Behind The Screen!
So this week’s TV in the UK has mainly been dominated with Derren Brown’s lottery prediction show, watched by 2.64 million of us, on Channel 4. This was where the ‘illusionist’ apparently predicted the live lottery numbers so us on screen. To be fair what he did was a decent trick, but then we’ve already had Robert Mugabe pulling random numbers out of thin air and claiming victory.
Now I’ve heard a lot of people say, ‘if he could predict the lottery numbers why doesn’t he just use that skill to win the lottery?’ but for some people winning the lottery isn’t enough – Derren Brown obviously wants all of us to actually believe he’s God. Sure, he’s got a very successful book, and can apparently see all through time and space, but until he can grow a proper beard rather than a crappy little goatee, I won’t be convinced.
By the time this column comes out the ‘how to’ show would’ve aired but what’s the point in finding out how someone cheated? It’s like Caster Samenya whipping out both sex organs and saying ‘there we go, that’s how i did it!’. Nothing any of us wants to see….
So, ITV1 and BBC1 suffered their worst ever month of ratings in August, while Channel 4 clocked up its poorest score for 25 years. No surprise really due to the pathetic summer schedules on the main networks over here. I personally rarely watch any of the ‘Big 3′ anymore as there’s so much more going on elsewhere. This week has been no exception as i delved in to the start of the new season of shows in the US.
Tuesday saw the return of ‘Sons Of Anarchy’ for season two on FX in the US. The season premiere reached 4.3 million viewers which is a big upshot on the 2.5 million the season one premiere achieved so it’s obviously a show that’s picking up some heat following rave reviews and word of mouth. It’s a show that I’ve said before I love and the first season, shown over here recently on Bravo, was excellent in an almost ‘backcountry Sopranos’ kinda way. Season two looks like no exception. Yes it’s tough and violent, but not in a gratuitous way, it’s a hard life that seems to offer no hope of salvation even for those who would like to lead the right path.
In Season Two they come in direct contact and conflict with the Aryan Brotherhood, led by Ethan Zobelle (Adam Arkin) and his muscle AJ Weston (Henry Rollins), they present a threat to SAMCRO much beyond the usual turf wars over guns and drugs. They are ruthless, determined and willing to go to horrific lengths to crush the Sons of Anarchy. Arkin and Rollins really spice up this first episode with Arkin’s steely intelligence and the legendary Rollins, who’s intense stare hasn’t dimished, is as intimidating a character as you’re likely to see on any show. He doesnt need to be the best actor in the world to play a menacing a role. Arkin and Rollins are basically the bad guys who are worse than the bad guys we cheer for. Also, the now intense dynamic between Jax and Clay has reached new heights and I’m sure will play a big part throughout the series.
I’ve no specific dates as yet for a UK premiere but trust me; it’s not one you’ll want to miss.
This week also saw the return of Supernatural on Thursday night in the U.S on The CW for its 5th season premiere. Season four ended with Sam and Dean literally unleashing hell and releasing Lucifer upon the world – and as a consequence – Armageddon. We pick up immediately at that point for an episode which isn’t as action packed as many, but sets the scene nicely for the rest of the series. Following Sam’s demonic Technicolor turncoat in the last series there’s plenty of friction between the brothers this time around, however with the end of the world coming there isn’t a great deal of time to call in Dr Phil for counselling. Also, there’s still the issue of who to trust – Columbo’s mack wearing Angels who are as dodgy as a 2am curry, or the demonic ones who although they’re demons at least you know where they stand. Plus their jackets are way cooler and their vessles are seemingly almost always incredibly hot.
Mark Pellegrino – who has become the perennial bad guy following his stint in ‘Dexter’ and now ‘Lost’ is an excellent addition to the cast, although I kinda get tired of seeing the same guy as the same character in everything. It was also good to see Rachel Miner of ‘Californication’ fame in to play the demon Meg – she plays feisty well enough to fit right in.
I enjoyed the episode which as I said focused less on the action and more on setting up the broken relationship scenario between the brothers; and with a strong cast to back this series up, it’s set to be a good one if it is to be the final one!
Finally, Thursday night also saw the long awaited premiere of ‘The Vampire Diaries’ in the US again on the CW. Stacking up 4.64 million viewers it also debuted remarkably well. Brought to us by Kevin Williamson of ‘Dawsons Creek’ fame it was always going to be a glossy college teen drama with a cool soundtrack and angsty-vibe.
