Programmes to review this 2017 weekend: Taboo, Sherlock, Let It Shine, The Voice...
What to watch and review on January 7 and 8.
Tom Hardy in Taboo
SATURDAY
Let It Shine (BBC1, 7pm) The start of Gary Barlow’s search for five wannabes to star in a stage musical about a boy band that isn’t Take That. King of cheese Barlow is ably assisted by fellow judges Martin Kemp, Dannii Minogue and someone called Amber Riley. Watch out for some hilariously dreadful singing. Warning: keep earplugs handy.
The Voice (ITV, 8pm) After defecting from the Beeb and switching channels, the singing contest that has never found a star begins its new life on ITV. Tom Jones is back, will.i.am is still there (God knows why) while reality rookies Gavin Rossdale and Jennifer Hudson join the panel. It’s harder edged than the sickly sweet Beeb version. But when the chairs stop spinning will the viewers stop watching? No one has ever cared who wins and ITV needs to solve this problem. Good luck with that.
Taboo (BBC1, 9.15pm) Terrific new series starring the charismatic Tom Hardy as sinister wanderer James Delaney who returns to London in 1814 to claim his inheritance: a strategic strip of land that both America and the East India Company are offering big money for. But will Delaney sell? And after his spell in Africa has he acquired supernatural powers? Also featuring the excellent Jonathan Pryce, this dark and dangerous drama is highly recommended.
SUNDAY
Sherlock (BBC1, 9pm) After the critically-panned New Year special, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman return for a film-length whodunit called The Lying Detective. Clever-dick Sherlock locks horns with the most evil man he has ever met. With the brilliant Toby Jones playing the vile villain, this should be a vast improvement on last week’s disappointing instalment. Can our crime-busting heroes restore their tarnished reputation?
Endeavour (ITV, 9pm) Shaun Evans is back as the young Morse blocks out his heartache over the abrupt departure of Joan by throwing himself into the intriguing case of a drowned research scientist. Not as flashy as Sherlock, but at least this reliably decent police drama knows how to tell a story.
There is 1 Comment
Let it shine
First 5 minutes. Strangely realistic and downbeat lyrics by Gary for opening number. Then becomes horrible cross of 'The Voice' and 'X Factor' but with extra cheese. Nope, won't watch anymore. Why do Saturday night schedulers assume we all become 4 years old at the weekend?
Pass the bucket, as Musical Youth once said. Ok it wasn't a bucket but class A drugs, but you get my drift!