Category Archives: TV

TV; Fringe comes to a head – Season Finale.

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The second season of The brainchild of LOST mastermind JJ Abrams and the creative team behind ALIAS and Star Trek; FRINGE is almost at an end.
It has established itself as one of the weirdest, action-packed and thrilling sci-fi dramas on television. The series follows the extraordinary exploits of FBI Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), eccentric scientist Dr Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his son Peter (Joshua Jackson) as they cut through the bureaucracy of otherworldly atrocities.

While I don’t want to give too much away; FRINGE follows the FBI’s ‘Fringe Division’ team, headed up by Agent Phillip Broyles (Lance Reddick) as they investigate ‘The Pattern’, a series of unexplained, strange and often stomach churning occurrences that are linked to an alternative universe. So far in the second season, Olivia, Peter and Walter have continued to experience their fair share of spine-tingling encounters, including a town full of people deformed by a scientific experiment and a lethal virus that causes its victim’s veins to explode.

While investigating these events, the characters have to deal with problems of their own. In perhaps one of the series’ most revealing episodes, ‘Peter’, a flashback reveals how Walter ended up kidnapping Peter’s alternative self from the parallel universe following his death in the real world. Walter had been battling with whether to tell Peter, especially since Olivia had discovered the truth, but it was not long before Peter found out of his own accord.

So what’s in store for the finale? There’s set to be another appearance of Leonard Nimoy as William Bell and more action from the parallel universe.

Executive Producer Jeff Pinkner said, “It really sets up a satisfying conclusion to what people have invested in this year, but also sort of opens up a whole other level of understanding that hopefully will propel us into season three and further. [There are] a lot of very exciting things that we’ve come up with that we’re really excited to tell.”

The second season finale of FRINGE, airing Tuesday 1 June at 10pm, exclusively on Sky1 HD and Sky1.

Next Weeks TV Picks

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Monday 10th
Ah Mediums, in my humble opinion, people who profit from loss and sadness and should be banned. With this mindset I’m sure I shall enjoy Derren Brown Investigates: The Man Who Can Contacts the Dead on Channel 4 at 22:00. The first in a series in which self confessed non-magical magician Brown delves into the world of the supernatural and into the lives of the people who claim they can contact those who dwell within it. Expect annoyed mystics and pissed of psychics….will make me laugh anyway!

Tuesday 11th
As a child of the 80’s (‘83 represent) I have fond memories of our first Microwave Oven and the Soda Stream, these memories will be bought back to life at 21:00 on Channel 4 in Heston’ 80’s Feast. From the Yuppies choice of nouvelle cuisine to the kid’s favourite of the brain freezing Slush Puppy, Heston will once again be serving up an ever so slightly insane meal to his awaiting diners.

Wednesday 12th
Those who know will me would probably tell you that I’m bit of a geek, I am a big fan of Sci-Fi, even when its parodied, which is why Galaxy Quest is my selection for today. 21:45 on Sky Movies Family, Quest follows the mishaps, the degradation and eventual worship of the crew of a now defunct 70’s science fiction show in which a brave team of explorers trek through the stars and whose Captain has many amorous encounters with alien women (I’m sure you can guess who the film are ribbing on!). After meeting a band of actual aliens in need of help, the Captain (played superbly by Tim Allen) decides to take on their monstrous enemy in an attempt to heal old wounds with his now aging 70’s co-stars and give his life some validation. A very funny film for everyone, even if you don’t notice the nods and winks to that other show.

Thursday 13th
I am bit of a city dweller, I’ve spent most of life in London, and when not, I’ve been just a short train ride away. My knowledge of British wildlife is pretty much straggly foxes going through my bins and fat pigeons walking around like little lost commuters. This is why I’m planning on hearing the fantastic Mr Bill Oddie teach me about all things flora and fauna in Bill Oddies Top Ten Aliens at 20:00 on BBC2. However, this is not your usual ‘lets-look-at-badgers-in-the-night-time’ wildlife show; Oddie will be telling us about the plants and animals most of us believe are truly British and lets us know where they actually came from. Education and fun…..they can mix!

