night Live and you’re about there. The dialogue sizzles, the performances fly, and you have to wonder why it didn’t attract an audience in the States. It is a little smug in places, but that’s an occupational hazard with any Aaron Sorkin show – The West Wing was great, but it could set your teeth in edge in places. Beautiful in its briefness, cherish this one cos it won’t be coming back.
My Name is Earl (Thursday 10pm, C4)
Part of my appointment TV schedule, it’s a crime to see such a poor showing for Earl in this year’s Emmy nominations. This week gives Darnell and Catalina a bit more to do, and they rise to the challenge with aplomb as we learn the shocking truth about Darnell and Catalina helps Earl out with one his karmic balancing acts.
I have to agree about Time of Your Life. Last week's episode used the sudden appearance of Brian's "ghost" as the means of providing an ad break cliff-hanger not once, but twice. It's not as if there wasn't enough going on without the "mystery" getting in the way. It also has some exceptional camerawork going on. Again in last week's episode, there was a scene where Kate was having a conversation with Pete, her intention being to propose getting back together. Director David Blair framed her POV shots with Pete so that he was in the extreme left of frame, with a lovey-dovey couple on the table behind him dominating the screen even though they were completely out of focus. It's hard to describe on paper, but on screen it was a beautiful reinforcement of how Kate was feeling as Pete basically closed the door on their relationship.
Unfortunately, for every moment like that it's also had the odd bit of clunky dialogue or ridiculous flashback. The series-long mystery has reduced any chance of a second series, I fear.