The Hoff taking flak for missing talent?

David Hasselhoff's feet have hardly had time to touch UK soil before the rumours about his possible Britain's Got Talent axe have started. But The Hoff is far from the main problem with the new BGT episodes, it is the astounding lack of real talent that is most damaging.

In recent years BGT has sky-rocketed under the normally safe guidance of Simon Cowell but Cowell has taken a back seat this year (though he he will return for the live shows), and the show is suffering.

Ratings are falling, with the last episode being watched by 8.99 million viewers which is the lowest for the BGT auditions since 2007 and down on the opening episode audience of 11.6 million.

Whilst Hassellhoff has not instantly fitted into the high-waisted trousers of Cowell (alongside comedian Michael McIntyre and regular judge Amanda Holden) and the new judging panel lacks the 'bad guy' persona, it is the lack of any truly memorable or original acts which has made the show tedious and boring.

Even the gimmicky acts have drawn a deadly silence around the TV in my house.

Whilst a man singing nursery rhymes to pop songs or an adorable dog howling to opera is ok for the first two minutes, beyond the audition stage there will probably be little surprise or entertainment to it and I can't see the Queen finding comfort in the future talent of the country watching either of those acts.

12-year-old Ronan Park is a good singer and made me look up and pay attention for the first and only time so far this series but despite his obvious talent, a child singer is not the fantastically original or different act that BGT often plucks from obscurity.

Whilst Hassellhoff's job looks safe for now, lets hope for his and the viewers sake that better talent appears on the stage before I lose all interest in the series and The Hoff loses his job.

Are you enjoying the new series of BGT?

Picture from Unreality TV

Tim crowned winner of Masterchef 2011

Eccentric American Tim Anderson was crowned Masterchef 2011 Champion last night, beating Englishman Tom Whitaker and Italian Sara Danesin in the final.

After travelling round the world for challenges, the final three made it back to Masterchef HQ to cook their final and hopefully best three-course meal for judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

And it was Tim's, the youngest ever winner at 26, meal of a selection of burgers, Pork Ramen with Truffled Lobster and three classic English desserts with a twist that won him the crown. In truth I couldn't understand half of the ingredients or food prepared by the finalists but the fact that John and Gregg sat their with almost speechless delight, you knew it was good!

In truth runners-up Tom and Sara could both count themselves unlucky that they decided to enter this year, both would have probably stormed to victory in previous series. Sara's chocolate ravioli starter last night in particular looked heavenly.

But it was Tim's spark of genius, often bordering on the weird, that gave him the edge. Often at times looking more like a scientist than a chef (a gastro-scientist as they say), with liquid nitrogen steaming up his glasses, Tim has thought up and cooked some mind-boggling creations.

This year's series of Masterchef has been a huge success, probably the best series and three finalists since the show started again back in 2005. This year's 11-week run has averaged 5.2million viewers.

But whilst last night's absorbing final was a roaring success both for its cooking and as a TV show, the need for (sorry for the obvious pun coming up) Masterchef to over cook the main course has put a slight blemish on this year's series.

Why did we need three straight nights of Masterchef? The challenges, travelling round the world, were entertaining but they didn't tell us anything new about the contestants. We all know they can cook, overcoming being out of their comfort zone or under pressure.

Thanks to Sky+ I ignored most of Monday's and Tuesday's episode until we got to the real final last night. The contestants may have felt exhausted after going round the world but I felt exhausted enough just watching from the comfort of my sofa. Three hours was just way too much.

But once we got there, the mouth-watering finale was well worth the watch. Tim deserved to win purely for thinking up some of those amazingly crazy dishes, let alone cooking them perfectly. I will now go and spend the next year dreaming of chocolate ravioli, waiting for next year's series to start.

Do you think Tim deserved to win? Did you think three nights for the final was too much?

Picture from AOL news

Doctor Who, The Impossible Astronaut Review

I had fallen out of love with Doctor Who. There I said it.

