In the US: Memorial Day, 9pm/8c, A&E
In the UK: Not yet acquired

Didn't I say you should own this a while ago? Oh wait it's a remake. A mini-series in fact. Let's start again then.

Michael Jurassic Park/Westworld/Disclosure/Rising Sun Crichton's first novel was The Andromeda Strain, a scary little book that asked the question "What if an alien virus that was absolutely virulent and lethal came to Earth? What would it be like and how would we deal with it?" After becoming a bestseller, it got turned into a rather excellent movie (which you should own) back in the early 70s.

So do we need a remake? Interesting question, too. Before watching this two-part mini-series, I'd have said no, even if it is "presented by" Tony and Ridley Scott, especially since it's showing on A&E, which hasn't done much decent for about a decade.

But you know what? It's not half bad. It's different in a lot of ways. It's better in a lot of ways, too. But is it the best Andromeda Strain so far?

Continue reading "Preview: The Andromeda Strain (mini-series)"

Read other posts about: 24, House, Lost, Scrubs

Today marks the start of an occasional feature: “Sitting Tennant”. This will feature pictures of David Tennant sitting.

Brilliant, huh?

What's that? Marie's on holiday? Oh dear...

To accompany today's other new feature, Sitting Tennant, and also to mark the switch over from the previous gold standard of hotness, Ali Larter, to our new gold standard, I'm also launching another new feature: Page of the Day.

Equally simple, Page of the Day will feature a picture of Joanna Page, in this case from the BBC production The Lost World. Which is nice.

Read other posts about: Gavin and Stacey

Torchwood

• Exit Wounds gets highest ever appreciation index, particularly from Welsh women aged 16-34

Film

• Martin Campbell to direct a Joel Surnow spy thriller
• Steven Soderbergh to direct The Girlfriend Experience
• Guillermo del Toro talks Hobbit
• Witch Mountain stars return for latest movie

Commercials

• David Nutter's Scarlet TV show revealed to be an ad

British TV

• John Hurt to return as Quentin Crisp in sequel to The Naked Civil Servant
• Dawn Airey quits ITV for Five after less than a year
• Yvette Fielding to launch her own Paranormal Channel
• BBC3 commissions new comedy pilot set in a law office
• ITV may be fined £4 million for phone-in naughtiness
• Guilt Trip cancelled over fears of exploitation

US TV

• Missi Pyle joining This Might Hurt
• Hector Elizondo to play Monk's shrink
• FX orders 13 episodes of Sons of Anarchy

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Zzzzz. Zzzzz.

Oh hello. I didn't see you there. Was I asleep? Sorry.

Right. A review of the new Big Finish eighth Doctor/Lucie Miller play, The Skull of Sobek.

The Skull of Sobek is set…

Zzzz. Zzzz. Zzzz.

Oh, I'm sorry. Did I fall asleep just then? How rude. Let's try again.

The Skull of Sobek is set…

Zzzz. Zzzz. Zzzz.

Oh dear. I did it again, didn't I? Right. Back in a minute after I've knocked back a pack of Pro Plus. I can see this is the only way I'm going to be able to get through it.

Continue reading "Review: Doctor Who - The Skull of Sobek"

Read other posts about: Big Finish

Big Finish producer Nigel Fairs and co painted themselves into something of a corner with their last Sapphire and Steel audio play. They really thought it was going to be the last one, since the sales figures had been somewhat lacking, so they essentially killed off Sapphire and Steel.

Trouble was, Big Finish supremo Jason Haigh-Ellery decided he wanted more episodes, commissioned a third series of stories and Fairs and co had to come up with a way out for our heroes. Several glasses of red wine later, they came up with the idea of recasting Sapphire and Steel.

So here's Second Sight, answering a question no one had previously asked before and never really wanted an answer to either: what if Sapphire and Steel were played by young Australian soap stars?

Continue reading "Review: Sapphire and Steel - Second Sight"

Read other posts about: Big Finish, Sapphire and Steel