Change Your Image
studioAT
Reviews
Frasier: Father Christmas (2024)
Father Christmas
Take a bow 'Frasier'.
This was excellent, a lovely way to end the second series of this reboot, and hopefully not the show as a whole. Come on Paramount+, let's have another batch of episodes please!
The ace this show has always had is Nicholas Lyndhurst. Here is a guy more than capable of carrying a series playing second fiddle, content with stealing every scene he is in. While everyone has been banging on about the lack of Niles, Lyndhurst's Alan has been filling the role perfectly well. It's great therefore that he was given a plotline to himself in this episode.
There are some great laughs in here, but also some wonderful moments of heart, and it was a joy to watch unfold.
There is so much potential here, so many characters we are starting to fall in love with, the development since the first series is huge, so I can only hope that this is allowed to continue for a bit longer.
Children in Need (2024)
Children in Need 2024
This wasn't a vintage year for the television charity telethon.
From the very staged and at times awkward 'banter' between a seemingly ever-growing cast of hosts (remember when Terry and Gabby/Tess were enough? Simpler times) to just the sight of Mel Giedroyc trying to be funny (please, can someone break it to her that her whole "Mum on a night out" persona hasn't been funny for donkeys years"?) it wasn't great.
There weren't many sketches of sorts, and even the big name celebs 'involved' seemed to be quite literally phoning it in.
To cut of the Girls Aloud single in aid of the cause and indeed their sadly passed band member was harsh too.
The stories of the children themselves are of course touching, and this is a worthy cause in need of support, so forget the rubbish and get behind that.
Children in Need (2023)
Children in Need 2023
Is there a more annoying presenter on UK television than Mel Giedroyc?
This is a presenter who time and time again seems to get plum roles on the BBC without ever actually proving to anyone that she's remotely funny. It's her and Lenny Henry basically, and even he's stepped aside from 'Red Nose Day'.
Giegroyc's 'Mum on a night out' persona grew tiresome long ago, and since the BBC seem now to have replaced dear Terry Wogan (dearly missed upon this Earth since 2016) and Tess with a whole gaggle of presenters you might think she'd get the boot.
It's still a special cause, but it wasn't a vintage night for the charity or the presenting team.
Strictly Come Dancing: Week 9: Results (2024)
Week 9: Results
Pete Wicks! You jammy thing!
How he's managed to scrape his way through to Week 10 of the contest is beyond me, especially after perhaps one of the worst routines on the Saturday night that I have seen on 'Strictly Come Dancing' in quite some time.
The answer though is simple - people voted for him. They like the guy and want to see him through more than they did Wynne and Katya (who is very underrated as a pro dancer I must say, because whatever their starting ability she seems to get the best out of her celeb partner).
So fair play to him, I wish him well next week. That's the way this show works - the leader board based on the judges scores means very little.
Please can someone tell The Pet Shop boys to give up though? Dire.
Strictly Come Dancing: Blackpool Special (2024)
Blackpool Special
The 'Strictly Come Dancing' team decamp to Blackpool for what is often one of the highlights of the series run.
There were lots of good things here. Sarah's dance was suitably epic, Wynne's was good fun. Jamie's was under marked, but that sadly is becoming the norm for him.
Montell's routine was as 'meh' as ever, and I just haven't connected with her this series I'm afraid. It's pointless saying that the routine completed by Chris wasn't as good as the judges claimed, because for me his place in the next round seems a given, if he doesn't win I'd be surprised.
Poor old Pete Wicks though. Stitched up good and proper by a terrible song and a terrible routine. I'm not saying he wasn't set to go in my mind anyway, but this routine really didn't help his chances.
Can we just tell 'The Pet Shop Boys' to stop now as well? Terrible.
GreaseEnders: Children in Need Special (2014)
GreaseEnders: Children in Need Special
This is the sort of thing that 'Children in Need' used to do so well.
Sadly it doesn't seem to have the same power to unite as many big stars together as it once did. I am writing this the 2024 event has just aired, and there seemed to be more stars doing pre-recorded bits and pieces than actually appearing in the flesh. We are encouraged to give up our time, why can't they?!
This sketch though was good fun indeed though, and stays long in the memory even ten years later.
I hope in the future that the charity telethon appeal and produce more things like this, rather than annoyingly staged cross-talk/banter between its hosts.
