Tag Archives: Television

Preview: This Is England '86 {TV}

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Set three years on from Shane Meadows’ Bafta winning film This Is England, Chris de Burgh is top of the charts and over 3.4 million britons are unemployed. This Is England in the year 1986. A four-part serial for Channel 4 revisiting the original gang from the acclaimed film.

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Hapless Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) has just finished his final school exam and is a magnet for trouble and bullys. A chance encounter reunites him with Woody (Joe Gilgun), Lol (Vicky McClure), Smell (Rosamund Hanson) and the others and soon the past is forgotten. The gang are back together and they’re all looking for love, a laugh, a job and something that resembles a future.

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This is filmmaker Shane Meadows’ television debut and speaking at a Q&A after the preview screening he made it clear that he didn’t see Television as a stepping stone into film and that he’d grown up watching great made for TV films. He did however say

“UK telly has gone to s***. It really has it’s appalling, but American TV, the new type of shows they’re making like the Sopranos and the Wire are great. That’s how people want to watch TV today, several episodes back to back. They want to sit with the missus and watch a 12 hour film. It’s an event.”

Meadow’s brought in help to bring the much anticipated follow up to TV. That help came in the form of co-writer Jack Thorne (The Scouting Book For Boys, Skins) and sharing the directing of the series with Tom Harper (Misfits). It’s no suprise then that the series is packed full of both hilarious and touching moments.

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Judging by the preview clips of the rest of the series, it looks to become edgier and darker as it progresses. Meadows hints at a dramatic turn of events midway through the series and looks at it as “sort of like two separate films”. The soundtrack was evolved from music the actors were listening to on their mp3 players to get into character and from a stack of discs that the two directors shared between each other leading to a soundtrack that’s not cliche or packed full of well known 80’s chart toppers.

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This Is England ’86 looks to be a hit for Channel 4, another beautiful and gritty flagship show with a lot of potential. Who knows, maybe we’ll be seeing This Is England in the 1990’s in the future…

This Is England ’86 starts on the 7th September on Channel 4


Sky bringing Sinbad into the 21st Century {TV}

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The search is on to find a leading man to play Sinbad in a contemporary re-imagining of the 8th Century legend for Sky 1 and BBC Worldwide.

The new Sinbad will be treading the line between Hero and Villain. On the run from his home town of Basra and under a curse for a killing that led to the death of his much-loved brother, the streetwise Sinbad finds himself cast out to sea. Surviving a violent and magical storm, both Sinbad and his intriguing fellow ship-mates are forced to band together to face their inner demons, hopes, loves and fears. Our flawed hero embarks on an epic and emotional quest to rid himself of the curse and embrace his destiny. “When mystical meets muscle anything can happen…”

Produced by Impossible Pictures (who also produced ITV’s Primeval), Sinbad is part of Sky1’s multi-million pound HD drama investment fund.

Elaine Pyke (Head of Drama, Sky 1) commented: “Our SINBAD is 21, reckless, utterly charming and cursed. Mysticism, magic, monsters and high octane action adventure, this SINBAD is always exciting and sometimes challenging. This unique series will have the ambition of LOST, the pace of 24 and take the viewer to visually stunning locations on both sea and land. Sky’s SINBAD will be a multi-layered series for today’s prime time audience.”

Sophie Gardiner (Exec Producer, Impossible Pictures) added: “This is a hugely ambitious project and we’re thrilled to partner with Sky to reinvigorate this much loved action hero. We’re confident that SINBAD will confound audience’s expectations and create a big, noisy series for Sky 1.”

Shooting is expected to start in February 2011 in Malta and Sinbad is scheduled for premiere on Sky 1 HD in Winter 2011.

Stuart Murphy also unveiled a whole host of new commissions and acquisitions including:

Dogumentary, A brand new observational documentary from the makers of Pinapple Dance Studios (Pulse Films) centres on the world of dog grooming salons, doggy day care centres and vets’ clinics where cameras will follow the people who work at them, as well as their clients. But in Dogumentary the stars of the show are the pampered pooches themselves, and these are no ordinary canines – they can actually talk. In surreal moments, the mutts talk to each other in funny and off-the-wall exchanges about their lives, loves and observations on the world.

Ross Kemp Extreme World. The BAFTA®-winning documentary team (Tiger Aspect) return as Ross Kemp reports from some of the most dangerous places on Earth. Over five hard-hitting episodes, Ross travels to Mexico, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan and Chicago to learn how international organised crime, terrorists and local criminal networks have created alliances that are destroying millions of lives. Plus, in a UK-based episode, he reveals the grim truth about people trafficking in Britain.

