Horror in Paradise; 'Norway's Massacre'

The Breivik killing spree is one of those moments in life where reality resembles a horror movie. 'This World - Norway's Massacre' (BBC2) was a sombre, reflective look at one of the biggest non-war time spree-killings in Modern Europe. Narrated with care and compassion, the documentary interviewed parents and friends of many of the victims; it is still hard to believe that such murderous actions took place. At time of writing, Breivik's trial is underway; the only question to be determined is if he was really insane or not. The horrifically meticulous planning for his 'operations' would suggest that he knew only too well what he was doing; this whole process is a huge test for the decency of Norwegian society as they seek to combat 'hate with love'.  Special legislation will probably have to be enacted to keep Breivik off the streets; his likely sentence of 21 years would see him released as a middle-aged man. Norway is a small society and was deeply traumatised last year. 'Norway's Massacre' talked to the Police and Emergency Response teams; blame can not be put on them for any delay in reacting even though they have apologised already. This was essential viewing and reminded the viewer that sometimes, documentaries do not have a happy ending and we're left with more questions than answers; this is one of those instances.

Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy

Peter Taylor is, to use that often ascribed but frequently falsely attributed phrase, a Reporter's Reporter. Now a globally renowned intelligence expert and a distinguished Northern Ireland correspondent with an outstanding rolodex of contacts, a Taylor documentary has something most hacks can only aspire to; instant credibility. 'Modern Spies' (BBC2) is a showcase for Taylor's considerable skills; his quiet, persistent, understated form of reporting, his forensic skills in building up a case with facts, his respect for good sources (both on and off-record) and above all, a true impartiality which lets the viewer make up their mind based on the objective evidence presented before them. Taylor interviews Foreign Secretaries and Spooks, ‘Curveball’ and former Spy Chiefs; he looks at 'honeytraps' and tradecraft...he addresses rendition and human rights and he does so with considerable care to let the story build from the foundation of its own facts. 'Modern Spies' will interest anyone mildly diverted by the Spooks World; but this is a milieu more John Le Carre than James Bond, it is a universe of greys and increasingly, an I.T. one, dependent on data mining and electronic espionage to defeat whatever the 'enemy' now is. Taylor's 'Modern Spies' raises questions of quis custodiet ipsos custodies which have always been with us and probably always will be. ‘Modern Spies’ tells it as it probably is rather than how Cubby Broccoli would have us see this shadowy world of intelligence and counter-intelligence.

We Go Down to the River

Trevor McDonald is an English institution; a distinguished reporter and a newsreader famous for the phrase 'and finally'. 'Mighty Mississippi' (ITV) is the perfect vehicle for McDonald as he travels across the vast river, sharing the journey with an envious 'thetvreviewguy. It is an awesome feat of nature with both a shameful and glorious history. The contrast between the plantation mansions and slave huts where the former inhabitants were chained to the land is still deeply moving, 150 years after the end of slavery. That's how close and relevant slavery is to US history, about five generations ago; it has left a searing scar on the US body politic and McDonald was clearly moved in particular by the inhumanity of slaves being counted and valued as chattel in a ledger book from before the Civil War. Yet from the depths of slavery came hope in the form of music and specifically Gospel Music; McDonald brought us to a church that rocked, where the congregation rejoiced in harmonies developed on the plantation fields. You can't tour the Mississippi either without visiting New Orleans and remembering Hurricane Katrina, another time in American history when being black and poor could have cost you your life; the criminal tardiness of the Katrina aftermath would not have been allowed to happen in New Hampshire or Orange County. 'Thetvreviewguy' looks forward to the next instalment of 'Mighty Mississippi', escorted by the ever-affable Trevor McDonald.

Minute Observations

BBC Radio 4 is a testament to civilisation and you can be no more civilised than by tuning into 'Just a Minute', the panel game show running for aeons. Now why are you writing about a radio programme 'thetvreviewguy' I hear you asking? Well the format has been replicated on BBC2 and, despite fears that yet another radio migration would backfire, 'Just a Minute' is proving to be a great success. Hosted by the ever living Nicholas Parsons, the show is the eptimome of wit and wordplay. How difficult can it really be to speak for a minute without hesitation, deviation and repetition? Extremely difficult if the experience of the guests (usually comics) is anything to go by. The fun is in avoiding the interruptions and sabotage from the other contestants. It would be wrong to say 'Just a Minute' has a cult following; it has a select listnership and these same listeners should give the TV version a go. Tick, tock, tick, tock...a minute can be a very long time indeed and this format has proved timeless. There's so much dross out there and it's nice to find a Sea of Tranquility of sophistication in a barren Moon of grey lifeless crud. Definitely worth a least a minute of your time if not more, 'Just a Minute' will keep 'thetvreviewguy' clock watching for the forseeable future.

