”This documentary didn’t so much tour the celebrated vineyards of Champagne as stagger about with a magnum in its fist”

Joanna and jennifer absolutely champers (2)

Joanna & Jennifer: Absolutely Champers, BBC1

The best aspect was that neither Saunders nor Lumley rehearsed their lines or engaged in scripted banter; they just said whatever occurred to them. True, this often made the show a little unfocused and random, but at least they were being themselves and not performing seals.
Carol Midgley, The Times

This documentary didn’t so much tour the celebrated vineyards of Champagne as stagger about with a magnum in its fist, hooting and screeching, before falling flat on its back and burbling at the sky.
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

I think I am just disappointed it’s not Edina and Patsy swerving around champagne country, sloshed, falling out of the Citroën on to the road, when the gendarmes pull them over. Those are the best bits, the clips from Ab Fab.
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

Darcey Bussell: Looking for Fred Astaire, BBC1

Bussell tracked and narrated his life with great poise, managing to contribute to the documentary without dominating it in a me-me way (as other Strictly judges might have done).
Carol Midgley, The Times

Darcey Bussell was an assured presenter, talking us through the life of one of her heroes. She’s done this before, with Margot Fonteyn and Audrey Hepburn, and she’s good: confident on her facts and capable of explaining complex technicalities without getting bogged down.
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

MasterChef: The Professionals, BBC2

For a high-stakes final, the concluding episode of MasterChef: The Professionals ultimately drooped a bit at the edges. Still, the food looked incredible, the appraisers were chipper (even Wareing, whose scary beard seemed to mark him out as the Simon Cowell of the pack), the contestants agreeably humble.
Ed Power, Telegraph

It’s very puerile, and very boysy, but undeniably amusing. All of it. Plus it’s for a good cause – they make a lovely tea for a bunch of heroes. Well done everyone.
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

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