Friday 14th
Sam Raimi, creator of the cult classic Evil Dead series returns to his horror roots with Drag Me to Hell playing at 20:00 on Sky Movies Premier (and again an hour later on Sky Movies Premier +1). After the shiny Hollywood made Spider-Man films, we get a taste of Raimi’s first love. Jumpy, gross and scary, Drag Me to Hell is the story of Loan Officer Christine (Alison Lohman) who, after humiliating a gypsy in public, has a foul curse placed upon her. In one week she must change her beliefs, go up against a tormenting demon and lift the curse before, as the title states, she is dragged to hell. If I were the type of guy who would award stars, Drag Me to Hell would get 4…actually, that stars thing wouldn’t be a bad idea, I could make like I was a proper critic!

Saturday 15th
I think I might be told off by some folk if I don’t say ITV1, 13:10, Chelsea are playing football against Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final to see who wins a big shiny jug with ribbons on it or something…..so there’s that. But let’s have a look at what else is on shall we. BBC1 at 18:25 We find Doctor Who battling a man who calls himself the Dream Lord (a possible nod to next seasons Neil Gaimen written episode perhaps, for those in the comic book know) or Guitar Heroes at the BBC on BBC2 at 23:15 a show promising to bring us shredding and riffing and god like posturing galore from the 60’s onwards. But I’m suggesting what follows Guitar Heroes. The 80’s bought us so many fantastic film’s, there are few that define the 80’s and one that does it so much more than all the others. At 12:15 BBC2 brings us the brilliance of The Breakfast Club, its cheesy, it’s over the top, it’s on after everyone’s bedtime, but it is also stupendous. Watch as five teenagers; a brain, an athlete, a basketcase, a princess and a criminal, fill the time during detention by sharing their problems, their fears, their loves and all other aspects of their lives in this John Hughes classic. If you’re a true fan of cinema, you won’t be disappointed. Oh…..and 5 stars!

Sunday 16th
I’ve spoken before about my relatively newly acquired love for westerns, and today at 21:00 I’m reminded of that thanks to Channel Five. 3:10 To Yuma tells the tale of a Rancher named Dan Evans who agrees to escort the outlaw Ben Wade to a train that will send Wade off to the hangman in Yuma for a $200 reward. With Wades gang constantly on their tail, Evans’ job soon becomes less about the reward and more about winning the love of his sons. With outstanding performances by both Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, 3:10 to Yuma is not one to be missed….erm…a handful of stars for this one.

Alternative Election Night {TV Preview}

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It’s only a couple of days until Britain goes to the polls for the closest general election in a generation. On Thursday night, the BBC will begin an epic 20-hour broadcast from it’s huge studio set, ITV will have Alistair Stewart and Julie Etchingham surrounded by virtual reality graphics and Sky will have it’s presenters at constituencies across the country. Meanwhile, Channel Four will be taking an entirely different approach to election night.

Lauren Laverne, David Mitchell and Jimmy Carr will present a four-hour special, taking an entertaining and provocative look at the results as they come in. They’ll be joined by Charlie Brooker who’ll provide typically acerbic and hilarious comment, an array of guests including a bookmaker with the latest odds and a live studio audience. Viewers at home will also be able to join in on Twitter as night unfolds by sending tweets to @c4altelection and using the hashtag #C4altelection.

As well as the live broadcast from the studio, there’ll be pre-recorded segments using some of the channel’s most popular programmes. Throughout the night there’ll be segments from a special edition of Come Dine With Me featuring the unlikely combination of Edwina Currie, Brian Paddick, Derek Hatton and Rod Liddle. At ten o’clock, just after the exit polls come in, Charlie Brooker is joined by Robert Webb, Sharon Horgan and Peter Serafinowicz for a special edition of You Have Been Watching, looking at election coverage and the world of political television. Plus, from time to time the Fonejacker’s cast of characters will be popping up with prank calls.

