Reviews

Wow. A thousand times wow.

Now in it's fifth season, Breaking Bad is one of the most unique and stylish shows to appear on television for some time. So crammed full of high octane drama and thrilling story lines, you can often forget this show is made for TV. Bryan Cranston, of Malcom In The Middle fame, is so immersed into the character of 'Walter Wight', a chemist professor who 'breaks bad' after suffering a cancer scare, that it almost seems as though two very different actors played both parts! And I mustn't forget such a stellar supporting cast. These characters are incredibly interesting, multi layered works of art and fit the writing like your favourite sweater.

Over five seasons we see a huge transformation in Walter, from a man desperate to do whatever he can to support his family in his time of need, to one with delusions of grandeur, frighteningly encompassing this new lifestyle with an almost sociopathic rationality. We see changes in those close to him. Hank's dealing with being shot and losing the ability to walk unaided and Skyler's acceptance of Walt and her descent into chaos are of particular note. Aaron paul's portrayal of Jesse Pinkman, a former junkie turned cook is another highlight and further reinforces how brilliant writing can complement superb character development.

Everything about this show is stellar. The funny moments are dry, clever and better delivered than most comedies. The depth of drama in this show is apparently endless with nearly everybody on a knife-edge of some sort. but it is the action and cinematography where the show really explodes. This is where the show transforms from a great television show to a stylish, unique piece of modern art. Much like the early Tarantino films, the cinematography and overall style is so distinctive that you could spot a breaking bad scene a mile away. It is often breathtaking and as always full of beautiful surprises.

This truly is a must see television masterpiece and is a work of the highest possible quality.

The easiest 10/10 I have given so far.

Back in 2002, a friend of mine nudged me in the direction of a small radio station called XFM. He strenuously urged that I listen to a Saturday show with comedy writers Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant and a strange, unknown entity. 'This will be your newest addiction' I was promised.

Ricky often mused that the radio show was probably the worst show on the air. With ridiculous competitions with crap prizes and idle rants about monkeys and freaks gave a general impression of a few friends simply messing around with a microphone. For anyone else, this would probably be difficult to enjoy and ultimately short lived. However, Ricky had a wild card. His name is Karl Pilkington.

The joy with Karl is his unique and misguided interpretation on life. This wide-eyed naivety that pushes boundaries through ignorance allows us to laugh guilt free at many of life's taboos. Often he strikes a deep and meaningful point before severely (and hilariously) misinterpreting it. For years Steve and Ricky poked the proverbial stick at their manchunian friend, each time striking a comedy goldmine.

And as the radio shows and subsequent podcasts peaked and flourished, team Gervais decided to open our peripherals to the perplexing mind of Pilkington. Cue - The Ricky Gervais Show.

As a huge fan of the original material, I was at first sceptical of the animated format. I thought it would restrict my own imagination as to Karls thoughts, almost spelling them out for me. Ultimately, I simply couldn't rationalise where the extra laughs would come from.

And then I saw episode one. As soon as I saw the cartoon Pilkington in Hannah Barbera style, I immediately laughed harder than I thought possible. His gaunt, glazed expression and perfectly round head were arguably better than the real thing. Added to that the constant digressions, brilliantly playing out the banter and conversations between the three of them. In between Steve's self deprecating anecdotes and Ricky's infectious laugh, Karl would set the scene time and time again; reflecting on his own adolescence, freaks, monkeys, the gays and many other areas of fascination, all supported by some of the funniest animation i've had the pleasure of seeing.

Now Ricky himself needs no introduction. Since the groundbreaking BBC comedy 'The Office', Ricky has time and time raised the bar in television programming. With the successful American adaptation, his (even better) comedy series 'Extras', fantastically risqué live stand-up (including the memorable Golden Globes performance) and regular movie work, he is now a household name; and rightly so. I even dare wax lyrical in declaring him the best comedian of our time. And with this newest instalment, along with the critically acclaimed travel documentary 'An Idiot Abroad', such a reputation can only be validated.

All in all, the animation has taken nothing away from the original format, and has added so, so much. If you have had the chance to listen to the older podcasts or even the XFM radio shows and yet not seen this, I would strenuously urge to to. If not, even better.

The Ricky Gervais Show (on HBO in the US and Channel 4 in the UK) will stimulate more laughter than you thought possible. As my friend once told me - 'This will be your newest addiction'.

********** (10/10)

First and foremost, I must declare my adoration of Mangan and Greig. Both were flawless in the 2004 masterpiece 'Green Wing', and Greig did an even better job in Black Books. As a fellow Brit, I find both instantly recognisable and watchable, and any comedy show featuring these former co-workers would catch my undivided attention regardless.

Then we have the US invasion of Crane, Le Blanc and the rest of Hollywood. Desperate to shrug off the stigma of a character all to familiar (Joey), Le Blanc turns to his own idiosyncrasies and thus commits to the ever-increasingly popular decision of playing an exaggerated version of himself. And whilst he certainly draws most attention, integrating such a name into an atypically British comedy wasn't easy.

And so we have 'Episodes'. Set in the sunshine of Los Angeles, writers Greig and Mangan arrive in the US to film a pilot episode of their British comedy, Lyman's Boys. Only with continuous interference from producers, executives and even Matt Le Blanc himself, they instead are forced to cast Matt and inadvertently produce a broad sitcom named 'pucks'. Things go from bad to worse as relations between grieg, le blanc and mangan begin eroding the once lucrative idea of life in Hollywood.

