CUNK ON BRITAIN
BBC iPlayer
Diane Morgan returns for her latest mockumentary outing as the clueless Philomena Cunk. Capturing the style of modern documentaries perfectly, Morgan confounds experts in various fields with her irreverent questions about British history, such as asking Robert Peston what the most political moment in British history is. The series is a continuation of her other shows, Cunk On Christmas and Cunk On Shakespeare. Don’t expect to learn anything from the show, other than that people will still try and answer questions no matter how stupid. ****GE
LOVE
Netflix
With warmer weather approaching, we are reminded that sunny days are often our best. And sitting down to an episode of Love on Netflix feels like a stroll through the streets of LA with the sun pelting down. With Judd Apatow at the helm, expect grown-up-gags aplenty, but leads Paul Rust (also co-writer) and Gillian Jacobs navigate the set-ups, the streets and the sex with a genuine innocence and subtle maturity that is often lacking from Apatow’s big screen fare. Whether you’re looking for something to watch with your morning coffee or settling down with a glass of crisp Californian white… you’ll be addicted to the bitesize chunks with one sitting. *****JS
RIVERDALE
Netflix
Riverdale is what you put on when the house needs cleaning. There is a brilliance to the writing in its ability to move between maple-sweet Americana and haunting (although family-friendly) death scenes, but the sheer volume of exposition, predictability and dramatic storylines that aren’t really that dramatic leaves little for the older viewer to get their teeth into. And whilst it’s great to see Archie Andrews et al brought to life, it’s clear from the start that the ensemble are little more than archetypal teens to hang the comic character’s names on. Good fun. Great dialogue. Enjoyable rhythm… fire up the vacuum and book the day off. ***JS
13 COMMANDMENTS
All4
The latest Belgian crime drama to find a home on Channel 4, this is a brutal whodunnit set in the grimy, godforsaken city of Aalst. Detective Peter Devriendt (as drained of life as the city itself) and his new partner Vicky Degreave (demoted from Special Ops because of a dodgy back) lead a team on the trail of Moses, a religious maniac intent on punishing those he deems to have strayed from the paths of righteousness. While heavily indebted to the likes of Se7en and Messiah, director Maarten Moerkerke cleverly wrings every ounce of social commentary possible from a seemingly clichéd script. ****KM
LOST IN SPACE
Netflix
A Netflix reboot of the original 1965 series of the same name, this follows the Robinsons and other families as they try to survive in an unfamiliar and hostile environment after crash landing on an uncharted planet many light years from their destination. Although the setting is unfamiliar, the issues they explore are relatable to everyone, touching on family and societal relationships. The series is gripping and suspenseful, as it pays homage to the original Robinson family whilst still able to attract new sci-fi fans and space enthusiasts. ****TH
