TV review

Published Monday 10 December 2007 at 16:05 by Harry Venning

Anybody looking for a miserable Sunday night in need have searched no further than ITV’s one off comedy-drama Who Gets the Dog?. Comedy-drama is ITV’s labelling, not mine, and viewers might want to take the issue up under the Trade Descriptions Act.

Kevin Whately and Alison Steadman starred as Jack and Jenny, a married couple looking to separate, but who still harbour affection and respect for each other.

Enter Emma Pierson and Stephen Mangan as their respective solicitors, intent on making mischief and more money from the sad situation.

Super-confident, sexy and flirtatious, the unfeeling and unscrupulous pair also served to provide a stark contrast to their dowdy, dreary, but ultimately decent clients.

As if things weren’t already depressing enough, writer Guy Hibbert also throws into the mix of misery a troublemaking neighbour, a manipulative daughter and a manic depressive landlord.

Despite all this, Who Gets the Dog? was an eminently watchable and emotionally powerful film that benefited from very some touching performances. Steadman proved once again what a great actress she is when not rehashing her Abigail’s Party schtick for the umpteenth time.

Over on E4, Nearly Famous sent its students away from their College of Performing Arts for the Unfeasibly Beautiful and off on a road trip to Scotland. Bad boy rocker Owen was competing in a music showcase, as was teacher Matt, who harboured his own dreams of stardom.

Stuck in the van for eight hours with Owen were beautiful Kate, who loves him, sensitive Lila, who secretly adores him, and spoddy techie Joe, who Owen hasn’t got round to enchanting yet, but probably will in time. Teacher Matt tagged along behind.

Followers of the show will not be at all surprised to hear that emotions ran high, tears were shed, alcohol was sunk and kisses were exchanged.

Like a stage school poppet desperate to be adored, Nearly Famous leaves throws open its arms and defies you to mock it. So here goes: Owen has all the edge of a doughnut, Kate’s voice under emotional strain sounds like Phil Cornwell impersonating Mick Jagger and Joe takes dull to such a new level that you have to fight off sleep whenever he appears on screen.

But I really do like this programme. It is fresh, fun and incorrigibly romantic. Plus it has found a true star in Talulah Riley, who plays Lila. Not since Lady Penelope in Thunderbirds have I found myself so helplessly in love with a fictional TV character.

All hail The Mighty Boosh, which reached new heights of surreal genius this week with a simple tale of a flatulent urban fox on crack, who steals an all powerful bottle of Shaman juice from the Nabootique, sending Naboo to the guillotine unless Vince, Howard and his team of refuse collectors can get it back. And that is the concise version of events.

And all hail Neil Fielding, the Olivier of anti-acting, who smiles through it all in a state of tranquil bewilderment.

DETAILS:

Who Gets the Dog? - ITV1, Sunday, December 2, 9pm

Nearly Famous - E4, Thursday, December 6, 11pm

The Mighty Boosh - BBC3, Thursday, December 6, 10.30pm