January 2009 Archives

Not Going Out (Friday 9.30pm, BBC1)

Some sit-coms just won’t go away, and so it is with Not Going Out, starring Lee Mack as Lee, who just never found the time to grow up on take on any adult responsibilities. Thing is, you can’t help but like Not Going Out, for all its down at heel, old fashioned, studio-bound feel. It’s certainly a cut above the now-defunct After You’ve Gone and woeful Life of Riley, and Mack, who serves as scriptwriter, is well versed in constructing intricate gags with a good payoff. Go on, give it a look. You might like it.

Pushing Daisies (Friday 10pm, ITV1)

This quirky US import was once the great hope of ITV’s Saturday night line-up, but the ratings soon dwindled and the channel royally screwed up broadcasting every episode. And now the show about a pie-maker who can bring dead things back to life by touching them is relegated to a Friday night, 10pm slot - and the fact that’s it been cancelled Stateside makes the picture even gloomier for fans of the show. Poor the Anna Friel. Some people called this show quirky. Me, I called it rubbish.

Boston Legal (Friday 10pm, Living)

Final season of David E. Kelly’s quirky legal drama starring James Spader and the Emmy-winning William Shatner. Yes, you did read that right… The Emmy-winning William Shatner. In a world where William Shatner can win an Emmy award for acting, all you can do is smile. Great show, enjoy it while it’s here.

Demons (Saturday 7.50pm, ITV1)

I’m like a dog with a bone when it comes to Demons. I just can’t stop myself going back for another gnaw at this ill-conceived, badly-acted, badly written show. The tone and violence of the whole thing is played so badly it makes you want to cry, and each episode does nothing to address any of the inherent faults within the format. Nice try, but I doubt we’ll be seeing Demons back for a second run. Ah well, we’ll live.

The Old Guys (Saturday 9.30pm, BBC1)

Any new sitcom by Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, the sharp brains behind the excellent Peep Show is going to be worth a look, and this could have the makings of a classic. Roger-Lloyd Pack and Clive Swift star as the mismatched Tom and Roy, one a baby boomer who never left the 60s behind, the other an OAP with intellectual delusions of grandeur. Throw into the mix glamourous neighbour Sally (the still sexy as hell Jane Asher), who the boys have the hots for, and you have the makings of a classic sitcom. Fingers crossed…

Casualty (Saturday 8.40pm, BBC1)

Yeah, whatever…

Lark Rise to Candleford (Sunday 8pm, BBC1)

Quite possibly the best show on the box right now. In this episode, Dorcas collapses with the flu, leading to Laura (the dreamy Olivia Hallinan) stepping in as acting postmistress. And chaos ensues in the usual Lark Rise way - with gentleness, whimsy and lots of shots of beautiful scenery. Brilliant from start to finish.

Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life (Sunday 9pm, BBC1)

David Attenborough, bringing his years of experience in natural history broadcasting to the works of Charles Darwin, is about as good as it gets really. Attenborough is as charming and gentle as ever here, giving the enormity of the question of evolution the personal spin that only Attenborough can bring to a piece. If you watch only one thing this weekend, watch this.

Being Human (Sunday 10pm, BBC3)

I loved the pilot for this flat share drama with a difference, but the first episode proper of this supernatural-tinged series left me a little cold. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but it may be down to the loss of the superb Andrea Riseborough as agoraphobic ghost Annie. Lenora Crichlow is a fine actress, but she doesn’t quite fit this. Still, tonight’s episode is lifted somewhat by Dean Lennox Kelly’s guest turn as a werewolf who comes to stay - and doesn’t intend to leave.

… that is the question.

It seems the difference between cancellation and suspension is but a heartbeat, as ITV has confirmed that production on long-running dramas Heartbeat and spin-off The Royal has been suspended. There is, as yet, no word on when (or if) production will commence on either show again.

With enough episodes stockpiled for series of both shows in 2009 and 2010, it seems they will be with us for a while yet, but is this the first evidence of the credit crunch chomping into this business we call telly?

Along with The Bill going down to a single episode a week, this might just be the beginning, and if I were Emmerdale, I wouldn’t be banking on holding on to six episodes a week (well, four half hour episodes and one hour long).

It’s long been argued that every soap has too many episodes and as a result, the quality has suffered. If you want to cut budgets, slash your episode count and make less, it’s not rocket science. And the soaps might just get that little bit better again

Go on ITV, you know you want to…

But our thoughts go out to the casts and crews of these long-running shows that have worked long and hard to keep rolling out episode after episode. We hope you’ll be back working very, very soon.

After much scuttlebutt and gossip over the last few months, the details of the Red Dwarf one-off reunion special have been released…

There was some confusion over just what format the reunion would take - a documentary with specially filmed scenes or a retrospective with talking heads. But it seems we will be getting two brand new episodes of one of BBC2’s most popular shows of all time, to be broadcast over Easter Weekend on cable channel Dave. Going by the title of Red Dwarf: Back to Earth, the episodes will reunite Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules and Robert Llewellyn, reprising their original roles as the Red Dwarf crew finally get, erm… back to Earth.

But honestly - and search deep for this - does anybody really care?

Sally Wainwright’s Unforgiven finished its three-part run last night with an audience of 6.5 million, comprising a 26% share — up 3 points on last week. After the slow burn of the first two episodes, the conclusion increased the tension and pace without feeling like a betrayal of what had gone before, which is a hard trick to pull off.

While there were still some points at which the suspension of disbelief disappeared, and others where the obvious story route was taken, overall it was a taut piece. If you account for ad breaks and the like, the overall running time of the whole piece is comparable to a longish feature film — if Unforgiven had been created for that medium, it would be getting huge plaudits, I’m sure.

