'Big Bang Theory' has Universal Appeal

Comedy Recipe: take four science geeks, a blonde bombshell, a good dose of strong sciptwriting, add appealing character acting and you have a show that makes for good, relaxing tv viewing. Perfect background fare, 'thetvreviewguy' always enjoys 'The Big Bang Theory', a show that makes physics funny and 'dumbs up' in references. Be it Sheldon's uber-nerdiness, Penny's likability or Leonard's unsuccessful attempts to be cool, TBBT provides a good dose of humour served up on a plate for the discerning laugh-hunter. Forget what you hear about American television being great; wrong - it's almost all rubbish. However, the top 2% is excellent and while shows like 'The Big Bang Theory' may not be up to 'Wire' standards, it is a great little programme that never fails to have 'thetvreviewguy' chortling and/or guffawing. It reminds this 30-something reviewer of the limitless possibilities we can enjoy in our twenties and is a funny take on the identity building at that age. According to 'thetvreviewguy's laughter equation, wit plus strong casting equals good comedy gold; again, he wishes he'd studied more during his science classes in school. TBBT definitely tickles the funny bones.

'How the Universe Works'

'Discovery UK' has an unusual mix of hard-core militaria (which 'thetvereviewguy' finds an instant turn-off), adventurer shows where the protagonists run amok, nerd-fests and the occasional superb documentary about the natural sciences. 'How the Universe Works' falls into the last category. Beautiful imagery and effects are intermingled with knowledgeable talking-head pieces from various boffins. Little of the subject matter is new but the presentation is never less than lively and exciting. Popularising science is a difficult matter; pitch it too low i.e. at the level of this reviewer, and you risk putting entertainment values over education. Aim too high and you soon lose plenty of people (ahem, same critic) in discussions over string theory and multiple universes. That's why 'How the Universe Works' works. It is a goldilocks of a TV series (see what 'thetvreviewguy' did there?). Anyone who grew up with 'Star Wars' will love the way planets and celestial objects are portrayed. In these Super Nova days it's comforting to look up to the stars and wonder what cosmic glue holds everything together. We can learn to feel bigger by realising we're smaller. Programmes like 'How the Universe' can help us do this. Live long and prosper!

South Park - Equal Opportunities Offenders

'South Park' continues to amuse, excoriate, lampoon and pillory and while it hits more marks than it misses, the long running public stock of a cartoon could be losing its lustre. The problem with 'South Park' is that, as they were good enough to point out, the 'Simpsons' have done most of their gags and themes before in a more subtle and, what they didn't say, funnier way. While frequently hilarious, the 'let's rip into both sides' trope becomes tedious with the writers having to invent strawmen to knock down. The recent 'Inception' episode was desperately weak as it tried to pick holes in one of the most original movies for the last five years. America is, despite attempts to 'restore sanity', an incredibly divided country and the 'here's what the Red State douchebags would say' and 'here's what the Blue State A'Holes harp on about' only has so much traction; you can only play both sides of the fence for so long. Still, it's very easy late night viewing and Eric Cartman is still a big-boned, foul-mouthed legend. But when you've had a go at everybody, who's left? A very funny programme well past its best before date; keeps 'thetvreviewguy''s attention as he likes satire as much as the next dude but...keep it original guys.

Overall, Quite Interesting - QI

News getting you down? Sick and tired of a recession you did nothing to cause but seem unable to fight back against?  Feel that taking a break from all your worries sure could help a lot? Then 'QI' (BBC) will provide you with some nourishing soul food and grey matter stimulation in this end of days. Polymath and all-round smarty pants Stephen Fry is our laid back host taking us down pathways of quite interesting facts and figures. It's like a very clever pub quiz with no music rounds. The success of the programme on BBC1 is all the more remarkable considering that LCD TV has become the norm, ...that's Lowest Common Denominator stoopid! 'QI' always makes 'thetvreviewguy' think of a New Yorker cartoon: funny, smart and cultured. Panel games, when good, can be a flagship part of a Controller's programming. 'QI' along with 'Have I Got News For You' prove that the BBC can still cut it. But with their license fee frozen by the ConDem coalition for the next six years, there will be less and less of these types of programmes being made. Somethings, no matter how seemingly small, are worth fighting for. Give 'thetvreviewguy' 'QI' anyday over 'Mock the Week'; there's a world of difference between smart and smart alec.

Not Half Baked - Saturday Kitchen Live

'thetvreviewguy' freely admits to not being a great cook. He's not proud of it; it's just the way it is. However he does enjoy the early Saturday morning fare on the BBC of 'Saturday Kitchen Live'. A chilled out double hosting team, James Martin and the lovely Louise Redknapp (definitely Posh Spice's quieter and classier older sister), soothe the sleep from our eyes with engaging and intelligent banter and some alluring cooking. Hungover? Well, don't worry, you'll be gently guided back into the land of the living in a relaxed atmosphere with, mercifully, very little loud noise. Avoiding the irksome cheeky chappiness of Jamie Oliver and the laughable square-bashing of hod-carrier Gordon Ramsay, there's a good degree of charm and affability about this show; more lightly scrambled than hard boiled. Ideal for getting your weekend off to a good start, 'Saturday Kitchen Live' shows that cookery programmes don't always have to be a cheap option. Without wishing to ladle the point, it's an a la carte treat for the unfussy diner. A fine blend of a production. 'thetvreviewguy' says it's puree genius. Now, back to wok...

Digging Up The Neighbours - Time Team

'Time Team' is another one of those Sunday afternoon programmes which you've never quite seen a full episode of, don't particularly dislike but have no desire to see from start through to finish. Even though 'thetvreviewguy' enjoys a bit of history, he doesn't quite dig 'Time Team'. Whether it's the all round nerdiness of Beardy Archaeologists with their 'geo-phys' kits or the constant muck and rain, it's definitely an acquired taste. Yet, like 'Last of the Summer Wine', the series has been on for what seems like forever. Tony Robinson is, well, amiable, and the edition with James 'Jim' Cameron is a hoot as Tony chronicles the Big Ego's Titanic dives. There's something reassuring about its' presence on our TV; like newspapers, and AM/MW Radio, we won't really notice it till it's gone. Okay, 'thetvreviewguy' probably remembers the archaeology society as on of the less cool ones in college but he doesn't begrudge these preoccupied diggers their fifteen minutes of fame. Ideal viewing when half asleep on a drizzly day.

Vincent Browne - Essential Maverick

'Tonight with Vincent Browne' (TV3) has become cumpulsory viewing as Ireland reels from one recessionary shock to another. The veteran broadcaster, dubbed 'Mad Dog' by both fans and enemies, has, of recent years, been afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted. Browne frequently baits his guests in his often sucessful attempts to rope a dope. He can claim to having called it correctly on the banks, never particularly cared about being unpopular and has always been 'thetvreviewguy's favourite Irish contrarian journalist. Browne, to the amusement of his viewers, blows his top, huffs and puffs and occasionaly lands the killer punch. In full flow, he can be brilliant. Other times, he doesn't seem to be trying that much. But most of the time, he tries to speak truth to power. His hobby horses can be annoying but he can scarcely be called an opportunist. His programme is like an Inquisitory version of 'Meet the Press' - he is a great 'Insider Outsider'. The main problem with 'Tonight with Vincent Browne'...it's on too late, 'thetvreviewguy' values his sleep!