Was Trump inspired by the APB?
We quickly go from detection to disbelief.
Just when you think it’s too absurd for a multimillionaire, with no prior knowledge of the police force, to take over the running of the Chicago 13th precinct, think again.
It’s already happened with the presidency. Billionaires have a habit of doing that. Strangely, APB (TV One, Mondays) played its trump card long before the outcome of the United States elections was known.
When multimillionaire Gideon Reeves stopped his armoured vehicle at a liquor store to buy a smoke and lighter, his CFO, Elliot Sully, joins him for protection. But, when the store is robbed, Sully is killed.
Reeves wants revenge and, instead of hiring a hitman, which would have been the sensible thing, he purchases a precinct. Not any precinct, but one that’s low on morale, lower on catching crims and high on equipment failure.
Gideon brings in Detective Drone, or a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) which is capable of anything including using a Taser, and teaches the uniformed cops a new golly gosh method of policing.
That’s almost believable but then his techno wizard, Ada Hamilton, creates a space age arsenal that Star Wars hadn’t even thought of. We quickly go from detection to disbelief.
During this time Chicago’s mayor is having second thoughts but, when Reeves captures the killer, all is forgiven. ‘‘Don’t ever under-estimate the bad guys of Chicago,’’ he says, meaning there’s more out there.
It’s harmless fun and the good guy wins if you don’t take it seriously. But then there’s a new president running the US, proving that anything’s possible. I wonder what the Central Police District would cost Bill Gates?
Let It Shine (UKTV, Sundays) is the first reality talent quest this year. Inspired by La La Land, there’ll be many more. I imagine ‘‘it’’ doesn’t mean him or her but their ability.
Let It Shine is one of the better ones. Instead of a recording contract that goes nowhere, a few gigs and a crimplene safari suit, the contestants get offered a role in Gary Barlow’s latest boy band musical, The Band.
It makes sense. London may be a tough, hothouse scene, but the series offers a real contract to the guys who reach the final.
While in Australia, I met family member John Dikkenberg, who’s sailing the Endeavour across the Tasman in two years’ time to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s first voyage to New Zealand.
I didn’t get to see all the fullscale replica ship, but on Coast (Sky 73, Wednesday) Neil Oliver did the honours and took viewers below decks. The Endeavour started life as a collier and was the best secondhand car its owners could find to send Cook on his way.
Two interesting facts arose. You couldn’t stand up downstairs – have we grown a foot in size since 1769? – and botanist Joseph Banks had a better cabin than James Cook because he invested in the voyage. Money talked, even in those days.
The 44-metre long Endeavour looked incredible and will make an amazing impact entering Wellington Harbour. There’s no reliable evidence it sailed up the Manawatu River from Foxton. Cow droppings and city council discharge may have de-turd it and warped the woodwork.
Big Little Lies (Soho, Sundays) has been created for movie celebs Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, and a host of lesser stars. Five school mums and the ocean play an important role as it meanders in search of a story line. There’s a lot of spume.
Somewhere in the future there’s a homicide, but the first episode strolls through all their neuroses, dislikes and status reports and doesn’t quite make it. Neither does the series.