I don’t really want to dissect the episode too much, as I know that there will be many people who have not yet seen it. It will be released on DVD next Monday with an RRP of £19.99, but is currently available for pre-order at the knockdown price of £11.98.

• Preorder Unforgiven [Amazon.co.uk]

As well as the superb writing and acting, part of the ratings success must go to a relative lack of competition for the time slot, last week’s second episode of BBC crime drama Hunter excepted. Next week’s replacement, Whitechapel, will not be so lucky. Every week, the Rupert Penry-Jones led thriller will be going head to head with another new crime series, Moses Jones, on BBC2.

On paper at least, ITV’s drama, which sees Rupert Penry-Jones head a team tracking down a Jack the Ripper copycat, has the edge in terms of what to watch first. As well as a first rate cast, the Ripper motif is an easy one to sell. In contrast, BBC2’s new series, possibly intended to become a returning serial if it goes down well, sees Shaun Parkes (Casanova) investigating a dismembered body that may have links to witchcraft in a story that’s much more intense.

What BBC2’s has that Whitechapel doesn’t is an important piece of casting. Parkes’ sidekick is played by one Matt Smith, who we now know is to take on the mantle of the Doctor when Doctor Who returns in 2010. It’ll be the first chance to see him act on TV since the casting announcement, but whether Moses Jones will give us any clues to how he’ll carry off the big role remains to be seen.

So, next Monday — Ripper or Doctor? Which will you choose?

• Preorder Whitechapel on DVD [Amazon.co.uk] — available February 16
• Preorder Moses Jones on DVD [Amazon.co.uk] — available March 2

Coronation Street ITV1, Monday 7.30pm & 8.30pm, Wednesday 7.30pm
Stephanie Beacham joins the cast this week as Martha, a canalboat-owning potential love interest for Ken Barlow (William Roache). What did she do to deserve that fate? Still, I suppose she has to be thankful that she’s not been linked with Norris… A milestone of sorts on Wednesday: Corrie reaches its 7,000th episode. Not too much in the way of bunting, though — the big celebrations will be held in abeyance for 2010, the Street’s 50th birthday year.

Unforgiven ITV1, Monday 9pm
Sally Wainwright’s masterful drama comes to a conclusion tonight. I’ve actaully had conversations with people where they’ve lamented that it’ll be over so quickly, which has to be a first for ITV drama in recent times. Suranne Jones has excelled as released killer Ruth, but she’s far from alone in a splendid cast. After two weeks of slow-burn tension, trailers for tonight’s episode hint at more action as the truth about what happened at the farm gets revealed, and someone attempts to enact a brutal revenge.

90210 E4, Monday 9pm
The zipcode that’s so well known we no longer have to be told it’s in Beverley Hills. The new, ultraglossy, post-O.C., post-Gossip Girl teen soap hits UK screens. While the focus is on an all-new cast of impossibly good-looking rich kids, some of the original cast while be making appearances in the series. Most notably, Jennie Garth reprises her role of Kelly Taylor, now rather improbably employed as the school’s guidance counsellor. Presumably she was given the job so that she can hand down advice based on personal experience on alcoholic mothers, date rape, addiction to diet pills, joining cults, cocaine addiction, getting amnesia, shooting your rapist, being shot yourself, being stalked, going to rehab, getting pregnant, having a miscarriage… Oh, and not having much of a career to speak of after your breakthrough series ended and having to wait until it gets remade a decade or so later.

Shameless Channel 4/HD, Tuesday 10pm, E4 11pm
The residents of the Chatsworth Estate return for a sixth series, which will hopefully be invigorated by the return of creator Paul Abbott’s steely gaze: he told Radio Times last week that he wasn’t happy with the last series, in which he took more of a back seat. As Debbie prepares for her sixteenth birthday, Ian is assaulted and (in a 90210-worthy twist) loses his memory — which causes him to see the restate residents through a very different set of eyes. Episode 2 follows straight after on E4.

Grand Designs Channel 4, Wednesday 9pm
Each episode of this ultimate property porn show takes so long to follow the construction of people’s dream homes that the credit crunch is unlikely to affect episodes for a while yet. Mind you, common sense rarely makes an appearance in the developers’ reasoning, which is half the fun.

Skins E4, Thursday 10pm
After last week’s introduction of all the new characters, we’ll start to focus in on some of the gang, and some of the emotional and physical barriers that the gang presented to each other last week start to break down. Jack O’Connell’s Cook remains the best of the new characters, but that could well change as the series progresses.

PROGRAMME OF THE WEEK Drama on 3: Pornography Radio 3, Sunday 8pm
One of the acclaimed successes of last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Pornography was a Stage Must-See, and earned a nomination for Best Ensemble at The Stage Awards for Acting Excellence. The cast of that production reunites for this audio version, which follows eight people whose lives are affected by the July 7 2005 London bombings. From our review:

Simon Stephens’ 2007 play about the July 7 bombings is a beautifully written exploration of what goes on behind the scenes in the lead up to a major tragedy, showing us how ordinary lives intersect with extraordinary events … It says that human beings will always be connected in subtle and intangible ways, no matter what the attempts to destroy them.

The rest of this week’s picks are after the jump.

Is TV Too Rude?: Tonight Friday, ITV1 8pm
Ahead of Frank Skinner hosting a similarly themed programme for the BBC’s Panorama, ITV1’s current affairs strand looks at issues of taste and decency on the box. Comedian Richard Herring was asked for the programme to perform two stand-up sets, one using swearing and one not. You can read his own take on his experience on his blog, Warming Up, but according to his website, his sections of the programme are not being used.

While it may be an interesting watch, for my money it’ll have to work really hard to beat Sue Perkins’ Huw Wheldon lecture on television comedy for the Royal Television Society, which was broadcast last night. If you missed it, then don’t worry: it’s still available on the BBC website and will be for the next six days.

