fri 25/07/2025

tv

Paul Hollywood Eats Japan, Channel 4 review - Mr Bake Off gets culture shock

Adam Sweeting

“Paul is in Japan to eat,” announced Rebecca Front’s smart-alecky voice-over, introducing this new series for Channel 4, but he was also there to do that very British thing of wallowing in blissful ignorance of foreign customs and traditions. A Very British Travelogue, in fact.

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The Village, ITV review - the weird and wonderful micro-climate of Portmeirion

Adam Sweeting

Portmeirion, the Italianate village created by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis on the River Dwyryd estuary, might have been designed to provide the perfect surreal setting for the 1967 TV series The Prisoner. But though it resembles an opium...

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Normal People, BBC One review – adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel evokes the deep cut of first love

Joseph Walsh

Sally Rooney’s 2018 novel, which was long-listed for the Man Booker Prize, was a psychologically rich, emotive journey into the psyches of two Irish teenagers who fall in love. Only two years on from publication, it has been turned into a 12-part series from the BBC and Hulu. 

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Grayson's Art Club, Channel 4 review - too many clichés and platitudes?

Marina Vaizey

The national treasure that is Grayson Perry, CBE, RA, is hosting a six-episode national art club on Channel 4 for professional artists, amateur artists and the public. Since Perry came to national attention when he won the Turner Prize he has been happily ubiquitous.

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Van der Valk, ITV review - can the Dutch detective make a successful comeback?

Adam Sweeting

Between 1972-1992 five series of Van der Valk were made for ITV, starring Barry Foster as the eponymous Amsterdam detective. Nearly 30 years later comes this reincarnation with Marc Warren in the title role, no doubt hoping to find a regular home in the juicy two-hour Sunday night slot.

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Westworld, Season 3, Sky Atlantic review – a cyberpunk triumph

Joseph Walsh

In the time since the show’s inception four years ago, arguments have raged as to whether Westworld is a dud or a cult classic. For every dedicated fan, there’s someone out there crying, "The Matrix did it first!" and complaining that the plot didn’t make sense (it did).  

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After Life series 2, Netflix review - Ricky Gervais's study of bereavement continues

Veronica Lee

It's interesting to note that this Netflix series – the second of Ricky Gervais's study of bereavement, which he writes, directs and stars in – is broadcast during lockdown.

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Gangs of London, Sky Atlantic review - bloody terrifying

Adam Sweeting

You might consider equipping yourself with a shotgun and kevlar body armour before you start watching Gangs of London (Sky Atlantic), because this is a bruising, hair-raising ride.

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The Truth about Amazon, Channel 4 review - buyer beware

Adam Sweeting

Amazon had already been declared the world’s most valuable public company before COVID-19 struck, but under the current stay-indoors regime, its online retailing and streaming entertainment services have been given an astronomical extra boost. The now-ubiquitous Amazon Prime delivery boxes would probably stretch to the moon and back if laid end to end.

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A Country Life for Half the Price, Channel 5 review - Essex couple Sam and Lucy become rural entrepreneurs

Adam Sweeting

The “relocation in search of a new life” theme has become a dependable TV staple, from A New Life in the Sun to Relocation, Relocation and Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild, but this Channel 5 series by Kate Humble has been more entertaining than most. Perhaps it’s because we captive, locked-down TV viewers are yearning to roam free in wide-open spaces.

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