The week ahead

So, here it is. The (at the risk over-hyping) all-conquering forum thread that I mentioned a couple of days back.

Each weekend I’ll do a brief summary of what I think are going to be the highlights of the week. This will probably constitute mostly TV stuff, but will also include other cultural or political events. Since my idea of what the highlights of the week are going to be will not necessarily completely tally with what the rest of you think, it’s probably a good plan for you guys to add your thoughts (or amendments).

I don’t really know what the point of this is really other than to ensure that we don’t miss out on good stuff and that we all get a chance to appreciate the things that other Badgerfestees like.

The week ahead will run from Sunday to Saturday, so ideally, I should update it on Saturday. Realistically, it could be Sunday or even not at all depending on what mood I’m in.

Okay, here goes:

Sunday 6 November:
Quiz night in the Barge as always (team name suggestions welcome – the less pronounceable the better).

BBC 1 - 10.55pm: another chance to see the first episode of Rome. Sex, violence and showers of bull’s blood – what more could you ask for?

Monday 7 November:
The West Wing complete seasons 1-6 box set on sale today. Quite possible the best TV programme ever. If you haven’t been sucked in yet, ask for it for Christmas (from someone fairly generous obviously).

BBC 2 – 9.30pm: Broken News, new comedy show. Looks quite bonkers.

Tuesday 8 November:
Can’t see that there’s too much going on tonight, so just make sure you watch The Daily Show on More4 at 8.30pm (that goes for every weeknight actually).

Wednesday 9 November:
BBC 2 – 9pm: Rome. See above.

Or you can wait for the Sunday repeat and watch The Bourne Identity on ITV 1 (9pm) instead.

Thursday 10 November:
BBC 1 – 9pm: Spooks. Always quality.

BBC 1 – 11.35pm: This Week. The best politics show around. Ask Pete if you don't belive me. If you don't believe Pete, then you are a fool. Clare Short and Kenneth Clarke stand in for regular guests Diane Abbott and Michael Portillo this week, which should make for an interesting if not entirely welcome change.

Friday 11 November:
The Constant Gardener is released at cinemas. Based on the book by John Le Carre (I haven’t read it, but I am a big Le Carre fan), directed by the guy who directed City of God (whose name escapes me), and starring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz (yum). Needs to be seen methinks.

Elizabethtown is also out, although judging by the Sunday Times’ review (‘quite exceptionally facile’, ‘a puree of schmaltz’, ‘I had to rip out one of my seat’s plastic armrests so I could use it to bite on’) this is probably one to miss.

Channel 4 – 10pm: Peep Show. Absolute genius. Series 3 opener.

Saturday 12 November:
Cricket – England vs Pakistan, the first test. Forget the football (Argentina vs England), this is a real sport. Starts at 4am, but do what you can to keep up.

Channel 5 – 11.10pm (if you’re in): Killing Me Softly. ‘Staggeringly bad’ according to the Sunday Times, but Heather Graham gets her ample knees out, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

Monday night football: Bolton v Tottenham live on Sky.

Culture? Pah!

Hmmm interesting...I'll say this;

Why would you believe what the Times says about film? They don't like anything that isn't in Hungarian with Aramaic subtitles.

Empire liked it, I like Cameron Crowe films (love Almost Famous) I'll go see it...

Constant Gardener is quite good but a little distant like most Le Carre.

Broken News is quality; I love the woman who walks around the set for no apparent reason, the Americans, the useless pop-ups, the non-news of Look Out East and the talking about nothing for yonks. Tomato Flu...genius.

Indeed to correlate with King, was it Cosmo Landesman or whatever his name is who hates *puts on Gary Oldman voice* EVERYTHING *returns to normal voice* except for some strange reason Sin City (not strange as it is great, but strange that HE liked it).

I don't think I'll be seeing it at the cinema though...

On another note, Rome, yes, I like it, took a little while first episode and a half where a little slow I thought but after that it really picks up a bit. Now I can't wait for the new eps.

Tuesday the 8th

Down here in Exeter the Picture House (the nice cinema) is showing Night Watch (IMDbIMDb) which looks pretty mental, and also the IMDb review includes:



which made me chuckle.

I like the look of Night Watch; I'd be interested in seeing how it is.

Travelling to Exeter for the privilege might be a bit much though.

Fair comment. Actually I don't necessarily believe what the Times says about films. I rarely read the Times in fact, but I read it this weekend for some reason and I thought that this review was funny so I had to quote it.

Having said that...



I don't necessarily agree with Empire either. I semi-decided I wasn't going to see this film when I found out it was Cameron Crowe. I don't like his films (particularly Jerry Maguire and Vanilla Sky, but also wasn't that enamoured with Almost Famous). A good soundtrack does not make a good film. The second half of my decision to miss this film was made by the fact that the lead role is taken by Orlando 'Joey Tribbiani taught me how to act' Bloom. All he's good for is killing Orcs stylishly.