The Christmas special stays on my Sky+ unwatched, simply recorded. The mountain of trailers and promotional pictures released in recent weeks have only drawn a whimper of excitement in my house. Yet after watching the series opener last night, I am hooked again.

The wibbly-wobbly nature of time that gives the writers of Doctor Who so much creative license once again was the backbone of the story, with River Song, Amy and Rory witnessing the death of the future Doctor at the hands of a water-loving astronaut.

The Doctor's death was certainly shocking but the outcome somewhat obvious, they couldn't kill off the title character in the series opener!

The present day Doctor made his humurous Matt Smith-like return in Utah and the rest of the episode was centred on the companions' inability to tell real-time Doc the truth about what will happen to him.

The mystery element to the episode which focused on finding a creepy child who keeps calling President Nixon in 1960s America took a backseat to the character-driven turmoil.

Amy was unable to tell her beloved Doctor the truth about his death and then revealed to him she was pregnant whilst River reflected on how her and the Doctor's paths will cross in the future.

We were also introduced to the Doctor's scary new foe, The Silence. One of the main issues I have head with Doctor Who of late is the lack of seriously scary enemies, not since the weeping angels back in 2007 have I felt slightly nervy on a Saturday evening.

And whilst they over-sized hands may have been a bit silly, The Silence's rather scary looking heads and ability to pop up unexpectedly in the corner of my screen make for exciting new villains for the weeks to come.

The episode definitely raised many confusing questions but this is how Doctor Who should be and yesterday's excellent opener and a teasing trailer for what has to come makes me desperate to know the answers.

Did you enjoy last night's Doctor Who?

Picture from doctorwhotv.co.uk

Sympathy for the devil?

EastEnders is often at its best when its at its most dark and depressing and last monday's episode, where Ronnie finally handed baby Tommy back to a very confused Kat, was one of the best episodes in a long time for that reason. But why did I end up feeling more sorry for villian Ronnie than anyone else?

EastEnders' Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) has been on a slow downward spiral since long-lost daughter Danielle (Lauren Crace) was flung over the bonnet of Janine Malloy (Charlie Brooks) car over two years ago (two years and 16 days to be exact as Ronnie was), culminating in Ronnie stealing Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) baby Tommy on new years eve.

But instead of the happiness and relief for Kat and Alfie or the devastation for Ronnie's husband Jack (Scott Maslen), it was the heartbreaking scenes with Ronnie and the doctor that really made the episode. Was it just good acting and writing or a miss direction on the part of the EastEnders that Ronnie didn't come across as the ultimate villian for what was a terrible crime?

The acting of Sam Womack as Ronnie, especially in the conversation with the doctor, was outstanding and I am sure was part of the reason that I felt just sorrow for the character. The almost empty and lost stares of a character who has been through more than her fair share of heartbreak (even for soapland) were haunting.

But at the same time it felt almost wrong to feel sorry for a character who snatched someone else's baby and let them think their own baby had died for months. Throughout the episode Ronnie rarely came across as evil, just very unstable and in need of help. It almost felt like the emotion of anger was missing slightly for me as a viewer at home and from the characters themselves in the show. But as the storyline looks set to continue and with Ronnie in the soap a while longer, hopefully this will be explored further.

Personally I throughly enjoyed the episode for the emotion and drama in the aftermath of such a controversial storyline and whilst it was odd to feel sympathetic for such horrible crimes, that shouldn't take away from the fantastic acting and writing.

Who did you feel most sorry for? Did you enjoy the aftermath of the baby-swap storyline?

Picture from metro.co.uk

Is the EastEnders controversy correct?

Sam Womack quitting, over 8,000 complaints and the story being cut short. But is all the controversy over EastEnders baby swap storyline correct?

