Firstly I am going to start of with shows that have aired or are airing at the moment and then go on to talk about new shows starting this month. I will blog every month, with reviews of shows I’ve been watching and new shows airing that month on TV.
TV shows that have already aired, that are worth watching:
The increasingly poor decisions of Todd Margaret – Season 1 – More4 (4OD)
[spoiler]So I’m going to start of with one of the best shows I randomly got into, my friend told me about this show, which starred David Cross (previously from Arrested Development.) after watching the first episode I was in stitches, it is ridiculously funny, and the acting is amazing.
The story is about a man who is sent to England to sell a new energy drink “thunder muscle.” Each episode begins with a scene of Margaret appearing as the defendant in a British court, with various charges against him being read, then flashes back to portray the events leading to Margaret's arrest. The main events of the pilot take place two weeks before the trial and the first season takes place over one week, ending one week before the courtroom scene.
I would highly recommend you catch this on 4OD, if you’re bored or want to watch a funny comedy. There are only 6 episodes but a new season with at least 8 episodes has been confirmed.
8/10[/spoiler]
The walking Dead – season 1 –AMC – FX network UK
[spoiler]My second choice is a graphic novel turned into a TV show thanks to Frank Darabont, who of course directed The Shawshank Redemption (IMDB’s top rated film ever!) so obviously this was going to be exciting to watch, and let me tell you it ticks all of the boxes. The show tells the story of the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse; it follows a small group of survivors, traveling across the desolate United States in search of a new home away from the shuffling hordes of the undead. The group is led by Rick Grimes, who was a sheriff's deputy before the zombie outbreak.
The pilot episode starts of pretty slow for my liking, but it pick up half way through a delivers some amazing action and incredible narrative to keep me hooked. The first season itself is well told and has a great cast, and definitely doesn’t get boring.
Again this is show that has already aired in the US, but is currently airing on the FX network in the UK, so I would again highly recommend you watching it, because you will love it.
8/10[/spoiler]
Boardwalk Empire – Season 1 – HBO – Sky UK
[spoiler]My final choice of shows that have already aired is Boardwalk Empire, the story that is set in the prohibition era, tells the story about criminal kingpin Enoch "Nucky" Johnson played by Steve Buscemi, and how he ran things in the 30’s in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The creator of The Sopranos, Terence Winter, creates the show and Martin Scorsese directed the first episode, and he also produced it along with Mark Wahlberg. This alone should be a good indication of how great this show is, the story is fantastic with an extraordinary cast. The story is well paced and the 30’s are well depicted, and the show is a fascinating watch.
Overall if you are a fan of wither the creator, Terence Winter, Martin Scorsese or Steve Buscemi, it’s worth watching. There’s enough action and drama and has a well told story, which keeps you interested and involved throughout the first season. The show has already aired in America, and SKY has picked up the rights to show it in the UK, another definite one to look out for.
8/10[/spoiler]
Right so those were my picks of shows that have already aired, and which I believe will be a cult hit here in the UK. If you haven’t had a chance to watch either of them I absolutely recommend you do.
Now I am going to talk about brand new shows airing in the UK, and whether I believe they will be a success or not, and weather they are worth watching.
Episodes – Series 1 – BBC 2
[spoiler]Episodes is about two writers who are married, and who are persuaded my a TV Exec to recreate there show in the USA. The idea is interesting and the first episode was fun to watch, the British couple is charming and funny, and the story is well told even though at times it gets slightly Americanised. David Crane one of the men behind “Friends” creates the show, and you can see his influence in the show.
There is a lot of hype for on of the leads, which is of course Matt LeBlanc, who had a critical flop with “Joey” and hasn’t really been seen since. But for me the Show is stolen by the on screen British couple Sean and Beverly Lincoln, played my Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig. They are hilarious and charming and a delight to watch.
The first episode of Episodes is available on BBC’s iplayer, and if you were a fan of your comedy I would quite confidently say you would enjoy this. I am compelled to see where they go from here and see if they can keep me interested.
7/10[/spoiler]
Tool academy – Series 1 – E4
[spoiler]This is a remake of an American TV show, you don’t see that often. I was on 4OD looking at shows to watch and came across this, now generally I wouldn’t watch something like this as it generally doesn’t appeal to me. But I thought I’d give it a watch, as I was procrastinating from doing any uni work, which is ironic because now I am reviewing TV shows. Anyway the premise is pretty simple around 10 or 12 guys come on to the show on a false pretense, thinking they are competing for “Britain’s Ultimate Lad,” but really they are on the shows because there girlfriends think they are pricks, or “tools” hence tool academy.
The first episode was cracking, funny and had a good amount of drama. Lets be honest you don’t need a high IQ to watch this show, and it will most likely appeal to teenagers and women. But for those who do end up watching this will find it entertaining and enjoyable, and it will predominantly be watched by females.
This show is for women who may have or had boyfriends like the one’s on the show, watch it with your girlies over some hot chocolate.
6/10[/spoiler]
Sun Sex and Suspicious Parents – Series 1 – BBC 3
[spoiler]I want to go on record as saying that I’m not a huge fan of reality TV, but sometimes you just need to feel like a 16-year-old girl. This show is definitely aimed towards the 16-19 year old teenage market, and as a shows hits there target market.
