Ugly Betty (Friday 9pm, C4)
It’s Ugly Betty so you know the drill, but tonight’s instalment of froth and fizz from the corridors of Mode features a cameo from one Victoria Beckham as um, Victoria Beckham. Never mind, eh? Wonder if she’ll be miming her lines? Enjoy brand new Betty while you can, with the WGA strike still rolling on and production shut down, there’s only a couple of episodes left before they run out.
The Armstrong and Miller Show (Friday 9.30pm, BBC1)
After my blasting of the woefully shoddy The Omid Djalili Show, it’s a totally different story on Friday night, thankfully, with Armstrong and Miller. It’s good to see some solidly funny sketch comedy for a change, and this has more hits than misses. The big hit of the series are the spitfire pilots with their clipped street slang lines, and this kind of comedy isn’t a million miles away from Mitchell and Webb’s equally top material. In fact, Armstrong and Miller could be the reformed older brothers of the more anarchic Mitchell and Webb.
Comedy Showcase: Kevin Bishop (Friday 10.30pm, C4)
I’m not a huge fan of Star Stories – it always feels a little too pleased with itself. But that doesn’t deny the talents of Kevin Bishop, who gets his own sketch show in the last of the Comedy Showcase pilots. Sadly, it falls a little flat, which is a shame, as it seems a series has already been commissioned. It’ll be interesting to see what Bishop can achieve with a full series to let the material breath, so I’m hoping the failings of the pilot are just a false start.
Robin Hood (Saturday 7.15pm, BBC1)
You know, I can’t help thinking that I may have been too harsh on Robin Hood in recent weeks. True, Jonas Armstrong is still out of his depth as Robin, but at least there’s a bit more derring-do and swordplay on display than there was last year. It’s also nice to see Marion released from the castle and allowed to be a full-time outlaw – it always seemed a waste of resources to have her cooped up so Guy could make doe-eyes at her. All in all, enjoyably silly, but still with reservations.
The Company (Saturday 9.40pm, BBC2)
A sometimes laboured, sometimes brilliant drama, based on the novel by Robert Littell, charting the activities of the CIA over a period of decades. It’s got a great cast, with Alfred Molina, Michael Keaton and Chris O’Donnell (finally getting some work) heading things up. The period detail looks great, and this is definitely a more sedate and considered approach to the espionage genre as opposed to the more high-octane shenanigans in Spooks.
White Diamond: a Personal Portrait of Kylie Minogue (Sunday 8pm, C4)
Whatever the reason for the nation’s obsession with the princess of pop, she’s an enduring icon for a generation. This documentary was filmed in the period following Kylie Minogue’s diagnosis with breast cancer and follows her on the road to recovery and her sumptuous Showgirl tour this year. This is an incredibly personal piece, not least because it’s filmed by Kylie’s close friend and stylist, Will Baker. With her appearance in the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special, it seems Kylie is back on top, and this film is a fine place to start the celebrations.
Cranford (Sunday 9pm, BBC1)
Gasp! It’s the icy Lady Ludlow’s garden party, quite positively the most tip-top, scrumptious social event in the Cranford calendar. The resultant hullabaloo has an excess of lace and bonnets flying around with as much abandon as the catty one-liners. And do I spy Michael Gambon striding into town, upping the calibre of the cast even more? Yes I do, and it seems Miss Matty is all a fluster at seeing him. Just who is this mysterious stranger? If you haven’t caught up with the charms of Cranford, make sure you do. You’ll be missing a treat!
Dear Mr Wright,
The only one out of their depth around here is you as a critic/writer. The talented Jonas Armstrong is the one reason the show totally works, that the show was able to sustain the audience while it worked on stronger more credible fighting sequences and a few other kinks. I think JA is so convincing in his role he makes it look almost effortless--its so much easier to play the villians role, its incredibly more difficult to add layers to a goodie two shoes or in this case a HOODY TWO SHOES but JA has filled these shoes and more.
