The high-concept concept behind Episodes is that Matt is playing himself in a US remake of a UK sitcom - geddit? Needless to say, the Yanks are dumbing things down and the remake has turned into a nightmare for British husband-and-wife duo behind it.
If you remember the trouble that befell the US version of Coupling, this series should capture the cluelessness of network execs trying to make a hit British show work in the States. And as it’s being co-produced by Showtime and the Beeb, it should be bitingly satirical and hopefully a little bit rude.
Found via the always excellent The Medium Is Not Enough… the tenth season of CSI started in America lat week with an epic two-minute homage to The Matrix. Here it is for your viewing pleasure…
9pm, 10 Things I Hate About You, Fiver
Bianca tries to please Chastity by devising a carnation fund-raiser for the cheerleading squad, while Kat deals with an unwelcome admirer.
10pm, Life, ITV3
Crews is assigned a temporary new partner, Detective Jane Seever (Gabrielle Union), to investigate the murder of a court reporter who had been pen pals with a convicted robber.
11pm, Saving Grace, More4
Grace faces a dilemma as Earl dares her not to lie for a week, which leads to a row with Rhetta and a very awkward meeting with Ham’s wife Darlene.
11pm, Law & Order, Sky1 & Sky HD
When a high-school girl is murdered, the finger of suspicion points to a prostitute and her partner, but each of them blames the other for the killing.
9pm, Ugly Betty, E4
Ugly Betty is taking a break, so that Channel 4 can catch up. Back next week, folks!
9pm, CSI: Miami, Five
As Calleigh and Ryan investigate a dead body in an attic, a gunman shoots at them and detonates a bomb. Calleigh is rushed to hospital, where she’s treated by Dr Alexx Woods, her former CSI colleague.
9pm, Ghost Whisperer, Living
When a little girl uncovers a haunted dollhouse hidden in her attic, Melinda has to work out whether the ghosts possessing the dollhouse are linked to a family’s mysterious death.
9pm, Chuck, Virgin1
Chuck is contacted by Orion, the mastermind behind the Intersect computer, and has to decide whether to trust the mysterious scientist, who may be able to erase the Intersect from his mind, or Sarah and Casey.
9pm, Warehouse 13, Sci-Fi & HD
A woman who holds Artie responsible for the death of her brother abducts him. Oh dear, now where’s that wishing kettle?
As well as snaffling up wondrous new musical drama Glee, those nice folk at E4 have also splashed out on The Cleveland Show, a spin-off to Family Guy. On first inspection, it doesn’t seem that different to Family Guy, other than a clan of talking bears replacing Brian the muttering mutt – but if it ain’t broke, why fix it, eh? Here’s the trailer to salivate over…
The competition to win one of three Supernatural series 4 boxsets has now closed. Well done to everyone who correctly answered that Lucifer Rising was the name of the last episode of series four.
The lucky winners of the boxsets are:
1. Lindsay Carter
2. Robert Taylor
3. Tom Perrott
Commiserations to the rest of you, better luck next time!
9pm, FlashForward, Five NEW SERIES The new sci-fi drama begins with FBI agent Mark Benford, played by Joseph Fiennes, blacking out during a high-speed pursuit and crashing his car. After he regains consciousness, it emerges that everyone in the world has suffered a similar blackout, causing millions of fatalities, and Benford and an FBI task force try to unravel the mystery.
10pm, Without a Trace, More4
FBI agent Martin Fitzgerald is forced to work alone investigating the disappearance of a woman when the rest of the team are diverted to a shopping mall on Medina’s orders after a four-year-old girl is kidnapped.
11pm, The Closer, More4
Lieutenant Provenza goes undercover, posing as a hitman, in an attempt to trap a woman who is planning to have her husband killed. However, things get tricky when the intended victim turns up dead and Provenza’s car is stolen with all the evidence in it.