The last time an alternative, satirical election broadcast was attempted, it was the utterly fantastic Election Night Armistice in 1997, where Armando Iannucci, Peter Baynham and David Schneider introduced Alan Partridge with the latest results from Norwich, a “prostitute in a helicopter” ready to land wherever the first result is declared to try to produce the first scandal of the new parliament, and a male voice choir performing popular news theme tunes. It’s hard to imagine that Channel Four’s effort will be able to come close to Iannucci’s genius, but with David Mitchell and Charlie Brooker on board, it should be definitely worth watching.

The Alternative Election Night on Thursday 6 May, 9pm on Channel Four.

Next Weeks TV Picks

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Monday 3rd
I remember when I was growing up I would never join my friends in games of Cowboys and Indians, even if they let me have the finger guns in the playground or the string and twig bow and arrow in the woods, even if I had the coolest role in the game I never played, I have concluded that this is because of my fathers habit of watching old bad westerns from the 40’s and 50’s so in my head the image of a cowboy was John Wayne and Charles Bronson, hardly the romantic, riding off into the sunset after saving the girl and defeating the Indian horde types my friends told me about. The along came an award winning western that changed my outlook on the genre, it gave cowboys an emotional side I hadn’t seen before, played to us on a last day of term history lesson that film was Unforgiven. For some weird reason I don’t own the DVD yet so I shall be tuning into ITV1 on Monday at 20:15 to watch the movie that changed my opinion of westerns.

Tuesday 4th
There are a few films that make me cry, I’m not ashamed by this, what I am ashamed by is watching The Green Mile in the cinema and weeping while sitting next to a girl a really fancied who was dry-eyed throughout the entire flick. Is it a tale about the second coming of Jesus? Is it a look at racial injustice in 1930’s America? Is it just about a simple healer? With an excellent performance by Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey (‘like the drink, only spelled different’) make sure you have some tissues when you watch Sky Movies Showcase at 22:00.

Wednesday 5th
It would be remiss of me to go against the thoughts of fellow Frostian Blake Connelly and recommend anything other that Strike Back, the first two episodes of which are playing back to back on Sky1 at 21:00. Supposedly a UK action/drama to rival those made across the pond, I shall be having a gander to see if it lives up to its hype (which I believe it will), and hey, they didn’t cast Ross Kemp so it can’t be all bad!

Thursday 6th
Now I think I should be sensible and advise you all to tune in to BBC1 at 21:55 to listen to David Dimbleby on ELECTION 2010 talk to learned men and women with letters after their names or ITV1 at the same time to hear Alastair Stewart to talk all things politics in the originally named ELECTION 2010 (this time probably without the politician herding of ‘BROWN’….’CLEGG’…’THANKYOU YOU’VE SAID YOUR POINT’….’CAMERON’). Both programs will be mini-bussing up and down the country hearing from different important people and Mr and Mrs Everyman about different constituencies. I for one will not be watching either of these. I would much rather hear from four funny people talking irreverently about important matters. From 21:00 onward on Channel 4 David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne will be hosting Channel 4’s Alternative Election Night. The quadruplet of comedy will be taking the mick, satirising the serious and generally larking about while also bringing us on the spot election results. This promises to be much more fun than watching stuffy men in over priced studios with eye abusing graphics telling us that its probably gonna be the time of the Tory’s.

Friday 7th
I mustn’t say Glee, I mustn’t say Glee, I mustn’t say Glee, and seeing as last week I suggested The Ricky Gervais Show, this week I shall tell you about what follows Ricky. Channel 4, in their wisdom, have decided to repeat the 6th series of the brilliant Peep Show (the funnier Mitchell and Webb show). A double bill of the first two episodes will be shown at 23:05 but if that’s not your thing, you can always watch Channel 4 at 20:00 for the delightful Glee…….aw shit.

