What’s on the telly?

Television is no longer a medium I crave; however there is a small selection of programmes that interest me and maybe you:

Merlin (Saturdays, BBC1). This fulfils my love of adventure and history. From ‘Robin Hood’ to ‘Star Wars’ every boy/man has a fondness for action and Merlin never disappoints. Starring Colin Morgan, Merlin is a friendly young sorcerer who works under the tutelage of Gaius (a long haired Richard Wilson) and uses his magical powers to dispose of the enemies of Camelot and John Hurt’s unmistakable voice is in full effect as the Dragon. This series is gaining viewers and can be viewed by adults as well as children and it’s easy to get caught up in its web of charm. Already over half way through the current series, my television will be tuned in to the remainder of this mediaeval feast.

Dating in the dark (Wednesdays, Living). A little like a Blind Date – with less light. It works by having six contestants (3 men, 3 women) and if any couples from the six decide to meet they go into a room shrouded in darkness. I’ve been watching it lately and find it to be quite a turn on. The surreal nature of what goes on is a unique feature of this show. Couples can meet in total darkness and, once they are allowed a glimpse of their chosen partner, they can get an opportunity to date. It’s not a perfect process and some contestants can be stung by the cruel way the programme is devised. However the participants deserve a medal for bravery. Enjoyable, if a little trashy.

Tonight with Vincent Browne (Monday-Thursday, TV3). Despite the title this is not a show like Conan O’Brien or David Letterman. This is a sober programme and Vincent doesn’t have a selection of jokes or celebrity guests (unless you count Arthur Scargill, one of the guests last week) and it’s not filmed in front of an audience. Browne is a veteran, weather-beaten media man and runs his nightly discussion show like a ringmaster in a circus. Thankfully he doesn’t bring a whip. Each evening he has a range of panellists and topical discussion is the order of proceedings. Having left RTE to stagnate, Browne’s insatiable desire to rib politicians never fades and the programme may win TV3 new viewers. For someone with an interest in current news the show works well. Print ‘journos’ are frequently featured and one wonders if some of them would get the same profile elsewhere. Anyhow it’s essential viewing and wraps up the day well. We Irish love to talk and that’s possibly why Browne’s show is so good. Probably the most stimulating programme on Irish television right now.

Peep Show (Fridays, Channel Four). This is quite a unique comedy series based on the conscious thoughts of the two central characters, Jeremy (Robert Webb) and Mark (David Mitchell). Their various romantic difficulties are played out and supported by characters such as ‘Dobby’, ‘Big Suze’ and ‘Super Hans’. Webb’s acting skills and facial expressions are great fun to witness. Mitchell, on the other hand is more of a comedian and a writer than an actor. Both are seen on other television programmes but it is with Peep Show that the two British stars are best known.

The Inbetweeners (Fridays, Channel Four). This comedy series is now off our screens. Hopefully this will be temporary. It features four teenagers and their exploits as they go through the latter stages of puberty. Drinking, sex and bad language are constants and the clever bonding of the characters is uplifting and humorous. The Inbetweeners is a realistic portrayal of what any group of male adolescents get up to when they are away from the parental gaze. Looks like there’ll be another series in the pipeline so stay watching.

The Thick of it (Saturdays, BBC2). I’ve just finished watching the second episode of the new series and it’s a hoot. Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) is a version of Alistair Campbell (Tony Blair’s former Press Secretary). Tucker curses his way through each episode making Gordon Ramsay sound like an Altar boy. The series is based on a government department where chaos reigns. Sheer incompetence is the central theme and provides plenty of expletive laden rants, mainly from the mouth of the ferocious Tucker. Written by Armando Iannucci, it is perhaps the best satirically styled series currently running on television and is truly unmissable.

In the desert of ‘telly land’ there are, at last, some fine pickings amongst the trash. But the above programmes are sadly the exception to the rule and one wonders if this medium will be around in the years to come. Watch this box.