Norton’s novel twist holding all the aces
WELL DONE Graham Norton. Your novel Holding (ITV, Monday) has made its own TV genre. Congratulations on your… comedy crime drama, romantic mystery, whimsical travelogue.
On top of that, it’s one of the funniest whodunnits we’ve seen on TV, and we all need to escape a little right now – so a trip to County Cork was just the thing.
It was deftly directed by Kathy Burke, who cleverly extracted laughs wherever she could from a fine cast.
Although by the end of the episode I had pretty much suspected everyone in the village of murdering the victim, Tommy Burke, whose blackened skeletal remains were found on a building site.
Maybe it’s a Murder On The Orient Express scenario and everyone was too drunk to remember. There’s not much to do in a village in Cork and, with plentiful Guinness to enjoy, the alcohol problems were spilling over in this quirky story.
Drinking in bed was even practised by one of the elderly ladies. I guess that’s safer than sitting on a bar stool.
But it was her daughter Brid (Siobhan Mcsweeney) who enjoyed a glass like no other – and wasn’t afraid to show it. The tutting could be heard for miles around as she collected enough small bottles of wine to host a village tasting. It would surely be the shortest event on record. Bríd had been left at the altar by dear Tommy, so who can blame her. Go spit on his remains!
Pauline Mcglynn’s entertaining busybody is the eyes and ears of the drama, which is just as well because Conleth Hill’s Garda officer is not quite with it, not least as he’s having to consume the vast amounts of food prepared by his housekeeper,
Brenda Fricker’s Mrs Meany – including her love of butter!
When Sergeant Collins had to visit the crime scene without eating his hearty
Irish breakfast, she helpfully offered to put it “in a sandwich”. Bless.
It’s a shame it’s only four episodes – although Conleth Hill’s straining trousers couldn’t have coped with more.
One of the more enjoyable talent shows this year came to a conclusion this week.
The Great Cookbook Challenge (Channel 4, Monday) was Jamie Oliver’s easiest gig ever. He simply swanned around in the background, tasting a bit here, raising an eyebrow there, as he guided three contestants through a hectic final. He bonded with “Ian The Roofer” who was cooking good, honest food, much like Mr Oliver does.
He had imaginative recipes like Donna’s Potatoes, inspired by his wife, which was roasties with Stilton. Apparently, it was extremely tasty, as was his chilli con carne, and his full-on starter, Vampire Slayer Garlic Bread, with masses of garlic.
Whether Ian could have filled a
STEPHENSON’S ROCKET Ageless Shirley Bassey was a classy turn at the EE Baftas (BBC1, Sunday) with Diamonds Are Forever, but presenter Rebel Wilson had little to no sparkle in a routine which, at times, was utterly cringe-worthy. Her clueless cake for Benedict Cumberbatch surely made Sherlock wish he was back in Baker Street with Dr Watson, such was the wave of embarrassment that rippled around the Royal Albert Hall. Was it worse than Stephen Fry’s yearly gush fest? It’s a close call. But she is an actress, not a presenter. Why not give her some gag writers? Couldn’t be any worse.
cookbook – to be named The Skint Roofer – is another thing.
But maybe it was the title. With the number of named storms we have these days, you would be hard pushed to meet a penniless roofer.
Dominique’s much less exciting title, Let’s Cook Asian cookbook was the eventual winner in a hybrid food series which deserves another season. Please though, can Jamie throw some herbs around in the next one.
I wish I could report that Peaky Blinders (BBC1, Sunday) was improving.
But it continues to stumble along aimlessly, with Arthur, a rich character, barely in the show, while Tommy continues on his path to redemption – like we care. We know he’s a villain, one of TV’S best, so just give us some more of that, not a mithering character wrestling with life.
In last week’s episode his daughter Ruby died of TB which was awful. But that’s not a plot. Tommy went off to Scotland to visit some of his gypsy brethren.
It was a meaningless escapade in which next to nothing happened.
We also had Ada turn on the intelligent charm for the wicked Diana Mitford, who both talked archly about an Egyptian urn in a scene from Antiques Roadshow.
I didn’t believe a word Ada said. She’s meant to be from a crime family, where actions speak louder. I only hope she managed to nick the urn.
Much more satisfying was the conclusion of The Real Peaky Blinders (BBC2, Monday). We were entertained, in no particular order, by The Hooligans, The Elephant Boys and the improbably named Lads From The Village. More familiar names from the hit BBC drama also took centre stage, when Billy Kimber arrived on the scene, and got up to no good at a racecourse. In one incident, bookmaker Sidney Lewis (aka Alfie Solomons) was badly beaten after he refused to take a free bet from a thug.
I can’t see Paddy Power taking an interest in that either. At least, the visiting boys from Birmingham were immaculately presented in three-piece suits & boaters.
How we miss the gentleman gangster!