Lip Service, BBC3

I was once told that the opening paragraph of an article will tell you all you need to know about what you are about to read. And I would think the same could be said about watching a television program? The first five or ten minutes sets the feel and tone for a show, hooks the unsure viewer in. If that is the case then the first five minutes of BBC Three's Lip Service certainly made clear what the show was about...lesbians.

The first episode starts with two girls ripping each other's clothes off in a New York apartment (one being main character, bad girl photographer Frankie). From the opening scene it is clear that there will be no caution in covering what is still strangely some-what of a taboo subject on British TV.

But as the hour-long outing continued I realised that there was nothing else beyond the fact that it was a show about twenty-something lesbians living in Glasgow. The characters and their stories seem to be dominated too much by their sexuality, the conversation stuttered in between the sex scenes.

One scene in particular where Frankie (Ruta Gedmintas) and a funeral director secretary have sex in a morgue in front on a dead body seemed to be suddenly thrust upon the viewers at home and Frankie's ex Cat (Laura Fraser) who walked in on them.

Maybe after all the creator of Lip Service was too conscious that they were making a risque, bold and in-some-ways groundbreaking drama?

But this was only episode one of this six-part drama. Opening episodes are often used to set the tone, introduce the characters and what they are about.

After last night's episode no one can have any doubts about what Lip Service is about but hopefully the characters and their relationships can be explored further in the next five showings.

Picture from The Guardian

EastEnders: Billie's sad death

Too often soaps go for the over the top reaction to dramatic deaths. Wailing in hysterics is all well and good in certain situations but tonight EastEnders triumphed with an understated and emotional reaction to the sudden, alcohol-related death of Billie Jackson (Devon Anderson).

After celebrating his 22nd birthday in Friday's episode, Billie downed a huge amount of booze and collapsed on the sofa. Half-sister Bianca (Patsy Palmer) went to wake him but instead found him dead in the lounge.

The performances from everyone involved were brilliant, even cousin Lauren's (Jacqueline Jossa) nervous laugh seemed realistic. Carol's (Lindsey Coulson) reaction to her son's death was heartbreaking. There was no outbursts of tears just a blank look of shock and sudden emptiness. Little dialogue was needed as the family's reaction to Billie's death drove the episode forward.

Since his return to Walford earlier this year, the character of Billie has failed to make a huge impact in Walford. So his sudden and emotional demise will probably be remembered longer than anything the character did on screen.

The episode was depressing, even for EastEnders but the BBC show deserves praise for tonight's showing; highlighting the risks of binge drinking in such a sad and shocking way.

Picture from whatsontv.co.uk

Strictly Come Dancing - Kara and Ann steal the show

Tuning in to Strictly Come Dancing last night you would be forgiven for thinking that your television had magically developed a split screen effect. Surely you had to be watching two different programs?

One side of the dance floor was ex-EastEnder and model Kara Tointon clad in a skimpy dominatrix swimsuit whilst the other side was former MP Ann Widdecombe in a more respectful and dignified ballroom gown. But these two women showed last night just how good Strictly can be (in very different ways).

Despite catching her foot in the tail of her revealing outfit and falling to the floor Kara gave a spectacular and saucy cha cha cha. Kara is one of those (I will refrain from using the word celebrity) well-known people who clearly knows how to dance and has come on Strictly to help her career.

Before Kara's impressive cha cha cha came a different kind of dancing. Combine John Sergeant's dancing skills and Anton du Beke's cheeky personality and you have Ann Widdecombe doing the waltz. She looked stunning in a full-length gown and whilst little can be said about her dancing skills it was her quick wit when she responded to judge Craig Revel-Horwood's criticism that will make her a strictly star. "If you think that's bad you should see the salsa!" quipped Ann!

Kara should go far in the competition for the right reasons whilst Ann will probably go far for the wrong ones.

Kara and Ann were joined on the dance floor over both Friday and Saturday by former Coronation Street star Tina O'Brien, Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams, actress Patsy Kensit, ex England footballer Peter Shilton, TV presenter Matt Baker, film actor Jimi Mistry, EastEnders actor Scott Maslen, DJ Goldie, actress Felicity Kendal, rugby player Gavin Henson, psychologist Pamela Stephenson and magician Paul Daniels.

Matt Baker shone in a Countryfile themed outfit whilst an extremely nervous Henson and graceful Stephenson were surprisingly good. But performer Michelle Williams was disappointing. Maybe I waited for her performance with an misguided assumption that she could really dance as she used to be in Destiny's Child alongside Beyonce but she struggled with her Cha Cha and looked suitably annoyed after receiving criticism from the judges and a low score.

Last year Strictly struggled in a ratings battle with rival X Factor and lost the sparkle that had made it so endearing to the public. But after one weekend's outing it seems this series of Strictly could be back to its glittery best.

Scores from both shows:

Matt Baker: 31
Pamela Stephenson: 31
Kara Tointon: 30
Scott Maslen: 29
Gavin Hensen: 28
Jimi Mistry: 26
Peter Shilton: 25
Michelle Williams: 24
Tina O'Brien: 24
Felicity Kendall: 23
Patsy Kensit: 22
Goldie: 20
Ann Widdecombe: 17
Paul Daniels: 16

Picture from guardian.co.uk