Fishing for some insight
LOOK, I know you’ll think I’m mad for saying this but I really think Ed Balls should go into politics. At least if his new documentary series is anything to go by. The man who first came to prominence as Britain’s best loved comedy dancer certainly seems to have a grasp of what makes people tick.
That, plus he appears to know how to listen.
TRAVELS IN EUROLAND WITH ED BALLS is a new three-parter in which he sets out to discover why so many people across the continent are rejecting mainstream parties. Ed is worried about the rise of the far Right, but he’s equally concerned that extremist politicians could exploit voters with more moderate views – essentially, those simply right of centre – by playing on their darkest fears.
Rather than just bang on about this, Ed sets out to meet ordinary voters face to face, to listen to their concerns and to gain a deeper understanding as to the appeal of Europe’s populist parties.
He starts off by hanging out with some Dutch fishermen, all deeply concerned that their traditional way of life and national identity is under threat.
Over on ITV, meanwhile, we begin a fascinating new documentary series called INSIDETHE CROWN: SECRETS OF THE ROYALS (9pm), unfolding over four parts (although, who knows, it may soon have enough extra material to make that five) and looking back over the Queen’s reign, from the
Coronation to the present day. Packed with the sort of royal archive clips which, call me soft in the head, I never tire of watching, plus contributions from historians, biographers and the sort of “insiders” who take little persuasion to turf up on shows like this, it will focus in each instalment on a different theme.
Episode one carries a particularly timely title: Love And Duty. As well as looking at on one current royal pair in particular, it recalls the turmoil caused when EdwardVIII abdicated in 1936, unwilling to end his relationship with US divorcee Wallis Simpson, and on the crisis into which the family was plunged as Charles and Diana’s marriage fell apart.
Also tonight we have the return of SAVE MONEY: LOSE WEIGHT
(ITV, 8.30pm), with hosts Sian Williams and Dr Ranj Singh promising to help us stick to our new year dieting resolutions, even though for most of us it’s a bit blooming late.
Road-testing a dozen diets for both effectiveness and value, it starts by looking at the latest fasting regime and at a mealreplacement shake plan, the latter meaning you skip your dinner and just stand there wobbling like an idiot instead.