Saturday 8th

After what I was expecting to be jus another doled out rock-doc I was pleasantly surprised by last weeks I’m in a Rock’n’Roll Band about lead singers, with its truly interesting interviews with some of my heroes (I understand my bias towards rock singers being a singer and a fan of rock myself). This week’s episode on BBC2 at 21:45 focuses on the other one in the eternal fight for the spotlight in a band…the lead guitarist. Interviews with Slash, Johnny Marr and Matt Bellamy, amongst others, will be giving an insight into how they develop their almost hypnotic power over the crowd. And will be full of fantastic tunes and awesome solos, so break out the air guitars.

Sunday 9th

On Film4 at 21:00 we finish the week with the thought provoking film Crash. The story of a group of L.A residents who are completely unconnected yet through chance and coincidence make an impact on each other while showing their unwarranted mistrust and bigotry of other cultures and colours. A triple Oscar winning debut by director/co-writer Paul Haggis, I have recommend this film to nearly everyone I know and now I recommend it to you.

Strike Back {TV Preview}

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Next Wednesday night at 9 o’clock, Sky1HD will show the first two episodes of its new drama series based on former SAS operative Chris Ryan’s bestselling novel Strike Back. Ryan is best known as being the only member of the famous Bravo Two Zero patrol in the first Gulf War to evade capture. After writing a book about his long journey by foot to Syria, thought to be the most difficult escape a British solider has ever made, he began a successful career as a novelist.

It’s the last of the three novels Sky bought the rights to adapt two years ago as part of a £10m commitment to home-grown drama, following Tim Roth’s starring role in David Almond’s Skellig and the excellent adaptation of Martina Cole’s The Take. The route of adapting popular fiction was taken by Sky after seeing the success of their versions of some of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books, the latest of which, Going Postal, will be airing towards the end of May. The channel has also made other forays into producing drama, from being co-producers on the internationally acclaimed reimagining of Battlestar Galactica, to its little-known but fondly remembered witchcraft drama Hex, and for many years the long-running Premiership football soap Dream Team. But Strike Back is perhaps Sky’s most ambitious drama project yet.

Shot on 35mm film on location in South Africa, it’s clear that Sky are attempting to recreate the high-budget, high-octane action of its most popular American imports such as 24, which remains a big hit for the channel in it’s final season. The cinematic feel is noticed by star Richard Armitage, best known for his roles in Spooks and Robin Hood, who plays John Porter, a veteran of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

“It’s an ambitious project for television,” he says. “We’ve made three feature films on a TV budget and schedule. But the advantage of that is that these three feature films are linked together so you get a really interesting character arc through all episodes. American television is being brave and doing that at the moment, and this is stepping into that area.”

The first episode begins with events in 2003, with John Porter leading a Special Forces Unit, including Hugh Collinson (Andrew Lincoln, of This Life and Teachers), across the border into Basra. Their mission ends in disaster, something which haunts Porter for many years following his return home to Britain, when he quits the army. We then jump to 2010, and Collinson is now a senior intelligence officer. A journalist is kidnapped in Iraq, and the perpetrator has links to that fateful day in 2003. He calls Porter back into action and, keen to redeem himself, he agrees.

As Armitage mentioned, over the six-episode series three separate two-hour stories play out, first in Iraq, then in Zimbabwe, then finally in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The series will be shown over three weeks, two episodes at a time, adding to the movie-like feel. Chris Ryan was closely involved in the production, acting as series consultant and script advisor. He’s enjoying seeing his novel transferred to the screen.

Ryan says, “When you produce a novel it’s like a child and to see it put onto screen opens it up to a greater audience. I class myself as a storyteller now, and to tell that story on paper is a great privilege, then to see it on screen is even better.”

The cast also includes Ewen Bremner, Colin Salmon and Orla Brady. It’ll be interesting to follow the story of Collinson and Porter’s interlinking lives, but it’ll be just as interesting to see if Sky has finally been able to come up with an action drama series that can stand alongside the big hits from across the Atlantic.

Catch Chris Ryan’s Strike Back on Wednesday 5 May, 9pm on Sky1 and Sky1 HD.

10 random things you pick up on set as an actor.

