Get Shorty gets short shrift, but Jamie’s OK

▼ GET SHORTY (SkY aTlanTic)

Given the number of films and TV shows that are remakes, or “based on” a book, you’d be forgiven for thinking that there are no original ideas left.

Everything has been done and our imaginations are simply exhausted.

The latest in the neverending line of remakes is Get Shorty.

It’s based on the 1995 film of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1990 novel of the same name.

See what I mean?

Chris O’Dowd plays Miles Daly, a dodgy character who works for an even dodgier boss, Amara.

Chris is basically a loser – but he’s a loser with dreams.

When he discovers a blood-covered film script, he decides a career in Hollywood is the way to escape his deadbeat life and win his estranged wife back.

It sounded good, but it plodded along. There is so much choice nowadays, is it worth sticking with a programme that doesn’t grab you in the first 20 minutes?

I could have watched a couple of episodes back to back, but a second felt a bit too much like homework.

I knew I should, but I just couldn’t be bothered with it.

Hollywood’s reliance on remakes to keep the tills ringing is understandable. If something worked the first time, chances are surely high that it will work again and again.

With Get Shorty, though, I’m not sure that’s the case. I’ll let you know if I ever get round to watching the second episode.

▼ JaMiE’S QUick anD EaSY FOOD (cHannEl 4)

Jamie Oliver comes in for a lot of stick. But the man can cook.

In this series, he makes delicious-looking dishes with just five ingredients each.

For a disaster-chef like me, it gives me hope all is not lost in the kitchen.