HALL IN THE WALL

New Tricks - Left Field (Series Seven, Episode Three - BBC One). John Davies, a notorious paedophile, wants to make a confession about the abduction and murder of a five-year-old boy 25 years after the tragedy. The reopening of the case leads UCOS to revisit political activism of the eighties and to pay a visit at MI5's headquarters!

Five-year-old Yasser Blackledge disappeared while on a demo with his parents, left-wing activists Anne Gorton (Samantha Bond) and Fred Blackledge (Kevin R. McNally). At the time, a press "witch hunt" against Anne and Fred clouded the investigation and, while Davies (Adrian Schiller) was known to the couple through various rallies and meetings, it couldn't be proven that he had abducted their son. Sandra (Amanda Redman) and Jack (James Bolam) suspect his confession is an attempt to return to the relative safety of a prison cell.

« How is this for a title: The Secret War on Modern men.
- Ouh, sounds good.
- Stick to your cookbooks, Gerry.
- Yeah. You'd like that, wouldn't you? Me tied to a kitchen sink, seen and not heard. » (Brian, Gerry and Sandra)

New Tricks has always been the police procedural with a difference. In Left Field, written brilliantly by Lisa Holdsworth (Waterloo Road), past the usual cold case premise you find 1980s militantism, gender politics ("Feminazi"), good old Dr Grafenberg (« The inventor of the G-spot. And I do mean the inventor. »), Dennis Waterman's Gerry Standing at his very best (« Book me in for a Brazilian! ») and hilarious nods to Spooks and some sixties spy classics.

One of the highlights of the episode is Brian Lane (Alun Armstrong) and Gerry going to MI5 headquarters to consult surveillance files and notes (« Nice piles, neat piles. »), with the entire cooperation of "the spooks" except for access to the nearest tea machine and the loos! And those headquarters are actually the magnificent Freemasons' Hall, the London building which dubs as MI-5 headquarters in BBC's hit Spooks. The composer even pays a subtle tribute to John Barry's famous theme for The Ipcress File (1965).

Another summit is when Esther Lane, played by Susan Jameson, puts an end to one of Brian's antics as he believes MI5 spies on him because of his wife's past political activities («Would you like to talk about what ruined your career?») The cast is superb, particularly Samantha Bond, and the direction of this instant classic by Philip John is excellent.

http://deadlinesanddiamonds.blogspot.com/ (Lisa Holdsworth's blog)
http://michellegoode.blogspot.com/2010/02/interview-with-uk-tv-writer-lisa.html (Interview)

THE LIBRARIAN IV

New Tricks - It Smells of Books (Series Seven, Episode Two - BBC One). Brian Lane (Alun Armstrong) is barred from his noisy, disorderly local public library because he loudly expressed his disapproval. His wife Esther (Susan Jameson) takes him to the more old-fashioned, respectful and calm London Library.

When Brian discovers that a London Library membership card is listed among the personal affects of a cold case victim, he wastes no time volunteering to go undercover there. The Unsolved Crime And Open Case Squad (UCOS) reinvestigates the death of Dr Richard Symes, a university professor who died falling from the roof of his college three years ago.

« Silence! This is a bloody library! » (Brian)

Symes was the head of the Department of the History and Philosophy of Science, London Municipal University and an authority on Botanical sciences in the 18th century (« I've solved this already. He died of boredom. » - Gerry). This allows scriptwriter J.C. Wilsher to have some great fun on a territory which is familiar to him. Wilsher, actually Dr John Charles Wilsher, was a researcher at Lancaster University before becoming a writer and the creator of the acclaimed police drama Between the Lines (1992-1994).

« That's a bit posh. I've never met a rich widow.
- She doesn't own the business, she just works here.
- Well, maybe someday. » (Gerry and Sandra)

Brian Lane reinvents himself as "another member of the intelligentsia", much to his wife's irritation (« Why not go the whole hog and become a monk! You already got the haircut. ») as she's worrying about cracks (!) in their house. Jeremy Ventham, the college principal (Jonathan Cullen), claims that the victim was caught stealing valuable books and Symes'widow, Paula (Beth Goddard), is an antiquarian bookseller.

Gerry (Dennis Waterman) is skeptical: « Nicking library books is hardly a criminal conspiracy, is it? I can't see middle class professional people killing each other over it. » Especially when Brian says he's being spied on (« This is not about my medication! ») But a Traité des arbres fruitiers by Henri Duhamel was sold for 4.5 million dollars, explains Lane to his colleagues (« Worth nicking, eh? ») He finds the key of the enigma in a book of Edgar Allan Poe, there's a very medieval use of rolling stacks, and Jack Halford (James Bolam) wants to apply to a university as a mature student.

