TV Critics: Van Gogh’s Ear; Flying to the Ends of the Earth

“The Mystery of Van Gogh’s Ear neither dismantled the myth nor really solved any mysteries though it was entertaining all the same.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express

“The hunt itself was absorbing. To earn his crust Paxman added some psychoanalytic flourishes of debatable merit.”
Jasper Rees, The Telegraph

“Paxman’s relentless probing was great for piercing the armour of politicians, but it’s irrelevant for understanding mental illness. You might as well ask what’s going on inside the mind of a bomb when it explodes.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

“Paxman isn’t the most natural with civilians. Maybe it’s to stop his arms waving around, windmilling like Peston, but he either folds them in front of him or puts his hands in his pockets. It comes across as a bit awkward and aloof. It is a great detective story though.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“At first I was not too fussed about this investigation into this somewhat arcane matter. Murphy’s investigation, however, moved from speculation to revelation as she identified the woman to whom Van Gogh gave all or part of his ear. For once, a programme with ‘mystery’ in its title solved one.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“The second part of Flying to the Ends of the Earth was full of good things as the paralysed former Royal Marine Arthur Williams continued his chirpy adventures.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“Dragons’ Den’s appeal as a television entertainment is immediate. As a place to seek investment, not so much. The business model rests on the co-dependency of sadists and masochists, applicants who seemed to have no more knowledge of the show than I did. That’s what’s at the heart of its horribly moreish appeal.”
Jasper Rees, The Telegraph