Children in Need (2014)
Children in Need 2014
This was a significant night.
All 'Children in Need' celebrations are significant of course. This charity is very dear to my heart, raising money and awareness for young people and groups who need it most.
The two reasons why 2014's event stands out to me are:
This was the last year hosted by Terry Wogan, who was so linked with this event. Sadly he would sit the 2015 show out (which I remember sending shock waves out around the UK) and then sadly die the year later. His contribution would never be forgotten and neither should it.
The second reason is that 2014 marked a reunion of S Club 7. It was so good to have them back, and what a shame they didn't build on this further while all 7 members were still alive.
Doctor Who: Children in Need Special (2005)
Doctor Who: Children in Need Special
It's great fun to look back at reviews of this little 'Children in Need' sketch from 2004 now in 2024 (when we've just been served up utter drivel of a preview for the 'Joy to the World' special) and see people back then doubting David Tennant's potential as the Doctor.
Oh, if they only knew then what was to come...
This was shown to great fanfare on the night of the charity telethon but is still available on the Series 2 DVD.
It does though show how Rose struggles to cope with the new Doctor, having just regenerated from being Christopher Eccleston, and I think we as viewers were going through a similar thing.
It's only short, but is better than some full-length episodes we've had in recent years.
Fantastic Beasts Special (2016)
Fantastic Beasts Special
Made when people thought that the 'Fantastic Beasts' film series was going to be massive and perhaps equal 'Harry Potter' levels of success.
I know, it was a very long time ago now. We of course now know that this franchise barely dragged itself to three instalments and was besieged by issues caused by its cast members getting into off camera scrapes.
Oh, and the fact it was rubbish!
This was good fun though, with lots of big names of the time popping up to appear.
'Children in Need' doesn't seem to have quite the draw to be able to pull in this level of star as it once did, and that's a shame.
The Rembrandts: I'll Be There for You (1995)
The Rembrandts: I'll Be There for You
Such was the reaction to the 30 second piece of music by the band 'The Rembrandts' that was used as the theme tune to the sitcom 'Friends' that a longer version was soon ordered.
So we do get the cast of the show acting in the music video, and it's an awful lot of fun to watch.
All of them seem to be having a good time, and there's some funny moments along the way, as the characters take over the music video shoot and end up miming along to the tune themselves.
It's just six young people having a good time, perhaps still unaware of the juggernaut that 'Friends' would become.
Little did they know people would still be mad about it in 2024.
Friday Night Lights Lost Scene (2005)
Friday Night Lights Lost Scene
In light of Matthew Perry's sad death it's just fun to see any 'new' or rare footage of him, and this is a good example.
All of his wit and snark are on show here in this little sketch, spoofing 'Friday Night Lights'.
It's great fun, even if you've like me never seen a second of the show it's meant to be spoofing.
Perry looks in good shape, he's allowed to be funny, even when not working with the best material.
How we miss this great man. What a sheer and utter shame we didn't get to see him in more shows and films that could allow us to really see the full range of his talents.
We miss him more than we know.
Frasier: Murder Most Finch (2024)
Murder Most Finch
This was excellent. Not only was it up there with the best of this 'Frasier' reboot, but it would not look out of place amongst some of the best episodes from the original show either.
It has taken them some time to 'discover' the character of Olivia, but here she takes centre stage and is brilliant. There's a sweet, almost child-like quality to her that came across here, and comparisons to Kirstie Alley's Rebecca on 'Cheers' came to mind. Not bad company to keep!
Everyone has their moment here (yes, even David) and it's enormous fun. Roz now feels like part of the gang, and Freddy is starting to be more than just a 'fit fireman' type.
Of course I have to (as it seems I do every week) talk about Nicholas Lyndhurst as Alan. He is brilliant, how he's still so underrated here in the UK is beyond me. He steals every scene he's in.
Patricia Heaton's role could still be pretty much played by anyone and work needs to be done there, but on the whole this was excellent.
If you call yourself a 'Frasier' fan and couldn't get on-board with this episode, then perhaps you should stop watching.
Superior Donuts (2017)
Superior Donuts
There is nothing wrong with this show.
It features a talented cast, many of whom have been in big hits before, and certainly know their way around multi-camera studio sitcom.
It's great to see CBS making studio based sitcoms in general to be frank.
