The Sun Always Shines on TV

[rebness]

What is it about autumn that prompts far too much television-watching? Well, that and the fact I have about £40 till payday and still need to get a ticket for Goblet of Fire. Hence, have an attempt at Ruh-becca, television critic:

Rome

I was expecting big things from Rome, because it’s hard to go wrong with the BBC or HBO, so the two together sounded good.

Now, don’t get me wrong. The debauchery is fun. The scheming is fun. The plotting and the sumptuous costumes and the filming on location rock. But it’s curiously empty. It’s just… scheming and scheming and all that sort of stuff, without ever really focusing on the virtues of Rome, or indeed aiming for anything but a sensationalised account of one of the most dynamic and interesting of European civilisations of all time. Bloodthirsty empire? Probably. Okay, sometimes, yes. But, to paraphrase John Cleese, the Romans have done a great deal for us, rather than just make us horny. And so much of the programme just flies in the face of everything I ever learned in history class; womens’ roles, social constraints, etc. Atia would never get away with her conduct in ancient Rome (covert or otherwise, unlike kickass Olympia, Alexander’s mother… who…erm… came to a sticky end herself) and thus sensationalism wrecks what is actually quite a compelling programme. The buddy-buddy relationship between Lucius and Titus is more akin to a Hollywood cop film than classical mythology or what have you.

Also, the cast couldn’t look, sound or act more British than if they were strutting about in Union Jacks and being all snooty. It’s rather off-putting to see Kevin “Trainspotting” McKidd doing the soldier thing, or Jez Quigley of Corrie infamy taking part in orgies.

I know it’s been something of a hit across the Atlantic, but opinion seems divided over here, and both the critics and the viewing public have greeted it less enthusiastically than we thought they would—a problem for the heavy investment the BBC has put into this programme. The problem is that whilst Rome is undeniably fun, the British public knows that the BBC has really done better, even with the fabulous I, Claudius, still great after all those decades, and people are bristling at the idea of such a huge chunk of our licence money going to fund another series. Me, well… I’d rather pay for a new series of Rome than that incredibly annoying Eggheads programme.

Joe Macbeth

It’s Shakespeare Season on the BBC, so we’ve had a lot of programming on radio and television about the bard, but the biggest thing is a series of postmodern adaptations of his plays. Last week, the season kicked off with Much Ado About Nothing, set in a television studio. It was pretty good, but I was looking forward to this week most of all: Joe Macbeth -- the Scottish king now a Scottish chef ready to slay “King” Duncan over a Michelin Star wrongly awarded to the wrong man.

It’s so incredibly hard to go wrong with Macbeth. And they didn’t. Huzzah. Macbeth eulogising over pork chops? The three witches as binmen? Lady Macbeth doing away with the witnesses by virtue of immigration? All right, so the timeless speeches were sorely missed, but there were great one-liners, such as how the chefs in Duncan’s restaurant believed referring to star chef Gordon Ramsay was bad luck:

“It’s bad luck to say his name. We call him The Scottish Chef.”

More, please.

Casanova

Re-watched Casanova on DVD. Now, this is prime BBC: all cheeky, loose adaptation and knowing winks at the audience. It was primarily filmed elsewhere than Venice due to budget and closed set constraints, but squeeee if I didn’t recognise him running down the same backstreet that I was captivated by the Sunday before. Love love love. <3

Comments

[tsaress.livejournal.com]

I managed to download ep 1 of cities of gold but my site crashed so I can't upload it for you at mom but I'll try do it tomorrow.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you so much, Cat! *Hug*

[wig-maker.livejournal.com]

Sounds like I didn't miss much with this Rome thing. Though was a bit gutted I did miss it what with James Purefoy being in it :(

Finally got to watch Much Ado care of patchworkgirl_ lending me her copy. Was rather pleased with it! Thought Lewis and Parish did a great job... as did the rest of the cast, of course.

I'd be watching Macbeth if my tv reception wasn't being so arsey right now. Hoping for re-runs on Sky.

