TV recommendations & reviews *spoilers*

rick_chasey

Since we have a film review thread it makes sense to have a tv review thread.

Obviously I have a prog in mind to kick it off...

Just watched the final episode of Schama's history of the Jews. Really excellent.

I wasn't a big Schama fan before. I've studied a number of his books at uni and watched his British History series which I didn't enjoy.

This however was different. Schama is obviously Jewish so it took on much more of a personal tone which worked well. He told it like it was his and their story. It made it a lot more powerful and side stepped the issue of giving the singular interpretation. This is obviously and explicitly his.

Maybe it's because I'm a lot less familiar with the story so it's less inclined to jarr with my own self righteous opinions.

As a series it was much more conceptually tight with an emphasis on a few key themes he draws out throughout the period. He's also gotten better at drawing out relevant and interesting stories that draw or demonstrate those key themes. He had a habbit of losing you as a viewer (and reader) by wrestling and wriggling with the intricacies of the story and losing sight of why he's telling us it. It's not banished but a marked improvement.

Mainly though it's his eloquence and emotionally charged delivery that sets it apart and makes it one of those documentaries you really remember.

8/10

Nancy Luger

I like BBC breakfast but only Mon to Wed when I can knock one out watching Susanna Reid.

asprilla

Nancy Luger wrote:

I like BBC breakfast but only Mon to Wed when I can knock one out watching Susanna Reid.

She's doing Strictly Come Dancing this year, so that's your Saturday evening wank too.

arran77

Asprilla wrote:

Nancy Luger wrote:

I like BBC breakfast but only Mon to Wed when I can knock one out watching Susanna Reid.

She's doing Strictly Come Dancing this year, so that's your Saturday evening rub too.

Ah yes, Strictly Come Dancing.

Mrs 77 was just watching an episode of it, I've 'studied' it a few times in the past and didn't enjoy it.

This was different, Reid is obviously a fox so it took on a far more pleasing tone for me.

Maybe this is because I was less familiar with the programme so it didn't jar with my own opinions.

As a dancer, Ms Reid was a lot more 'tight' than she is on Breakfast, she has a habit of loosing the viewer by wriggling and writhing around in tight dresses.

Mainly though it's her legs and rear end that sets this apart and makes it a show to remember.

10/10 (but for Susanna I'd have to give her 1).

rjsterry

arran77 wrote:

Reid is obviously a fox

Seems a bit harsh to me. Round our way, foxes are mangy emaciated things, that come and sh!t in your garden.

arran77

rjsterry wrote:

arran77 wrote:

Reid is obviously a fox

Seems a bit harsh to me. Round our way, foxes are mangy emaciated things, that come and sh!t in your garden.

Ms Reid can sh1t in my garden any time.

wandsworth

arran77 wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Nancy Luger wrote:

I like BBC breakfast but only Mon to Wed when I can knock one out watching Susanna Reid.

She's doing Strictly Come Dancing this year, so that's your Saturday evening rub too.

Ah yes, Strictly Come Dancing.

Mrs 77 was just watching an episode of it, I've 'studied' it a few times in the past and didn't enjoy it.

This was different, Reid is obviously a fox so it took on a far more pleasing tone for me.

Maybe this is because I was less familiar with the programme so it didn't jar with my own opinions.

As a dancer, Ms Reid was a lot more 'tight' than she is on Breakfast, she has a habit of loosing the viewer by wriggling and writhing around in tight dresses.

Mainly though it's her legs and rear end that sets this apart and makes it a show to remember.

10/10 (but for Susanna I'd have to give her 1).

Just caught the last bit of the final episode of The IT Crowd on Friday. It was hilarious, and I'll definitely be watching the whole thing on 4OD. Highly recommended.

Also, More4 was showing Father Ted repeats last night. Hopefully more of them to come.

rjsterry

On a less cheery note, if anyone was under any illusions as to just how grim the war in Syria has been and is, the documentary on BBC1 this evening will put you straight. Harrowing but essential viewing, particularly the footage of the aftermath of an incendiary bomb being dropped on a school, but mercifully relieved by some glimmers of hope such as a specialist neonatal care unit, which one of the volunteers had managed to help set up in one of the refugee camps. Apparently one of the many consequences of people living through a warzone is an increase in the number of premature births.

Also, the attack on the school showed just how misleading the recent focus on chemical weapons is*. The incendiary bomb dropped on the school is still classed as a conventional weapon. I'm sure that was a great comfort to the dozens of teenagers with half their skin burned off.

*albeit that that focus does at last seem to have led to some diplomatic movement.

seanoconn

arran77 wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Nancy Luger wrote:

I like BBC breakfast but only Mon to Wed when I can knock one out watching Susanna Reid.

She's doing Strictly Come Dancing this year, so that's your Saturday evening rub too.

Ah yes, Strictly Come Dancing.

Mrs 77 was just watching an episode of it, I've 'studied' it a few times in the past and didn't enjoy it.

This was different, Reid is obviously a fox so it took on a far more pleasing tone for me.

Maybe this is because I was less familiar with the programme so it didn't jar with my own opinions.

As a dancer, Ms Reid was a lot more 'tight' than she is on Breakfast, she has a habit of loosing the viewer by wriggling and writhing around in tight dresses.

Mainly though it's her legs and rear end that sets this apart and makes it a show to remember.

10/10 (but for Susanna I'd have to give her 1).