EastEnders is known for its hard-hitting storylines but its most recent attempt to portray a sensitive issue has backfired considerably on the show with a media storm gathering over EastEnders. After finding her baby James dead in his coat, a devastated Ronnie swapped James' body for that of Kat and Alfie's alive son Tommy.

As a viewer who has witnessed a year of murders, stabbings, fires, drug use and tram crashes in the world of soap I must admit I am slightly torn on the plot.

The main ingredient to any soap storyline is emotion, drama and with EastEnders more often that not tragedy. And undoubtedly the baby swap plot has all these elements. But my criticism of the plot is that they could have achieved the same level of emotion and drama by only tackling the tragedy of cot deaths.

By adding the baby swap twist on a already upsetting storyline the show has dragged themselves into claims of sensationalism, despite Executive Producer Bryan Kirkwood's claims on the EastEnders website that their aim "was – and still is – to tell a strong story that would, in the telling - raise the profile of Cot Death in the UK."

But whilst I understand the viewers upset over such a powerful subject, this is and always has been a work of fiction. Soaps have never shied away from tackling tough subjects before and every viewer always has the choice to watch soaps or turn off their television.

The decision to cut the story short is completely correct as any plans to drag the story on would then become 100 % unbelievable. The news that there is also going to be a happy ending is also correct in sending the right message to viewers that are prepared to stick with the story.

With the outcry caused by the plot the acting of all involved has often been forgotten. Sam Womack (Ronnie) and Jessie Wallace (Kat) have been superb whilst the supporting cast of Shane Ritchie (Alfie), Derek Martin (Charlie) etc.. have made the storyline even more heartbreaking. Whilst the writing and producing have been heavily criticised, Kat saying 'I am not ready to say goodbye, I have only just said hello' or Ronnie begging baby James 'please don't do this to me' are haunting to watch.

The departure of Ronnie, whether due to the end of Sam's contract or her decision based on the plot is a huge loss to EastEnders (the announcement is either a case of a bad coincidence or bad timing).

I don't 100% agree with the direction of the plot but it has me torn and this is often the best ingredient for the most powerful storylines. But the anger directed at EastEnders looks like it won't be calming down anytime soon and with the plot set to run until the spring, the show looks like it will be hitting the headlines for months to come however well acted the storyline is.

Picture from whatsontv.co.uk

Kara dances her way to victory in Strictly finale

With the cold weather setting in again outside, there was nothing better than a Saturday night of Strictly Come Dancing. Oh and it was the glitzy finale as well!

Actress Kara Tointon, presenter Matt Baker and Psychologist Pamela Stephenson all battled it out for the crown but it was ex-Eastender Tointon who triumphed after completing four stunning dances (whilst having just enough energy to lift the glitterball trophy at the end).

In Tointon, the British public chose the right winner (proving how letting just the public decide the winner can be successful, ahem... no hint to other shows needed!). With near professional dance skills and a lovely relationship with pro partner Artem Chigvintsev, Tointon rightly stormed to victory, beating Baker into second place and Stephenson in third.

This year's series has been a raging success after last year's let-down. A snappier format, better mix of celebrities and some inspired partnerships (Ann and Anton looked like they were made to dance together or at least grace the comedy circuits as a superb double-act) have seen Strictly once again hit top-form.

And whilst last night's glamorous finale was a fitting ending, it did disappoint on one count - the showdances. A freestyle masterpiece where anything goes. But unfortunately none of last night's three showdances really dazzled and amazed in equal measure.

Matt Baker was let down by his partner Aliona Vilani reliance on his tricks and flicks and not his dancing whilst Artem and Kara's ridiculously fast routine caught out Tointon a few too many times. Pamela and partner James Jordan's effort lacked any 'show' whilst still being a good dance.

But in the end there was enough sublime dancing on show to glaze over that disappointment. Kara and Artem lifted the glitterball trophy to confirm themselves as one of Strictly's best ever couples and confirm the show's sparkling return to form.

Picture from What's on TV

EastEnders' Janine back to her best

Soapland's biggest bitch has gone a bit soft recently...

