Today over at MSN: a double-bill of reviews from last night on ITV; the Simon Cowell-produced cookery series FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD and supernatural drama LIGHTFIELDS.
Simon Cowell's production company is behind Food Glorious Food, which explains why it feels very much like X Factor for amateur chefs. The pacing and editing evoked memories of X Factor audition episodes, but instead of self-deluded, tone-deaf fools murdering I Believe I Can Fly, viewers were treated to dotty women crushing cabbages with their bare feet. Presented by Countdown's Carol Vorderman (who's only counting the money these days), Food Glorious Food kicked off in the pretty spa town of Malvern in Worcestershire. It was obvious from the start that the show intends to play on an audience's sense of cultural idealism.
Continue reading 'Food Glorious Food' at MSN TV...
The most interesting thing about Marchlands was how it was a rare thing in television; a UK remake of a US pilot that didn't go to series. The concept is definitely suited to the British drama model, which means the story doesn't outstay its welcome across five episodes, and yet the show can return as different incarnations. The triptych of tales woven together for Lightfields takes place in 1944, 1975 and 2012.
Continue reading 'Lightfields' at MSN TV...
