A politician, a speech, an assassin ... erm, that sounds a bit familiar!
One of the early criticisms directed at comedy drama No
Offence (Ch4) was that, although the script was sharp and clever, nobody had a clue what was going on.
now back for a third series, the action is a little easier to follow. But unfortunately, the plot of the opening episode bore an uncanny resemblance to the BBC’s runaway hit Bodyguard.
A politician was making a speech at the Town Hall when, despite a heavy police presence, an assassin made an attempt on the politician’s life, resulting in the death of a police officer.
The suspected perpetrator was a former special forces soldier who had gone rogue. There was also the shock move of having a major character, DS Joy Freers, killed off very early on. Sound familiar?
Manchester police were on the case, led by Detective Inspector Vivienne Deering, a tough, foulmouthed copper with an arsenal of witty one-liners. She’s a cross between Jane Tennison from Prime Suspect and Victoria Wood.
The race was on to apprehend the shooter. His getaway driver was identified as being the leader of a Right-wing protest mob who had been dishonourably discharged from the army for hanging bacon from a mosque in Basra, Iraq. During interrogation he refused to give up the assassin until detectives threatened him with being put ‘in a category A prison with category A jihadis desperate to borrow a cup of sugar’.
Just when he looked likely to crack, the police were told to stand down as their arrest jeopardised a Special Branch operation.
Joanna Scanlan was splendid as the lead detective, even if some of her dialogue is just a tad too clever and contrived at times.
The action was fast-paced, shocking and stomach- churning in places — leaving you feeling dizzy and a bit overwhelmed. With five more episodes to go, it will be interesting to see whether the similarities to the other show die down.
There was nothing complicated at all about Celebrity Masterchef (BBC1). Just as Mastermind was accused of dumbing down for its famous contestants, the same could be said of Masterchef.
Forget gourmet cooking, last night we had steak and chips, peaches and cream and mashed carrot. The most amateur cook at home must have been yelling ‘ even I can do that’ at their TV screens.
Actress Lisa Maxwell (who cooked steak and chips) declared she wasn’t a confident cook and got stressed in the kitchen. So maybe don’t go on Masterchef?
Joining the line-up was Stella Parton, sister of Dolly, whose giant false eyelashes never budged as she slaved over her frying pan. Stella stated that she added a special ingredient to every dish: ‘a spoonful of love’.
For one challenge, the contestants were dispatched to a professional kitchen. But I don’t think the footage from Sophie’s Steakhouse in London will do the restaurant any favours.
Furniture designer Jay Blades was shown grabbing fistfuls of salad with his bare hands and moulding it into shape on plates. Let’s hope none of the plasters on his cuts and burns found their way into the dishes.
DJ Clara Amfo, who forgot to add cheese to her cheesecake, was sent home while the other three went into the next round.
Celebrity Masterchef is still highly entertaining, though. Gregg Wallace tackles every forkful like he hasn’t eaten in a week, while John Torode fights to find something encouraging to say about the slop in front of him.
But if the dishes get any simpler, John and Gregg will end up judging toast. CHRISTOPHER STEVENS is away.