It's just unfortunate therefore that this show is quote easy going to the point of being forgettable. It's not ground-breaking stuff, it doesn't need to be, but it does need to offer something more than just being passable or ok.
It had a decent two series run, but it certainly never rises to being a massive hit.
Fans of the people involved will find it, but it's a casual watch and nothing more.
2point4 Children (1991)
2point4 Children
It feels harsh to be mean about this show for many reasons. For one thing, the lead (Gary Olsen) is no longer with us, and this the sort of comedy I'd like the BBC to invest proper time and money into developing again.
However, that doesn't mean to say I like this show. I don't. I don't find it funny.
Belinda Lang, so funny in John Sullivan's 'Dear John' plays this like pantomime, and it's sad to see a talented perfomer having to strain every sinew to make material (often sub-par) work.
It has its moments, I like how old school variety the Christmas Specials often were, but on the whole, no - not for me.
2point4 Children: When the Children Are Asleep (1993)
When the Children Are Asleep
It feels quite harsh to be mean about this show for many reasons. For one thing, the lead (Gary Olsen) is no longer with us, and this the sort of comedy I'd like the BBC to invest proper time and money into developing again.
However, that doesn't mean to say I like this show. I don't. I don't find it funny.
Belinda Lang, so funny in John Sullivan's 'Dear John' plays this like pantomime, and it's sad to see a talented perfomer having to strain every sinew to make material (often sub-par) work.
It has its moments, I like how old school variety the Christmas Specials often were, but on the whole, no - not for me.
Barely Lethal (2015)
Barely Lethal
Be aware of a film that clearly has gone through changes to make it PG rather than R rated.
This film has great potential, but the signs that it has gone through this change are very clear. While some edgier moments still remain (making for a jarring tone throughout) the harder edges have been sanded off, leaving us with a sort of cross between 'So Undercover', 'Spy Kids', and 'Mean Girls'.
Hailee Steinfeld is very watchable in anything she's in, and has gone onto better work than this (if anything this film probably did her a favour, a wake-up call to get out the teen/school film lane) and Sophie Turner is made to look great, but both are left with a clunky script with some terrible dialogue. That extended run of frog jokes still haunts me.
Overall, some very likeable stars are put through their paces, trying to make the best of a film that probably wasn't the one their initially signed on to make.
The Addams Family (1991)
The Addams Family
This didn't do very much for me I'm afraid.
As people have said many times before, Christina Ricci is the best thing about this film, and that's why people still talk about her as the iconic version of Wednesday to this day.
It has its moments, don't get me wrong, but feels like a collection of sketches strung together by a very thin thread.
It's enjoyable and funny enough, but I can't say it's a film I hold in as high esteem as others on this site clearly do (best of luck to them) or indeed is one that I would overly rush to watch again.
It had potential, but perhaps just isn't my sort of thing.
The Simpsons: I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say D'oh (2019)
I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say D'oh
This is fine.
It's warm enough, funny enough and smart enough to pass the time. It's acceptable enough to pass as a modern 'Simpsons' episode.
The problem for me is that the second you put the characters into a situation that feels similar to one that has been done before you risk comparison. When the pedigree for the show is so high, the comparison tends to be unfavourable.
Marge in the world of amateur dramatics immediately reminded me of 'A Streetcar Named Marge' from way, way back when. That episode is a classic, this one could never match that.
So if I'm spending a lot of this episode recalling moments and jokes from the earlier one, because 'I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say D'oh' isn't holding my attention, something is wrong.
Strictly Come Dancing: Week 8: Results (2024)
Week 8: Results
Shayne.
The Rumba.
Dancing second in the running order.
The guy didn't have a chance.
To be honest, I think Shayne has been dicey for a few weeks now, and despite doing the puff piece and Hello Magazine spreads in the print media, the public just didn't seem to gravitate towards him consistently enough to get him through.
It's a shame, there are worse dancers amongst the pack, but ultimately if it wasn't this week, it would have been next for him to do his grand farewell.
So we rumble on, and unless he manages to up his game, Wynne might find himself back in this position again next week sadly.
Strictly Come Dancing: Week 8 (2024)
Week 8
After two themed weeks it was very nice to get back to a week of 'normal' dancing.
Poor Amy Dowden, having to step away due to injury. That poor woman just hasn't had a lucky break in a while. It would be lovely to see J. B win for her.
