Articles written by Steven Cookson
Showing 1-100 of 210 Articles
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Best British TV of 2009
A brief rundown of the top five British TV shows of 2009.
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Heston's Christmas Feast on Channel 4
British culinary wizard Heston Blumenthal puts some fun back into the festive meal with his Christmas Feast.
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Never Mind the Buzzcocks Doctor Who Special
David Tennant presents a cringe worthy Doctor Who Special of Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
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Move Like Michael Jackson on BBC Three
A new talent show that has some impressive dancers but has nothing to innovate the overdone genre.
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British Comedy Awards 2009 Results
The winners of the British Comedy Awards 2009, shown on ITV1 on December 12.
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Live at the Apollo on BBC One
Rob Brydon hosts episode two of the BBC's stand-up series where the guests were Sarah Millican and Jason Byrne.
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Man on Earth on Channel 4
Tony Robinson presents a documentary series about how the earliest humans coped with climate change such as the Ice Age and the Emian Period.
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Film Review – The Box
Donnie Darko director Richard Kelly makes a return to form with a complex tale of morality with a sci-fi twist.
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The Collings and Herrin Podcast Review
Recorded in an attic by two fairly recognisable faces off the telly, The Collings and Herrin Podcast is possibly the funniest and most entertaining hour of anyone's week.
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Bang Goes the Theory on BBC One
Cyclist peddle to power a family home for a day for a Bang Goes the Theory experiment into the levels of energy consumed in Britain.
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Monty Python, Morecambe and Wise and Mr. Bean
A selection of the most important and influential British TV shows beginning with the letter M.
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The G Series of QI on BBC One
Series "G" of the BBC's greatest ever panel show continues its established trend of fact-based comedy.
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Paradox on BBC One
Tamzin Outhwaite leads a team of police reluctantly investigating an incident that has been predicted which leads to a shocking conclusion.
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Osbourne Family Adrenaline Junkie on ITV1
The Osbourne family join youngest son Jack on some of his latest Adrenaline Junkie adventures. Contains minor injury and strong language from the start.
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Life on Mars, Likely Lads and London's Burning
A selection of the most important and influential British TV shows beginning with the letter L.
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The Fastest Steam Car in the World on BBC Two
A brief and engaging documentary explaining how a British team broke the world record for a steam powered car in August 2009.
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Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars on BBC One
A brilliant episode that brings all the best elements of Doctor Who in a fun but scary family adventure. This does contains spoilers for anyone who hasn't seen it.
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Misfits on E4
What's this, a teen based comedy-drama on E4 that's good? Yes, the super powered youngsters in Misfits manage to drag this above the usual sci-fi fare.
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Film Review – The Men Who Stare At Goats
A bizarre but funny comedy based on the non-fiction book by Jon Ronson telling the secret experiments by the US army into creating psychic spies.
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The Execution of Gary Glitter on Channel 4
Channel 4 mockumentary/drama set in a fictional world where rock star Gary Glitter is sentenced to death in Britain that's too real for its own good.
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Jim'll Fix It, Jackanory and Jonathan Creek
A selection of the most important and influential British TV shows beginning with the letter J.
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Peter Kay – Raider of the Pop Charts
Part one of a so-so documentary about the input comedian Peter Kay has had to the UK music charts.
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The Great Escape – The Reckoning, on Channel 4
The Reckoning is an interesting documentary about the fallout of The Great Escape plan, but unfortunately suffers from over-use of reconstruction footage.
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ITV1 Police Serial Drama Collision
A solid cast lead this ITV crime drama, written by Anthony Horowitz, about a massive car crash and the people it affects.
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Russell Howard's Good News on BBC Three
Russell Howard steps away from the Mock The Week panel to give his own satirical and positive spin on the week's events in a surprisingly good BBC Three comedy.
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The World's Greatest Money Maker on BBC Two
An informative documentary about likeable and successful Warren Buffett, revealing how he made his billions and the details of his unglamorous lifestyle.
