Trip back to the ’90s is pure Ted brilliant

Derry Girls (Channel 4)

Who knew a trip back to The Troubles of 1990s Northern Ireland would provide much-needed comic relief from the January blues?

If you’re getting just a wee bit tired of the never-ending repeats of the last great Irish comedy that Channel 4 brought us (Father Ted), then check out Derry Girls (or, to paraphrase the series’ opening lines, Londonderry Girls, depending on your persuasion.)

We’re now four episodes into the all-too-brief six-week run and the laughs are yet to slow down.

Any notion beforehand that this might be a darkly comic look back at a dreadful period in Northern Ireland’s history have been dismissed, with only brief mention of The Troubles.

Instead, this is a riotous, daft, warm and quick-witted look back at our high school years in a time when being young and stupid didn’t have to be countered with considerations over what social media would make of our actions.

It’s to the credit of the talented 20-something cast that they’ve effortlessly slipped back into the ways of a teenager – simultaneously carefree and angst-ridden all of the time.

Already they’ve nearly burned down a chip shop, been accused of killing a nun and almost dodged an exam thanks to a seemingly miraculous encounter with a holy statue.

It’s not just Irish eyes that are smiling at this comedy gem.

frankie Drake mysteries (alibi)

There was a fair amount of publicity surrounding the crime channel’s latest detective series, which features a female private eye working in 1920s Toronto.

It sounded like it had potential, but after an interminably dull first episode, the only mystery is who this might appeal to.