I thought the standard was high here, though there is still some chaff that needs to be cut from the wheat.
With Pete and Chris both doing very emotionally charged routines with a lot of sentiment behind them it's hard to picture either of them in the dance off though. There's always Shayne I suppose.
Poor old Jamie. I like the guy, I think he's a good example of someone 'giving it a go', to use that old Strictly cliché. Perhaps all the talk of him winning the Christmas Special has made the judges respond with critiquing him a bit more harshly.
Overall, a good week.
Frasier: Thank You, Dr. Crane (2024)
Thank You, Dr. Crane
So, here we go - this is the episode that people have been clamouring for and the one that all the trailers seemed to be hyping up.
Frasier Crane returning to Seattle!
Seeing as the original 'Frasier' didn't do a mass reunion of the 'Cheers' gang until the ninth series (and that episode didn't really work) I was a bit sceptical about this going in, but it just about gets itself over the line.
First of all, anyone thinking this episode will herald the return of Niles (and/or Daphne) will be disappointed, as almost from the start this is shot down. We do get a clearer sense of where they are (Niles actually is becoming the Vera/Maris of this show - often heard about, but never seen), but that's it.
We do get Roz back (surely a series regular if this does go to a third year) and Bulldog/Gil, so it's a nice little KACL reunion. None of those characters are quite what we remember them as being like in the original show, but I don't mind that, people change and that's ok.
This main plot offers lots of nice laughs and nods along the way. Is it the way I personally would have done the being Seattle return? No, but I enjoyed how they handled it with the Frasier/Freddy relationship at the centre and some nice heartfelt moments at the end.
I would have kept all of the episode in Seattle/on the A storyline though. As slight but amusing as the Alan/Olivia (bad dubbing on the Scottish accent by the way) and David (this episode uses him much more convincingly) was, it wasn't really what we wanted to see.
Overall, cynics will be cynical about this episode, as they have been since this reboot launched, but I enjoyed what I saw.
The Simpsons: Bart vs. Itchy & Scratchy (2019)
Bart vs. Itchy & Scratchy
This was fine.
I'm sorry to not be able to gush over this further (it's a step up from the last episode certainly) but this episode takes a very good premise and rather goes through the motions with it.
The idea of films being remade with all female casts remains five years later amusing, as does the play on the Pussy Riots, but these are two rather dated jokes now and age the episode in a way that older episodes don't.
It's a good attempt, it's clearly trying to something different, but this never really rises from being just an 'ok' episode. A one time watch that is never likely to be deemed by anyone as a classic.
It's the first episode shown after Disney bought 20th Century Fox, so is significant for that if nothing else.
The Simpsons: E My Sports (2019)
E My Sports
This wasn't a good episode for me. I try and go into modern episodes of the show with an open heart and an open mind, but you can tell a stinker of an episode fairly early on, and this was one of those.
Bart needing to shave?! Jokes about masturbation?! Really?! This is lazy, inconsistent writing that really isn't worthy of the characters and indeed the show. It's lasted for thirty years by this point, and for the most part without having to lower the bar to include such jokes, so why start now?
It does recover marginally as it goes along, but this was a weak outing if ever there was one. Disappointing.
The Simpsons: The Clown Stays in the Picture (2019)
The Clown Stays in the Picture
I thought that this episode had a very good premise. It allowed 'The Simpsons' to do what 'The Simpsons' has done since the very beginning very well, and that's to mock Hollywood.
Having Krusty be at the centre of the episode was a great idea, and I liked the start of proceedings a great deal.
Then they bring in Homer/Marge and the rest of the town and the episode starts to dip in quality, never really recovering.
I'd like the show to actually be a bit braver and to dedicate more time, whole episodes in fact, to the secondary characters who are by now so well-developed they can carry plots on their own.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2024)
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
What can you really say about this?!
It's a Disney+ promo short that runs to about three minutes if that. It's very difficult to be overly positive or indeed negative about something that short.
It's a decent idea, it's delivered well enough, and it's still a novel thing to see The Simpsons mix with Disney characters.
This looks like it was done with a degree of love and care. The top brass were involved in it, there's no replacement voice cast.
No, this isn't perfect by any shape of the imagination, but I can certainly think of ways that this could have been worse.
It's fine, it's not really worth more than that.