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross Friday, BBC1 10.35pm
Talking of taste and decency on television, JR returns to the BBC after his three-month suspension over his part in the Andrew Sachs phone message incident — and, of course, after his TV interview with Gwyneth Paltrow was judged “gratuitous, unnecessary and offensive” by the BBC Trust.

Steering well clear of any female guests for his first show back, Ross will interview Stephen Fry, Lee Evans and Tom Cruise.

Eurovision: Your Country Needs You Saturday, BBC1 6.30pm
The penultimate show, and we’re down to four acts competing to have a song written for them by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Diane Warren. My personal favourite at the moment (unsurprisingly for a Stage employee, perhaps) is musical theatre performer Mark Evans, with Jade a close second. Otherwise, though, I find it a little hard to muster much enthusiasm. Eurovision expert Ewan Spence has been liveblogging each show on his own blog — head over there to join in the discussions!

A Short Stay in Switzerland Sunday, BBC1 9pm
Julie Walters stars in a one-off drama, based on a true story, about a woman diagnosed with the same degenerative neurological condition that slowly killed her husband. Knowing what is in store, she chooses to travel to Zurich to dies with dignity in an assisted suicide clinic. Frank McGuinness’s script touches on all the moral and ethical dilemmas involved in making such a controversial decision, and is assisted by Harriet Walter’s Clare, an upright, Christian woman whose confrontations with Walter’s Anne Turner form the backbone of the play.

Being Human Sunday, BBC3 9pm
A werewolf, a vampire and a ghost share a house in Bristol. As high concepts go, it’s up there. Russell Tovey reprises his oft-naked werewolf role from last year’s pilot, but the rest of the cast have changed, as have various aspects of the plot in ways that, frankly, work better in a series context. Aidan Turner and Lenora Critchlow join Tovey as series regulars in one of the most anticipated genre serials of the last year.

The other day I was delighted to see a phone box poster for Five’s revival of hit 1970s drama Minder. It fair put a smile on my face to see Shane Richie and Lex Shrapnel chained up in a phone box, clearly at the wrong end of a scam gone wrong. The ad looked right and felt right for some reason and immediately fixed the idea of the new show in my head. Job done, really.

Five’s track record in home produced original drama and comedy has not been great. This is the UK home of CSI, NCIS and House, high profile and glossy US imports that have kept the wolf from the fifth terrestrial broadcaster’s door for years. The odds of Minder scoring a hit of note are slim at best, but one has to applaud Five’s efforts.

The six-part “reinvention” of the series that starred Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann and George Cole as Arthur Daley casts Richie as Arthur’s nephew, the wheeler-dealer Archie. Shrapnel plays his titular minder, Jamie Collins. So it’s a continuation rather than a remake. One could argue that there’s no really no need for it - the original was brilliant, seminal 70s/80s TV, born of its time. But if Five hadn’t stumped up the cash for this, we’d have had The Woman Who Ate the London Gherkin or other tedious sensationalist documentary. If you have to remake something, why not pick something good?

Poor the Kelly Brook, she doesn’t have much luck, does she? Allegedly ejected from The Big Breakfast after six months. Not returning for the second series of Love Island (although who could blame her), and now she has to suffer the embarrassment of being fired from the judging panel of Britain’s Got Talent after only a couple of days on the job.

Now, I’m no great fan of Kelly Brook, but she seems like a nice lass and it can’t be fun to get a gig on pretty much the biggest TV show in Britain at the beginning of the week, only to lose it a couple of days later. But there is something that strikes me as a bit rum about all this…

Hunter (Monday 9pm, BBC1)

The beauty of Hunter is the central partnership between Hugh Bonneville and Janet McTeer as Barclay and Foster. Yes, they might have some central clichéd detective quirks (McTeer’s Foster especially is Jane Tennison-lite), but they are such good actors that it’s easy to look the other way. The central kidnapping storyline is reasonably engrossing, and it doesn’t take a genius (or drama commissioner) to work out that this two-parter has half an eye on a series somewhere down the line.

Unforgiven (Monday 9pm, ITV1)

It will be interesting to see how the ratings for this Suranne Jones-starring thriller hold up after last week’s commendable start. Reformed murderer Ruth (Jones) is trying to adapt to life on the outside, but things are coming unstuck rapidly for all concerned as the past catches up with Ruth and the family of her victim.

President Obama: the Inauguration (Tuesday 4pm, BBC1)

Not quite sure what this about. Something about history in the making. Let’s hope the Beeb does a better job of this than it did the election itself.

Battlestar Galactica (Tuesday 9pm Sky One/Sky HD)

This weekend just gone, I watched ten episodes of Battlestar Galactica back-to-back to get up to date with the series. Aside from the beneficial effect this has had on my Sky Plus percentage, it’s also put me right in the mood to get on with the next ten, the first of which begins tonight. The fleet has reached Earth, but it seems that it’s not the sanctuary the ragtag survivors of humanity were hoping for. Expect surprises, twists, turns, poetically constructed action sequences and some carefully crafted dialogue. It ain’t over until the fat Cylon sings…

Inside Out East Midlands (BBC East Midlands 7.30pm, BBC1)

Of interest to readers of The Stage will be a segment within this edition of the magazine programme on working as an extra. Following the show’s investigation of some of the dodgy extras agencies out there, this piece seeks to highlight some of the more positive aspects of being an extra.

Stockwell (Wednesday 9pm, ITV1)

An inevitable and well-handled fact based drama that pieces together the sequence of events that led up to the tragic shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes following the London bombings of 2005. Of course, we know the outcome before the programme starts, and that makes it doubly harrowing to watch. Necessary viewing.