Since falling in love and getting married, EastEnders' Janine Malloy (formerly Butcher) has shown her softer side. And whilst I love to see different layers to soap characters, when it comes to Janine - the bitchier the better!

After stealing hubby Ryan (Neil McDermott) and Stacey's (Lacey Turner) daughter Lily and nearly getting her run-over by a train, The Sun reports that Janine (Charlie Brooks) will attempt to poison Ryan at Christmas. And who could doubt the wicked plot, Janine did 'accidentally' push first husband Barry Evans off a cliff!

Soap's baddest girl is a brilliant character. Janine's softer side has always been teased to viewers but in the end evil always seems to win out when it comes to Janine.

And it seems the superbitch has only just started when it comes to punishing new hubby Ryan.

Picture from bbc.co.uk

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

Life Unexpected, E4

Premiering last night on E4 (7pm), US drama Life Unexpected follows the story of Lux, a 15-year-old (soon to be 16) who wants emancipation from the foster care system.

After being given away at birth Lux (Brittany Robertson) has bounced around foster homes. But with her 16th birthday approaching she goes off in search of her birth parents so they can sign a form that will hopefully grant her emancipation from the state. Lux first finds her dad, layabout and bar owner Nate "Baze" Bazile (Kristoffer Polaha) before meeting her birth mother, morning radio host Cate Cassidy (Shiri Appleby).

Predictably there are complications and instead of being granted emancipation Lux finds herself in the joint temporary custody of Cate and Baze. And that is where the story really starts, a emotional tale of reconnection and family.

With a Juno/Gilmore Girls feel, Life Unexpected is a heart-warming, gentle and funny hour of television that will one moment make you laugh and the next cry.

The show is mainly character-driven and while Cate does not look old enough to be Lux's mum (even though Cate had her in high school), the chemistry and connection between Cate, Lux, Baze and Cate's co-host/secret partner Ryan (Kerr Smith) makes this dysfunctional family dynamic work. The plot to the show feels honest and natural, a US drama with a simple premise written and performed well.

Without ruining the next 12 episodes Life Unexpected follows how everyone slots back into each others lives and deals with the issues this brings, whether it be Cate and Lux, Baze and Lux or Cate and Baze (plus the romantic complication of Cate's partner Ryan). With the Juno-type style there is plenty of teen angst as Lux yearns to be a normal teenager whilst her parents struggle with their own angst as they are forced to grow up.

And if you do enjoy the first season of Life Unexpected you can look forward to a second, which has just begun airing in the US.

Picture from Tv Fanatic

Kat & Alfie's return

The first promotional pictures have been released of the long-awaited return of EastEnders golden couple Kat and Alfie Moon.

The pair have not been seen since they departed in 2005 for a new life in America. But Kat (Jessie Wallace) will make her return to Albert Square this Friday whilst husband Alfie (Shane Richie) will be seen again on screen on Tuesday, September 21st.



From the picture above viewers can see Kat will return heavily pregnant but all other secrets about their return are being kept under wraps.

With Peggy Mitchell's departure last week Kat and Alfie will take charge of the Queen Vic when it is re-built after last week's blaze. Their return is a welcome one with Kat following in the footsteps of feisty Queen Vic landlady's including Peggy and Sharon Rickman.

After being away for five years viewers will be left wondering what the pair have been up too. Are they still as happy as they were when they left?

Pictures from Digital Spy

The Vic on fire!

The first pictures of the spectacular fire in EastEnders that is going to destroy the Queen Victoria pub and change Walford forever have been released and drug addict Phil Mitchell is to blame!

The dramatic shots from scenes due to air next week show Phil (Steve McFadden) fighting with his mum and pub landlady Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) before he sets fire to her beloved boozer.

Phil's dangerous actions soon put local lives in danger, including trapped couple Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Vanessa Gold (Zoe Lucker). Will the pair survive and who else is trapped in the inferno?

