The Stage

TV review

Published Friday 14 August 2009 at 15:40 by Harry Venning

I have seen several episodes of Taking the Flak, the BBC’s satire upon their own foreign correspondents, and it has yet to become embedded in my affections.

While civil war rages through the fictional African state of Karibu, those responsible for its coverage in the news are engaged in their own conflicts, largely fuelled by personal and professional envy, egomania, and the all-consuming need to acquire the best hotel facilities. The situation is particularly fraught for senior journalist David Bradman (Martin Jarvis) who must defend his lofty status against the constant challenges of ambitious, young colleagues.

Theirs is a world in which grieving relatives and photogenic orphans are at a premium, shots to camera must be accompanied by just the right amount of hand wringing and two minutes on Newsnight fully justifies any and every act of misconduct during filming.

The BBC had enough faith in Taking The Flak to bankroll location shooting in Kenya, and they have been rewarded with a self-assured, amusing and original comedy with more than a whiff of authenticity about it. Plus any show with Doon Mackichan among the cast is, by definition, a very good thing.

However, the characters simply fail to engage, or even surprise. Perhaps we have seen too many television comedies recently about the wacky world of television, populated by jaundiced and manipulative self-serving cynics, to care any more.

Apparently Monday Monday has spent a couple of years gathering dust on ITV Drama’s shelf prior to broadcast. It is difficult to understand why, as this eight-part comedy drama is nothing if not likeable.

An ensemble piece, Monday Monday follows the lives and loves of white collar staff at a recently relocated supermarket chain.

It is hardly the most innovative or challenging of dramas, but it has charm and humour to spare and a top notch cast that includes Holly Aird, Jenny Agutter and Fay Ripley. Miranda Hart, comedy actress du jour, has a minor role, which gives you an idea of how long ago the series was made.

Ripley, an actress I have developed an irrational aversion to, is actually very good as Christine, an ex-alcoholic working in human resources who is totally lacking in any resources of her own.

Would I Lie To You? is yet another comedy quiz show, this one inviting the usual assortment of stand-ups and guest celebrities to tell convincing fibs. It is Call My Bluff basically, replacing words with deeds.

It is very cheap and cheerful fare that depends almost entirely on the charm of those involved. Rob Brydon is the genial host, David Mitchell and Lee Mack the suitably contrasting captains, and they are do what is required of them with frightening efficiency. But the formula pokes through like the ribs on a starving man, and I found the whole show somewhat depressing.

One thing did intrigue me, however. In a show about deception how come nobody pointed out the miraculous reappearance of a full head of hair on the recently thinning Brydon?

PROGRAMMES

Monday Monday, ITV1, Monday August 10, 9pm

Taking The Flak, BBC2, Wednesday, August 12, 10pm

Would I Lie To You, BBC1, Monday, August 10, 10.35pm