"Plebs" TV series ITV2 Episode 5 "Bananae" review

A nice surprise seeing Mr Roper from "Man about the House"/"George and Mildred" (Brian Murphy) in the first scene as the plucky war veteran. I collapsed when he nutted Marcus. Lots to like in this episode.
Beware Thracian women bearing gifts (in this case bananas). Watching Flavia eating her first banana was hysterical.
Liked the word play: Stylax's nightly "napsturbation" (I think that's what Marcus said) and picking on the immigrants means you might be "Thracist".
Pretty sure a second season will be commissioned on the strength of this one. Last episode next week!
My wife and I (50+ old farts) love this show.
Funniest sitcom since "Friday Night Dinner" and "Miranda"

"Plebs" TV series ITV2 review Episode 1

I think I like "Plebs". I've only watched the first episode but it definitely has something. Mix a bit of "Up Pompeii" with Mel Brooks' "History of the World, Part 1" and "The Inbetweeners" as 20 somethings ..... you get the idea. The casting of the three leads is spot on. Including Tom Rosenthal (from the above show plus the brilliant "Friday Night Dinner") was a no-brainer.The slave, Grumio (Ryan Sampson), reminds me of Baldrick in "Black Adder" apart from Grumio's Northern accent. Joel Fry (Stylax) has good comic timing. He is obviously going to be the 'naughty boy' in the group, whereas Marcus is the uptight one.
Lots of funny ancient Rome meets 21st century Britain ("Bri-TON" as one pleb says) gags. All of them work. It is slight stuff but perfect 'put your feet up, grab a beer and enjoy' viewing.
Will watch more tonight.

"Lilyhammer" TV series Episode 2 "The Flamingo" review

Watching this show and reading Jo Nesbo novels gives you a feeling for life in Norway – endless bureaucracy and the need to be “PC”. Our American hero, Frank Tagliano (now Giovanni) bypasses the politically correct for the law of the street and what is common sense. He plays white knight rather well. He fixes up the school bully in his typical style, while teaching the victim (his new girl friend's son) survival techniques. He is a novel negotiator with his new business operation. It's not The Flamingo in Las Vegas (the one established by mobster Bugsy Siegel in the 1940's, as Frank fondly retells), it's Frank's new nightclub in beautiful downtown Lillehammer. He ‘negotiates’ with a local bikie by giving him a gentle push down Lillehammer’s towering ski jump.

Frank’s favourite social worker (the bumbling Jan Johansen) reminds me of Jim Bell (the daffy neighbour in “Friday Night Dinner”). 

I like the way the dialogue fluctuates smoothly between Norwegian and English.

Interesting to note that star Van Zandt is also co-producer/co-writer. He obviously knew what he was doing as this is a classy production with great characters and delicious situations.

People who make me laugh. People who DON'T make me laugh

I know I'm not a comedian, but this is from a grumpy's perspective, with too much time on his hands....

People who I find particularly funny:

• Sean Lock
• Dylan Moran
• Robert Popper (writer of Friday Night Dinner, brilliant - but the "Mr Morris" episode really annoyed me - the old shit should have been mauled by Wilson, the German Shepherd)
• Simon Amstell
• Shaun Micallef
• Dave O'Neil (warm, wry, Melbourne, my generation)
• Kitty Flanagan
• Paul O'Grady (Scouse gold, wrote a ripper autobiography)
• Chelsea Handler
• Seth MacFarlane
• Sarah Millican
• Miranda Hart
• Jo Brand
• Lee Mack
• Eric Morecombe  R.I.P.

People who I find unfunny:

• Chris Lilley
• Steve Carell movies (but he is funny live or on chat shows)
• Jimmy Fallon
• Jim Carrey
• Cheech & Chong (yes, I know this is very '80s)
• Will Ferrell (same as Mr Carell, charming when on live TV)
• Keith Lemon
• anyone on "The Footy Show"
• anyone remotely connected to Two and a Half Men

New stuff on TV, brief reviews

• Please Like Me Who knew Josh Thomas could act? Bittersweet, endearing, naturally funny. Thomas is a self-deprecating writer/comedian. Well directed, talented cast of old pros and new faces. This show is a winner. ABC 2 Thursday 9:30. It puzzles me why ABC put on double episodes on the first night. Hope it builds an audience. Perhaps ABC 1 will repeat it.
• New Qi Series 11 "J" - why doesn't ABC play the 45 minute (XL) episodes?
• Another ABC grizzle ... bring back Friday Night Dinner! You dropped it after 3 episodes on a Friday night for more Qi repeats. Some are 7 years old! ABC's answer to Big Bang Theory/2 and a Half Men overuse.
• Ripper Street (BBC produced for first 2 seasons) - set 6 months after Jack the Ripper murders. Great characters beautiful art direction. Classy and strangely informative. Update: Series 3, Amazon is now producing. Bigger budget, great characters, intriguing situations, set 4 years later.
• Banshee (FX) a "guilty pleasure" series - Peyton Place meets Billy Jack meets Witness with a sprinkling of Twin Peaks. Silly but fun. Produced by Alan (6 Feet Under, True Blood) Ball. 
• American Horror - Asylum (Eleven) Glee creators /writers but galaxies away .... oh, it does have aliens...and Nazis doctors....and crusading lesbian journalists.....and possessed nuns ....and Jessica Lange doing a 60's dance number ....and the kitchen sink. Stylish direction and buckets of blood. You have been warned. Guilty pleasure No 2. Watch all 13 episodes with the lights off and your brain in Neutral.
• The Following (Nine). Pilot was great. Think Seven/Silence of the Lambs I had to look away once. Kevin Bacon is great. Written by Scream's Kevin Williamson. Beware commercials and late night programming because of gore. Gets a bit repetitive, who is NOT in this serial killer cult, but Episode 6 was a knockout. Stick with it, but I prefer Banshee.
• Elementary (Ten). We have watched 12 episodes and haven't tied of it, quality is consistent. Inventive scripts. I have no time for US rip-offs of UK shows, BUT THIS WORKS. Remember Johnny Lee Miller from Trainspotting? Trivia: both Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) played Frankenstein/the Creature in Danny Boyle's stage production last year.They used to swap roles each night.
• Parade's End Nine has bought it because of Benedict Cumberbatch and to get some Downton Abbey like ratings but they will murder it with commercials. Gorgeous to look at, but a trifle slow for Nine viewers. That sounded snobby.... tough.