In the Great Scheme of the Universe Can Things Only Get Better?

Brian Cox is one of the new generation of science presenters that don’t look like crazy scientists should. Young and hip, these new sciensters are media savvy and tv friendly. Professor Cox, formerly a member of ‘D-Ream’, is the latest in a long line of rock star astronomers and physicists spanning that universe from Brian May to, er, Brian Cox.‘Wonders of the Universe’ (BBC2) takes us out of the Solar System and asks the really big questions that ‘thetvrevieguy’ likes to have explained for him in…really…simple…terms and on this front, Cox doesn’t disappoint. That’s not to say Cox talks down to his audience; this is really complicated stuff, and as Cox himself said, some of the material is barely skating undergraduate physics let alone heavy duty equations (thank God) and jargon-filled discussions. Instead (and this is something the BBC has good form on) graphics and narration tell the story of how and why we’re all here. He addresses the really big questions; what happened before the big bang? How will it all end? Do aliens roam our planet in disguise? (ok, ‘thetvreviewguy’ made up the last one but you get the picture).  Light years ahead of other tv space/science programmes.

Going Ape - Evolution

Are we still evolving? Well, that all depends on who you're talking too. Steve Jones, leading boffin, reckons we've stopped and took a graveyard walk with host Alice Roberts to show how mortality rates have improved through natural selection and, of course, modern medicine. Meanwhile, another White Coat reckons we're still changing and, surprisingly, we're getting shorter and fatter. Either way, BBC2's 'Horizon' hit the nail on the head again for the non-technical viewer, i.e. 'thetvreviewguy' who tries to make a date with this enjoyable and informative programme whenever he can. Alright, he may not fully understand the quantum mechanics stuff and the multi-universe theories (indeed, being honest, hardly at all), but at least he feels a but cleverer after tuning in. Dr Alice Roberts, a foxy egghead if ever there was one, is never less than a likeable and learned host as she steers us. It's less than 100 years since the Scopes Trial and vast swathes of the American South believe in the literal truth of Genesis; even the 'tvreviewguy' knows that fossils are more than 4000 years old. Science on TV doesn't have to dumb down to be watchable and 'Horizon' has kept pretty high standards since first being on air in 1964. As MTV used to say, 'Feed Your Mind'.

Riddle Me This...Great Unanswered Questions

Who is the best person to have on a quiz team? A generalist? A specialist? Or, in the case of 'Great Unanswered Questions' (BBC2); how about someone who knows everything? Dr David Booth, in the eyes of 'thetvreviewguy', seems to be (and emphasis on the words seems); one of the smartest people on the telly. Booth is amiably accompanied by comedian host Colin Murphy, bearded nerd Matthew Collins and a different celebrity guest each week. The Science Doctor answers questions on everything, without apparently goggling, being wired for sound or reading from cog notes on every subject from archery to zoology. Smart TV is in short supply and 'Great Unanswered Questions' treats their viewers as smart too. We live in a paradoxical world where instead of handling a surplus of information through specialisaton, we do process information by knowing some things about many things; the ubiquity of information resources means that we can get legitimately tell ourself that learning is so analogue. 'Great Unanswered Questions' takes trivia and expands it; we get the factoid but also the reason behind it. Most appealingly, it feels like fun and the conversation is kept on a smiley keel by Murphy who is often gobsmacked by what his panellists know about 'stuff'. There are Known Knowns, Unknown Knowns and what Booth and Collins know; 'thetvreviewguy' knows he likes this, but knows he has lot more to know after each viewing.

