HOSTAGE SITUATION
John Hamm stars in a thrilling drama based on a true story, there’s a podcast about what’s hot on TV and the Hairy Bikers dole out some advice
At the same time radio journalist Fred Heckman is preparing for an anniversary lunch with his wife, elsewhere in town Tony Kiritis is pointing a shotgun at the head of his banker.
In an erratic 911 call, Kiritis reveals he has a ‘dead man’s line’ attached to the weapon. If he is incapacitated in any way, the gun will fire and his hostage will be killed. Then he calls Heckman to ask for a live radio interview.
Though more used to acting on screen, Jon Hamm (Mad Men) is brilliant as the Indianapolis journalist whose desire for a good story drags him into the middle of a 63-hour hostage situation that draws on events of real life.
He and Joe Perrino as Kiritis have their work cut out for them in expressing extremes of emotion in what is essentially a duet between two very different men.
Hamm’s performance is restrained as the old-fashioned radio man attempts to take the unusual situation in his stride – but when he is worried or scared you feel it too.
Meanwhile, between Perrino’s deft treatment of his character and clever writing, you – like Americans back in 1977 – start to empathise with the man holding the shotgun.
WHERE TO START: The action gets going quickly in the first episode, when Fred picks up a phone call that just might save a man’s life.
10/10 (WOULD RECOMMEND)
Occasionally a show about TV comes along that’s actually more entertaining than the programmes they’re discussing.
10/10 is one of those rare finds, entirely thanks to hosts and friends Tolani Shoneye (from podcast The Receipts) and Gena-mour Barrett, who are the sort of genuinely warm and funny people that brighten up your day.
Spoilers often do not bother these two so make sure you’ve watched the featured show in advance.
WHERE TO START:
Bridgerton S2, in which Tolani and Gena-mour discuss an imaginary documentary pitch for Bad Cheese – an investigation into why we all started eating halloumi.