Look, there's a canal, I spied it. Look, it's still there. Look, and again.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I dunt think you'd like it, honestly. It's a bit... bleh, to be honest.

Now that was an entertaining programme. :p

[fadedacolyte.livejournal.com]

I wish I could have seen Joe Macbeth(we currently finished reading Macbeth in my British Literature class, so it's all fresh in my mind).

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's so good. It might get shown on BBC World or whatever soon. If I hear anything, I'll let you know. The best adaptation I ever saw was Macbeth on the Estate, set in modern-day Glasgow. It was so good-- the classical language, but the estate providing a new sense of menace.

[ladydaydream.livejournal.com]

Joe Macbeth - Dammit I knew there was something I meant to watch tonight!

I'm not too overly enamoured with Rome either. I'll agree with you that something's missing.

I'm looking forward to seeing Harry Potter when it comes out. It's this Friday isn't it?

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Yep, it's out this Friday .I'm going to see it on Wednesday because of damned work schedules, but can't wait! :D

It's weird-- nobody I know (well, who's British) actually seems to like Rome. Maybe it's just us.

[saffronlie.livejournal.com]

I dunt like documentaries that are all shiny re-enactments and no old men in tweed walking around hilltops. Well, I do like them, but I think it's quite important also to show close-ups of artefacts and speak to experts from the University of Timbuktoo about insane unproveable theories. Really, I do.

Still iffy about this Shakespeare thing, but "the Scottish chef" may just swing it for me. The lack of Shakespearean dialogue is the suckiest part.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

You're right about Schama. Man, he's good. This isn't. Even with teh slash aspects.

You might be vaguely irritated by Much Ado, although Beatrice and Benedick are brilliant in it. Joe Macbeth was brilliant, and next week it's Taming of the Shrew. But although they reference Shakespeare in each episode-- a sonnet, a quote, a saying-- they do suffer without the language.

[jaffacakequeen.livejournal.com]

Rome is let down badly by the script! using words like "plonker" and “me ol cocker” I cant cope. Plus the acting is a bit impassionate, a bit slow. Its the american influence thats spoiled it, they cant do peroid drama, even if someone gave them a "Dummies for Peroid Drama filming" they would still feck it up. GRRR "ducks from your american friends." however they make the best light-hearted comedy. "ducks from UK friends"

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Oh, I forgot about the Anglicisms! Urgh. You have expect Kat Slater to pop up in period dress, all, "leave it aht, Caesar!"

:p You're nuts.

Oi! Christmas markets! We need to talk. >:)

[pandorasblog]

Hmmm... I think you're right about Rome. I am enjoying it hugely, but I can't say that it gives me any sense of comment about it all. It's all in on the details of the schemers, and not saying anything underneath. Any message you could derive would indeed be that Rome was all decadent and awful and stuff, and it did indeed have much good in it. Oh, and read the Sandman story, August, about Octaevius as an old man, the Emperor Augustus. It's fabulous.

Also... is it just me, or is the opening sequence with the graffiti coming to life oddly reminiscent of the animated opening titles of Desperate Housewives? Did the same people do that, or something? *puzzled*

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I'll definitely look them up, thanks! :D

I know Rome is produced by the same American company as Desperate Housewives, so maybe they've shared some creative people? Not sure.

The programme seems like a... theme park of ancient Rome, taking the most sensationalised stuff and running with that instead. It's on right now, but I've switched to ITV and am watching the Take That story. Times really are hard for television of late. ;)

[jaffacakequeen.livejournal.com]

they used the word "pleb" last night! please tell me i miss heard? is this a roman word? mmmm if it is i shall eat my boho hat.

[jaffacakequeen.livejournal.com]

In Ancient Rome, the plebs was the general body of Roman citizens, distinct from the privileged class of the patricians. A member of the plebs was known as a plebeian (Latin: plebeius).

i eat my own hat :-(

damn i need to work.

yes, christmas markets..:-D lets e-mail and make plans

[rebness.livejournal.com]

LMAO! You nutter! :D

I shall e-mail you today! Dude! Super fantastische!