First up a programme that I never thought I could stand the criticism to recommend, but Eastenders this week features a devastatingly affecting half-hour monologue from Square stalwart (available until Thursday). Even if the programme isn’t your cup of tea, it’s the most startlingly brave thing that’s been done on BBC One prime time drama is as long as I remember.
Lastly I’ve got another unexpected recommendation, as Alex James presents Panorama, investigating cocaine. If you’re an Oasis fan and have been waiting to see one of Blur get intimidated by his surroundings, then it’s a must-see (available until Monday).
4OD
It is potentially a cracking week for comedy on Four, although the next two recommendations I haven’t seen as they’re broadcast on Friday: Alan Carr’s Celebrity Ding Dong features the always-funnier-than-you-remember comedian pitting celebrities against members of the public. It’s the sort of dodgy concept that could be saved by a hilarious host. Alternatively, there’s new Derren Brown in The System, although the frankly daft listing that ‘Derren Brown has a system for winning at the horses’ is certainly not giving any clues away about whether it will be worth it.
itv.com
and elsewhere…
VBS is the online telly service from Vice Magazine. It can sometimes can way-laid in its own mission of cool (although it also does a very fine line in ground-level documentaries), but there are truffles to snuffle. The best is Bangs, by the camera guy off Jackass, as well as having directed Belle and Sebastian and Arcade Fire videos. It’s not exactly regularly updated but it’s worth a look.