Mr Wright you were so close there for a moment I thought you were going to finally get it, but............it may take longer for you, keep watching. Thanks Lindy
Sorry, Mr. Wright,but I suspect you're suffering from a bit of jealousy perhaps? For sure, the plot line invariably requires a good deal of suspended disbelief, but what would you expect in a Saturday 7pm slot? Don't hold it against Jonas Armstrong that he's good-looking and does a nice flirt when called upon by the script - I haven't detected the slightest hint of him either coasting or struggling in the part; on the other hand, I could hardly bear to watch the Barnstormer's Delight they called Cranford, last week. It was all too Monty Python for words - except for the excellent Eileen Atkins, of course, who held the whole tatty travesty together singlehanded...
Jealous? I think not. I have no problem with plots that require suspension of disbelief - it's a fun, Saturday night adventure drama, which is somewhat the point. What I do have a problem with is a lead who is consistently acted off the screen by the rest of the cast. He might be pretty, but he has no presence, and I find that worrying. The show is carried by Keith Allen, Richard Armitage and Lucy Griffiths, but the show isn't called The Sheriff of Nottingham (although you'd sometimes be forgiven for thinking so...
As for Cranford - you called it too Monty Python for words, which does show your complete misunderstanding of what Monty Python's comedy was about. It was more Victoria Wood, as I've said elsewhere, and that is what I feel the production team were aiming for. It's a very clever spoof, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable or worthwhile because of it.
Mr. Wright get over your reservations about Robin Hood. This is an excellent show! Series 2 is so much darker and deeper than Series 1.
I really think you are wrong about Jonas Armstrong being 'out of his depth' as RH. I think you need to go back and re-watch all of the Series 1 & 2 (so far) and really study Jonas' as RH. He is a wonderful actor and his protrayal of RH is one of the best!
Please do no give up on the Series. I hope to see that your mind will change on Jonas in the near future.
Thanks - Bebet
Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.
Dear Mr Wright,
either you are not watching the same show as we are, or you are seriously mislead. Everyone is entitiled to their opinion yes, but i think yours is very out of order on this particular subject. There are so many fans including myself who can't wait for Saturday night to come around. Yes, Jonas is gorgeous, but that isn't the only reason why i watch it. It's entertaining, has a great plot, exciting and often brings a tear to my eye. Most of the time because of the man himself. I am very critical mysef of television and am not very easily impressed. I am however extremely impressed with Jonas' performance. I don't think that any other would be better suited for the part. Also, you haven't provided any evidence for your claim. What exactly makes Jonas ''out of his depth''? I urge you to watch both series again and reconsider your position. I'm sure you will change you mind in time and learn to love it! Jonas's charm has that effect on people!
Keep watching,
regards - Kimberley
Glasgow, Scotland
Mr. Wright,
I find it puzzling that your real issue with this show is Jonas himself. You consider him not worthy of this show. I am not sure that you have approached this with the critical eye that you claim to have.
I find Jonas' portrayal of Robin Hood a refreshing one. An idealistic, unrealistic young man come home to fight for the things he really cares about. Jonas does this very well.
In the end, I think we can both agree that this show would not be the same if any of it's present cast members were no longer part of the show. A wonderful cast for a wonderful show.
Besides, those of us who are Jonas' core fans know that he is just letting Keith Allen and the rest of them have the spotlight. It's more fun that way.
Best Regards, whittsend
Montana, USA
Mr. Wright:
Delighted to see that you advancing to a secondary level in your critiques. Hopefully, you will soon be able to see and understand what millions of fans have already learned - Jonas Armstrong has that illusive star quality possessed by very few entertainers. Thank you for the opportunity to respond.
Brittvfan,
Burbank, California
Oops - Of course, I meant "elusive." The cybergremlins are at it again.
Dear Mr. Wright,
Robin Hood is not silly! Its dark political and romantic intrigues just keep me on the edge of my seat every week. While it cannot be disputed that Mr. Armstrong is quite handsome, it is his ability to display a range of emotions that keeps me (and his legions of fans) eagerly coming back every week: happiness, anger, love, desperation; he is able to convincingly display the gamut. I urge you to continue watching this terrific show and let Jonas Armstrong himself show you what a wonderful young actor he really is.
