Well having enjoyed the latest season of Doctor Who, albeit with mild upset that they wasted the Master's re-appearance and got rid of Freema, I decided to catch up on Torchwood - the X-Files/CSI esque spinoff series. I'd seen the finale episodes before, and felt a bit disappointed that it seemed to rip ideas wholesale from Buffy so hadn't gone back to see the early ones. I mean - evil old creepy guy, sharp knives and rifts that mean the end of the world... hmm. All we needed was Captain Jack to have a fake sister and it was Season 5 Buffy all over again.

Anyways, having gone back to watch it from the start I can only say that it is much much better than I thought. There's a great mix of strong character development, realistic behaviors and weird alien stuff - not to mention disturbed humans. It was also interesting to see how far they took Jack's 'pansexuality' (shagging trees anyone?). They may not have had the first on screen male on male kiss, but they certainly have the first male on male kiss between a time traveller and the dead guy he took his name from... I guess that would have been hard for him to become his own grand-father that way but they might have found a way.

Stand out episodes for me were Random Shoes and Countrycide - but they work best within the context of the overall story ark. Russell T Davis and colleagues have learnt some tricks from Joss Whedon for creating emotional scripts, and added some of their own. Definately a must see for scifi/fantasy fans, and maybe even for those of us who aren't that geeky.

Labels: Reviews, tv

Last night we went to see The Line Up, part of this year's Just for Laughs festival. The format was to showcase up and coming sketch comedy groups, presented by Bob Odenkirk & David Cross - who used to team up for the wonderful Mr Show.

The show was in a cramped, most likely over capacity, Kola Note which could have done with a bit more air conditioning. Luckily the comedy kept us awake for the most part. David & Bob opened the show with Bob introducing a fake 'David Cross' before the real David came in from the audience to reclaim his rightful place after an amazing dance off. That man sure can bust a move. They then carried out a short re-enactment of Bob's attempt to buy coffee in a Montreal cafe, where David Cross stole the show completely with his over the top 'Qwebetoise' accent.

After this intro the other acts began, with Kurt & Kristen's inspired double act of randomness. Their re-enactment of the real first ever telephone call was genius, as was our amazement at how sore Kurt's throat must have been after his singing finale.

Next up was Hot Sauce, a trio of lads also from New York (there was a bit of NYC bias in this show). Again, very enjoyable with some planned heckling and excessive destruction of eggs before our very eyes. Without stunt doubles, amazing.

Bob & David came out for a brief interlude prior to intermission. After which they returned with David's 'French speaking mime' called 'Est le petit bonbon', dressed as a clown and holding balloons. The sketch again revolved around Cross' frantic movements - leaving Odenkirk mildly stunned. All this physical comedy was a great starter to the main course that was Karla, a female duo from LA with a great line in cerebral comedy. Karla was probably our favourite act all night, offering something that stood out as hilariously different and interesting, in a lineup that often seemed a bit in the same groove of east coast stylings. Go check them out if you get the chance, if just for their glove puppet morality tale.

Finally we had the Buffoons, another New York based male trio, this time with a much more physical approach to their comedy. There were some inspired moments of chicanery in their act, but for me it didn't quite gel, although Miette loved it. They might have suffered at this point of being right at the end of a long show.

Thanks to Bob & David for a splendid evening, hope you had fun up in Montreal. Please come back soon with your own show!

Oh, and as a minor 'celebrity' bonus wandered past Greg Proops and Brad Sherwood (of Whose Line Is It Anyway fame) on the way out. Mr Proops looking very dapper as he grabbed a quick pre-show cigarette outside.

Labels: comedy, Montreal, Reviews