The show centres on Elena (Nina Dobrev), a 17-year-old high school student who was recently orphaned. Returning to school and trying to get back to having a life, she meets new boy in town Stefan (Paul Wesley) who she kinda goes for; although the problem being is of course – he’s a vampire. Matters are further complicated since she also looks just like his old love from 1864, Katherine. This is do-able, but to add further problems his evil vampire brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder) has decided to make an appearance after a 15-year absence and his presence isn’t let’s just say, healthy.
In terms of what I thought, it was ok, kinda samey to me and nowhere near the same class as the excellent ‘True Blood’. It seemed to lose a bit of direction whilst the diary monologue was being shown which I imagine is to stay true to the book; although I understand the show is vastly different to the books. To me, It’s Blood Lust 90210 for the OC generation, which is fine, and I’ll stick with it, but it’ll take a fair bit in future episodes to make it stick.
Ok – reviews over, let’s get some quick news in!
Richard Curtis, the creator of Blackadder and driving force behind Comic Relief, is to write an episode of ‘Doctor Who’.
Curtis, whose film credits include Notting Hill, Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, will write one of the episodes starring the new doctor; Matt Smith. Filming began on the new fifth series of Doctor Who, which will air next year, around six weeks ago.
Of the plot, he would only reveal: “There will be a monster. And a famous historical figure will battle the monster.”
“It’s tremendously good fun and a treat for my children,” he told ‘The Sun’. “These days the things you can watch together as a family are much fewer so when you get something like Doctor Who or The X Factor it is such a pleasure to sit down as a family.”
Curtis’s involvement has inevitably sparked speculation that the “historical figure” in his episode could be Blackadder, played for four series by Rowan Atkinson. Please don’t ruin the legend that is Blackadder!
One-time Bush frontman and husband of ‘I bet she’s high maintenance’ singer Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale, has signed up to star in ‘Criminal Minds’. Rossdale will play a Goth rock star who may, or may not, be a brutal serial killer.
Rossdale’s previous acting work has mostly been limited to the big screen; appearing in Zoolander, Constantine and The Mayor of Sunset Strip.
Lastly, the Ultimate Fighting Championship(R) organisation has announced highlights of the best UFC action will be screened on the FIVE network on a delayed basis.
In the coming months; a regular and newly created programme – UFC: Main Event – will showcase the featured attraction bouts of some the UFC’s biggest upcoming cards, plus the most exciting undercard fights. To kick off the series, FIVE will air UFC 102: Main Event featuring the instant classic between Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira on Monday September 14, 2009 at midnight.
In addition to UFC: Main Event, FIVE’s sister channel, FIVE USA, is now the new home of the UFC’s groundbreaking reality TV series The Ultimate Fighter. The most successful series of its kind, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) sees reality television collide with combat sport as 16 of the best unsigned mixed martial arts fighters in the world live together, train together and ultimately fight each other for the prize of a six-figure contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
UFC UK Division President Marshall Zelaznik said: “This is a huge step for the UFC in the UK. We are delighted to partner up with FIVE – who are trailblazers in their approach to both sports and programming – and bring the best bouts and the world’s greatest fighters to the largest possible audience. We know we are going to create a whole new generation of UFC fans on FIVE. The UFC continues to smash records at the biggest arenas in the British Isles for our live events and form partnerships with the biggest names in British broadcasting.”
I’m absolutely delighted as this will save me forking out 9 quid a month on ESPN to watch ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ – all money that can be spent on lottery tickets once im shown the method of how to work it!
Ok so what do we have on TV this week?
- First up ‘Futurama’ continues with its four-part specials on Sky one this Sunday at 6pm – this time with a trip to Mars Vegas! Should be a classic Bender episode!
- A new series of Mythbusters also continues on Discovery this Monday at 9pm – I’m still waiting for Jamie’s moustache to get singed off
- Warehouse 13 continues with its second episode on Sci-Fi on Tuesday at 9pm – I’m not convinced as yet but I’ll stick with it, see how it goes
- Finally as mentioned above UFC 102:Main Event is on Tuesday at 12pm on Five – Couture v Nogueira is an absolute classic
Enjoy the weekend!
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