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Catherine and Genevieve on the weirdness of their careers….

howtobeasuccessful_actor_book_cover

I had the idea for this article when an old friend asked me what I had been up to. The answer was: lots of stuff that seems very weird if you’re not an actor. I called Genevieve and she agreed. We have to let people know how bloody weird our lives get. As an actor you always have those moments when you’re dressed like someone else, on a set that is made to look somewhere else, saying lines that a writer wrote. It is utterly surreal and you realise that this is my life. So, here is our top ten in no particular order…
1. Don’t drink the props…
I once watched an actress drink half a bottle of neat blackcurrant cordial as the production person in charge of getting grape juice couldn’t find any on time. Of course she felt incredibly sick. You never know what’s going to be in your glass or cup, it’s like drink roulette, it could be sparkling apple or it could be ginger beer. It might be cold coffee, or it just might not have sugar in it. It might be one take, or it might be twenty. It’s just not worth the risk.
[Genevieve]
2. How to pickpocket.
Filming can be boring. Incredibly so.  It was while sitting on a Pokerstar commercial ( a shoot that was actually fun. Mostly due to the amazing cast and crew. ) that I learned a rather old school trick that should help if the acting work ever dries up. How to pickpocket. Basically, you ‘bump’ into someone. Then you apologize. When you bump into them you swiftly grab their wallet  out of their pocket. They are so distracted that they don’t notice. Also they do not feel it as you hit them somewhere else. Genius!
Note: I take no responsibility for anyone actions or legal issues that come from trying this.
[Catherine]
3. How to dance like a drunken youth…
…In freezing subzero conditions, in a mini skirt in the dead of night no less. There I was literally contracting hypothermia on the set of The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, I was vaguely aware of the Director; Terry Gilliam; telling us to be more lively and act more drunkenly…in the same way I was vaguely aware of my toes. Before I knew it, I was being used in a drunken dance demonstration; being swung about by a be-hatted Terry who was doing a brilliant impression of a raucous drunkard.
[Genevieve]
4. How to stamp on the original Eighth Dr Who’s head without hurting him.
At the beginning of the year I was cast as a 17 year old thug. I complete stretch if you know me. I got a part in the up coming TV series ‘Luther.’ I had to stamp on Paul McGann’s head. Because Paul is such a big star I had to first meet up with the stunt coordinator so I didn’t actually smack him in the face. Or worse. Kill him.
So at a brewery in East London I met up with the stunt coordinator. Who promptly hits me in the face. It hurts. I get the irony but I laugh it off. So, on set – kep out of the way of the stunt coordinator’s elbows.
[Catherine]
5. No matter how good your work is, nothing is sacred.
I spent a good hour in a Holby City make-up chair while various injuries were applied to me. My unfortunate character; Shazia Khan; was supposed to have been in a car crash and as a result had a horrible head and leg injury. The leg injury was pretty spectacular and grossed everybody out. I get on set and was so disappointed when they decided to give me a blanket and the wound got covered up.
[Genevieve]
6. How not to embarrass yourself in front of Dustin Hoffman.
The title is actually a lie. I did not manage this, I have met Dustin Hoffman a few times now and he is quite lovely. On the set of Last Chance Harvey I saw Dustin waving and smiling. I smiled and waved back. Only to realise that he was waving at the person behind me….Mortified to this day. He was nice about it though.
[Catherine]
7. How to survive a zombie apocalypse…
In an apocalypse, the only thing you need is well trained zombies and a fight coordinator!! Especially when fighting zombie hoards with nothing but your bare fists and a toy banjo. In all seriousness, the last thing you want to do is damage yourself/other actors/a grade II listed building. Some inexperienced actors can get carried away and not realise that what they’re doing could be dangerous. So always listen to the person in charge.
[Genevieve]
8. How to motivate an actor to push you down the stairs.
On the set of ‘Zombie Apocalypse’ I not only decapitated a zombie ( lots of fun, done with special effects and precise spade movements ) I had to throw a zombie down the stairs. This is obviously not a real zombie. it’s a person and I don’t want to kill him. After two takes he is not feeling it. So, he says to me ‘If you hurt me I will buy you a drink.’ The next take the director gets his shot and the zombie comes up to me limping and says: ‘I owe you a drink.’ Oh well. All is fair in love and film-making.
[Catherine]
9. How to work with imaginary characters and scenery…
…in front of a green screen, when the other actors can’t be bothered to sit in as they assume they’re not in the shot, working with fictional monsters, people materialising a meter in front of you. You may or may not be provided with a tennis ball on a stick. You’ll look and feel ridiculous but remember…it’ll look amazing in the end.
[Genevieve]
10. Brian Moloko will show you how to put a drip in your hand.
At Three Mills Studio in East London, with make up that makes me look like a junkie, I met a childhood hero. Brian Moloko and he showed me the correct way to put a drip in my hand. Doubt I will use this skill but if a career in nursing ever beckons….
[Catherine]

