You the Jury: Angellica Bell and Dawn Porter
- Published: 23 September 2008 17:13
- Last Updated: 23 September 2008 17:17
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Angellica Bell and Dawn Porter review the latest TV shows.
When three journalists from Broadcast cornered me at the recent ITV2 season launch to write a review for You the Jury, I jumped at the chance.
I approached my task as I would a three-course meal paid for by a TV executive - don't eat for 24 hours then gorge yourself on the most expensive offerings on the menu.
For starters, I indulged in the first episode of Merlin, a drama which brings to life the King Arthur legend for today's viewer.
The three main characters were played by acting newcomers, but they managed to hold their own against the more established stars. And who should I behold on my screen in the role of Merlin's guardian? None other than Richard Wilson. I didn't believe it! (sorry, it had to be done). If mythological shenanigans are your thing, then this show is for you.
I have always thought I had an open mind, and as I prepared to tuck in to my main course, I had a feeling that this was going to be put to the test. However, after watching a half-hour episode of Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World, I can say now with conviction I do. At first, I thought it would fit comfortably in the 3.45 slot on children's BBC but, once I saw Rick bend over and demand Steve to "give him one", I knew I was barking up the wrong tree.
In case you had not realised, this show is not to be taken seriously, but, whatever your sexual preference, there is something for everyone. When Chuck and Evan, friends of Rick and Steve, boasted a quickie for them lasts two hours and they do it six days a week, I turned to my boyfriend and gave him a long hard look. I was jealous of an animated plastic character.
And so to dessert - Lipstick Jungle, Living's new US import. Written by Sex and the City's Candace Bushnell, it tells the story of three female friends and how they juggle their personal lives with their successful careers.
These women have got to the top in spite of men and they are keen to make sure we damn well know about it.
This does not have the pace of Sex and the City but does have good dialogue and allows us women to indulge in the fantasy world of having a younger man who wants you or being swept off your feet by a rich man. It empowered me. There you have it. I came to the end of my three courses. I went to bed full and with my man. I was completely satisfied... well nearly.
Angellica Bell is the presenter of ITV2's Celeb Air
Merlin was a surprise - it made me jump as much as it made me smile. I smiled mostly at the fine array of good-looking young lads with their kissable lips. It was exciting, enchanting, dangerous, scary and sweet, all in one.
What often confused me in this episode was the period setting against the ultra modern inflections and dialogue. Sometimes what I was seeing did not seem to fit with what I was watching on the screen. But that is small fuss.
The story of a young hero who would be killed if people knew of his inherent magical powers is never going to fail.
I do not think this is the new Smallville, but it is certainly a drama worth turning your phone off and losing yourself in, if for no other reason than the kissable lips on show.
I had no idea what to expect when I put on the DVD of Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World. I presumed that it would be a one-off hour-long programme on two gay men who wear a lot of pink and like having their cracks waxed.
But, in fact, it is a brilliant animation set in a town inhabited only by gays and lesbians that gave me the excuse to howl at the TV laughing at every inappropriate and un-PC remark about homosexuality ever made.
I even laughed at a joke about Aids! I mean, whenever is that an option?
It felt accurate but obviously embellished for the sake of laughs. It was very well observed and painfully honest, an accumulation of all the jokes people crack behind closed doors. I thought it was all very relieving.
Somewhere between Desperate Housewives and Sex and the City, Lipstick Jungle gives us another load of dysfunctional power women who show us that even the most perfect of us are flawed. It was all a bit obvious.
Three best friends: a career woman whose husband feels inferior; the rejected wife of a man who does not notice her; and the beautiful singleton whose business is collapsing and is pursued by a billionaire.
All the boxes are ticked, we can find a piece of ourselves in each of them; but I felt like I had seen it all before. I will be sticking to Carrie and Gabrielle. I do not think my head could cope with more hysteria.
Dawn Porter is a journalist and presenter of Extreme Wife on Channel 4