Prince William and The Tusk Trust Project (Working Title). In an exclusive 1hr long documentary by Spun Gold, presented by conservationist and adventurer Ben Fogle, Sky 1 HD gains unprecedented access to Prince William’s first official visit to Africa as he travels to Botswana, the home of wildlife conservation charity Tusk Trust. Marking the charity’s 20th anniversary, royal patron Prince William talks about his love of Africa, his passion for conservation and staying grounded, before challenging Ben to run a fund-raising marathon in Kenya.

Also announced are aquisitions from the US including: Raising Hope from the makers of My Name Is Earl. The Middle, from Warner Bros International about an ordinary family struggling to survive life – and each other – in Middle America. Ride-Along, A gritty new police drama from The Shield creator Shawn Ryan and Lone Star, a 20th Century Fox Production in which newcomer James Wolk is Robert/Bob Allen, a charismatic schemer who has meticulously constructed two lives for years without arousing any suspicions… until now.

This follows the news that Sky has agreed to become the UK home for HBO.

A New Moon for Eastenders {TV}

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Eastenders have revealed that hot on the heels of the return of Alfie Moon this autumn, Walford is soon to welcome Alfie’s cousin, Michael Moon, played by Steve John Shepherd, well known for his portrayal of Jo in This Life.

Michael Moon is a regular lothario, a cheeky chap with a silver tongue, who loves a lot of female attention – much like his older cousin, Alfie. However, Michael has a slightly more manipulative streak and a competitive nature, which means he doesn’t think twice about screwing people over – even those he loves.

Michael loves to live life dangerously, taking risks, and can be as ruthless as he is charming.

Steve John Shepherd has previously been seen in This Life, Layer Cake, Waking The Dead and, more recently, the BBC Three sitcom Lunch Monkeys.

Regarding his arrival in Albert Square, Steve commented: “I can vividly remember watching the first ever episode of EastEnders and I’m very excited to be joining such a fantastic and iconic programme. Michael Moon will be an exciting character to play – on the surface he a loveable, cheeky chappy but, underneath, he has hidden depths which will be exciting to explore.”

Bryan Kirkwood, executive producer of EastEnders, explains: “I’ve been a fan of Steve John Shepherd’s work for years. He’s a fantastic signing for EastEnders, an exciting addition to the Moon family, and is set to cause a big splash in Albert Square from the moment he arrives.”

Alex Kingston to star in new supernatural drama 'The Oaks' {TV}

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Alex Kingston and Jodie Whittaker are to lead the cast of ITV Studios’ brand new supernatural drama The Oaks (working title).

The Oaks is the gripping story of three different families living in the same house in the 1960’s, 1980’s and present day. The families are linked by the spirit of a young girl – the 1960’s family’s daughter who died in mysterious circumstances.

Filming has begun in London on the program which will be broadcast as a five part drama.

A creative collaboration between ITV Studios and Fox, the series is written for ITV by Stephen Greenhorn (Glasgow Kiss, Doctor Who) and is based on an original US pilot from David Schulner.

“The Oaks is a really original concept that blends relationship drama with an atmospheric ghost story,” said Laura Mackie from the commissioning team. “Stephen’s scripts are compellingly written and this is a very distinctive drama to add to our slate.”

“This is a strongly authored, ambitious piece and we’re thrilled to have such an exciting and talented cast on board,” said Kate Lewis, Executive Producer.

Dappers "Bristolicious" [TV Preview]

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I do like BBC3’s approach to experimental comedy drama, so when I was offered a sneaky preview at their latest offering I jumped at the chance.
Dappers is about a couple of single mothers living in Bristol surviving on benefits. Constantly trying to come up with get rich quick schemes; Ashley and Faye; played by Lenora Crichlow (Being Human) and Ty Glaser (Emmerdale) live in council owned properties in a well-to-do part of town.
Despite the fact that the pair are “like Del Boy and Rodders in thongs”; a phrase that could depress the very soul of happiness personified; the show is being billed as “a cheerful poke in the eye to all the negativity that surrounds single-mums.”