For more on acting and how to be a successful actor, check out my book: How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur.

Next Weeks TV Picks: 26th Apr

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Monday 26 April 11:10pm Channel 4
Hello and good evening and welcome you lil’ ruffians, I feel as though a drastic change in my writin’ style is required to tell you about my marvellous decision of viewing on the tellybox on the 26thday of the month of April right, ten minutes passed the eleventh hour of the evening is a show entitled ‘Skinned’ where the cheeky northern monkey Frank Skinner has a lovely chin waggle with the beautifully faced Russell Brand. Things they talk about is Brands SachsGate debacle, his early career, his problems with his arm candy and showin’ him on stage andbehind it. (Note: as this is read, please flail arms about and switch speech patterns and accents between East London market trader and upper class Mayfair snob)

Tuesday 27 April 10:00pm More4
After Monday’s frivolities with Mr Brand, Tuesday’s selections are an altogether more sober and grown up affair. 22:00 on More4, True Stories: Vote Afghanistan. A documentary showing the read about but not often seen Afghan Presidential Elections of 2009, following the Campaign Trails of the challengers to President Karzai, and hearing from the people whose lives were put at risk for wanting a new Leader.

Wednesday 28 April 6:50pm Film4
Dunna dunna dunna dunna dunna dunna dunna dunna BATMAN…That’s right kids, Bat-time 18:50 Bat-channel Film4, see the original televised Batman Adam West (‘Family Guy’s’ Mayor of Quahog for our younger readers) in a feature length episode of the much loved, more parodied 1960’s show, expect more POW’S and KAZAAMS than you can chuck a Battarang at. And for those not feeling nostalgic, people kick a football about on ITV at 19:30.

Thursday 29th April 9.45pm Sky Movies Showcase
Last weeks ‘Picks’ told of Charlie Brookers ‘You Have Been Watching’ (ch4 22:00) and Psychoville (Dave 22:20) andI struggled to findsomething worth watching other than these again this week, but fortunately at 21:45 Sky Movies Showcase is showing Watchmen (18), the story of an outlawed Masked Adventurer group having to get back into their costumes and resume their world saving roles once again. Taken from the award winning comic book, Watchmen not only has the obligatory superhero action but also delves into the psyche of those who would want to dress in tights an fight crime (just watch out for the awful love-making scene to the tune of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’).

Friday 30 April 10:35pm Channel 4
It is very difficult not say Army Of Darkness (TCM 21:00), Sam Raimi’s brilliant sequel to the equally brilliant Evil Dead films, but I know that Bruce Campbell as store clerk Ash running aroundthe 1300’s with a chainsaw for an arm an a sawn-off shotgun killing the undead is not everyone’s cup of tea, so instead I shall recommend tuning into channel 4 at 22:35 for The Ricky Gervais Show, an animated version of his podcasts featuring Stephan Merchant and Karl Pilkington, expect much hilarity to ensue. Straight after on the same channel is Heroes of Comedy detailing Ricky Gervias’ rise to fame. So basically….a night in with Ricky.