Masterchef (Thursday 8pm, BBC2)

Another Thursday, another Masterchef quarterfinal. The 2009 tournament is well into its stride now, but I can’t help but feeling that John and Gregg are becoming self-parodies. Watch as they gurn and grimace their way through the selection process, with agonised questions of: “Who’s it gonna be?”. I notice they’ve abandoned the dreadful reverse shots of the pair grilling the chefs from the pro kitchens, but cooking still doesn’t get tougher than this!

Hustle (Thursday 9pm, BBC1)

I’m loving the energy this new run of Hustle has about it. The return of the light-on-his-feet Adrian Lester as Mickey Bricks and the changes in personnel elsewhere has recharged the batteries nicely. This week the gang sting a particularly unpleasant high-court judge (the always-excellent Tim McInnerny) to raise some ready cash to give Albert a much needed holiday following his spell in choky.

Coronation Street (Friday 7.30/8.30pm)

Poor old Steve McDonald, he does bring things upon himself, doesn’t he? Tonight is the night when Michelle discovers his infidelity with Becky and the daft lad is thrown out on the street (after Liz gives him a thick ear). It’s been a long time in coming, but he’s wanted Becky all along. Now he’s free of Michelle, surely there’s nothing to stop him shacking up with his real love…?

Trial and Retribution (Friday 9pm, ITV1)

Second of a two-part T&R story that, as usual, will have you laughing into to your Friday night curry. Trial and Retribution is perhaps the maddest cop show on the box, taking the notion of detectives who work by a different set of rules to insane levels. Ah, Roisin, you are quite possibly becoming my favourite telly ‘tec.

Flight of the Conchords Special: One Night Stand (Friday 10pm, BBC4)

A one-off concert in the company of the New Zealand duo as they play their unique brand of comedy musical numbers. These are guys are something of an acquired taste, but once you get it, you’ll never look back.

Noel’s HQ (Saturday 7.30pm, Sky One)

Noel Edmonds makes his return to Saturday evening telly with a full series of the frankly bonkers format that was piloted last year. The notion of tackling the madness of political correctness, the nanny state and injustice across the nation has a good heart to it, but I don’t think Noel is the man to change the world! It’s like Noel’s Christmas Presents with a seasoning of House Party chucked in for good measure.

Demons (Saturday 7.40pm, ITV1)

Okay, everybody point and laugh. That being said, Kevin McNally makes a fun villain this week as the ratty Mr Tibbs. It’s still pants, though.

Cracker (Saturday 11.05pm, ITV3)

The very first episode of Jimmy McGovern’s groundbreaking drama. Always worth a look

Ski Sunday (Sunday 5pm, BBC2)

Best. Theme. Tune. Ever.

Lark Rise to Candleford (Sunday 8pm, BBC1/BBC HD)

Soothe your weary bones and soak in the warmth of Lark Rise to Candleford for an hour, it will set you up for the week ahead. Laura (Olivia Hallinan - can she be Doctor Who’s next companion, please?) has found the joy of Darwinism, the road between Candleford and Lark Rise gets a makeover, and no doubt Dorcas Lane will be winsome with everybody. God, I love this show.

John Mortimer Night (Sunday from 8pm, BBC4)

The broadcast of this celebration of John Mortimer’s work could be considered tragic in light of the writer and broadcaster’s sad death, announced earlier today. However, it seems fitting and poignant that we can enjoy some of the dramatist and barrister’s best work throughout this evening. Highlights include the original Play for Today that gave us the great Rumpole of the Bailey and the autobiographical drama A Voyage Round My Father, starring Laurence Olivier and Alan Bates.

Hunter (Sunday 9pm, BBC1/BBC HD)

Hugh Bonneville and Janet McTeer reprise their roles of Detective Superintendent Iain Barclay and Detective Sergeant Amy Foster from the rather excellent Five Days. This time the duo is on the trail of child kidnappers. The material is average, but the performances make it worthwhile.

Liza Tarbuck and Kathy Burke Radio 2, Saturday 10am
With Jonathan Ross due to return to his broadcasting duties next weekend after his three-month suspension, Liza Tarbuck concludes her stint filling in for him in the Saturday morning slot by co-hosting with actress and theatre director Kathy Burke.

Does the Team Think? Radio 2, Saturday 1pm
Vic Reeves hosts a second series of the revived comedy panel show which invites audience members to ask questions of a panel of famous people. This week, the panellists are Reeves’ Shooting Stars cohorts Bob Mortimer and Ulrika Jonsson, Jack Dee and Julian Clary.

Elaine Paige on Sunday Radio 2, Sunday 1pm
EP’s guest this week is Matt Rawle, currently starring in Zorro! at the Garrick Theatre.

Classic Serial: The Grand Babylon Hotel Radio 4, Sunday 3pm
No, nothing to do with the BBC TV series Hotel Babylon, nor the book upon which that series was based — other than author Imogen Edwards-Jones’ title has deliberate echoes of that of the classic novel by Arnold Bennett. A light-hearted thriller features brash American millionaire Theodore Racksole (John Sessions), who buys up the exclusive Babylon Hotel in London as a gift for his daughter, Nella (Natti Houghton). It’s not long before Theodore and Nella are chasing thieves and murderers through the hotel corridors…

Drama on 3: Echoes of War Radio 3, Saturday 8pm
A play by Gary Mitchell, specially written for Radio 3, which explores the loose ends left by the Good Friday Agreement. Stuart Graham plays Charlie, a gifted musician and Orange Order band member. Music teacher Hugh, whose daughter was killed by the IRA and who has since become bigoted and disillusioned, wants Charlie to put his exceptional ability to better use. For Charlie, though, his music is an expression of hatred. The play goes back in time to explore how the pair’s relationship and views have changed over two decades. A depressing production maybe, but no less enlightening for that.

