Tonight's Tele Tip: Count Arthur Strong

Back at last!

Tonight's Tele Tip : Count Arthur Strong

Yes ladies and gents, he's back!

He conquered Radio 4. He conquered BBC2 and now he's heading for BBC1 with the second series of Count Arthur Strong tonight at 10:35.

Quite why it's on so late is beyond me, but at least he's on!

Count Arthur Strong : A Christmas Message

Give him the 3pm Speech slot tomorrow instead of The Queen that's what I say!

Count Yourself In

No sooner has the series finished airing and the DVD has been released, BBC2 have decided to repeat the wonderful Count Arthur Strong tonight at 7:30pm, BBC2

That's something to cheer about! So do yourself a favour and tune in for some laughs

Broken (2013)

Wow.

Broken is a social drama shot through with the notion of hope, resilience and the old adage 'a flower in a dustbin'. As such it is probably one of the better examples of 'Broken Britain' cinema, bleak in parts but not needlessly melodramatic/gritty. Certainly the twilight direction (Rufus Norris) and cinematography (Rob Hardy) garner some beauty amidst the despair.

I haven't read the novel on which its based, written by Dan Clay. but I'd be interested to know if the slightly non linear way the interwoven stories of three households in a North London cul-de-sac is in keeping with the source or an invention of the film. Equally I wonder if the vague feeling of To Kill A Mockingbird (father who is a solicitor/lawyer and young inquisitive daughter who shows great promise live across the road from the neighbourhood 'freak') features in the novel, or if that was just me!

I'm a big fan of Tim Roth and I'm so glad to see him here as Archie, the solid and reliable solicitor and father of Skunk, mainly because it feels like a return to his socially aware indie low budget British roots (Made In Britain, Meantime, King of the Ghetto) But the real stars of this film are Rory Kinnear, who is fast proving he can play absolutely anything (compare this to his current TV appearances in the charming sitcom Count Arthur Strong and the gripping dour drama Southcliffe) as the neighbourhood thug whose actions and those of his three daughters poison everything. It's a relief however to see that it is not a one note characterisation, there's more facets to his personality and as horrid as he is, his behaviour is at least understandable depicting almost the other side of the coin to Tim Roth's character, in that both of them are single parents making their way across the minefield, albeit Roth more successfully than the less open minded Kinnear. Then of course there is Eloise Laurence as Skunk. Much has been said of this promising newcomer so I feel I've little to contribute except to concur she is indeed one to watch.

Broken is a realistic, poignant film that builds up nicely to a gripping affecting climax whilst also capably depicting that innocence of youth and the hazy summers between school years.

Count Arthur Strong

Count Arthur Strong is, for my money, the funniest thing on TV at the moment. And after just one episode, the BBC ordered a second series.

So why with 3 episodes left of the 6 part series have they moved transmission from Mondays to Tuesdays?

Strange.

I actually recall The Count (the alter ego of comedian Steve Delaney) way back when he would make appearances on Mark Radcliffe's Radio 2 evening show. He's become a firm favourite via the radio and has skilfully crossed over to TV with the help of Graham Linehan (The IT Crowd, Father Ted, Black Books etc) I just love the bumbling former variety performer stuff, makes me giggle every week.