In my Humble Opinion

'Opionated' (BBC2) is not a new format; it's a vehicle for Frank Skinner to ramble on and as such is watchable but not compelling. Like a lot of topical/news chat/quiz shows, the envelope has been pushed years ago. So, if you're prepared to watch a format that's been varied to death over the years, you may take your entertainment from the added value from the guests and host but not the structure. Skinner is old by tv standards but can still coin a good phrase and poke at some good targets; he has a genuinely thoughtful relationship with his studio audience, and, with his age and experience, knows not to act the diva. For 'thetvreviewguy', Skinner can still come up with a killer line in his clever monologue. He has become a witty, after-dinner speaker-type comic (on telly anyway), rather than a grenade-throwing provocateur and perhaps, for Skinner, this is no bad thing; it's very hard to maintain an 'Enfant Terrible' persona into middle and later age without seeming tiresome. A master of timing and an intelligent man, Skinner seems like a man at peace with himeslf; he makes presenting look easy and is relaxed enough not to let much bother him. And he has easily out-lived his former comedy partner David Baddiel as 'Talent' on network television. 'Opinionated' may not have a mean and hungry look but it makes 'thetvreviewguy' laugh. Chortle TV.

Modern Times

Take a Colombian babe, Al Bundy from 'Married with Children', his gay son, his high-maintenance  'Soccer Mom' daughter, the three family units they're part of and you have the nuts and bolts of a 'Modern Family' (SKY One), an eponymous tale of family life told with affection, humour and sharp observation. It's a cosy, relaxing evening's viewing and always leaves 'thetvreviewguy' comfortable in the knowledge that all families are dysfunctional, especially the ones on television. 'Modern Family' is a move away from 'Blue Collar ' Comedy at a time when recession/depression is making a thematic return to the mainstream; the three families are well-off by Irish standards; indeed, they're positively Cosby-esque in their lifestyles. But 'thetvreviewguy' isn't judging them on their household income but on the quality of the writing and 'Modern Family' doesn't disappoint. Characterisation is key and the writers don't invent zany, ludicrous behaviours out of character with the dramatis personae; every plot line has a reason and the lack of a studio audience makes this feel very un-sit com like. And, if like 'thetvreviewguy', you're reaching mid-life, well, it provides a wry view on life's quirks and mishaps. To paraphrase Homer Simpson, Modern Family is an excellent portrait of 'whatever year it is we're in now'. It's also effortless comedy and is another welcome addition to 'thetvreviewguy's' increasingly long list of Sunday evening wind-down TV.

How to Get Ahead in Advertising

Is it the era when men wore hats and women wore skirts, the often excoriating view of consumer capitalism, the brilliance of the writing or the quality of the acting the makes 'Mad Men' a leading brand in in modern televison? Who wouldn't want to start drinking in the office at 11 in the morning and smoke their lungs out all day while working? 'Mad Men' works brilliantly as satire, entertainment and, more profoundly, as a mirror to corporate and real life asking us to question what is real and what is appearance. Don Draper is highly sucessful and creative at the same time as he is miserable and conventional; as an ad man on Madison Avenue his job is to both bend reality by selling an illusory view of the world and to make the his target market feel comfortable and secure in a familiar milieu. 'Sterling Cooper' is about making money, not art; sure, Don gets to be more creative in a single week then most of us manage in a year but it's always with a view to the bottom line - there's no room for luxuries such as 'Art for Art's sake when promoting Lucky Strike. The characters are all too human: petty at work and at home, ethically compromised status obsessed and superficial in many aspects. However, it's also fair to say that the 'Mad Men' are funny, generous, considerate and admirable when they want to be. The series explains more, amuses more and moves more than most other tv dramas. A complete box set is essential to prepare for the coming fifth series; 'thetvreviewguy' suggests if you want to know how the mythmakers are the hidden persuaders in selling us all our daily bread, watch 'Mad Men'.