Woman’s Hour Drama: All Passion Spent Radio 4, Monday-Friday 10.45am (repeated 7.45pm)
Honor Blackman stars in an adaptation of Vita Sackville-West’s 1931 novel , adapted by Jonathan Holloway. After seventy years of marriage, the newly-widowed Lady Slane (Blackman) abandons the family seat and, much to the consternation of her children, moves to a tiny house in Hampstead. Here she recollects the dreams of her youth, and acquires a set of new, and ever so slightly eccentric, friends.

Afternoon Play: A Prayer for Owen Meany Radio 4, Monday-Friday 2.15pm
The AP slot becomes another serial for the week, with Linda Marshall Griffiths’ five-part adaptation of the the novel by John Irving. John Wheelwright reminisces about his childhood growing up in a small New Hampshire town, where his best friend was the oddball Owen Meany. Toby Jones, who wrapped his vocal cords around Truman Capote’s unusual speech mannerisms in the 2006 film Infamous, gives an astonishing vocal performance as Owen, supported by Henry Goodman as John and an impressive cast including Eleanor Bron and Lorelei King.

The Condensed History of George W Bush Radio 4, Wednesday 8.45pm
Reduced Shakespeare Company co-founder Adam Long turns his skills of comedic precis to the twin terms of the outgoing US President.

Nick Mohammed in Quarters Radio 4, Wednesday 11pm
The Correspondent Radio 4, Wednesday 11.15pm
A duo of new four-part comedy series fill Wednesday’s late-night comedy half-hour. Nick Mohammed presents a sketch show with the aid of Anna Crilly (Lead Balloon) and Colin Hoult, followed by a comic monologue from Tom Allen, co-written with Jon Hoggarth.

Below: Nick Mohammed as BBC weatherman David Sunshine:

Five Meet to Make Up Myths Radio 4, Thursday 11.30am
Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, JM Barrie and Bram Stoker all knew each other and used to frequent the same venues. Between them, they created some of the most compelling and enduring fictional characters which still grace stage, broadcasting and literature today. Gyles Brandreth explores how such a small group exerted such a large influence over our culture.

Friday Night is Music Night Radio 2, Friday 7.30pm
A live performance from the Chichester Festival Theatre celebrating classic musical theatre numbers, featuring works by Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and Stephen Sondheim.

TV Today was very sad to learn yesterday of the death legendary actors Ricardo Montalban and Patrick McGoohan. Montalban, perhaps best known for his role as Mr Roarke in the popular TV drama Fantasy Island, was 88 and passed away at his home in Los Angeles. McGoohan, indelibly linked to the role of Number 6 in cult series The Prisoner, also died in Los Angeles, following a short illness. He was 80.

Both actors have given me a great deal of pleasure through their work over the years. I remember discovering The Prisoner for the first time in my mid-teens in all its bewildering, exciting, teasing, frustrating glory. It didn’t always work, but you could never say that those 17 episodes haven’t left their mark on popular culture. And McGoohan wasn’t just the star, he was the creative driving force behind the whole thing. I’d hazard that the actor himself didn’t have much of an idea what that final, crazy episode was all about, which makes it even more delicious.

There are old TV dramas and there are bold TV dramas. On the evidence of its first two episodes, Demons, ITV1’s new Saturday night adventure drama series, is far from bold, and neither is it ever likely to be old. I’d honestly be very surprised if we see a second series from this somewhat lukewarm turkey.

So what’s wrong with it exactly…?

Philip Glenister as Rupert Galvin for a start. For an actor with Glenister’s considerable range, the Life on Mars legend is so miscast it’s almost art. He looks uncomfortable, not least of all because of his ropey American accent. He clearly cannot hold it and I would look to the director and producers for not putting an end to it within seconds of shouting action on his first scene.

Countdown Channel 4, Monday-Friday 3.25pm
The numbers and letters game returns with a new host (Jeff Stelling), new number figurer-outer (Rachel Riley), and an all new set, which means that the awful pink striped version can finally be consigned to history. Whether the show will be able to withstand its most radical overhaul yet will depend on Stelling and Riley’s rapport with one another and their contestants — but the basic simplicity of the game itself should help.

Coronation Street ITV1, Monday 7.30pm/8.30pm
It’s the latest soap wedding day for Corrie, as Molly and Tyrone prepare to tie the knot. Of course, this being a soap wedding, things are never likely to go to plan, so when the doves succumb to a tragic accident and the harpist gets caught in traffic, it’s no real surprise. More seriously, Tyrone’s black market dealings with Pam finally catch up with him, with the very real possibility that he won’t make it to church at all… Tonight’s episodes are written by Jonathan Harvey, which (Britannia High excepted) is usually a sign of good quality scripting.

Unforgiven ITV1/HD, Monday 9pm (pictured)
Suranne Jones leads one of the strongest casts in recent ITV Drama history in this superb three-parter from the pen of Sally Wainwright. Jones is Ruth Slater, release on licence after serving fifteen years in prison for the murder of two police officers as a teenager. Settled in a flat and with a new job, Ruth begins the search for the sister who was put up for adoption after her inprisonment. Meanwhile, two seemingly unrelated family stories unfold: Douglas Hodge and Jemma Redgrave struggle to cope after their daughter is hurt in a road accident, while Siobhan Finneran tries to convince husband Peter Davison that their house is haunted. Slowly the links between each family start to emerge, producing one of the most riveting dramas I can remember in a long while. We’re barely into January, and already I think I’ve found one of my favourites of 2009.

24 Sky 1/HD, Monday 9pm
The seventh series of the real-time thriller kicks off with a double episode. Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is in Washington, appearing in front of a Senate investigation into torture — something of which, as we’ve seen over the previous six seasons, Jack is highly knowledgeable. But as ever, there are threats to US security to be dealt with — and they come from an unlikely source… This year’s guest cast includes John Voight.

