The Herald - The Herald Magazine
TV review Outback mystery is out there in style and attitude
Reginald D Hunter’s Songs of the Border (BBC2, 9pm)
The border between the US and Mexico has been in the news a lot recently thanks to President Donald Trump and his wall, but as comedian Reginald D Hunter discovers, it’s also long held sway over the imagination of songwriters in both countries. In this documentary, Reginald takes a 2,000-mile road trip along the border to learn what music can tell us about the relationship between the nations. He discovers that classic American pop and country has often portrayed Mexico as a land of escape and romance but also danger, while the music created by some of the 36 million Mexican-Americans who are also US citizens offers its own insights into topical issues such as identity, immigration and drug smuggling.
Comedy Gold: Les Dawson and Friends (Channel 5, 10pm)
He was king of the one-liner, ace piano player and a friend to mothers-in-law everywhere. When Les Dawson passed away in 1993, aged 62, the nation lost one of its best-loved entertainers. This celebration of the charmingly lugubrious comedian features priceless routines and moments from the archives. It also shows how Dawson forged his deadpan act on the working men’s club circuit in the north-west of England and went on to TV stardom, hosting shows such as Blankety Blank, The Les Dawson Show and Opportunity Knocks.
SUNDAY
RAF 100: Into the Blue (BBC2, 1.25pm)
As the RAF celebrates the centenary of its formation, BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth follows the story of her grandfather. Edwin Raworth was a pilot in the RAF’s predecessor, the Royal Flying Corps, the air arm of the British Army before and during the First World War, until it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service on April 1, 1918. Using clues among his possessions, Sophie pieces together Edwin’s
IF there are any nervous horses in the vicinity, please ask them to leave while we discuss
Then again, horses played a key role in this daring reimagining of Joan Lindsay’s 1967 novel, so maybe they should stick around. In, out, whatever, shut that barn door and let us crack on.
You were in for a surprise if Peter Weir’s starchy movie was your only experience of the tale of four young ladies who vanish while on an outing from their boarding school in Australia. This adaptation oozed grooviness, with Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer as the sunglasses-wearing, secrets-hoarding owner of the school. When she strutted her stuff, rock music played. Even when she was not strutting, it played. The style recalled Marie Antoinette, Sofia Coppola’s achingly trendy film about the French queen which featured New Order and Bow Wow Wow on the soundtrack.
Episode one was stuffed with portent, with a lot of sighing going on, strange noises occurring and horses sweating and snorting all over the shop. I think sex was in the air, or maybe it was just awfully hot.
was sheer class from start to finish of the first episode. Perhaps it was the obvious amount of money spent bringing to the screen Gillian Flynn’s novel about a washed-up reporter returning to her hometown to investigate the disappearances of young girls. More likely it was Amy Adams, genuine movie star, playing said reporter. Between her character’s taste for swigging miniatures and her general to-heck-with-the-world attitude, Adams is a long way from her princess days in Enchanted. It suits her.
Boosting the class factor further is Patricia Clarkson playing mommie
experiences and those of other young men who fought and died above the battlefields of France and Belgium. Sue Barker presents live coverage of the men’s singles final at the All England Club, as the 13th and final day of competition draws to a close on the famous grass courts. All eyes will be on the hallowed turf of Centre Court, where this time 12 months ago it was Roger Federer who was celebrating. Federer’s straight-sets win over Marin Cilic saw him win his 19th Grand Slam title, claiming a men’s record eighth Wimbledon title in the process. He also became the oldest man in the Open era to win at SW19.