Luke-warm feast for Star Wars fans
FRIDAY NIGHT FEAST CHANNEL4, TONIGHT, 8PM
I thought I had a dream the other night that featured Luke Skywalker asking Han Solo for some spotted dick.
It wasn’t a dream, as it turns out (thankfully).
No, it was merely my subconscious processing an early preview of Friday Night Feast (tonight, Channel 4, 8pm) the cookery show presented by Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty.
Now, you might think a show presented by those two would be doubly annoying. And you’d be right.
But tonight brings a genuine sprinkle of stardust which see special guest Mark Hamill joking about persuading Harrison Ford to order weirdly English grub (hence the spotted dick) and make proper Yorkshire puddings.
Of course, the Star Wars franchise is back stronger than ever and Hamill is obviously prepared to go out and flog the movie – not that he needs to – but he is surely the greatest guest the presenters will ever have on their show.
For sheer oddity, this is one to watch out for...
If you can remember going to the cinema when Star Wars first came out, then tomorrow brings another show that will transport you at light-speed back to your youth.
John Noakes – TV Hero (BBC2, 5.30pm) is a well-deserved tribute to the man many of us feel like we grew up with. Alongside his trusty companion Shep, Noakes was the cool guy in Blue Peter, the earthy, mischievous one who looked like the kind of teacher you’d love to have.
He climbed Nelson’s Pillar without any safety gear, he had more crashes than the cast of Top Gear and he was treated appallingly by the BBC.
His death in May was quickly overtaken by other events we have endured this year, but the news still caused a pang of genuine sadness for many of us.
Sadly, he will still be remembered by many for his appearance on The Weakest Link a few years ago when he broke down when asked about the long dead Shep.
His response was one of such raw emotion and grief, still present even decades after the dog’s death, that even the normally bloodthirsty Anne Robinson quickly moved on.
This is a well deserved trot down memory lane, but not an entirely happy one, given the disgraceful way he was treated by the BBC.
Whether the show explores the darker side of his relationship with the corporation remains to be seen, as previews weren’t available. But it’s nice to see a man who was such an important presence in so many kids’ lives being properly recognised.
Finally a quick word on It’s A Wonderful Life, which was shown Sky Movies on Wednesday.
The word is ‘No’ – too bloody soon.