The High Life BBC4, Tuesday 9pm
Early Doors BBC4, Tuesday 9.30pm
BBC4 raids the archives for a repeat of two sitcoms which could not be more different. The High Life is an anarchic, often surreal sitcom centred around two highly camp air stewards (Forbes Masson and Alan Cumming), while Early Doors is a single camera, Northern pub-set exercise in subtle character interplay in which you can see a throughline between The Royle Family and last year’s Sunshine, written by Early Doors scribes Craig Cash (also cowriter on the Royle Family) and Phil Mealey.

Derren Brown: Evening of Wonders Channel 4, Tuesday 10pm
The master mentalist here presents a recording of the show which he took on a sell-out tour, culminating in a series of evenings at the Garrick Theatre. With plenty of audience participation, mind games and other trickery, this promises to be a rich evening of illusion.

Photo: Suranne Jones in Unforgiven. (C) ITV Plc/Red Production Company

The Diary of Anne Frank (Friday 7pm, BBC1)

Final episode of the excellent adaptation starring Tamsin Greig and Iain Glen

QI (Friday 9pm, BBC1)

I’m still unconvinced about QI coming to BBC1, it seems like one channel transfer too far. Still, it’s a great show and let’s hope that doesn’t change.

Trial and Retribution (Friday 9pm, ITV1)

What’s the point of putting Trial and Retribution on without Waking the Dead on the other side? I can’t play my favourite game of switching from one to the other and making a whole new story out of the two shows. They usually make more sense that way. Still, Walker and Connor (David Hayman and Victoria Smurfit) are as dour and dull as ever, so some things never change.

Your Country Needs You (Saturday 6.45pm, BBC1)

The first live show as the six hopeful acts compete for the opportunity to take Britain to Eurovision glory with Andrew Lloyd Webber. And my word of the day is: futility.

Demons (Saturday 7.45, ITV1)

After a shockingly bad first episode, Demons has a lot to do if it’s going to strike a chord with the audience (and not get sued by Joss Whedon). A half-life is on the loose, a nasty creature by the name of Gilgamel who is stealing children off the streets. Nice. Rest assured, Rupert Galvin (what is that accent?) and his team of Scooby Doo teens will be along to smite the freaks any second now. Oh well, it can only get better, right?

CSI:NY (Saturday 9.25pm, Five)

The fifth (feels like the fiftieth) series of the third CSI variant begins in typical style as the hunt is on for Mac’s kidnapper. There’s so much CSI these days that it all just merges into one, but it’s still entertainingly slick.

Dancing on Ice (Sunday 7/9pm, ITV1)

The return of the ice dancing competition hosted by Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. It’s fun, and the celebs slicing the ice this year include ex-Emmerdale babe Roxanne Pallett, Todd Carty, Gemma Bissix, X Factor refugee Ray Quinn and erm… investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre. I’ll just read that again: investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre.

Lark Rise to Candleford (Sunday 8pm, BBC1/BBC HD)

My new favourite thing continues as Dorcas Lane (prepare yourself) takes delivery of a bicycle. Yes, high excitement across Lark Rise and Candleford, but not as much as the elections for the parish council that sees Dorcas run against new boy James Dowland. Undemanding fun, but no less brilliant because of it.

Wild at Heart (Sunday 8.30pm, ITV1)

Another series of the high-rating ITV1 drama. Danny is still getting over the death of his wife in the fire at the end of the last series, but there are still animals to treat. Elsewhere, game reserve Mara (conveniently next door) has gone bust, and the kids are threatening to fly the coop. And not a Jesse Wallace in sight…

After a Christmas and New Year break, we resume our weekly look at drama, comedy and entertainment highlights on radio. As usual, all programme titles are linked to the relevant page on the BBC website, from where you’ll be able to listen via iPlayer if you miss the live transmission.

Think we’ve missed a programme? Drop a note in the comments box!

The Saturday Play: Walter Now Radio 4, Saturday 2.30pm
As we reported last month, Sir Ian McKellen reprises the role he played in Channel 4 film Walter, first aired on the channel’s first night of broadcasting 26 years ago. In David Cook’s screenplay, Walter, a man with learning difficulties, was taken into care following the death of his mother. A quarter of a century on, Walter is now a pensioner and must cope with life outside the institution. Cook’s new radio drama is neither as bleak nor as hard-hitting as the original film, but with McKellen’s sonorous voice it hardly matters.

Archive on 4: Bremner on Bush - a Final Farewell Radio 4, Saturday 8pm (shortened repeat Monday 3pm)
With just days to go until Barack Obama is inaugurated as the President of the United States, satirical impressionist Rory Bremner looks back at his predecessor’s eight years in office. While comedians concentrate on Dubya’s numerous gaffes, Bremner looks beyond those at the President’s use of language throughout the ‘war on terror’ and beyond, with help from Bush’s speech writers and political commentators.

Private Passions Radio 3, Sunday 12pm
Michael Berkeley interviews actress Kate O’Mara as she selects some of her favourite musical pieces, including works by Bach, Zelenka, Dvorak — and a performance by Edith Piaf.

Elaine Paige on Sunday Radio 2, Sunday 1pm
Speaking of Piaf, actress Elena Roger, who plays the title role in the West End’s Piaf, is EP’s guest this week.

The Man in Black Radio 7, Sunday 6pm (repeated 12am)
We missed the start of this series thanks to our extended break. Radio 7 has revived the classic Man in Black character, previously played by Valentine Dyall and Edward de Souza, who introduced horror short stories on Radio 4’s Appointment With Fear and Fear on Four. For this new run of original creepy tales, the role of fearmaster-in-chief is taken by actor and writer Mark Gatiss. This week’s tale, Project Purple, about a neuroscientist who revives the subject of a dubious experiment, stars Emily Woof.