Easy like Sunday Evening

‘The Sunday Night Show’ (ITV) is, shock horror, surprisingly good. ITV has produced a ton of rubbish over the last few years. Since the breaking up of the franchise, it has nearly always chased ratings over quality. So what does ‘thetvreviewguy’ like about ‘The Sunday Night Show’? Adrian Chiles, Brummie Everyman, chairs a panel for a half hour of chat looking back on the week. There are ultra quick ‘celebrity’ interviews (uhm ‘Coronation Street’s Ken Barlow and charlatan health doctor – she of the fake MD – Gillian McKeith were on last Sunday). There’s still some unfortunate ‘and now for something completely different’ links from trying a break a silly world record to the Egyptian revolt.  Chiles, however, is perfect in the role; he has a lightness of touch and proves he’s no dummy when it comes to current affairs. And it has a great slot; 10pm on a Sunday night is usually when ‘the fear’ of the working week hits home. This show lightens your mood and allows you to put of the inevitable ensuing depression that comes when the thought of re-boarding the day ship enters the mind. Give yourself a well earned break and go with ‘thetvreviewguy’s recommendation to tune into ‘The Sunday Night Show’.

They Shall Not Pass

The catchphrase 'I've started so I'll finish' will have a certain resonance for the over 30s viewer by instantly reminding them of 'Mastermind' (BBC2) and the magnificent Magnus Magnusson. In the multi-channel, multi-platform world of today, we might consider the universal appeal of a high-brow quiz show to be quaint and strange. When a taxi driver took on and beat University lecturers and professionals it was remarkable; you could have easily renamed the show 'Battle of the Classes'. The downside for many, but not in the opinion of 'thetvreviewguy', is that 'Mastermind' heralded the way for a generation of pale imitations and mountebanks to the world of knowledge and, yes, they're probabl thinking of the egregious Anne Robinson. The question writers never set out to embarrass; this is solely done achieved by the poor contestants themselves who crash and burn under fire. It's a contest of wits and a clean fight to boot; there's no room for strategizing or tactics, your score depends on how well you know your specialist subject and how you stand up against the pressure of being on TV. It's a family favourite too and demonstrates that the pursuit and expression of knowledge can make for excellent viewing. Although 'thetvreviewguy' doesn't warm as much to the present host John Humphreys as to his predecessor, he still enjoys watching one of the smarter programmes on the box.

Look Into My Eyes! Look Into My Eyes!

We all love a bit of magic, don't we? Well no. But uber-nerd, David Meade, in BBC2 Northern Ireland's 'The David Meade Project', follows in the post-David Copperfield/David Blaine generation (who could do us all a favour and disappear, geddit?!), of likeable magicians using smarts and humour rather than smarm and slickness to appeal to the audience. A softly spoken Northern Irish man, Meade isn't entirely original; Derren Brown's been there before with a lot of the hypnosis and implanted imagery but Meade gets away with it by being so low key. He is a talented conference speaker as well as a master of psychological manipulation and tv magician.And he doesn't try to tell us any rubbish about this being supernatural or spooky - he is a self-confessed 'mentalist' (!) and plays some great tricks on the mind that are based on trickery, not spookery. That's not to say he doesn't occasionally suceed in scareing the bejaysus out of the viewer; and 'thetvreviewguy' doesn't scare easily (actually he does but won't admit it here). Smarter than Paul Daniels, not as funny as Penn and Teller but ultimately a very engaging personable entertainer, Meade will go far - and why shouldn't he, he has powers...

Staying In Is The New Going Out

Lee Mack and Tim Vine are two of the funniest comedians around today. The fact that they both star in 'Not Going Out' (BBC1) makes for an hilarious, genuinely witty half hour of entertainment. Mack and Vine are superb one-line deliverers - they remind 'thetvreviewguy' of the power of the joke over the situation; their characters are vehicles for excellent gag delivery and no harm there. It's a warm programme, full of great puns, sideways jokes and clever remarks. Add Miranda Hart (who appeared in previous shows before moving on to her own series) another great comedic talent, to the mix, and you have a top-class comedy that bears repeat viewing. Imagine 'Friends' meets 'Cold Feet' with lots of invention, wit and originality and you have 'Not Going Out'. Quotes such  this 'You know what they say. No man is an island.What about the Isle of Man?' make 'thetvreviewguy' chortle and guffaw with the best of them. There are literally dozens of lines like that that will have you appreciate quality writing and superb timing. Give yourself a laugh and get this out from the DVD store now; 'thetvreviewguys' hot tip for beating those New Year blues.