It has been widely speculated that the blaze, which allowed EastEnders to rebuild the Queen Vic set for the show's move to HD, may see the demise of the Peggy. Windsor announced her departure earlier this year and if Peggy were to perish in the blaze it would certainly be a dramatic and emotional exit for the legendary soap queen.

Other well-loved characters including Minty Peterson (Cliff Parisi) and Charlie Slater (Derek Martin) are also due to depart the show soon and could be set for exciting exits if they were to perish in the fire.

As the inferno rips through The Vic, can anyone escape or will local lives be lost?

The scenes air on Thursday 9th September at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Pictures from Digital Spy and Digital Spy

EastEnders tackles drug use

EastEnders has never been a show to shy away from controversial storylines and the latest plotline to shock viewers is hardman Phil Mitchell's (Steve McFadden) crack cocaine addiction. Scenes showing Phil's drug binge have already received over 200 complaints, so is the hard-hitting plot too much for the pre-watershed timeslot?

Yes, it is too much too early - With a large audience that ranges in ages EastEnders does have a responsibility to its viewers to not cross the line and be seen to glamorise drug use. Certain scenes where both Phil and addict Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks) are in possession of drugs or talking freely about taking drugs risks upsetting many viewers. The violent and manic effects the drugs have on both characters can also be uncomfortable to watch.

Since her return the character of Rainie has only been used as a vehicle for Phil's story and so it makes it hard for the viewers to feel any sympathy for her character or see her as anything more than a drug addict.

No, EastEnders is highlighting an important issue - Whilst it might be uncomfortable and at times slightly frightening to see Phil fly into a drug-induced rage the acting from all involved as been superb. McFadden has brilliantly depicted Phil's rage and out of control behaviour whilst also showing a fragile and sensitive side that is behind Phil's drug use after the loss of his kids (you couldn't help but feel terribly sad for Phil as he lay crying in Shirley's arms last night).

The supporting cast of ex-girlfriend Shirley (Linda Henry), mum Peggy (Barbara Windsor) and drug addict Rainie have made this storyline realistic, showing the effects Phil's downward spiral has on those closest to him.

EastEnders have been careful never to show any character taking drugs and by doing so have avoided further complaints and any criticism of glamorising the storyline. But at the same time they have not held back with showing the physical and emotional deterioration of Phil as he struggles to cope.

The storyline may be hard to watch with its painful level of realism but the disastrous consequences drugs has had on Phil highlights the negative and dangerous effects of drug taking. This ongoing plot is a strong piece of storytelling and an accessible way to raise awareness.

Picture from Virgin Media

EastEnders, Denise isn't dead!

Warning!! I mention next week's spoilers below.





Whenever any character in soapland cautiously walks down into a dark basement alone you just know something isn't quite right. Especially in the case of murderous preacher Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet), who in EastEnders last night visited his 'dead' wife Denise (Diane Parish) and offered her food from her own funeral!

In a spoiler-free twist but a twist-that-you-could-still-see coming crazed Lucas (who often gives a darker rendition of Dot's Bible-quoting ways) popped to see his wife Denise after presiding over her funeral.

A dishevelled Denise appeared from the dark after being held captive in a basement by her husband Lucas for weeks. What she (and the audience) don't know is that poor Denise is currently hidden away next door from her own house!

But this twist surely raises the question how exactly did Lucas get his wife from the canal, through the Square and into the basement of the house next door to his own without anyone seeing?

Lucas has already killed a man and buried his body in the middle of the gardens without anyone noticing! The residents of Walford must be so used to suspicious activity that they simply close their curtains and go to bed when they see the local priest dragging a body through Albert Square.

But onto next week where Denise will make an unlikely return to her family. Spoilers say that Denise wants to try and fix her broken family, how exactly she hopes to do that when her current husband and father of her eldest child tried to kill her, killed her previous husband and father of her youngest kid as well as letting the mother of her step-son die. That is a complicated family tree even for soapland!