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The Thick of It on BBC Two
Rejoicing all around as one of the best sitcoms of the last 10 years throws its satirical light on more government department mishaps in a slightly sub-par opening.
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Film Review: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Terry Gilliam's latest film stars Heath Ledger in his last role and is also visually brilliant but flawed in its storytelling.
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ITV's New Drama Murderland
Murderland is a compelling drama telling the story of a brutal killing from three different perspectives.
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Inspector Morse and I'm Alan Partridge
A selection of the most important and influential British TV shows beginning with the letter I.
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The World's Strictest Parents on BBC Three
A new reality series for the BBC's "yoof" channel where lazy teens are forced to live with strict families in the hope of learning discipline. Opinion: it's a bit rubbish
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The Force on Channel 4
Channel 4 continue their knack for riveting documentaries with a Hampshire police investigation into the murder of a woman.
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Harry Hill's TV Burp on ITV1
Saturday nights have been saved thanks to the return of Harry Hill's TV Burp where the comedian casts a satirical eye over the week's television.
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When Piers Met Sir Cliff on ITV1
TV's Piers Morgan interviews a man he calls "the biggest selling recording artist ever" in what was a decent one-off special for his chat show series.
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It's Only a Theory on BBC Four
Yes, another BBC panel show but this time presented by Andy Hamilton and Reginald D. Hunter based on approving theories suggested by guest experts.
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Monty Python – Almost The Truth on BBC
New interviews and unseen clips make up this documentary to celebrate 40 years since the first broadcast of Monty Python's Flying Circus.
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Never Mind The Buzzcocks on BBC Two
Series 23 of Never Mind the Buzzcocks kicks off with a poor guest host attempt by James Corden but regulars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding keep the pace up.
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Charlie Brooker's Gameswipe on BBC Four
TV reviewer Charlie Brooker presents a video game version of Screenwipe series, looking at the main genres and demonisation of the growing industry within the media.
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Hitchhiker's Guide, Hancock and Harry Hill
A selection of the most important and influential British TV shows beginning with the letter H.
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Cha'mone Mo'fo'selecta! on E4
A surprisingly decent attempt by the Bo' Selecta! team in telling the story of Michael Jackson in their own surreal and foul-mouthed way.
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Masterchef The Professionals on BBC Two
The new series of the Masterchef for professionals that's okay and not less entertaining than the standard version.
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Peep Show Series 6 on Channel 4
Channel 4's best sitcom since Spaced returns for a sixth series that, on the evidence of episode one, continues to be consistently funny and inventive.
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The Love of Money on BBC Two
The second part of the BBC's brilliant series explaining how the governments and bankers managed to caused the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression.
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Daredevils – The Human Bird
An interesting insight into Jeb Corliss's latest BASE jumping attempt down the Matterhorn in Switzerland for this entertaining Channel 4 series.
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Derren Brown: The Events (Channel 4)
Derren Brown's new Channel 4 series begins with his method on how to cheat one of the most mathematically impossible gambles: winning the lottery.
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Media Watch on ABC1
A brilliant and often hilarious Australian news programme that puts lazy and disreputable media reports under the microscope.
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Blackadder Rides Again on BBC One
In the 25th anniversary of the show Blackadder Rides Again looks back at the best and worst moments of the much admired historical comedy.
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Jamie's American Road Trip on Channel 4
Jamie Oliver treks to Los Angeles for some real Mexican food in his new series and somehow confuses himself as Louis Theroux along the way.
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Grange Hill, Grandstand and The Good Life
A selection of the most important and influential British TV shows beginning with the letter G.
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The Cube on ITV1
A new ITV game show with Phillip Schofield that's okay as throwaway Saturday entertainment but fails to makes a clear plastic box look intimidating.
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BBC Two's The Frankincense Trail
Kate Humble charts the journey that old frankincense traders made to sell their good to the western world, and also dabs in a little socio-religious politics on the way.