Saturday 01 May 6:25pm BBC1
Dave, the whole day, QI.
Who can resist spending a whole day awash with knowledge delivered via the dulcet tones of Mr Stephan Fry, until of course 18:25 when its over to BBC 1 for the second part of last weeks Doctor Who, will he be able to escape an army of The Weeping Angels? My guess is yes, I mean…he’s the Doctor.

Sunday 02 May 10:20pm Five
I think its safe to say that most of us have had it up to the jugular with Vampires, they are taking up too much screen time in their films and TV shows, I feel its time we gave some other monsters a chance, and that’s exactly what FIVE are doing at 22:20. The Highlands of Scotland are the setting for the movie Dog Soldiers, a gory comedic tale of a small squad of British army men on a training mission coming face to face with a pack of werewolves and are forced to fight when the full moon rises.

Glee: Hell-o {TV Preview}

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Our lucky guest writer Blake Connolly got a sneaky peak from Channel 4 at the upcoming episode of Glee, if you want to know what’s instore; keep reading…


Glee returns to E4 tomorrow after a few weeks off to catch up with the broadcasts in the United States. The musical comedy-drama has been a phenomenon around the world since it first appeared on American screens last September. Songs from the series have rocketed to the top of the download charts, the DVDs are selling by the bucketload, and as Catherine has reported, Lucky Voice have recently started offering Glee nights at their karaoke bars.

Originally written as a feature film script by Ian Brennan, based on his own experiences in a high-school show choir, it was developed for television by Nip/Tuck writers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. Murphy had previously created Popular, another series set in a high school, remembered fondly for it’s quirky, surreal humour and non sequiturs. Glee is similarly full of one-liners and a cynical streak which undercuts the upbeat power-pop ballads and uplifting messages. This is no High School Musical. For one thing, the music’s pretty good, with the series so far using tracks from artists as diverse as Amy Winehouse, Kanye West, Queen, Lily Allen, The Supremes and of course Journey. But the writing is also a lot sharper than many people who haven’t seen the show would credit, with some terrific one-liners, including this week’s “Did you know dolphins are just gay sharks?”

When we left off a few weeks back, New Directions had just won the sectionals, with the brilliantly nasty cheerleader coach Sue Sylvester being suspended after helping the competing glee clubs by leaking the set list, while their director Will Schuester kissed obsessive-compulsive school councellor Emma Pillsbury hours after her wedding was called off. However, we soon see that Sue Sylvester isn’t away for long (after all, it just wouldn’t be the same without her), as she uses some Rohypnol and a digital camera to not only allow her to return to the school but also put the glee club in jeopardy once again. Will is told by Principal Figgins that, having won the sectionals, they will now have to win the regional finals if they are to continue. Rachel has started dating Finn, who hasn’t yet gotten over the discovery that he is not the father of his ex-girlfriend Quinn’s baby. Sue, knowing that Rachel is both the glee club’s strongest singer and the weakest emotionally, sets her sights on her as she attempts to bring down New Directions.

The episode includes some of the funniest lines in the series yet, all of them coming from Sue and her two undercover “cheerios” Santana and Brittany. There’s also some very good music, with Will asking each member of the club to sing a song which includes the word “hello”, so yes, there’s some Lionel Richie, but a couple of the songs only feature the first syllable of the word, so there’s a certain AC/DC classic in there too.

Things continue to look good for the show, with a second season already ordered for the autumn. Open auditions are being held in the US to cast new characters, which will culminate in a reality TV-style special before the new cast members are revealed in the first episode of the new season. While we sadly can’t take part in that here in the UK, E4 are holding a competition, with a lucky winner being flown out to LA to have a walk-on part.

After tomorrow night’s “hello” special, the following episode will be full of Madonna songs. Not sure whether to watch? Four words: Sue Sylvester does Vogue.

Catch Glee: Hell-o on Monday 19th April, 9pm on E4.

Blake Connolly usually writes at Transmission. See more of his reviews.