“There were no signs here of nerves or second album syndrome.”
Poldark, BBC1
“As ever there was much staring out to sea from atop Cornish cliffs, waves crashing dramatically on rocks and footage of Ross brooding manfully on horseback, eyes as dark as a stag’s. One did start to wonder though — are they at risk of overdoing the righteousness of Saint Ross? He’s so perfect he’s approaching caricature.”
“Romantic teenagers – some older folk too maybe – will again be spending Sunday evenings dreaming of finding their own Rosses and Demelzas. Weekends, with the nights beginning to close in, are better places with Poldark back.”
“Did Poldark recapture the magic that got the whole of Britain talking last year? Absolutely. There were no signs here of nerves or second album syndrome.”
Gerard O’Donovan, The Telegraph
Roald Dahl’s Most Marvellous Book, Channel 4
“Ignore the futile premise and you had a joyous film that carefully matched each book to an articulate, insightful celebrity champion. It was, of course, entirely uncritical of Dahl himself but this was about the author rather than the man, and the writing was pure magic.”
“This was not an especially well-crafted programme. It was fragmented, overly reliant on film clips and never as informative as it might have been. But it succeeded in the only way that mattered, by bringing out the enormous thrill and mischief of Dahl’s books.”
Gerard O’Donovan, The Telegraph
“The Most Marvellous Pundit is… Jarvis Cocker. Because he takes a political message from Fantastic Mr Fox. And because he does, indeed, look very much like Farmer Bean. And just because he’s Jarvis Cocker, and he’s marvellous.”
Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1
“While the line-up offered something for everyone, dear oh dear, this launch show went on longer than a Bruce Forsyth punchline. The big opening, a lamentable space-opera spoof, never got off the launch pad.”
“Of the other 14 celebrities, only brassy American singer Anastacia looked as much of a hoofing heffalump as Ed Balls. He had the grace of Thomas the Tank Engine. This is already looking like a train wreck.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail
Victoria, ITV
“Making a flawless transition from Tardis to throne room, Jenna Coleman is brilliant as the young monarch whose brittle cruelty and open vulnerability make her seem just like an ordinary girl in an extraordinary situation. It’s intensely, emotionally addictive TV, only marred by the bizarre decision to follow the lives of Victoria’s servants as well.”
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