SURVIVORS
Saturdays/Sundays, BBC1
“Thirty-four days, 18 people, one survivor…this is the most physically demanding, emotionally draining show on television,” Survivor host Joel Dommett (The Masked Singer) ominously announced.
My first thought: “What, even more physically demanding and emotionally taxing than The Traitors?” Bring it on!’ So I enthusiastically signed up for weeks of “Woo-hoo!” songs. We have that!’ shouted the eager castaways who sought shelter, fire, food, water and £100,000 for the victor in the Dominican Republic.
In case you’re experiencing déjà vu, yes, this is a reboot of the global reality series that previously aired on ITV for two seasons in 2001 and 2002 before the network surprisingly pulled the plug, despite the show getting higher ratings than Big Brother . Since then, there have been more than 50 versions worldwide, with a whopping run of 45 seasons in the US.
“Thirty-four days, 18 people, one survivor… this is the most physically demanding and emotionally draining show on television,” announced Survivor host Joel Dommett (pictured).
Survivor contestants Nathan (left) and Sabrina (right)
However, ITV launched I’m A Celebrity straight away, probably just one of the reasons why Survivor is now on the BBC.
So far, our friendly host has successfully argued, persuaded and interviewed members of the Orange Tribe, also known as Caleton, and the Blue Tribe, also known as La Nena – named after the respective beaches they call home for a few weeks will be called. La Nena really hit the ground running in her first three attempts – essentially building, unlocking, burning, swimming… pretty much everything you’d see on Celebrity SAS or I’m A Celebrity, albeit without quite the same many creatures or, indeed, celebrities.
It’s what you’d see in I’m a Celebrity, but without quite as many creatures
However, Caleton has now made the breakthrough and there is still everything to play for.
Or almost everyone. Little wonder that portly pension manager Richard, 36, from Dalkeith, had his torch extinguished at the first tribal council. After failing a challenge and letting Caleton down, Richard responded to Dommett’s question, “Do you think you’re vulnerable tonight?” with a slightly delusional, “I think everyone here is vulnerable!” voted out by his tribe.
Less predictable was an elimination for ultra-marathon runner Sabrina, 45, on the grounds that she was clearly and unapologetically on her way to victory. Which, let’s face it, just isn’t very British, is it?
Even though it’s early days, you’d be crazy not to keep an eye on Manchester fitness trainer Nathan, 35, and Isle of Mull “flood risk advisor” Doug, 32, and not just because they’re very the eyes are gentle; The physicality of the format is likely to favor male participants. But I like the attitude of “professional roller skater” Tinuke, 30 (as an avid former skater, how could I miss this career path?) and “network data scientist” Ren, 28.
Ultimately, though, the victory will be seeing whether or not the format still feels fresh enough for a Saturday and Sunday night. As the show is pre-filmed there is no Strictly/I’m A Celebrity style audience interaction.
And while that hasn’t stopped The Traitors from being compelling viewing, this isn’t an entirely new series. Based on the evidence so far, I would say that Survivor’s own survival is entirely possible.
I’m sorry, Mary, it’s just silly
It’s impossible not to like anything about the Dame of Dough, but the new show from the mighty Mary Berry (Mary Makes It Easy, Do, BBC2) is a silly format. With food this good, there was no need to pretend that Berry (above) and her former Bake Off colleague Mel Giedroyc (whose friendship is real) were “camping” by the river.
Mary’s predictably matter-of-fact response to this newspaper’s question about whether she and Mel had actually camped says it all. “We had a tent and we put it up. ‘Well, Mel did.’
The meals all looked perfect (I include the Ciabatta tricolore), but the premise was even cheesier than Mary’s Tartiflette.
It’s impossible not to like anything about the Dame of Dough, but the new show from the mighty Mary Berry (Mary Makes It Easy, Do, BBC2) is a silly format
It was wrong to write that off
SHETLAND
Wednesdays, BBC1
Ashley Jensen can jump in in the first episode, replace Douglas Henshall’s Perez as detective in charge and dominate the show from the start
I haven’t seen Shetland for a while since Succession’s Brian Cox showed up in a cameo, but I can’t remember exactly why I stopped.
Given that I found the multiple Scottish BAFTA nominee (which returned for an eighth series last week) a satisfying watch, is there really no excuse other than perhaps the feeling that I’ve already seen the best of it?
Originally based on the DI Jimmy Perez novels by Ann Cleeves, Shetland has reinvented itself so successfully after ten years that Ashley Jensen joined the first episode, replacing Douglas Henshall’s Perez as the detective in charge and the series from the start can control -go.
Backstory: In the Metropolitan Police, Ashley’s character, DI Ruth Calder (right), had moved far away from the Shetland Islands, where she was born and raised, both personally and professionally. “I couldn’t wait to get away, about two days after my 18th birthday,” she tells the young police officer with whom she is currently investigating the disappearance of another young Shetlander, Ellen, who was a witness to a London gangland murder.
Beautifully photographed and acted, with dialogue written in the casual staccato in which real people actually speak (less often than it should be!), this series is already beguiling and haunting at the same time. So you were clearly wrong to write off Shetland – and you would be too.