But the return of Denise will also inevitably lead to the sad departure of evil holy man Lucas, whose magnificent reign of terror has made Walford a much more dangerous and exciting place over the last two years.

Picture from bbc.co.uk/eastenders

The Bionic Vet, BBC1

Turning over for the last 20 minutes of The Bionic Vet (BBC 1) I wasn't sure quite what I was going to be watching. An over-the-top Animal Hospital remake maybe? Instead we got Animal Hospital on surgically implanted metal paws. A heart-warming and fascinating programme about Dr Noel Fitzpatrick, a inspiring vet who performs miracles.

At his specialist clinic in Surrey we watched Dr Noel, a neuro-orthapedic surgeon, save the lives of Mayo the golden retriever and Oscar the black cat. But he does not save them the easy way. Owners visit Dr Noel when all hope looks to be gone and using technology, never before heard procedures and a slice of genius he saves them.

After arthritis left Mayo crippled in one paw Dr Noel implanted metal rods similar to those of Wolverine's from the X-Men films into Mayo's foot and built a metal frame and shoe. The idea is mad and never should have worked, especially when you see Dr Noel cutting up a human shoe and taping it to a base for Mayo to walk on. Yet it did work. Mayo's owner rejoiced as Mayo cautiously started to walk again and so did I. After only ten minutes I had fallen in love with Mayo the dog and the programme itself.

Next up was Oscar, a lovely black cat who had both his back paws ripped off by a combine harvester. Poor little Oscar looked lost dragging his bandaged legs around so in stepped Dr Noel. Whilst I could have lived without seeing the flesh peeled back from Oscar's mutilated leg it all seemed worth it when, on two new implanted paws Oscar (picture above) immediately started bouncing around. I think Dr Noel was close to tears and so was I. What makes this procedure more amazing is that it is the first operation of its kind in the world. Ground-breaking doesn't even come close.

Only briefly do they ever mention how much Dr Noel's work cost (we are led to believe very expensive even though no figures are mentioned). But seeing Mayo and Oscar up and walking again thanks to six metal spikes and artificial paws makes you think that it is worth every penny.

Picture from cbsnews.com

One last hurrah as the Big Brother circus comes to town again!

For the last time 14 fame-hungry unknowns walked into the Big Brother house last night and in true BB style they were a mix of the oddest people you are ever likely to meet.

In a twist (not the last twist of the series we can assume) all 81 hopefuls were left standing outside the house, staring at their route into 15 minutes of fame.

The live open air auditions were an attempt for something different but the audience were merely left with watching the surprise on the wannabes faces (and the jealousy on those around them) rather than a completely new process of picking housemates.

One by one Big Brother called out the names of the lucky (some would say unlucky) 13 who were to enter the circus for the summer. These included bubbly country girl Josie who I was happy to see enter the house just so the ear piercing screams would stop and trainee doctor Sunshine (who is the first and only person I know to enter the house, and by know I mean sat in the same university class as me - my small and sad claim to fame this summer).

They were joined by Beyonce lookalike Rachael and the British version of a celebrity lookalike Corin, who looks like Jordan.

The men include New Age monk David, Australian John James and former Soldier Steve who lost his legs and an eye in a bomb blast. They were joined by Ben, the token posh guy who got such a bad reaction from the crowd outside the house that I am surprised he didn't run away screaming.

With 13 inside the house (a house where if the people inside it don't give you a headache, the decor sure will) an over-excited Davina announced that one of the 68 who was deemed not crazy, weird or attractive enough to be chosen to enter automatically would get the luck of being picked by a lottery draw.

That honour fell to Mario, who got to celebrate by putting on a unflattering mole outfit and being told to sabotage the housemates' tasks without being found out. How long will that last? Not long I suspect.