Notes from the Underground

Fly-on-the wall (FOTW) documentaries are such a staple of TV now that a new doc has to really be outstanding to grab a viewers attention. Not necessarily in-your-face, or wacky and not even that clever-clever, simple stories told without artifice and without gimmicks can often make the best pieces of informative TV. 'The Tube' (BBC2) is no exception to this maxim. The London Underground is such an obvious terrain for the documentary maker and this doesn't fail to deliver. We meet the staff, management and drivers and, after seeing the amount of variables and problems they deal with on a daily basis, are simply amazed that they manage to keep the thing running at all. From the tragic and gruesome task of scoping up suicides from the tracks - dealt with great compassion by both programme makers and the staff concerned - to the humour and frustrations of the ticket counter sellers, 'The Tube' made 'thetvreviewguy' think twice about what it takes to carry one BILLION people underground every year. The FOTW doc has been satarised to the nth degree but can still occasionally enlighten and educate. 'The Tube' was an example of BBC production values at their best; a throwback to to the days when television wasn't about laughing at people but had more parts of their output seeking to explain the hidden and make things interesting. It was the unpretentiousness of it all that made the programme a great and moving documentary; 'thetvreviewguy' suggests you catch this train now leaving.

Millican Tendency

Sarah Millican must have arrived as the backlash has started already. While definitely not everyone's cup of tea (who is?), 'thetvreviewguy' has always found the Northern lass t'be a foony gal (apologies for the Geordie there). 'The Sarah Millican Television Show' (BBC2) is extremely chortle-worthy. Nothing new in the format here; comedy, chat, comedy, chat. Even the act isn't hugely original; think Mrs Merton as a thirty-something. But it is good and Millican is perfect for this persona; the look-at-me- me, I Can't Believe I'm on Telly school of comedy. Her first show featured Chris Packham, a BBC wildlife presenter, Australian Sexpert Tracey Cox (cue obvious but funny pun about her surname) and, er, Sarah Millican's Dad. The banter was good and Millican, despite having what could be a really annoying habit of laughing heartily at her own jokes, is a natural in the role. Recently monstered in the Guardian as having been sanatised, Millican is only following the long trodden path from accomplished stand up to TV presenter. The audience participation worked and while there's nothing groundbreaking here, it is funny. On at a ridiculously late hour, 'The Sarah Millican Show' is worth staying up for and certainly worth recording. Now, in good time, let the backlash to the backlash commence.

Top of the Hill - TV Burp

'Harry Hill's TV Burp' is something 'thetvreviewguy' finally gets. For years, he used to think it was just a clips show with mildly amusing links. But in this age of austerity, where everyone owes everyone else Gazillions (yes, that is a number), there's an incredible amount to be said for absurd humour and ridiculousity (yes, also a word). Hill, a former Medical Doctor, knows just the right doses of comedy medicine to prescribe. With his over-sized shirt and cheesy grin, he plays the clown role extremely well and his TV Burp makes for some nice going-out telly on a Saturday night. Ok, he is daft and quite possibly very annoying but whatever it is about 'getting' him, maybe 'thetvreviewguy' is mellowing as he approaches his fifth decade. While still raging against the machine, he's realising that machine is very rarely changed by his rage, let alone revolutionised. Of course, while 'thetvreviewguy' has always been suspicious and dismissive of the popularity of popular comedians - Michael McIntyre or Brendan O'Carroll anyone? - he's happy to admit where his tastes are in tune with his fellow TV viewers. Harry Hill is a funny guy and while being foolish may not always appear that sophisticated, playing the clown (in the Shakespearean sense) takes no mean talent. Just silly enough to have even the curmudgeoniest of curmudgeons laugh, 'Harry Hill's TV Burp' is worth your once over, at least.