Music To Go Deaf By

Okay, there will be two TV jumble blogs this week. The second will be up on Friday/Saturday.

Skins: I am really liking the fifth series a lot right now and this was another great episode. Even though I am not a heavy metal at all, I did enjoy Rich throughout this one and it was nice that him going deaf gave him more of an appreciation for Grace and her ballet. I wasn't surprised that they didn't hook up just yet, seeing as we've got six more episodes to go but I can wait. It's also nice to see a continued friendship between Grace, Franky, Alo and Rich, even though it's clearly rubbing Mini up the wrong way though. Still the series does need to develop Nick, Liv and Matty though.
Primeval: After a pretty disappointing fourth season, this episode sure as hell was something of a wimper. After Jenny's lacklustre return in the previous episode, I was hoping that Danny's would be a better effort but it wasn't. It also didn't help that him, Ethan/Patrick and Emily all decided to go into anomalies as well towards the end of the episode. The reveals of Matt being from the future and Philip being a baddie should've made more of an impact but who didn't see them coming? Here's hoping the fifth series is a lot better than this.

Secret Diary Of A Call Girl: Um, interesting first episode, liked the antics with the lawyer. This show is coming to an end and it's still managing to be both racy and ludicrous in equal measure. Of course, Stephanie would be in the cushiest prison going and of course Belle would be roped into being a guardian to Poppy and a madam in one fell swoop. Not that I'm complaining but it just wasn't much of a shocker is all. On the plus side, it does seem that progress between Belle and Ben is also being made. So, she'll choose him over her profession by the finale, yes?

Shameless: I've been watching the 8th season on and off and while the show has had better days, it still shows how bloody inferior the US version is nonetheless (just watched the second episode of that). Monica's return wasn't the greatest of things but if it helps keep Frank with Libby, then I guess it served a good purpose (and I liked the Doctor Who spoof as well). It does seem that the Maguires continue to be more vocal than the remaining Gallaghers though. In recent episodes, we've had Jamie/Karen reunited, Shane/Kelly pulling scams, Mickey humiliating teachers and Mimi battling serious insomnia and nearly endangering baby Cilla. Not too keen on the new neighbours but I do like Lillian's new girl though. Overall, the series isn't as good as it used to be but it's still one of the best things that Channel 4 produces nonetheless.

Marchlands: Not one but two spooky new series on TV (I have to catch up with Bedlam later in the week), I wasn't overly impressed with this one to be honest. It's not a bad series as such and it definitely has an interesting cast but it just didn't jump out to me to be honest. I liked that there was a story that's connecting three generations but the series is lacking something. Maybe the next few episodes will be stronger.

- Debra Messing is apparently being lined up for a musical pilot called Smash about a group of people who decide to stage a broadway show about Marilyn Monroe.

- Smallville's two part finale, will be titled, erm, Finale Parts 1 and 2 and will air on the CW on May 13th.
- Glee will be doing a sex education episode. It's the one that returns Holly and has Santana discuss her bisexuality as well. Oh and Kurt/Blaine aren't happening any time soon, folks.

- Brothers And Sisters 18th episode of Season 5 will feature the death of Ida as well as Justin's 30th birthday.

- Grey's Anatomy's musical episode will revolve all around Callie, who is recent US episodes has been revealed to be pregnant by Mark.

- Rose McGowan will play a violent grifter in an upcoming episode of Law And Order: SVU.

- NBC have reported to have given the greenlight to their own version of Prime Suspect.
- Paul Adelstein will direct an upcoming episode of Private Practice. Both Nicholas Brendan and Alex Kingston will also be appearing in future episodes as well.

Welcome To Bristol, Franky

NB: After this blog, I will not be talking about either Skins US and UK in the same TV jumble. Today is an exception to the rule though.

Skins UK: Wow, a freaking return to form. Much as I loathed the overt depression of Series 4, I was hoping that Series 5 would get this show back on an even keel and this episode managed to mostly do that. Generation 3 are definitely going to be an interesting bunch and androgynous Franky's domination of this episode was the best thing ever. Some of the scenes were uncomfortable to watch (who the fuck seriously would cyber bully someone on that level?) but I did enjoy the character's various interactions between superbitch Mini, promiscious Liv, happy people pleaser and occassional thief, Grace, mystery man Matty and Alo and Rich. The only new character so far who didn't make a strong impression was Mini's meathead boyfriend, Nick. Overall, it's nice to see this show back to it's glory.

Skins US: After an underwhelming pilot episode, the second one really needed to make an impression. It's only a shame that for MTV, the show's lost over half it's viewers because this was a step in the right direction. Tea is definitely shaping up to be a fascinating character and she's got more of a command than this version of Tony could ever muster. Heck, even during their scenes together, Tea totally wiped the floor with him and her whole family dynamic certainly proved that this show has more substance than the PTC want to credit it with. Please MTV, let this show last for a second year because if we keep getting quality episodes like Tea's, this show will be fine.

