The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
This week’stv reviews
Gayle finds herself mesmerised by Kelvin Fletcher’s hot dance moves and is fascinated by a debate on Coke versus Pepsi
It’s one of those big, hotly-debated topics – are you a Coke or Pepsi person? I’ve always preferred Pepsi but Coke will do if that’s all that’s being offered. Thus, I found myself strangely drawn to Channel 5’s documentary on the battle between the two fizzy beverages – Coca-cola vs Pepsi: Cola Wars – as I furiously channel-hopped on Monday night. Potentially a very dull watch, it surprised me by being quite entertaining.
Basically, the show took us on a trip down memory lane, with clips of adverts run through the decades, and an insight into some of the underhand marketing ploys devised by the rival companies.
Most insane was the $5 million Pepsi partnership with Michael Jackson in 1983 where he became the first pop star to front campaigns for the brand. Wacko Jacko moonwalked and boogied his way through the ad, which featured a reworking of the track Billie Jean.
The documentary also spotlighted the negative backlash against the controversial Kendall Jenner Pepsi ad of 2017, which saw the model at a protest. It was criticised for trivialising demonstrations and people boycotted Pepsi until the ad was pulled.
Coke experienced a major marketing fail, too, when in 1985 they ditched the original version. “There’s no reverence for the secret formula!” cried outraged fans. As a result, Coke brought back the original, and the world’s fizzy drinkers breathed a collective sigh of relief.
The show also looked at what the future holds for the battling rivals, with Coke hatching plans for vending machines which allow consumers to “toggle” ingredients and flavours, as well as developing cannabis-infused wellness drinks.
I also watched the first live Strictly Come Dancing show on BBC One, and was, quite honestly, blown away. It’s not a show I usually bother with (kill me now) but I have to admit, I’m hooked on the latest series. This is largely down to Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, who turned up the heat with his sizzling Samba. The muscle-bound hunk wowed judges and viewers with his first routine alongside Oti Mabuse, and found himself top of the leaderboard.
It was also mesmerising to watch sports presenter Mike Bushell leaping around like a jumping bean. The judges gave him mixed reviews, mostly praising his energy, but Craig Revel Horwood’s comment, that he looked like an “overwound tin toy”, wasn’t perhaps the most complimentary.
As a big Corrie fan, it was interesting to watch Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Eva, struggling with dizziness and attempting not to vomit while being twirled around by partner Johannes during their waltz. “I’m glad you didn’t vomit but it might have made things more entertaining,” joked Revel Horwood. He also praised Catherine, saying: “You’ve got great potential”. It’ll be fascinating to see who wins the series but I’m rooting for Kelvin!