Unlike Taking The Flak – last night’s BBC2 comedic offering – BBC4’s Getting On was truly hilarious and for once, I didn’t feel like one of Dick Turpin’s victims where my license fee was concerned.

Filmed documentary style and directed by Oscar winner Peter Capaldi, it completely embraced and faultlessly put across the PC, paper strewn world of the modern hospital ward, and the characters were utterly believable.

From put-upon nurse Kim Wilde, played in wonderfully dead pan mode by Jo Brand – who of course used to be a nurse so she may well have drawn on her own experiences for this show – to the pedantic and patronising Consultant, Dr Moore, again played to perfection by Vicki Pepperdine, it was a real treat for anyone who truly appreciates dark humour. Read more & comment »

I didn’t see the first episode of The Speaker, and having seen the second, I’m very glad I didn’t – it would’ve been another hour of my life that I’d never get back…

From what I can gather, it’s something along the lines of the ‘Idol’ series of shows but this one focuses on the oratory abilities of 14 to 18 year olds which, according to Aunty Beeb’s blurb, “sees tough-talking teens, class jokers and shy, sensitive types go head to head as they learn to talk publicly and passionately about the things that matter to them.”

Why?? What for? What’s the point?

The premise of The Speaker is that 160 youngsters have been chosen from thousands of applicants and are “put through their paces in front of judges Jo, Jeremy and John” in four regional auditions. Only 20 will make it through to the next stage where they’ll face a series of “communication challenges” set by a team of mentors… Read more & comment »