May 2008 Archives

By Dan Owen

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST (BBC1, SAT 8PM) The granddaddy of X Factor and American Idol, minus the singing talent? The chances of it unearthing a new Abba are low, but Eurovision has never been about trying to make superstars. In the UK, we just enter failures nowadays -- like X Factor runner-up Andy Abraham.

But even former bin man Andy, who earned praise from Simon Cowell on national TV, didn't stand a chance. Success all boils down to a nation's cultural popularity, political standing and neighbouring alliances. That'll be nil point for us, then...

By Dan Owen

TIN MAN (SCI-FI CHANNEL, SUN 8PM) L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz is a classic children's story that became an iconic 1939 movie starring Judy Garland. It's been adapted and re-imagined countless times (most distressingly as The Wiz with Michael Jackson), so here it comes again: as a sci-fi flavoured three-part TV series.

It could have been an invigorating modern twist on a beloved classic, but it ends up being an arduous, unappealing muddle of bland characters and ill-conceived tweaks...

By Dan Owen

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SKY ONE, TUE 9PM) Who would have thought a kitsch 70s TV relic, cashing-in on the Star Wars phenomenon, would evolve into an accomplished, allegorical science-fiction drama?

It's just a pity larger audiences haven't sampled its delights – as it's tucked away on Sci-Fi in the States and Sky One in Blighty, left to build its fan-base on word-of-mouth as Lost and Heroes benefit from the promotional clout of mainstream networks...

We're 5 weeks into the fourth and final season (although it's likely the second half won't air till '09), so if you haven't seen BSG yet – don't bother jumping in now! It's a heavily serialized story that's consequently impenetrable to newcomers. 

By Stevie Harrison

The public are dumb and stupid idiots who can be convinced to part with their money simply by showing them something which sparkles.

At least, that seems to be the opinion of the marketing world these days. Rather than spending money on researching and developing better products they just give the current model a quick makeover and perhaps a little name change.

By Dan Owen

MAD MEN (BBC FOUR, SUN 10PM) A shining example of how understated acting and meticulous writing can hypnotize viewers -- if you haven't been tuning into this US hit about (m)ad men in 1960s New York, you've been missing a treat. What do you mean you haven't seen it advertised?

From a writer of The Sopranos, the show revolves around handsome advertising hotshot Don Draper (Jon Hamm), whose career success and perfect home life hides a string of extra-marital affairs and a murky, secretive past.