Directed superbly by veteran director Martyn Friend, It Smells of Books is a brilliant episode written with style and balance, where each main character has its share of great lines and moments. And it's always a treat to watch such talents like Anne Reid and David Ryall. New Tricks won the 9pm slot yesterday with 7 million viewers against ITV1's new chat show Paul O'Grady Live (3,5 million) (1). We'll see to what extent budget arbitration can allow more episodes of this quality in this 10-episode seventh series.

« You know, when we were still on the job, Brian applied to a university as a mature student.
- Really? What happened?
- They interviewed him.
- Oh. » (Jack and Sandra)

(1) http://www.atvnewsnetwork.co.uk/today/index.php/atv-today/3941-friday-ratings-new-tricks-beats-paul-ogrady-live

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/impact-without-crashbangwallop-no-screaming-tyres-no-sawnoffs-barely-a-shot-fired-yet-between-the-lines-is-the-best-police-drama-on-tv-sabine-durrant-talks-to-its-creator-j-c-wilsher-and-star-neil-pearson-1399734.html
http://www.mobot.org/mobot/osgl/addinfo.asp?relation=Duhamel13a

NEW NEW TRICKS

It's not a franchise, BBC Worldwide doesn't license the characters for action figures. There's no media frenzy around the actors and no "trendy" showrunner or writer. But New Tricks is one of the BBC's biggest hits and the show returns for a seventh series on September 10 (BBC One).

Launched in 2003 with a pilot episode and shown since 2004, New Tricks is a "cold case" comedy/drama show with a difference. Headed by Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman, played by Amanda Redman, UCOS (Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad) is a very special unit composed of retired and burnout aged police officers.

Jack Halford (James Bolam, of the Likely Lads fame) is haunted by the death of his beloved wife. Brian "Memory" Lane (the fabulous Alun Armstrong) is a recovering alcoholic with OCD. And Gerry Standing is a gambler and a ladies man, with three ex-wives and three daughters. Standing is played by the legendary Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney, the original Minder).

Faithful to his own myth, Waterman sings It's alright, "da feem toon" (as his parody by comedian David Walliams would say in Little Britain) of the show. Unfortunately French viewers were deprived of the song when pubcaster France 3 started to air New Tricks in 2008. Someone had the bad idea to replace it by Rien n'est écrit, a song in French performed by... Murray Head. Anyway, Flics toujours is a flop in France!

Both the humour and the sensibility of the show come from the simple idea of these men dealing with their personal demons but proving you "can't teach old dogs new tricks" when they're back on the job. And they are with virtuosity in spite of a total lack of discipline and professional orthodoxy. Plus the weaknesses of age but the strength of experience.

In 2009 the BBC commissioned series seven (with an extended 10-episode run) and eight simultaneously, allowing the comedy/drama to go on at least until 2011. Produced by Wall to Wall and distributed by BBC Worldwide, New Tricks is an enjoyable, funny and intelligent crime series with a splendid ensemble cast.

http://www.lastbroadcast.co.uk/drama/spoilers/v/14479-new-tricks-series-7-episode-guide.html

OLD DOGS WITH 8 MILLION NEW TRICKS

Ageism seems to be amongst the latest issues tormenting the BBC these days, with the expenses of its executives (1) and the state of its dramas - catalyzed by the debate between eminent producer Tony Garnett and Ben Stephenson, the controller of BBC drama commissioning (2). After the controversial replacement of Arlene Phillips, 66, a veteran choreographer, by pop star Alesha Dixon, 30, as a judge in the popular Strictly Come Dancing show (3), the return of the acclaimed New Tricks on BBC1 for a sixth series comes with an unsuspected irony.

Launched in 2003 with a pilot episode and shown since 2004, New Tricks is a "cold case" comedy/drama show with a difference. Headed by Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman, played by Amanda Redman, UCOS (Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad) is a very special unit composed of retired and burnout aged police officers: Jack Halford (James Bolam, of the Likely Lads fame) - haunted by the death of his beloved wife, Gerry Standing (the legendary Dennis Waterman) - a gambler and a ladies man with three ex-wives and three daughters, and Brian Lane (the wonderful character actor Alun Armstrong) - a recovering alcoholic with OCD.

Both the humour and the sensibility of New Tricks come from the simple idea of these men coping with their personal demons but proving you "can't teach old dogs new tricks" when they're back to the job. And they are with virtuosity but also with a total lack of discipline and professional orthodoxy, plus the weaknesses of age (but the strength of experience). The ensemble cast of this great show is solid and it's a treat to watch British television legend Dennis Waterman (the original Minder) ageing well in the shoes of John Thaw - his former "Guv" in The Sweeney.

