Taking The Flak on BBC2 last night was possibly the actual dictionary definition of ‘gentle comedy’. In fact, so gentle was it, I barely smiled never mind actually laughed.

The concept was that a BBC correspondent, and decidedly tiny fish in the seemingly shark infested pool of journalism, Harry Chambers, had reported from a far-flung African village called Karibu on the increasing tensions and fighting there. The story was picked up by the global press and bigwigs from the BBC turned up.

Cue Martin Jarvis – who looked remarkably like he was parodying John Simpson – as David who took all the limelight and credit for the emerging story, much to little fish Harry’s dismay. This it would seem is termed “bigfooting” by those in the know. Meanwhile, BBC producer Jane was haggling for rooms at the local hotel where she got to choose if the rooms were on the shooting side or the mortar side. Read more & comment »

A small African war suddenly becomes the centre of global attention when a team of BBC journalists arrives in Karibu, ready to cover the conflict, as this new comedy drama starring Martin Jarvis begins.

Local “stringer” Harry (Bruce Mackinnon) is hanging on to the bottom of the journalist ladder and thinks the story will be his big break. But he finds himself “bigfooted” when BBC News heavyweights, including senior foreign correspondent David Bradburn (Martin Jarvis), flanked by his production team, and Margaret Hollis (Joanna Brookes) from the World Service, arrive in town.

Read more & comment »