The Simpsons, Still Crazy After All These Years

Okay, it's an obvious one but it's still up there in the TV Comedy Pantheon. 'The Simpsons', a great alternative to the nightly drip-drip of depressing and exasperating recession-filled news, helps us laugh at our daily woes, reminds us of the power of humour and makes us feel smart without feeling smug. Never afraid to tilt at politicians, celebrities and human foibles in general, the series provides, to paraphrase Homer, a welcome distraction from the twin drudgeries of work and family. Very few TV shows have lasted more than twenty years; it is testimony to the quality of the writing, universality of the characters and bite of some of the wittiest writing on TV that audiences are still loving this brilliant series. Yes, some episodes are funnier than others but 'thetvreviewguy' has always felt that the least funny 'Simpsons' episode is superior to the best of what has passed for TV comedy in the last two decades. Homer is Everyman and the older one gets, the more hilarious he seems. It is, by now, an American cultural icon. Here's to another twenty years of comedy gold.

Two and a Half Men not Quite Half Good

'Two and Half Men' (TAHM) is another on-in-the-background show and programme that never ceases to amaze 'thetvreviewguy' at how lucky Charlie Sheen is. His father was the most popular fictional US President ever, he (Charlie) never appears to be actually acting, and, most galling of all, he gets paid about a million bucks an episode. The storylines mirror Sheen the Younger's life to an uncanny degree; hookers, drinking and, in Philip Larkin's phrase, avoiding the 'toad work' where and whenever possible. His daffy next door neighbour is always chasing him, his brother is never quite as cool as Charlie and both do a passable job of bringing up the half man in question. It's never hilarious and frequently hackneyed but always comforting in its familiarity and is occasionally quotable. Charlie is the Slacker Supremo; we don't really want to dwell to much on his demons in the real world, we just want predictable guffaws and a easy wind down after the working day. TAHM mostly has 'thetvreviewguy' thinking 'Now why can't I get paid a shed load of money writing stuff like this?' but less so than over a myriad of worse sit-coms out there.

'Middle' Brow

 'The Middle' is one of those production line, US, ordinary Joe, family comedies that 'thetvreviewguy' would normally flick past. Instead, he likes this 'Malcolm in the Middle' copy that capitalises on Patricia Heaton's ('Everybody Loves Raymond') talents as a down-trodden Soccer Mom heading into middle-aged territory. Her hapless (okay, nobody said this was hugely original) husband and kids provide some nice comedy foils for the viewer. It's the sort of show you might have on in the background while web-surfing or reading a paper (you've heard of newspapers, right?); this is more than passable. Ideal family viewing, it takes a few swipes at the Bush legacy; we suspect that Frankie Heck is, at the very least, a Blue Dog Democrat. Worth a watch and you will find yourself smiling if not belly laughing; 'thetvreviewguy' advises a 'Hold' on this TV share.

Big Brother Isn't Watching You Anymore

Finally, no more 'Big Brother' on Channel 4. The show simply ran out of viewers, it was critically slammed for most of the decade and was dying for at least the last four years. It was a series that ruthlessly exploited weakness and character flaws in the name of democracy and inclusion.It was a morality tale constructed by amoral producers, cynical presenters, glib advertisers and duplicitous programme commissioners. It was a show that accelerated the path to fame but also speeded up the problems and difficulties of overnight success. While there were funny and even endearing moments, it was mostly tedious and contrived. It blundered into 'race rows' and other issues far beyond the programme makers competency. It made a few very wealthy while lowering standards on 'terrestrial' tv. It hadn't been followed by 'thetvreviewguy' since 2006 and even then he knew none of his friends were watching it. 'Big Brother' will chiefly be remembered for two things: a brilliantly evocative theme tune and the iconic Northern continuity announcer. TV can only get better, can't it...?

Mythbusters - Ball-Bearingly Bustingly Good

Imagine a show where the presenters get an enormous kick out of causing huge explosions, crashing cars to destruction, travelling as much as their budget will allow and you have...'Top Gear'. No, as Jeremy Clarskon might say, you don't. Instead you have the much more likeable programme and team that is 'Mythbusters' on 'Discovery'. Playing in Ireland at that great just-in-after work time slot, it appears effortless. A bunch of science and special effects geeks, and one geekess, have as much fun as they can trying to prove or disprove urban myths such as can a cent dropped from a skyscraper kill people (eh, obviously not actually carried out) and will fizzy bottles launch someone into the air. All highly entertaining and presented in a humorous and, subversively when ratings are king, educational manner. It's perfect couch TV viewing and always makes 'thetvreviewguy' smile, say 'Really?', 'No Way!', or in the words of Corey, the skater dude presenter, 'Man, that is sick!!'. 'Mythbusters' single-handedly makes up for the plethora of Hitler documentaries that are screened after it ends. Cool viewing but...don't try any of it at home.

'The Week in Politics'...a VERY long time...

RTE's 'The Week in Politics' has to be one of the dullest, beltway, anorak programmes about politics in the english speaking world. Firstly, it makes for incredibly depressing viewing on a Sunday night before the start of the working week. The presenter appears to be going through the angry motions although 'thetvreviewguy' sees him as being so inside that the only peeing he'll be doing from the tent will be in an outside direction. Secondly, who watches this? Politics is vibrant, it's about how we live our lives and impacts on us everyday yet we have a crew of jaded sophists unable to make enoromous subjects of huge significance even the slightest bit interesting. RTE is a public service broadcaster, they have a duty and, mostly, the training, to make these issues lively and stimulating. And what do we get? Chicago School economics ad nauseum, endless process stories and very little original analysis. Thirdly, if we don't get serious, proper politcal coverage, we just end up with more apathy and the state broadcaster must share in the blame for this. 'The Week in Politics' always seems like a rainy month...