Faithful to his own myth, Waterman sings It's alright, "da feem toon" (as his parody by comedian David Walliams would say in Little Britain) of the show. Unfortunately French viewers were deprived of the song when New Tricks arrived on French public channel France 3 in 2008, with It's alright replaced by Rien n'est écrit, a song in French performed by Murray Head (whose brother Anthony played in one episode). With all the respect due to the talented Murray Head, say it ain't so, Joe please... (sorry, couldn't help).

The sixth series of New Tricks, launched with more than 8 million viewers on July 16, claimed 34% share in 9pm slot, beating nearest rival by more than 4 million viewers (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/17/bbc1-new-tricks-tv-ratings). In many respects the ratings of the series premiere echo with a poetic irony not only to the Arlene Phillips replacement but also to the "Hollyoaksing" of the cast of Doctor Who - Matt Smith (the new Doctor) being 26 and Karen Gillan, the Doctor's new assistant, 21.

New Tricks star Amanda Redman, 49, fears she could lose out on top jobs because of her age, in the wake of the Phillips situation (http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/07/14/exclusive-new-tricks-star-amanda-redman-fears-the-sack-after-bbc-ageism-row-115875-21518495/). This would be a terrible mistake because Redman is all charm, class and talent. Anyway the Beeb can argue that the main character of its flagship franchise is 905 years old, which is far far more older than the Strictly Come Dancing iconic presenter Bruce "Brucie" Forsyth, 81.

« It's alright, its OK
It doesnt matter if you're old and grey... »
(Dennis Waterman, the Guv of British television)

(1) http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/17/bbc-expenses-christmas-dinner-flowers
(2) http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/organgrinder/2009/jul/15/tony-garnett-bbc-drama + http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/15/tony-garnett-email-bbc-drama + http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/organgrinder/2009/jul/16/ben-stephenson-tony-garner
(3) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5844671/Strictly-Come-Dancings-Arlene-Phillips-is-a-victim-of-ageism-says-Harriet-Harman.html

MINDER ON DVD (FREMANTLE)

Starring Shane Richie and Lex Shrapnel, the reinvention of the cult classic Minder by Talkback Thames for Five is now available on DVD. This is an excellent occasion to watch and watch again a show which deserves to be considered as one of the best pieces of contemporary UK television, and as a future classic in its own right.

REMINDING MINDER

« I don't mind paying for good old British service with a smile. » (Archie Daley)

Created by Leon Griffiths, the original Minder ran from 1979 to 1994. It starred Dennis Waterman (right after The Sweeney) as Terry McCann, a sympathetic former boxer who served time in prison because of his loyalty, and becomes the "minder" (i.e. bodyguard) of Arthur Daley - played by George Cole - a lovable rogue "entrepreneur". In 1989, Gary Webster replaced Waterman, as Arthur's nephew, Ray Daley. The show, produced by Verity Lambert for Euston Films (a subsidiary of Thames Television), is considered in the United Kingdom as a monument. As is its theme song, I could be so good for you, performed by Dennis himself .

In 2008, Jay Hunt, then head of programmes at Five, asks producer Sean O'Connor and Irish actor-director-writer Tim Loane (Teachers) to devise a series that would be brand defining for the fifth and final British terrestrial anologue tv channel. O'Connor digs into the valuable Talkback Thames back catalogue and has the idea to revive the format of Minder. Hunt is enthusiastic and suggests that Shane Richie (Alfie Moon in EastEnders), could star in the new version (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a137666/2009-tv-preview-minder-remade.html).

Richie becomes Archie Daley, Arthur's nephew, and the RSC actor Lex Shrapnel (the Thunderbirds movie) is cast as the new minder, Jamie Cartwright. With this Minder 2009, Five shows an unusual and real quality ambition. The channel gambles high on the new series, with a national advertising campaign (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/20/minder-campaign-to-hit-streets), and signs up Scottish band Attic Lights to perform the 2009 version of the theme (http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/tv-showbiz-news/music-news/2008/11/02/attic-lights-win-deal-to-record-new-theme-tune-for-minder-comeback-78057-20862115/).

In the first episode, Better the Devil you know, Jamie Cartwright, a former boxer turned cabbie, is signing off near the Gherkin (like in Hustle, the building seems to be the totem of London under credit crunch) when sharp-suited, fast-talking Archie Daley hops into the back of his black cab, trying to escape from "Gorillas in Armani suits" (« Just bleedin'floor it, will ya? ») Jamie teaches the "neolithical" a lesson but losts the cab in the operation (« Haven't had so much fun since I had my prostate check. ») An amending Archie offers him a job: to deliver a briefcase with "fifty grand of Her Majesty's finest" to Petra Bennett (Jenna Russell), the owner of a 300 year old pub.