Jealous of their smug neighbours; Ben (Darren Boyd, Smack the Pony) and Anna (Olivia Poulet, The Thick of It); who seemingly have it all; the mothers struggle to cope with their looser love interests; the Marco (Tom Ellis, Miranda) a wannabe nightclub impresario and Ryan (newcomer, Jack Ashton) who’s half a step from a stretch; trying to make ends meet with crack pot schemes whilst looking after toddlers Angel and Daisy. Not able to afford even a can of WD40, Faye has to suffer a creaky jacket throughout.

The writer and exec producer Catherine Johnson (the writer of Mamma Mia!) says “I wanted to write about living in a housing association flat and being a single parent, but I wanted to do it in a way that wasn’t grim and all about poverty.  The idea of doing it as a comedy drama, very much in the mould of Gavin and Stacey, really appealed to me.” The show’s squarely aimed at the audience of nice-comedy appreciators that Gavin and Stacey left behind. The pilot episode features something that even the most cynical of viewers will be pursuaded by. Pugs. Poor pugs, they’re the butt of every joke.

This pilot looks like it has real potential for development. The female led writing and makes it a welcome change and the strong cast and the unique storyline can only work in it’s favour.

Watch Dappers on BBC3 on the 10th June at 9:30pm

TV: Lost – The End

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Was it really six years ago that LOST first crashed onto our screens? ‘Breaking ground’ all over the place; LOST has since picked up a raft of awards including an Emmy® for Outstanding Drama Series, a Golden Globe® for Best Television Series (Drama), and Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild Awards.

In 2007, Lindelof and Cuse made the bold decision to announce that LOST would comprise six seasons in total and reach its conclusion in 2010, allowing them to map out exactly how the series would unfold over the final two seasons, whilst also providing dedicated viewers with an endgame.

The sixth season, which debuted on Sky1 HD in February 2010, has answered many long-standing questions posed back in the early days of the show. In perhaps one of the most revealing scenes so far, Jacob (Mark Pelligrino) used the metaphor of a wine bottle to explain the importance of the Island, the true nature of the Man in Black and how and why he must be prevented from fulfilling his wish of escaping. “Think of this wine as… Hell… malevolence, evil, darkness, and here it is – swirling around in the bottle unable to get out, because if it did, it would spread. The cork, is this island, and it’s the only thing keeping the darkness where it belongs.” Now with the Man in Black taking on the form of the deceased Locke (Terry O’Quinn), the final episodes are building towards his potential escape. But will Charles Widmore (Alan Dale) or Jacob’s yet-to-be-decided successor “The Candidate”, be able to stop him?

Executive producers and writers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse recently put the finishing touches on the final script, and explained that answers to the mysteries will continue to unravel. Cuse commented: “It was very profound for us, as we had written a cryptic scene, and we thought, no, these characters are actually at the place where they can have a discussion about what is going on here. It was very weird to take these closely held secrets and actually put them in the scene. It was very liberating and exciting.”

George Lucas sent an open letter to executive producers Lindelof and Cuse the show on its run and offering some words of support. Poking fun at the producers he says: “Congratulations on pulling off an amazing show. Don’t tell anyone … but when ‘Star Wars’ first came out, I didn’t know where it was going either. The trick is to pretend you’ve planned the whole thing out in advance. Throw in some father issues and references to other stories — let’s call them homages — and you’ve got a series.”

If you’ve never watched LOST, I’d love to give you an overview of what you’ve missed, except I’m still not sure myself. Watch this video and anyone would think that even the script writers get confused.

The final season has also introduced the concept of flash-sideways, portraying two parallel universes. The scenes on the island depict a universe where the bomb failed to detonate and the survivors remained, whereas the flash-sideways show a world where Oceanic 815 landed and the passengers never ended up living together. However, destiny appears to be drawing them together regardless as their lives end up colliding despite the reversal of history. Indeed, following a recent meeting with Charlie (Dominic Monaghan), Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick) starts to feel as if he has led another life before and plans to ‘awaken’ the other passengers on Oceanic 815 – starting with crashing his car into Locke as he crosses the road.

On Friday 28 May at 7pm, Sky1 HD and Sky1 will kick off an evening celebrating LOST with a two hour US special entitled LOST: THE FINAL JOURNEY. The documentary will take a retrospective look at the past six seasons of the series and delve into what has transpired during the current season as a primer leading into the finale.

At 9pm, it’s time for LOST: The End, a two and a half hour conclusion to a television phenomenon and an unmissable landmark event in television history. Fans need not despair as at 11.30pm, two of Sky1 HD’s specials, THE END IS NIGH and TOP 10 GREATEST SCENES will follow.

by Genevieve Sibayan

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: 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.