In an effort to prolong the inevitable it was announced that this series of Big Brother will be followed by Ultimate Big Brother, a 2-week show where the best housemates from former series re-enter the house to compete against this series' winner.

Big Brother's final twist could serve as a trip down memory lane for the hardcore fans but it is more likely a precautionary measure from the producers to make sure that the Big Brother brand ends on a high, whatever happens over the next 13 weeks.

Picture from The Guardian

Golden Spelbound win Britain's Got Talent

Acrobatic gymnast group Spelbound stormed to victory last night in the final of Britain's Got Talent.

The high-flying troupe beat comedy dance act Twist and Pulse, who finished second and drummer Kieran Gaffney, who came third.

It was a well deserved victory for the 13-strong group who blew the judges and audience away with a thrilling and dangerous routine. Sprayed in shimmering gold the group, who have an age range of 12-25, showed incredible strength and balance. At one point they threw one of the group over the heads of stunned judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan.

Entertaining double act Twist and Pulse, aka Ashley Glazebrook and Glen Murphy, finished second on the night. Whilst they must be disappointed with being beaten to the crown the boys, both 19, did incredibly well to finish second after performing first on the night. Their high energy, precise and funny routines are engaging to watch and technically superb.

Drummer boy Gaffney who played whilst being suspended on a tilted platform, finished third on the night. Whilst Gaffney is extremely talented at what he does and always plays with passion and commitment, the act had its limitations.

Other disappointed acts included unique dancer Tobias Mead, who returned with his backward dance routine that was such a hit at the auditions. Boyband Connected performed Westlife's What About Now. Despite being much improved from their semi-final performance they failed to impress Simon Cowell or the public. Other singers on the night included teenage Liam McNally, accountant Christopher Stone and 80-year-old Janey Cutler, who gave a powerful performance of Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.

But it was not only the singers that missed out last night. The cute dancing dog Chandi and her owner Tina Humphreys melted everyone's heart with another charming routine. Impressionist Paul Burling mimicked the likes of Andy and Lou from Little Britain, Jeremy Clarkson and Graham Norton whilst singing along to his version of the Proclaimers I'm Gonna Be (500 miles).

But it was to be Spelbound's golden night. Despite having the advantage of the coveted last spot of the night, they were deserved winners. Their thrilling routines amaze and entertain and the group are an example of the extraordinarily talented variety acts that a show like Britain's Got Talent can unearth.

Picture from What's on TV

Lost, The End

Spoiler Alert: Do not read below if you have not seen the last episode of Lost and you do not want to know what happens.









'So that is what it all meant!' is what I had imagined myself thinking at 7.30am this morning after watching the finale and last ever episode of the most confusing yet brilliantly intriguing show on television, Lost. But whilst I was (in my early morning state) still confused, I thoroughly enjoyed the 2-and-a-half-hour ending that packed in drama, romance, reconciliation, death and at least some answers.

The running theme throughout the episode, as with the majority of the last season, was the flash-sideways. Were they real? And if so what were the lives on the island all about? Well it turns out that the flash-sideways in what seemed like a parallel universe were actually an afterlife, purgatory where all the characters began bumping into each other again and remembering their time on the island (which gave the viewers nice flashback montages of the six series and the characters' time on the island).

Whilst their adventures on the island were real and did all happen, a still dead but now talking Dr Christian Shephard (clever name clue there!) told his son Jack in the afterlife that everyone on the island had died, whether it be before or after Jack himself. With no sense of time or as Jack's dad put it: "there is no now, here" in this afterlife, old friends and lovers were reunited. Most of the characters conveniently gathered at the church, corralled by messenger-in-the-afterlife Desmond and eventually moved on together as a bright light engulfed the church.

It was a satisfying end in what turned out to be a character-driven finale as Jack and Kate, Sawyer and Juliet, Charlie and Claire etc reunited after remembering their time on the island together. Whilst extremely sweet, the emotional reunions soon bogged down an episode that at points lost sight of what I thought Lost had all been about.

