November 2010 Archives

Missing BBC1, Monday-Friday 2.15pm
A repeat of the second series of the BBC’s series set in a missing persons unit led by Pauline Quirke. The 2.15pm slot has played host to some wonderful dramas, including Moving On and The Indian Doctor, recently: if, like me, you’re working when these shows air, then a trip to the BBC iPlayer should be a must.

Accused BBC1, Monday 9pm
Jimmy McGovern’s series of self-contained morality tales, told from the perspective of individuals up before the courts, continues with a powerful tale starring Juliet Stevenson and Peter Capaldi.

Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights Channel 4, Tuesday 10pm
The Morgana Show Channel 4, Tuesday 10.35pm
In his first solo series since leaving Mock the Week, Frankie Boyle combines his outrageous stand-up routines with a series of pre-recorded sketches. In a canny move, Channel 4 have scheduled a newcomer’s show directly after. Morgana Robinson has previously been seen (albeit by the, ooh, dozens who watched it) on the channel’s TNT, where her socially awkward teenager Gilbert was one of the least funny characters. However, some of her other characters seem better, and her impression of Fearne Cotton is annoyingly accurate.

My Boyfriend the War Hero BBC3, Thursday 9pm
16-year-old Vicky Swales’s squaddie fiancé, Craig, was on patrol in Helmand when he was caught in an explosion, in which he lost both legs and his left hand. This moving documentary follows Vicky and Craig as he returns home and she takes on the duties of being his full-time carer. As BBC3’s outgoing controller Danny Cohen takes over BBC1, documentaries like this are a welcome antidote to all those who claim that programmes like Hotter Than My Mother bode ill for the future of the Corporation’s principal channel.

Peep Show Channel 4, Friday 10pm
Mark and Jeremy are back for a seventh series — and, on the strength of this first episode, it could be the best yet. Sophie’s baby is on the way, heralding much hospital-related awkwardness, hilarity and pathos.

Merlin BBC1, Saturday 7.45pm
In the first of the series’ two-part finale, Arthur and Merlin go on a quest to retrieve ‘the Cup of Life’, which can bestow immortality to whoever drinks from it (just don’t call it the Holy Grail, alright?). No word on whether they will be obstructed by any Knights Who Say Ni.

Alan Bennett and the Habit of Art More4, Saturday 7.55pm
A documentary about the creation of Bennett’s most recent work for the NAtional Theatre, The Habit of Art. The play revolves around a meeting between poet WH Auden and composer Benjamin Britten, with the lives of both also highlighted in what should be an intriguing programme.

Sherlock BBC3, Sunday 7.30pm
A welcome opportunity to see the Stephen Moffat/Mark Gatiss reworking of Conan Doyle’s detective into a modern day sleuth.

Chekhov: Comedy Shorts Sky Arts 2 HD, Sunday 9pm
A double bill of short comedies rounds off Sky Arts’ short season. In The Proposal, Mathew Horne and Sheridan Smith star as a romantic couple, while in The Dangers of Tobacco Steve Coogan tries to deliver a speech on the perils of the demon weed, only to be diverted into discussing the state of his life.

Any Human Heart Channel 4, Sunday 9pm
The tale of Logan Mountstuart and his brushes with some of the 20th Century’s most notable historical events reaches the Spanish Civil War and an encounter with Ernest Hemingway, before relocating to the Bahamas and a spot of babysitting for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Tom Hollander and Gillian Anderson).

It’s been too long since I’ve looked at what’s coming up over the next week in the world of radio. To try and ensure that I can be more regular in providing these previews, I’m going to try and be a little more selective in what I preview. If there’s anything you feel I’ve missed and are looking forward to, please do share with the group in the comments below!

Saturday Play: The Caretaker Radio 4, Saturday 2.30pm
Harold Pinter’s 1960 play was his sixth, but the first that can be said to have gained true commercial success. David Warner plays Davies, a tramp who is rescued from a fight in a café by the mentally damaged Aston (Tony Bell) to the concern of Aston’s brother Mick (Daniel Mays).

Drama on 3: Migrant Mother Radio 3, Sunday 8pm
Photograph Dorothea Lange’s image of a destitute pea-picker, Florence Owens Thompson, and her children became one of the most iconic images of the Great Depression in 1930s America. This drama by Michael Symmons Roberts follows Lange as she observes the workers in their makeshift camps.

Classic Serial: I, Claudius Radio 4, Sunday 3pm
Tom Goodman-Hill stars as Claudius in this new adaptation, by Robin Brooks, of Robert Graves’s novel about the lives of the Roman emperors. A lavish cast including Harriet Walter and Tim McInnerny have a lot to live up to, especialy as the 1976 TV adaptation starring Derek Jacobi is burned in the retinas of generations of broadcast drama fans. Jacobi himself is featured here, in the role of Augustus.

Afternoon Play: The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Radio 4, Thursday and Friday 2.15pm
Another couple of adaptations by Alexander McCall Smith of stories from his successful series of novels. Janice Acquah and Nadine Marshall reprise their roles as Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi as they search for a safari guide who has been bequeathed an inheritance from a wealthy American.

Friday Night is Music Night: Soaps Special Radio 2, Friday 8.00pm
Mike Dixon conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra as they perform the theme tunes to some of TV and radio’s longest running serials, to tie in with the 50th anniversary of Coronation Street (as well as the 25th of EastEnders earlier this year, and the 60th of The Archers). Tony Hatch pops up to conduct some of his own compositions from Crossroads to Neighbours, and the cast of an anniversary Coronation Street album perform as well.

Over the years, the BBC’s annual Children in Need appeal has grown to such enormous size that ITV no longer just kowtows to the inevitable ratings domination, but actively gets involved in the fundraising.

Coronation Street has for many years led the commercial broadcaster’s contribution to Pudsey’s coffers, but future efforts will have to go some way to beat this year’s event — a crossover with Walford soap EastEnders.

Written by Daran Little (now a scriptwriter for the Easties, but previously a Corrie scribe and author of the superb BBC4 drama The Road to Coronation Street), the premise of cultural exchanges in advance of a possible twinning between the boroughs of Walford and Weatherfield enables some great tongue-in-cheek pairings.

Witness Denise and Gail’s one-upmanship over who has the worse serial killer husband, or Liz McDonald and Kat Moon’s mutual liking for leopardprint. There’s a great duf-duf moment that recalls one of EastEnders’ best — but my favourite line goes to Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, and whose throwaway comment about the tram may (or may not) prove to be rather prophetic…

To donate to Children in Need, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/donate.