At first, the premise of the show seemed to revolve almost entirely around Matt and at times the show struggled to appear more than one-dimensional. The connotation of 'Joey' from friends with a smart, classy British sitcom seemed a little extended and perhaps too much was made of this. Added to this the culture divide between Britain and Hollywood and you could be mistaken that there just wasn't enough to laugh about.

Thankfully, this was simply the first of many layers. As the series developed, the funnier it got. Matt portrayed an incredibly flawed, if generally well intended version of himself. He was as far removed from Joey as you can possibly venture, with a vulnerable, arrogant and self destructive edge that would never have worked in Friends. If anything, the show is perhaps a little Greig and Mangan heavy and more could have been afforded to Le Blanc.

It may take until the last few episodes for you to truly appreciate this show. It is at times intelligent, very dry and often reminiscent of Ricky Gervais's 'Extras'. By no means perfect, 'Episodes' will still keep you more than entertained. And if you were waiting for Matt to leave behind the persona of 'Joey', then we may have found the show to do that.

Perhaps I have been influenced with ex-friends co-star Matthew Perry's new comedy 'Mr. Happiness' (which is far from the best 20 minutes of television) but Episodes really is a gradually enjoyable and worthy comedy series. I am looking forward to a second season!

As the somewhat 'tongue-in-cheek' summary suggests, comparing 'Boardwalk Empire' with the majority of your TV guide may seem as pointless as inflating a balloon with peanut butter. The mere fact I am able to see such a show week in, week out is frankly a miracle considering the tripe we usually suffer. I actually feel blessed that such an ambitiously creative idea has come into fruition in such a flawless manner – truly a credit to each and every member involved.

Now before I continue with this review, I should first speak of my adoration of Terence Winter, and more specifically his inspired work with 'The Sopranos'. Like many of you, The series left me with an endless void (and a sore head). It was a truly remarkable show, entirely worthy of its timeless eminence. Since the finale of The Sopranos, I have kept a keen eye open, watching intently for Winter's next move.

Boardwalk Empire is set in 1920's America, during the passing of the prohibition law. Believed to be a catalyst of organised crime, the prohibition era sets the scene for our main character, Enoch (Nucky) Thompson (based on the real-life 'Enoch Johnson') as the puppeteer of Atlantic City; pulling all of the political and criminal strings, often in tandem. At a time of increasing competition in the illegal liquor business, Nucky must keep a firm grasp on his illicit control over Atlantic City whilst playing the proverbial part of the reputable politician.

I first heard of Boardwalk Empire once Scorsese had picked up the Pilot for direction. That was the moment I knew something momentous was on its way. As the series picked up energy, it suddenly became difficult to ignore. Experienced names such as Buscemi and Shannon along with some I had not heard much of (Pitt, Graham, MacDonald) were cast and as the pilot finally aired.

At first glance, I was somewhat frustrated by the lack of pace the pilot seemed to exhibit. I saw many elements of a period drama but assumed the show may be trying too hard to look the part whilst leaving substance behind. Thankfully, my cynicism lasted little over 15 minutes.

As the series gathered wind, I felt myself truly emotionally torn by these characters. Nucky's apparent affability glossed over in a coat of manipulative deceit brilliantly epitomises the corruption augmented by the prohibition. Buscemi's profile may not on paper be ideal for such a character, but he seamlessly removes the comical facade he is more accustomed to and becomes Nucky – for better and worse.

That said, there are a quite ridiculous number of stand-out roles to be excited by. Michael Pitt plays Nucky's post-war prodigy – Jimmy Darmody. An ambitious and casually violent character, Darmody struggles to wrestle his turbulent relationship with Nucky, his unreciprocated love for his distant and artistic wife and his desire to fulfil the role Nucky has set for him. Michael Pitt is surely the highlight of the cast – his great blue eyes often telling more of the story than any dialogue. As a reasonably young actor, Pitt is surely one to look out for.

Other notable performances include Shannon as the hard-hitting, forceful FBI agent, Nelson Van Alden. Glimpses into his dark and mysterious side show another element to a character in danger of becoming too one sided. Shannon, as expected, performs this side to the character utterly convincingly.

Kelly MacDonald as Margaret Schroeder is a superb example of a modern woman caught in older times. Unable at times to contain her own noble ideas behind Nucky's own agenda, you at times wonder what exactly she wants from Atlantic City, and in particular from Nucky Johnson. Kelly MacDonald provides a faultless and inspiring display and falls into the whole period feel outstandingly.

Stephen Graham as a young Al Capone, Michael Stuhlbarg as Arnold Rothstein and The Wire's Michael K. Williams as Chalky White also offer excellent viewing.

After 10 episodes, the series is at a knife edge (literally in some cases). Tension between criminal contingents is building to what will undoubtedly be a dazzling, awe-inspiring climax. The character interactions leaves so such today's television miles behind, and with a cast so astoundingly talented and a script so eloquently sharp, you truly feel that every second of this incredible show is unmissable. As a big budget TV series, there is obvious pressure from HBO to ensure Boardwalk Empire is a resounding success. Instead, HBO decided to commission season 2 after just one episode. Testament if it were needed to both HBO (who are surely the most envied network on US TV right now) and everybody involved in this show.

10/10