All the best and thank you.
Lisa Akker
Mahopac, NY, USA
Dear Mr Wright,
I'm not sure that you and I are watching the same show every week or is it that you're watching RH with coke bottle glasses and an MP3 player stuck in your ears? Because I'm seeing a highly talented Actor who is able to portray a diverse range of emotions week in and week out, effortlessly. So can I suggest you watch the next episode without your glasses and MP3 and maybe you might come away a little more impressed (like the rest of us).
Clearly I'm watching a different show to the girlies, because I personally find Jonas Armstrong's Robin unconvincing as a leader of men. I don't think he's a bad actor, just that he's miscast.
For me, that particularly showed in Saturday's episode, where Joseph Kennedy's Carter exuded stature and authority in every frame -- with Armstrong's Robin, we're expected to see that, but both the script and the delivery fail to meet that expectation.
I think the show as a whole is good fun, none more so than when Keith Allen's Sheriff is taking the mick out of the whole conceit -- again, in Saturday's episode when chastising Guy for never changing his clothing, for example. If I were to make a checklist after each episode of the things I enjoyed, though, Armstrong's portrayal of Robin would not, I fear, be on it.
“Jonas Armstrong is still out of his depth as Robin”
Never have more false words been spoken Mr. Wright. Jonas Armstrong as Robin certainly hasn’t disappointed the millions of fans world-wide from given their approval of the modern new remake of England’s famous folk hero.
Jonas’ is truly in his element here, playing the most life-like portrayal of Robin with a natural charisma and talent. Not only has he reenergized the noble-turned-outlaw with a handsome new look, Jonas has breathed new life into Robin with classier and trendier style.
Jonas you're a wonderful actor. Thank you for making Robin come alive and more potent than ever. You have truly made Robin Hood your own.
Mr. Wright keep watching the series and you'll see -Jonas' portrayal of Robin is brilliant!
Mr Wright you further commented that Keith, Richard and Lucy are carrying the show, that Jonas though pretty has no presence? Though I think Keith and Richard do a decent job at their limited roles, Keith's portrayal usually very good, sometimes borders on over the top for me, and Richard's role is not that demanding. But how you even compare these very limited roles with Jonas very demanding one as Robin Hood isn't even remotely credible. The only explanation I can offer is Robin Hood is such an iconic legendary figure, that some almost feel that nobody would be good enough in this role, therefore they must tear away at it. If the show were ever to become The Sheriff of Nottingham, this is one fan who would not bother to tune in, because it is the very magical, charasmatic persona of Jonas Armstrong that attracted me to this show, and continues to captivate me week after week. The fact that he is pretty too is just a bonus. There are many a pretty boy who offer nothing else. Jonas Armstrong is not one of them, he has become Robin Hood and the very reason I watch. Thanks for the time.
Dear Mr Wright
It occurs to me that you may be expecting to see the only the legend of Robin Hood and so are disappointed when you see the man behind it.
As we all know, legends are usually based on embellished tales told over many generations, whilst men are just that - men. For me, Jonas's portrayal of Robin Hood is a perfect balance between the sometimes out-of-line, sometimes emotional and sometimes insecure man who is trying to do more for England than is realistically possible for one man, and the legend that we all 'know' and love so well. That he can be bring both the legend and the man to life at the same time at just 26 years of age, and shine so brightly amongst both more and less experienced fellow cast members, only makes me admire him more.
The legend may be what remains today, but Robin Hood was only ever a man.
I am glad that you continue to watch the series in spite of your continued disappointment, and hope one day that you get to see the Robin Hood that myself and the others who have commented here see.
Miss Elmo
Western Australia
Mr. Wright, the only reason I watch Robin Hood is Richard Armitage. HE is the best thing about the show. Jonas is a little childish to me. And Keith is just weird. But RA is the star!!
Rose
Southeatern USA
Mr. Wright. I agree with you completely. Rose! You said it!