« Nothing dodgy, straight up. Trust me. » But nothing is as simple with Arthur Daley's nephew and the adventure begins for Archie, Jamie and Petra. Their adversaries: nefarious property developers Mark and Nick Gold, crooked councillor Conway, a couple of cockroaches ready to mate, and DI Murray, a tenacious female copper who keeps an eye on Daley's deals (« No I'm here because word on the street says that your import exploits aren't quite kosher. »)

THE PERSUADERS

« What business are you in?
- You name it, I deal in it. Everything to nearly new to spanking new. Personal services to personal protection. I can offer any enterprise I can muster. But always with a smile. » (Jamie and Archie)

New people, new time but the same location... with a difference. Minder is reimaginated with absolute brilliance by Tim Loane, series consultant, and writer of the six episodes of the new Minder series (with Jeff Povey for Episode 5). He captures the essential of the original show: the relationship between the lovable wheeler dealer and his minder (« We make a great team, James. The possibilities are infinite »), and its atmosphere, recreated in the 2008 London where History meets modern architecture (1).

« Hang on a minute. Why are you helping me out like this?
- Someone did the same for me once. » (Jamie and Archie)

The new tandem played by Shane Richie and Lex Shrapnel evoke with subtlety the duo of George Cole and Dennis Waterman without trying a second to impersonate their legendary predecessors. The two stars being closer in age than the originals, the unlikely friendship between Archie Daley and Jamie Cartwright rather recalls the partnership between Lord Brett Sinclair and Danny Wilde in The Persuaders.

But the legacy of the original Minder is assumed with elegance through many references: the Winchester, Daley's malapropisms (« Is that what they said to Michelangelo the bloke who cut his ear off? » or « You should now that's his modi operandus » ), and nods to the past like the iconic shake hands across the front of the cab in Episode 1, or « If my uncle Arthur could see me now. »

The sensibility remains the same but the tone and the pace are different. There's some Richard Curtis type of comedy in the superb Episode 2, In Vino Veritas: Tim Loane is at his best with one-liners like « She's reached that stage in every woman's life where nothing's a surprise and everything's a disappointment », and scenes with the photographer (« More of a film maker, really. ») or Charlie Cupid, the depressive wedding singer. There are also many "Guy Ritchiesque" moments or figures, especially in Matter of Life and Debt (Episode 4) - with would-be martial artist Chan Donovan (« The future is just a new-laid egg fragile in our fingers. »)

« In case you forgot I'm the brains in this partnership. Remember, give and take.
- Yeah, I give and you take. » (Archie and Jamie)

The creme de la creme of British acting guest stars in Minder: Rik Mayall, Meera Syal (Jekyll) Nickolas Grace, Rory Kinnear, Clare Higgins, Steve Pemberton as Vlad the Imposter (!) - a psychic (« Did you say he was psychic or psychotic? »), Clive Wood, and many others. And recurrent characters are well served too, with Josette Simon (Blake's 7) as DI Murray and Paul Brooke as Dickie Mint - Archie's lawyer.

NEVER MIND THE BOLLARDS

« It's a deft balance of power and elegance. » (The name's Daley, Archie Daley)

The antics of the Daley family have been updated for the 21st century: Arthur Daley's nephew gets into contemporary art in The Art of the Matter (Episode 3), when he discovers on a wallpaper a work he believes from a "guerilla artist" called Banksy. He transforms his warehouse into the Daley Gallery (2) and exposes the picture in the middle of other works made of... out of date chickens (« His poultry sculptures break new ground. »), sweets and action figures! But Jamie discovers that the Banksy is a fake and Archie is mistaken for a mysterious art fraudster known only as "Picasso" by a frustrated investigator (« You practically fed me to Inspector Lecter, Jamie. »)

In Thank your Lucky Stars (Episode 5), "Bermondsey snap champion" Archie Daley and Jamie Cartwright gamble their fingers against a control freak poker player who collects « things you can live without but can bear to lose ». The episode, which reveals one of the many talents of Jamie, has shades of Man from the South (the story by Roald Dahl) and Maverick. Finally, in Till Debt do us Part (Episode 6), Jamie is back in the ring to help Archie settle the score against She Who Must Be Paid, aka Daley's estranged wife Delilah (« Why, why, why?») by beating her protégé, boxer Carlos Rocks (« You don't want David Beckham for his wit and repartee. »)

« You had anyone famous in the cab lately?
- I have, actually. Drove Big Boris home after a night out. At least I think it was home. » (Archie and Jamie)

Minder 2009 is cleverly written and beautifully filmed (cf. the "Shadow over Bermondsey" sequence in Episode 5). Fun, fast-paced and anchored in its time (« I'm talking about this unnatural disaster that is our economy ») . The actors are impressive, particularly Shane Richie, who delivers a wide range of emotions far beyond the appearances of the fast-talking opportunistic "man of enterprise". And Lex Shrapnel is the perfect successor to Dennis Waterman even if he doesn't sing "the feem toon" (the rendition by Attic Lights is excellent).