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TV Review – Shooting Stars on BBC Two
Vic and Bob return for a brand new series of their once successful and popular surreal panel show Shooting Stars.
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Saw Horror Film Series
Saw was a good, low-budget horror thriller with a nice concept but it has now become a bloated franchise where gory violence has replaced any substance.
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Fawlty Towers, Father Ted and Fast Show
A selection of the most important and influential British TV shows beginning with the letter F including the best sitcom ever made, Fawlty Towers.
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The Duchess on the Estate, ITV1
The Duchess of York aims to improve the lives on people on the Northern Moor estate in Manchester.
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Wuthering Heights Serial for ITV1
Emily Bronte's novel of love and revenge has been adapted for a new two-part serial on ITV1 by Peter Bowker starring Tom Hardy, Charlotte Riley and Sarah Lancashire.
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TV Review – We Are Klang on BBC Three
BBC Three's latest sitcom We Are Klang is a genuinely funny TV comedy from a likeable and talented trio.
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EastEnders, Emmerdale and Edge of Darkness
A selection of the most important, influential and in one case awful British TV programmes beginning with the letter E.
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TV Review – Would I Lie To You?
Rob Brydon takes over from Angus Deayton as host for the third series of the brilliant celebrity truth or lie panel show.
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The Funny Side of…TV Talent on BBC Two
Clive Anderson's new series examining modern culture turns its sights on the TV talent show.
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Who Do You Think You Are? on BBC One
David Mitchell travels to the north of Scotland to discover his ancestors' roots in sheep farming and religion all without shedding one tear.
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The Gadget Show on Five
Series 12 of Five's technology show opens by entering a remote control car into a real race, comparing touch screen phones and swimming with computerised penguins.
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The Kevin Bishop Show – Channel 4
Star Stories man Kevin Bishop kicks off his new series of his sketch show with a mixed but overly positive outing that spoofs politically correct comedy and David Beckham
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Breaking the Mould Story of Penicillin on BBC4
An admirable but overly dull BBC dramatisation of the discovery of penicillin by a team of scientists lead by Howard Florey.
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Knowitalls on BBC Two
A BBC quiz show "without questions" that gives its contestants the chance to share their knowledge about a range of subjects.
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28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later Film Reviews
The 28 Days/Weeks Later is a British horror franchise that is not only incredibly gory and brilliant but also has important messages about modern society.
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Gun Crime Drama Gunrush for ITV1
New ITV1 single drama Gunrush tells the story of a father out for revenge in a London plagued by gun crime.
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TV Review – Grimefighters on ITV1
Grimefighters is a decent and occasionally interesting documentary series on ITV that's best watched while not eating.
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PS3 Game Review – inFAMOUS
A superhero game for the modern age as inFAMOUS is a fun action adventure that allows the player to choose whether to be good or evil.
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Doctor Who, Dad's Army and Dispatches
A selection of the most important and influential British TV programmes beginning with the letter D.
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Series 7 of Dragons' Den on BBC Two
Series 7 of the BBC's premier investment show sees two Dragons gain a stake and more crazy ideas pitched in the Den.
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You Have Been Watching – Channel 4
You Have Been Watching is Charlie Brooker's new TV venture which sees him talk about his favourite subject with a few of his showbiz pals.
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TV Review – Monday Monday on ITV1
Monday Monday is ITV's attempt to rival the BBC's latest office comedy-drama Personal Affairs. And it does, it's equally as empty and awful.
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Mock The Week Series 7, Episode 1 of
It's business as usual for a new series of Mock The Week as Michael Jackson's death and the other big news stories are thoroughly "mocked".
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Review of Five's The Hotel Inspector
Series five of The Hotel Inspector starts by going to The Crown Inn at Lewes by cleaning up and adding a lick of paint but is not very interesting.
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Review of Torchwood: Children of Earth Day One
The Torchwood team investigate why all the children in the world have suddenly stopped while evading government attack in this electrifying series opener.