In the end it turns out Lost was all about the characters and the journeys they take rather than the island itself. But this left many questions and mysteries unanswered. Why was there a polar bear running around? Where did the island originate from? Apart from being the heart of the island what exactly was that light that Jacob and then Jack had to protect? Maybe these questions were answered and amongst the mazy narrative and time travelling I have missed them? Or maybe, befitting of the show's name, some answers will just stay a mystery?

Back on the island Jack, now Jacob's successor to protect the Island, battled the smoke monster (Flocke) who wanted to destroy the island whilst Jack tried to protect it. After Desmond shut down the mysterious light source labelled as the heart of the island it seemed that Flocke had got his wish. But in a final twist his plan didn't work and a dramatic clifftop battle ensued between Jack and Flocke. With a knife to Jack's throat and a stab wound to his stomach it looked like Jack was a goner until love interest Kate saved the day by shooting Flocke before Jack killed him once and for all.

With the island still close to destruction despite Flocke's demise Jack decided to return to the heart of the island and restore the light source. In a romantic but all too late declaration Jack and Kate admitted their love for each other and finally put an end to the love triangle between the pair and Sawyer that had been ongoing throughout the show. Parting ways Kate and Sawyer headed for the miraculously fixed plane and their escape route off the island along with Claire, Miles, Richard and Frank.

Meanwhile in a painfully sad scene Jack passed on the role of protecting the island to a terrified Hurley (who we are led to believe from a scene in the afterlife did live on to look after the island with his number 2 Ben) before restoring the light source and the heart of the island.

The episode was littered with beautifully crafted scenes, from the stormy showdown between Jack and Flocke on the cliff-top to Jack lying helpless of the jungle floor as the plane carrying his friends away from the island passes overhead. All of the actors carrying this captivating story forward were superb in their roles.

In a poignant moment that marked the end Jack's eyes closed as he lay dying on the island, just as they had opened in the first ever episode.

Picture from Side Reel

EastEnders triumphs at Soap Awards

EastEnders triumphed at the British Soap Awards at the weekend, winning ten awards including both Best Actor and Actress and the coveted Best Soap.

The departing Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Branning took home the Best Actress and Best Dramatic Performance prizes whilst Scott Maslen (Jack Branning) claimed Best Actor and Sexist Male.

The BBC1 soap was also victorious in the Best Single Episode category for the 25th anniversary live episode, Best Storyline for Who Killed Archie?, Villain of the Year for Larry Lamb (Archie Mitchell), Best Exit for Charlie Clements' (Bradley Branning) and Marc Elliot (Syed Masood) won Best Newcomer.

EastEnders have had a hugely successful year and these awards recognised great acting and storylines including Syed's struggle with his sexuality, Archie Mitchell's dramatic Christmas Day murder and the show's first ever live episode, which saw Stacey admit to killing off Archie shortly after husband Bradley had plummeted to his death.

In the other categories Coronation Street picked up three awards; Sexist Female for Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre), Best Comedy Performance for Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor) and the Lifetime Achievement award for long-standing cast member Betty Driver (Betty Williams).

Hollyoaks claimed the Spectacular Scene of the Year award for Sarah Barnes's (Loui Batley) terrifying fatal skydive whilst Doctors won Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress for Sapphire Cox's portrayal of Ami Metcalf and Best On-Screen Partnership, which went to Jan Pearsons and Chris Walker (Karen and Rob Hollins).

Emmerdale would have been hugely disappointed to go home with only one award, the Special Achievement award for writer Bill Lyons. Emmerdale were nominated in every category but missed out on awards including Best Actor for Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy) and Best Storyline for Aaron's struggle with this sexuality. Despite an impressive year for EastEnders, the writing and acting from all involved on Aaron's storyline was deserving of award recognition.

The British Soap Awards will be shown on ITV1 on 19th May 2010.

For a full list of winners click here.

Picture from Digital Spy