Hot House Kids Radio 4, Monday 11am
Former Royal Ballet prima ballerina Deborah Bull looks at the effects on children who are trained to world-class levels in sport and the arts. In this first of a two-part series, she looks at children’s physiological developments, what key things are needed to nurture talent, and how much control the child has over its own future.

Great Lives Radio 4, Tuesday 4.30pm (repeated Friday 11pm)
Matthew Parris’ guest this week is poet Pam Ayres, who campaigns for her comedic hero, Tony Hancock, to be awarded ‘great life’ status.

Broken Arts Radio 4, Tuesday 6.30pm
One of my favourite comic writers, David Quantick, turns his comedic gaze to the arts and popular culture. With assistance from Daniel Maier, Richie Webb, Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Jane Lamacraft, expect humour on a par with The Now Show and Harry Hill’s TV Burp (two projects Quantick has also had a hand in).

Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show! Radio 4, Wednesday 11.30am
As with The Man in Black, we missed last week’s first episode of a new series about the former Variety star who gets himself worked up at the slightest opportunity. One of the finest comic creations on radio at present, this week Arthur is trying to organise entertainment for a charity fundraiser, so holds auditions in his local pub…

Afternoon Play: Torch No 1 Radio 4, Thursday 2.15pm
Czech student Jan Palach died in 1969 after setting fire to himself in the centre of Prague in protest at the Soivet-led invasion of the country. David Pownwall’s thoughtful play considers what may have gone through Palach’s mind before committing such an act. Karl Davies (best known for his TV roles in Emmerdale and Kingdom) plays the young student.

Friday Night is Music Night Radio 2, Friday 7.30pm
A welcome repeat for this concert celebrating the work of Broadway compser Charles Strouse, best known for Annie and By Bye Birdie. Paul Nicholas and Bonnie Langford are amongst the guest artists singing with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

TV Today’s comments about Robin Hood have, in the past, got us into trouble. Mainly with Jonas Armstrong fans, it has to be said, who brook no suggestion that his portrayal of the noble outlaw is far from the best we’ve ever seen.

The last two series both suffered from shaky starts, building up to satisfying climaxes. And it’s been a while since Robin and his merry pretty grumpy men (and woman) decamped to the Holy Land and things went all shades of wrong with Guy of Gisborne putting a sword through his (and Robin’s) beloved Marian.

With Merlin having occupied the autumn Saturday family drama slot, we’ve had a longer than usual wait to find out what happens next. And while the BBC has given some news about a major casting change at the very end of series 3, I’m excited about the whole series to come.

But that’s nothing compared to today’s news about Series 4, which Matt exclusively reveals in our News section.

Beware: after the jump, there may be spoilers for Series 3 and/or 4 of Robin Hood…

Since the wonderfully traditional, heart-warming and whimsical Lark Rise to Candleford Christmas special was broadcast, I’ve been utterly captivated by the series. The start of the new series last Sunday was equally endearing and lovely, perfect viewing for a cold winter Sunday evening.

But this has left me with one nagging question: why did this lovely, largely undemanding TV drama pass me by first time round? I pride myself on having a finger on the pulse of top telly (I knew it was Matt Smith months ago, honest!), but there was something about Lark Rise to Candleford that left me cold last year. Perhaps after gorging on the rather marvellous Cranford at the close of 2007, the prospect of more lace on my TV screen was too much to take.

Regular readers of The Stage will know that every year we publish the Stage 100 — our list of the most influential movers and shakers in British theatre.

The full list was in last week’s issue, and we’ll be putting it online (along with a few other features) tomorrow.

Potentially of more interest to TV Today readers, we also published our pick of the twenty(ish) most influential people in television and radio, and they are listed below. Did we make the right choice? Who would you add on the list, and why? Tell us in the comments box.

You know, it’s quite an achievement when what amounted to a 30-minute press release pulled in ratings of 6 million as Doctor Who Confidential announced on Saturday that Matt Smith would be the new Doctor Who. It shows just how much of a phenomenon Who has become, and I loved every second of that show. The slow build, the clips of old Doctors, Lis Sladen getting ready for panto (unless she dresses like that at home…)

And TV Today’s official line on the casting of Smith is that we are surprised and delighted by the news. It was a totally unexpected choice. Smith’s name hadn’t even been linked to the role - well, not until Saturday lunchtime, when some bright spark in the BBC newsroom had probably worked it out. I can’t imagine the announcement would have had the same buzz had it turned out to be Richard E Grant or Paterson Joseph or other actors with so-called “Doctorish” qualities. I hate that word!

Smith looks old beyond his years, an expressive face, intense eyes and a cheeky little smile. As Tom Baker said of David Tennant on his casting as the Doctor, Smith looks like he’s got secrets. He was utterly charming in his interview on Doctor Who Confidential and if anybody is in any doubt that he can’t pull it off, tough. Matt Smith is the Doctor whether you like it or not.

The Diary of Anne Frank BBC1/HD Monday-Friday 7pm
Stripped across the whole week, this new adaptation of the well-known story of the family in the Amsterdam attic is the first to be based on teenager Anne Frank’s unabridged diary. Deborah Moggach’s script is brought to life by an excellent cast, including Iain Glen, Ron Cook and the inestimable Lesley Sharp — but it is Ellie Kendrick as Anne and Tamsin Greig as her mother who stand out.

Masterchef BBC2 Monday-Wednesday 8.30pm, Thursday 8pm
A new set of amateur chefs are put through their paces by the shoutiest chefs on television, Gregg Wallace and John Torode.

Oz and James Drink to Britain BBC2, Tuesday 8pm
Their relationship is so fractious that there’s never any doubt that it was constructed purely for televisual entertainment, but James May and Oz Clarke work well together on screen so well that it’s easy to forgive the artifice. After two series of exploring vinoculture in France and the USA, the odd couple take a trek closer to home, looking at the alcoholic beverages brewed, fermented and distilled on home turf. Just don’t try and keep up with their intake if you want to keep your liver.