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Film Review – Crank 2 High Voltage (2009)
The sequel to the 2006 hit "cranks" up the insanity, surrealism and offensive material for what it is a completely over-the-top but rather fun action film.
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Bear Grylls Born Survivor on Channel 4
Bear Grylls ventures to the west of Ireland instead of the usual jungle wilderness for another enjoyable outing for his Born Survivor series.
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Corrie, The Clangers and The Crystal Maze
A selection of the most important and influential British TV shows beginning with the letter C.
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7/7 The Conspiracy Files on BBC Two
Another fine and interesting entry into the Conspiracy Files as claims made about the 7/7 London terrorist attack are scrutinised.
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Drama Desperate Romantics Coming to BBC Two
Another BBC Victorian period drama Desperate Romantics, this one focussing on an influential art movement called the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
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Game Review – Terminator Salvation (PS3)
Like the Terminator Salvation film this is a pointless, drawn-out and boring addition to the legacy and one of the worst games released this year.
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Jack the Ripper: Tabloid Killer – Revealed
Former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie hosts an investigation into the press reporting of the Ripper case but treads on very familiar ground as other documentaries.
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Film Review – Memento (2000)
Nolan's neo-noir thriller impresses with its non-linear storytelling and fine performance from lead Guy Pearce as a man with memory problems finding his wife's killer.
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Top Gear and James May on the Moon – BBC Two
Series 13 of Top Gear starts with the identity of The Stig, sort of, and a race to Edinburgh. Meanwhile James May investigates the first manned trip to the Moon.
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TV Review of BBC Two's Psychoville
A creepy and atmospheric comedy thriller that's short on laughs but has the aesthetics expected from The League of Gentlemen boys.
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Blackadder, Big Brother and Brass Eye
A selection of the most important and influential British TV shows beginning with the letter B.
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Torchwood – Children of Earth for BBC One
The third series of the popular Doctor Who spin-off will be a five-part story arc as Captain Jack Harkness and co. take on an alien invasion targeting children.
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TV Review – Kingdom on ITV1
Crop circles and alien invasion await Peter Kingdom and his team in the second episode in the third series of the well acted but average ITV comedy-drama.
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Ab Fab, Abigail's Party and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet
A small selection of the most important and influential British TV shows over the years beginning with the letter A.
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Yasmina Siadatan Wins The Apprentice 2009
Restaurateur Yasmina Siadatan has won The Apprentince, snatching victory away from Kate Walsh in a very close final task.
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Preparing to Beat Weapons in Final Fantasy VII
Emerald and Ruby Weapon are the toughest fights in Final Fantasy VII and a great deal of preparation is needed beforehand in order to beat them.
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Beating Emerald and Ruby in Final Fantasy VII
Simple and straightforward tactics on how to defeat the Emerald and Ruby Weapon bosses in Final Fantasy VII.
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Breeding a Gold Chocobo in Final Fantasy VII
Breeding a gold chocobo is a long and annoying task but this guide has everything needed to create the elusive bird-like creature.
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The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
Link's latest adventure sees him travel the seas to stop an ancient evil force in a well crafted game which puts the DS touchscreen technology into good use.
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TV Review – Paul Merton in India (Five)
A rather fun addition to the always expanding genre of celebrity travel shows where Merton joins a blind cricket team and racketeers with a group of eunuchs.
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Ladette to Lady on Nine Network/ITV1
The Antipodean version of the bawdy women to proper lady transformation series that's just as uninteresting and intelligence insulting as the British original.
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Album Review of Dave Gahan's Hourglass
A jumbled yet interesting second release from Dave Gahan which sees the Depeche Mode man move into the familiar territory of dark electronic music.
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Best Bits of Have I Got News For You
In its two decade history Have I Got News For You has seen the host shamed in sex scandal, Play Your Iraqi Cards Right and a certain Tory MP make a fool of himself.
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Film Review – Drag Me To Hell (2009)
Sam Raimi's scary new horror drags his protagonist and the unsuspecting viewers down to the pit of hell.
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