Greg “Archive Media Guy” Chapman

I waa intrigued by the adverts for the show, that ITV had been showing for weeks beofrehand and wanted to watch for Suranne Jones , as I usually like her in productions, but what I noticed was George Costigan in the advert, and that was an even better draw to the show. It appeared from the adverts that it was a mystery drama, which it did indeed appear to be in the first episode, and one scene appeared to set-up Stockard Channing's character as smuggling drugs, as she appeared to get a consignment on a quayside, this didn't really go anywhere, other than the main characters mother stole her stash so she could O.D. Lots of plot points brought up that went nowhere, lots of filler that led to nothing, unlikeable characters, misandry, the cucked husband who is written to be a fool in some scens, and for the rest of the time is shouted 'at for not being there and letting the wife and doing anything for the family', who in one breath, is told by the same character,, his wife, that she is part of the family, becuase he is in control of everything. Right, so could she make up her mind whether she is charge and has to do everything or the husband is charge and won't let her do anything. Some nice location work, standing in for the Isle Of Man, and a good cast. George Costigan and Andrew Knott (who did a great job as Suranne Jones' husband) stood out from the rest of the family. Dean Lennox Kelly had an ok role as the friendly taxi driver and Eve Best was the best of the two sisters. Not a show I would want to go back to.

What a show! I don't usually watch much on ITV2 but the adverts for Zomboat intrigued me. As a fan of horror and horror-comedies, it appealed as it seemed to give off similar vibes to the humour of Shaun Of The dead so I watched with baited breath. I was not wrong. What a joy this little show is. I wish it was better known that what it is. It should be a big hit. It should be a s big as The Inbetweeners (my closest reference to the age demographic it is aimed at). I sure hope that we will get a follow up season to the show but I think with the pandemic the chances are slim now. I think it will just be killed off sadly, which is tragic as it was one of the best new shows to come out in years, in particular comedy show in the U.K. which for years have been retreads of topics already done, but this was something new for comedy-drama. The 4 regular cast are great, as is George Kerr as the ever-present lead Zombie, Jude. Some good guests parts turn up in various episodes, such as in the supermarket and and the gentlemen still trying to sell diesel to the escaping boatees, despite their being an apocalypse. The creative use of colour-grading makes the show have the fell of a graphic novel, which I think is the purpose as the title sequence has the same style as a graphic novel. It is nice to see Birmingham appearing as Birmingham for a change,, rather than being a stand-in for London or elsewhere which has what happened for several years now, despite Birmingham formally being a major centre for tv production for the BBC and ITV company Central. It is nice to see a nerdy character being the saviour of the day. whose knowledge of of Horror films and computer games gets the group of many a close call.

A great, sometimes confusing action drama, featuring Billy Dee Williams, later to find fame as Star Wars Lando, as a corrupt cop from San Francisco, who relocates to New Mexico to help a Police Chief who is struggling with the organized crime in the city. From a novel by british writer G.F. Newman (Law And Order, Judge John Deed) and directed by cult director Robert Hartford-Davies, best known for his horror thrillers (The Fiend, Incense Of The Damned), it has some strong quite brutal action scenes as was usual for the era i.e. Dirty Harry, The Stone Killer etc. A great supporting cast helps it along. Eddie Albert as the under pressure police chief, A Martinez as the young cop, Vic Morrow, former 1950's heartthrob singer Frankie Avalon, as a gang member recruited as an informer, who does a great job in a scene where he breaks down under fear of a beating from BIlly D.W's cop. Tracy Reed, a british beauty who left fro America in the 1970's provides the vague love interest in the movie. She is the ex of Billy D.W.'s cop and tries to shake him off as she is not interested but still shows him dome compassion when he turns up at her house after a beating from the gang. Good music score and action scenes, including a very good car chase and a great Courtroom bust near the beginning. Sorrell Booke also turns up in a fairly small role as a helper to Billy's cop. Great idea, having a corrupt cop trying to take down corrupt cops.