Stuff I Watched: 27th Nov – 1st Dec 2009

This instalment of Stuff I Watched was an absolute ball-breaker to write.  I don’t know why exactly.  I also don’t quite know why I’m telling you.

Comedy Showcase: The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret: Channel 4 (Recorded 27th Nov Watched 27th Nov)

This was probably my most eagerly anticipated programme of the year.  How could an Arrested Development fan not be excited at the thought of David Cross making his on Channel 4 sitcom pilot?  Especially when you learn that Will Arnett will also be making an appearance.  Part of me wanted to watch just because I couldn’t quite believe that they’d both be in a UK-based sitcom.  Anyway, it was directed by Anthony & Joe Russo, who directed Arrested Development, and co-starred Spike Jonze, Sharon Horgan and Russell Tovey.  It had an awful lot to live up to.

Almost inevitably, it fell a little flat, but it was still very good.  The plot centred around the eponymous Todd Margaret (Cross), who accidentally gets promoted following a misunderstanding and is transferred to the UK.  His life then goes rapidly downhill following a series of increasingly poor decisions.  It was probably a little light on laughs, but there were some great moments, such as Margaret getting off his face on energy drinks and berating all the customers in a cafe.  It felt like they had created a complete world for the series to live in, so it would be a shame if we didn’t get to see how they’d develop it in to a full series.

Comedy Showcase: PhoneShop: Channel 4 (R 13th Nov W 29th Nov)

This pilot has already been picked up for a full series, and it’s easy to see why – it’s hilarious.  Apparently Ricky Gervais was the script editor and you can certainly see his influence/why he was chosen (I don’t quite know what the script editor does).  Unsurprisingly, it’s about the goings on in a mobile phone shop, and this episode followed a new sales person’s first day in the job.  It doesn’t sound promising, but then, a day in the life of a Slough paper merchants doesn’t sound that exciting either.  My favourite lines came from a montage of the sales team in action: ’I think if Jade was still with us, this is the phone she would have chosen.’ and ‘Let’s talk about what insurance package that Jay Z might have with this phone.’

I’m looking forward to the full series.

I’ve Loved You So Long: SkyPremiere (R 15th Nov W 1st Dec)

A French drama about a woman (Kristin Scott Thomas) who returns to her family after 15 years in prison and struggles to adapt.  It all sounds a little dull, but the French are masters at making movies where nothing happens and yet they’re totally compelling anyway.

The best part of the film was Scott Thomas’s performance.  She’s one of those actors who I know, but don’t really have an opinion on. That has certainly all changed as she was completely mesmerising throughout.  Her pain was really quite palpable.   There was a scene where she comes face to face with her mother for the first time, since leaving prison, that was particularly heartbreaking.

If I was nit-picking, you could say that it was a little long.  If they had lost 20 minutes, it would have felt a lot leaner.  It’s highly recommended, though.

Modern Family: Sky One (R 29th Nov W 1st Dec)

I gave up on this series about five minutes in to the second episode but, since it’s had so many positive reviews, and this episode in particular had an especially ringing endorsement from unpopcult, I thought I’d give it another go.  By the way, it was the episode with Fizbo the clown.

Sadly, I didn’t like it.  I was tempted just not to write about it; I don’t like it when people feel the need to slag off something that isn’t their cup of tea, just to get some sad sense of superiority.  I thought I’d comment though because I didn’t laugh once and it’s just so strange how senses of humour can be so different.  I only ever read positive reviews of the series and I really feel like I’m being cheated out of something.  You can never have too much good comedy in your life.

We Need Answers: BBC4 (R 1st Dec W 1st Dec)

It was a welcome return for the extremely silly quiz with 3, yes 3, presenters (Mark Watson, Tim Key and Alex Horne).  It had a 3 episode ’try-out’ earlier in the year and now it’s back for a full 13-part series.  I read something describing the show as a mix between Shooting Stars and QI – which doesn’t seem very accurate, but I can’t think of anything better.  It’s not going to change your life but it’s a fun way to spend half an hour.  And how can you not like a show that has more presenters than contestants?

This weeks theme was: ‘Women (and Steven Gerrard)’.