To be perfectly honest, the show did certainly not reach Five's rating expectations regarding their investment. And the future of this channel probably weights on the future of the series. BUT Minder deserves a second series (3), no matter who commissions it: Five absorbed by ITV, or the BBC. Talkback Thames produces QI for the Beeb and the new Minder would be at ease amongst entries like Hustle or Ashes to Ashes. The first season of this masterpiece that is Minder is now on DVD thanks to Fremantle Home Entertainment in a 2 disc set with the 6 episodes of the series. Plus extras including a jovial behind the scenes feature shot during Episode 6, bloopers, deleted scenes and the promotional trailer for the show.

See also: http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2009/03/archie-daleys-pearls-of-wisdom-and.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001QV6JCK?tag=virtuallinse1

Minder on the Five website: http://www2.five.tv/minder/ (with a funny video of the theme song by Attic Lights).

(1) For details about the locations of the new Minder series, please see:
http://www.minder.org/locations/index.htm and http://www.london-se1.co.uk/minder/
(2) These scenes are illustrated by the theme from the Vision On gallery!
(3) We'd like to see, for instance, more of Felix Cornell (Clive Wood), the villain of Episode 5. And could Maria Grant (Jayne Wisener), who leaves Jamie Cartwright at the end of A Matter of Life and Debt, become his Philippa Vale?

MINDER (FIVE)

Since the Beeb launched the new Doctor Who in 2005, making it its most profitable franchise, Memory Lane means Penny Lane for British television. The Corporation tastes the sweet success of the reinvention of Terry Nation'Survivors by Adrian Hodges (Primeval), ITV's The Prisoner is coming soon and a new Blake's 7 is in the air. What's next? Robert Glenister as John Steed in a remake of The Avengers? John Simm as Bergerac? A new Van Der Valk? (not a Wallander in Holland, please...) Stephen Fry as Jason King? (God, I would love this one!)

Every Wednesday on Five since February 4, UK viewers have now another new version of a cult show: Minder. The original Minder ran from 1979 to 1994 with Dennis Waterman (after The Sweeney, another favourite of your humble servant) and George Cole. Waterman was Terry McCann, a sympathetic former boxer who served time in prison because of his loyalty, and who becomes the "minder" (i.e. bodyguard) of Arthur Daley (Cole), an unscrupulous but lovable rogue "entrepreneur". In 1991, Gary Webster replaced Dennis Waterman, as Arthur's nephew, Ray.

The first Minder, produced by Euston Films (a subsidiary of Thames Television), is one of the jewel of the crown of the late Verity Lambert, and is considered as a classic amongst the classics - like the famous theme song of the show, I could be so good for you, performed by the great Waterman himself. So Five takes some true risks but shows a real ambition with the new version, even launching a national advertising campaign to promote the new Minder (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/20/minder-campaign-to-hit-streets), and signing up Attic Lights to perform the 2009 version of the theme (http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/tv-showbiz-news/music-news/2008/11/02/attic-lights-win-deal-to-record-new-theme-tune-for-minder-comeback-78057-20862115/).

In Minder 2009 - produced by Talkback Thames, Shane Richie (EastEnders) is Archie Daley, Arthur Daley's nephew, and Lex Shrapnel is Jamie Cartwright, the new "Minder". The duo works quite well, and Minder borrows its look and style to Hustle (is the Gherkin building the new symbol of London under credit crunch?) or Ashes to Ashes. Critics are devastating (for a nuanced and rather relevant review: http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/6182/) but why flush already this sincere attempt of Five to offer popular entertainment a la Kudos? Minder could be so good for you...

Minder on the Five website: http://www2.five.tv/minder/ (with a funny video of the theme song by Attic Lights).

Update: Interview of the two stars of the show, Shane Richie and Lex Shrapnel (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4386540/Interview-Shane-Richie-and-Lex-Shrapnel-on-Minder.html).

Update (March 19, 2009): Minder on DVD (http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2009/03/minder-on-dvd-fremantle_18.html)