But on a deeper level it is just a bunch of kids on holidays and there parents watching them, which is pretty boring, and if your over 25 this will not appeal to you, but if your in the target bracket to whom this is aimed for you will love it.
The show again is nothing more then something to watch if your trying to kill an hour or two, its fun and silly and shows friends on there first holiday.
5/10[/spoiler]
The next two shows are shows that have not aired yet, and will be airing this coming this week. I am going to write about them, because I think they will be a definite watch, and will be a cult success. Also I won’t be able to rate the shows, as I have not watched them yet.
10 O’clock Live – series 1 – Channel 4
[spoiler]Following the success of Channel 4's Alternative Election Night last year, this live topical comedy show has now been ordered from the same team: Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne.
Each presenter has their own sections, and all four will come together for some parts of the show. Jimmy Carr is the desk-based presenter, with David Mitchell chairing discussions and conducting interviews, Charlie Brooker taking an acerbic and cynical look at the week's media coverage, and Lauren Laverne collecting the views and comments of the audience, both in the studio and from those watching at home via Twitter.
I honestly believe this show is going to be funny as fuck, excuse my French, and think that it will be on my top 5 shows of this month.[/spoiler]
Fast and Loose – Series 1 – BBC 2
[spoiler]Fast And Loose is a brand new improvisation show created by the team behind Mock the Week. Hosted by Outnumbered and Mock the Week star Hugh Dennis and featuring the best of up and coming British comedy performers, each episode contains a selection of all-new improvised games and scenes based on material thrown at the performers by the host and audience suggestions.
I think this show is going to follow the high standards of Mock the Week, but I think it will be fine. It has elements of who’s line is it anyway and a mixture of other shows. The USP of this show is that it feature new and up and coming comedians which is always a delight to watch.
[/spoiler]
Finally I will be reviewing new seasons of TV shows that have been around on TV, and give my input on weather the show still have the charisma and charm it had from its first series. The shows that are airing I will rate, and the ones that haven’t I will just write about.
Skins – Series 5 – E4
[spoiler]With the imminent arrival of the US remake of the first series, (which personally I am looking forward to see how they intend on ruining it) the new series of Skins will introduce us to the new gang. The cool kinds with a great fashion sense and with the drama most 15 year olds go through. The creators have said that this series won’t be as dark as the past two series have been. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing but I along with a lot of people will tune in to watch the new series.
I believe its not going to be the same as the past and the new characters will be unique and have an unusual dimension to them. I’m looking forward to the stories, music, sex and drug taking, and think it will be watched by a lot of people.[/spoiler]
Not Going Out – Series 4 – BBC 2
[spoiler]Lee Mack’s comedy show returns for its fourth series, and after watching the first episode “Drugs,” I found it funny and amusing. The show hasn’t changed and has the same cast.
The only downside to the show is that it may tend to get slightly repetitive, and there are just a handful of times you can laugh at the same joke.
I will however recommend watching this if your bored or just want to watching something that doesn’t require a lot of brainpower. Comical and witty, well written and a fine watch.
6/10[/spoiler]
Take Me Out – Series 2 – ITV 1
[spoiler]When Take Me Out first aired I thought it was some kind of a joke, 30 desperate women, some looking hot others just looking wrong, all of whom are desperate to get with a man
One single man has to try to impress thirty single women. Each woman has a white light which she can turn off red if she is unimpressed by the man. His aim is to convince as many women as possible to keep their lights on so that he can then pick, from the women remaining, the one that he wishes to take on a date. If there is one woman left, the man and woman will go on a date. If no lights are left on, then the man must leave the show without a date.
The successful couples are taken on a date to Fernando's in Manchester, the outcome of which is shown as part of the following week's show. For the second series, the date takes place abroad on the Isle of Fernando's (Tenerife).
The show has become well known for its array of catchphrases such as "No likey, no lightey", "If you're turned off, turn off", and "Fernando's!"
The new season is amazing filled with the same funny moments and well presented by Paddy McGuinness, who’s jut wonderful as the host.
7/10[/spoiler]
Jersey Shore – Season 3 – MTV
[spoiler]Finally I have saved the best for now, where do I begin, this show is pure entertainment. I remember when I first saw this show I had my reservations, I thought it was going to be a bunch on over tanned Italian American’s who go to the gym get tanned and get drunk and get women.
It is all of the above and much more, the group is a family in a sense, and everyone plays their role in the family. The third season picks up from the end of season two, with the fall out of the friendship between Jwow Snooki and Sammi, no thanks to Angelina, the bitch that got away.
In the third season we see a new housemate Snooki’s friend Deena, who I already think is going to be entertaining and a delight to watch. She is the typical “guido,” hot, fiery and silly, and think she is going to be the highlight of this season.
Also we will hopefully see the end of Sammi and Ronnie, I had a lot of love for Sammi in the first season and ever since then she’s just lost my love. She was and is boring, annoying and dull to watch.
My favorite is Vinny, and is looking forward to some of the classics moments form him and the boys. Pauly’s “T-SHIRT TIME,” The Situation’s “GRANADES” and the MVP are going to be an honor and a privilege to watch.
Expect a lot of drama, women, sex, tanning and grenades!!!
9/10[/spoiler]