Dead Set Channel 4/4HD, Tuesday-Thursday 10pm
As Channel 4 and its sister channels throw over so much of their schedules to Celebrity Big Brother, here’s a welcome terrestrial first run for Charlie Brooker’s satirical zombie thriller. As a killer virus turns the nation into zombies, the only people who are safe are coccooned in a house in Borehamwood, unaware that the crowd outside really are baying for blood… Excellent fun, which helped propel Brooker into The Stage’s recent list of the most influential people in British television.

Waterloo Road BBC1, Wednesday 8pm
Effectively Grange Hill in a grown-up timeslot, one of my favourite guilty pleasures returns with a feature-length first episode. A new family of troubled kids (including Casualty’s Luke Bailey) dominate proceedings, especially when one of them brings a gun to school…

Life of Riley BBC1/HD, Thursday 8pm
The Green Green Grass BBC1/HS, Thursday 8.30pm
Caroline Quentin and Neil Dudgeon star in a new studio-based sitcom, Life of Riley, as a newly married couple who each have their own children from previous relationships. So far, so Brady Bunch. Given the calibre of the leading actors, though, it could work. Mind you, I thought that about Celia Imrie and After You’ve Gone, so you never know… Straight afterwards, Only Fools and Horses spin-off The Green Green Grass returns for an inexplicable fourth series.

Hustle BBC1/HD, Thursday 9pm
Adrian Lester returns for the fifth series of the glossy-but-shallow con trick series. He’s badly needed, as both Marc Warren and Jaime Murray have departed, as has series 4’s Ashley Walters. With a team of new recruits, including former EastEnder Matt Di Angelo, Mickey Bricks tries to take down a pair of obnoxious property developers. With a script by Tony Jordan, expect all the usual: winks to camera, audaciously over-complicated con tricks, and a scheme that seems to go completely wrong until the last few minutes. Great fun.

ER More4, Thursday 9pm
Brothers & Sisters More4, Thursday 10pm
Two of the best ‘mainstream’ US exports right now debut their latest seasons tonight. ER starts its fifteenth (and final) series with the team battling to save Doctor Pratt after the ambulance he was in exploded at the end of the last series, while an hour later the Walker family continue their self-destructive ways as they seek out yet another long-lost sibling.

Dexter ITV1, Thursday 10.35pm
ITV1 begins a second run of its own US import, in a series previously seen on digital channel FX. Like the first, the second series doesn’t really hit its stride until a few episodes in, but everything is so well done throughout you don’t really care. Michael C Hall’s likeable serial killer remains one of the most enthralling characters on television at the moment, and he’s backed up by a superb supporting cast.

Well, I wasn’t expecting an announcement about the new Doctor Who this early in 2009. I thought we had at least a few more Who Could Be Who? columns in us.

For what it’s worth, I’m going to throw the names Paterson Joseph, Alexander Armstrong and Ben Whishaw into the hat, just for a laugh.

As of this moment I’m excited and scared all at the same time. Bring it on!

A very quick Square Eyes to kick off 2009 from TV Today. We’ll hopefully have some thoughts on Christmas TV and upcoming highlights for 2009 in the coming week, but for now, a very Happy New Year from all of us here at TV Today Towers!

Morecambe and Wise: the Show What Paul Merton Did (Friday 9pm, BBC1)

Arguably the best-loved comedy duo of all time are given due reverence in this celebration hosted by fan Paul Merton. All the usual clips will be present and correct, but there’s also some early material thrown in, alongside fond recollections of the mighty pair’s comedy mastery from fans and colleagues. Morecambe and Wise: always a pleasure, never a chore.

Celebrity Big Brother Live Launch (Friday 9pm, C4)

Oh whatever, I really don’t have the energy for this.

Your Country Needs You (Saturday 7.10pm, BBC1)

Another year, another Andrew Lloyd Webber talent show. This year, our patriotic pride is high on the agenda as the musical maestro teams up with Graham Norton to select a new song for the Eurovision Song Contest. Personally I think this will ultimately be an exercise in futility (we ain’t never winning Eurovision again, folks), but if anyone has a slim chance of success, it’s Lloyd Webber. TV Today will be watching with great interest…

Demons (Saturday 7.20pm, ITV1)

The latest salvo in the quest to challenge Doctor Who’s dominance in the Saturday night family drama stakes (geddit?). Demons casts Philip Glenister (with dodgy American accent) as a demon hunter who seeks out his godson, Luke, the last of the great vampire-hunting Van Helsing line. Glenister’s accent aside, you know that when a character thumbnail reads “Mina Harker is a blind concert pianist with a history” you’re in fairly unsophisticated territory. Demons is likely to be enjoyable at a certain level, but will probably make us realise just how good Primeval really is.

Lark Rise to Candleford (Sunday 8pm, BBC1/BBC HD)

After the lovely Christmas special, Lark Rise to Candleford makes a very welcome return to Sunday evenings for a new series. Jason Merrells is the newcomer in town as James Dowland, returning to his former home to open Candleford’s first hotel - and from the off he’s turning heads (not least of all postmistress Dorcas Lane). Lark Rise is as comforting as a mug of hot chocolate and I can’t think of a better way of settling down on the sofa of a Sunday evening.

Above Suspicion (Sunday 9pm, ITV1)

Contrasting with the gentleness of Lark Rise to Candleford is this latest brutal crime offering from Lynda La Plante. Kelly Reilly (the next big thing, surely?) is the young Detective Constable assigned to a hunt for a serial killer, where she has to deal with grim superior DCI Langton (Ciaran Hinds) who looks and sounds like he’s just walked out of The Sweeney. It’s not pretty, but as always with La Plante, it’s very engrossing in typically bloody fashion.