Being Human US: Not a bad second episode, but definitely a little patchy in bits. I like Josh, I do but I hated his rejection of Emily in this one and I'm not sure if I like the co-dependant aspect of him and Aidan's friendship. The flashbacks for all the main players backstory was nice and Rebecca has a certain viciousness that makes her a fine threat, even more than Bishop. The Sally and Danny stuff sort of dragged in parts though but two episodes in, I definitely think this is a decent take on the UK series.

Primeval: I'm just about ready to jack this show in. I realised once again why I don't want to watch it - it just doesn't emotionally engage me. I don't care enough about the characters, the whole dinosaur plot is pretty limiting and the whole arc with Matt and the old guy is petering out and Philip isn't that much of an interesting antagonist either. On the plus side, the Emily and Ethan is sort of effective and some of the guest actors are interesting. I also didn't mind some dino attacks in the school either in the fourth episode.

Mrs Browns Boys: I'm still curious as to how this will do whenever BBC1 start airing it. Recent episodes still kept rehashing stuff from the DVDs such as Maria's hen night and the appearance of petty crook Buster Brady as well as Cathy's dire love life. It's still funny stuff but not as much as it could be I guess. Maybe because I've seen most of the jokes before and they were better done back then.

- Callum Blue will be reprising his role as Zod for one episode of Smallville.

- Former Skins actor, Luke Pasqualino has been cast as a young Adama in the upcoming Battlestar Galactica: Blood And Chrome.

- Kate Walsh will be appearing in the musical episode of Grey's Anatomy. The episode airs on ABC on March 31st.

- Kevin and Scotty will have to deal with Olivia's brother in an upcoming episode of Brothers And Sisters. Matthew Rhys will also direct another episode as well.

- Will Ferrell will be guesting in an upcoming episode of the US version of The Office.
- Paul Wesley has promised an upcoming episode of The Vampire Diaries will feature a new flashback. Joseph Morgan has been cast as Klaus.

More TV Families

11 days into 2011 and here are some of my highlights for the year so far ...

Parenthood - Given that Brothers And Sisters future isn't looking too promising at the minute, could this show end up filling a respective void? Possibly. It's certainly has the same type of tropes as the Walkers with the Bravermans being eerily reminiscent to them in ways and it's certainly got an impressive cast with Peter Krause, Lauren Graham and Craig T. Nelson to name but three. The opening episode saw Sarah moving back in with her parents and dealing with an unruly daughter while older brother Adam found out his son had aspergers and younger brother Crosbie learnt he fathered a child from a previous relationship while flying mother Julia is definitely Sarah Walker by another name. Overall, definitely worth looking into.

Primeval - I've never been into this series and watching the first three episodes of the fourth series made me realise why. It's not particularly awful but for some reason, it just lacks spark and even though I generally don't mind the characters and the new setting with The Ark, I'm not that emotionally invested in the series. Connor/Abby are okay, Jess is a bit too perky, Becker's just there and I'm not sure what's up with Matt but I don't think he's a baddie. Lester is probably the most standout character with Philip being the least interesting of the bunch. On the plus side, I am enjoying the time travel lady that appeared in the last episode I watched.

Mrs Browns Boys - Ah, Brendan O'Carroll. It's amazing how well he plays the role of an older Dublin woman with a dysfunctional mouth and a potty mouth to boot. If you've never seen this live on stage or any of the DVDs released, then you're in for a treat with this series. The humour is typically Irish, so it'll be interesting to see how it fares on the BBC when it airs but it's definitely one to watch.

Come Fly With Me - Another show from Matt Lucas and David Walliams, it's not a bad effort but some of the jokes aren't as original or as funny as they might have been seven years ago. The characters are a mixed bunch and none of them would've been out of place on Little Britain either, which is possibly not the greatest thing either. On the plus side, it's better than their last show and I do like Lindsay Duncan's narration as well.

This Is England 86 - I meant to get back to this one at some point. I watched the rest of the episodes over the Christmas and I really have to admit that even though it's not the best thing I've seen on TV, it was definitely a good series. The ending was a bit dark for my liking but here's hoping that Channel 4 commission another run of the series soon.

- Brothers And Sisters Season 5 airs on More4 from January 20th at 10pm. However the series has not been renewed for a sixth season. It hasn't been officially cancelled either.

- Glee's superbowl episode will feature an unique performance of Thriller and while an upcoming episode will (unfortunately) feature a song from Justin Bieber, an episode won't be dedicated to him. Plus Gwyneth Paltrow's back for two episodes to romance Will.

- Paola Tubay has signed up for True Blood, playing a recurring character Antonia.

- ABC has renewed Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Modern Family, The Middle, Cougar Town and Castle.

- Adrian Pasdar has landed a two episode arc on Castle.