Culture,Style,TV

Style spotting | Dr Watson

Style spotting | Dr Watson

Still working out just how Sherlock faked his death? Don’t worry, we’ve been doing the same thing. Theories aside, one of the other reasons we watch Sherlock is to see what Dr John Watson has been wearing. So far we’ve seen him in Albam, Oliver Spencer and Folk to name a few. But the standout item is his black Haversack coat.  [Read more...]

Culture,TV

Pick of the week – Tony Bennett: An American Classic

Pick of the week – Tony Bennett: An American Classic

Star of our coats story back in November, Tony Bennett gets an evening to himself on BBC 4 this Friday. Our pick of the shows is ‘An American Classic’, the documentary about Tony Bennett’s life. Having served in the army, suffered a near fatal overdose, and undertaken a parallel career as a painter under his real name Benedetto, it’s sure to be an interesting watch. BBC 4, 16th December, 10pm

Culture,TV

TV on Trial – The Borgias

TV on Trial – The Borgias

The gist: A historical romp-a-thon from the people who brought you The Tudors, about the exploits of Renaissance rogue Rodrigo Borgia — who bribed his way to becoming Pope Alexander VI.Tune in? Neil Jordan (Interview with the Vampire) is behind it, so it should be lavish, and like The Tudors, it promises lots of violence, scandal, and heaps of nubile young actors going at it.
Turn off? Apparently the show is not 100 per cent historically accurate (see “heaps of nubile young actors going at it”). Also, just as Jonathan Rhys Meyers made a peculiarly slimline Henry VIII, Jeremy Irons is an odd choice for pudding-faced Rodrigo — though at least he’s good at portraying ne’r-do-wells (Simon Gruber in Die Hard with a Vengeance, Scar in The Lion King).

The Borgias starts on Sky Atlantic on 6 August

Culture,TV

Five reasons why Entourage is the best thing on TV

Five reasons why Entourage is the best thing on TV

Still not bought yourself that Entourage boxset? Despite maintaining a relatively low profile over here, not many shows have spawned more loyal and passionate fans. As the final season kicks off this week, we asked one of them, novelist Gavin James Bower, to explain what all the fuss is about: [Read more...]

DVD,TV

US drama (you should have been watching but probably haven’t) of the week

US drama (you should have been watching but probably haven’t) of the week

Like us, you’re probably running out of room on your Sky+ with all the American (or British/Danish/French) dramas you’ve been told you should watch but haven’t got round to even starting yet. Well, without wanting to exacerbate the problem, Treme, out on DVD and bluray next week, is one show that probably deserves a bump up that longlist. Built around the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, the cast, soundtrack and premise combine to create something genuinely different amidst a glut of interchangeable drama series. And it’s got John Goodman. What more do you want? Out now

Culture,TV

Arrested Development: the interview

Arrested Development: the interview

Having been hidden in the darkest shadows of the TV schedules in its first UK run, US comedy Arrested Development is finally getting the prime-time attention it deserves when it returns to our screens tonight on FX at 9pm. We jumped at the chance to sit down with creator Mitch Hurwitz and actor Will Arnett (who plays the incomparable Gob, pictured above clinging to the railings) to discuss the show’s now legendary status. [Read more...]

Christmas,TV

What We’re Watching – December 27

What We’re Watching – December 27

Charlie Brooker’s 2010 Wipe - BBC Two, 10pm

The irrepressible Charlie Brooker whips through a review of the year in his trademark acerbic style, covering everything from The Only Way is Essex, to Chilean Miners and BP oil spills. [Read more...]

Christmas,TV

What We’re Watching – December 26

What We’re Watching – December 26

Upstairs Downstairs - BBC One, 9pm

Upstairs Downstairs has returned. Though reviews have been mixed – particularly in the fall-out of period stormer Downton Abbey – we’re easily seduced by dapper gents and pretty ladies pottering around in posh houses. [Read more...]