Yeah I know; I just thought an alternative view from a Crowe fan was required. Almost Famous is one of my fav films though Vanilla Sky was rubbish.

As for Bloom, he was fine in LOTR (nothing wrong with a bit of smell the fart acting) and did what was necessary in PotC and I haven't seen him in anything else. So I'll give him a chance. He's got to be better than Ashton Kutcher right?

Sorry I didn't get to update the thread for this week guys, but I had quite a lot of work on at the weekend.

To whet your appetites until next week, here is my highlight of this week:

Channel 4, Thursday night (can't remember what time) - UK Music Hall of Fame.

The reason I've chosen this one is that Sammyboy and I are going to be there! Look out for us, we'll be the cool ones surrounded by a gaggle of celebrity female lovelies.

Yes.

Also, we are planning a secret rendez-vous in Bournemouth but I'm not allowed to tell you when or who will be there. You will have to ring us to find out.

Hmm...this thread hasn't worked out quite as planned.

Never mind, I guess it was obvious that I wasn't going to have the discipline to post every week.

I will post sometimes though with things that are coming up which I think are worth a look.

This week we have:

Who Do You Think You Are? (Wed 9pm, BBC2). First in the new series - Jeremy Paxman traces his roots. Allegedly he cries, don't believe it myself.

Hyperdrive (Wed 10pm, BBC2). The new Red Dwarf, but with Nick Frost instead of Craig Charles.

Life On Mars (Mon 9pm, BBC1) - John Simm (always excellent) plays a cop transported back to the seventies.

Animals (Thurs 10pm, Channel 4). Docu-drama about animal testing and those who oppose it.


A few films around that look like they could be interesting:

Match Point (Scarlett Johansson's in it so that's me sold).

Brokeback Mountain (gay cowboys, Ang Lee - quite a heady mixture)

Memoirs Of A Geisha (Chinese actresses playing Japanese women - controversial)


Coming up in the more distant future:

Jarhead - Sam Mendes, Jake Gyllenhall, Gulf War (No. 1)


And on telly:

Riot of Spring - The story of the first performance of Stravinsky's The Rite Of Spring (possibly the most important piece of music of the 20th century) which turned into a riot because the audience hated the dissonant sound and crazy pagan rhythms of the ballet. For those of you who don't know The Rite Of Spring, it's the one in Disney's Fantasia which is used to tell the story of evolution. I con't remember when this is on, but I think it's in Feb on BBC. I'll update when I find out.

My God... I almost forgot.

World Championship Darts on all this week on BBC2. Essential viewing.

I'd like to add 'My Name is Earl' - shaping up to be a solid C4 comedy - it even has Jason Lee. Brilliant.

In an attempt to draw everyone's attention away from the quite frankly riveting discussion on the origin of podcasts, I would like to discuss 'The Late Edition' BBC4, Thurs 10:30pm

I went to see this show being filmed tonight at BBC TV centre hence my reason for bringing it up. It's hosted by Marcus Brigstocke, (comedian with a fairly square head, does a lot of radio and is sometimes on HIGNFY). It's a satirical news show, however its not quite as funny as HIGNFY and not quite as sharp as the Daily Show but still worth a watch if you have nothing better to do. Not really selling it am I. You might see me in the audience! There you go that should be big enough incentive.

Also, comment about watching a live recording: all the funny stuff happens in between takes.

On a side note: may I also use this platform to promote the great shows on More4.
Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Daily Show, West Wing, Six Feet Under, Father Ted.

Aaaah Six Feet Under. Finally a show that goes on for a good number of series and still manages to finish well. Qualitah.

This week:

Stephen Fry on 'Who do you think you are?' - Weds 9pm BBC2 Should be good

Also, anyone seen Hyperdrive? Fun for 5 mins for the concept but cant really hold it together for 30 mins at a time. Comments?

I've so far managed to miss it due to being otherwise engaged in the Dictatorship of America, but you've sold it to me.

Anyone caught My Name is Earl?

It's Mozart's 250th birthday on Friday and obviously there are many Mozart-based things going on at the moment to celebrate this fact.

The BBC have a quiz called 'Is This Mozart' in which you listen to pieces of music and guess whether he composed them or not.

BBC 4 will be broadcasting selection from concerts in Berlin, Salzburg and Vienna at 11pm on Friday.

Now, Mozart isn't exactly my favourite composer of all time, but there are a number of pieces which I love and I'm sure some of them will appear in the line-up on Friday.

Finally, if any of you decide that this event calls for some kind of Mozart marathon, then Radio 3 is probably the place for you. Pretty much everything they are doing at the moment is connected to the bloke.

I got 4/10 which I think is quite good for me and a little unfair; sometimes I thought it wasn't Mozart but didn't know if it was Haydn or Beethoven.

Hyperdrive.

I gave this a shot. Stopped watching half way through the first ep. Didn't really grab me. Think Sammyboy summed it up quite well...

yeah hyperdirve is a bit of a slow train, it sort of shunts along with a little lurch of amusement from time to time...