Speakerine

I was searching for something else on All4 when I came across 'Walter Presents, The Announcer' recognising Gregory Fitoussi in the photo I realised this was the sub-titled version of 'Speakerine'. I clicked to download wondering how I'd missed it in the schedules. Although all episodes are available it will not screen on E4 till November 27th, 2020. I only meant to watch one episode but ended up watching all six. This drama is set in 1962 and the central character is Christine Beauval (played by Marie Gillian). Christine works for a TV company, RTF, as an announcer between programmes. Back then the announcer delivered the programming details directly to camera and was seen on TV. Christine is a celebrity in France, she is also a working mother, which was usual in the 60s, and at 42 she's looking to move on her career by producing her own programme. She has sent the pitch for 'Portraits de Femmes' to the studio's director. Her husband Pierre works for the government under the direction of the Minister of Information, Eric Jauffret, who is also a close family friend. Pierre is to head the launch of a TV link between France and the USA, General de Gaul has personally selected him for this role. This news does not please the studio director who feels unsettled by the Beauval's growing influence. Christine's children have problems of their own. Her son, Jean-Claude, has lost two friends in the war in Algeria of Independence and is trying to find out what happened to them. Her daughter Collette has been doing working experience in Eric's office and they have become romantically involved. The programme has been tagged as 'Mad Men mixed with Agatha Christie'; yes, it is set in the 1960s and yes there is a murder, but this drama is more than that. There are the underlying politics of the period; international, business and personal. I was surprised that the French government had such an influence on TV output. Being a child of the 60s I was less surprised at the racism and sexism depicted in the programme. Of the cast Gregory Fitoussi is probably the one most UK viewers will recognise. His previous British TV appearances include; BBC's Spiral (a French production), Spin (an earlier Walter Presents series), Mr Selfridge (an ITV production) and Beecham House (also an ITV production). Marie Gillian received a nomination for Best Actress in this role at the Globes de Cristal Awards.

The first four episodes are worth eight stars, but the last two drag the series down. All the previous subtlety goes out of the window and we have a scenery chewing villain, and numerous story lines not followed up. It seems that there was a possibility of another series, but that idea was abandoned and the writers told to just finish things up quickly (and unsatisfactorily). It's a great shame because it was an interesting era politically, and the initial four episodes promised much.

No spoilers here.

Four-and-a-bit episodes building up intrigue and drama in the stylish milieu of early-60s French TV, complete with misbehaviour in high office, illicit love affairs and dangerous ambition.

Absolutely ruined by an overblown and absurd finale that left most of the story unresolved.

Nothing remarkable perhaps, but the ebb and flow, and unmistakable French flavour did provide audience interest.

Much admired was the way in which the politics of the period are elucidated. This never felt forced and certainly added to our understanding of the life and times of the characters.

Less impressively, the early episodes raised expectations that an explosive finale could be in the offing - a promise that was not satisfyingly delivered upon.

Nevertheless, the 1960s period authenticity was to be applauded, and I found the storytelling reminiscent of the French dramas I enjoyed in the 80s and 90s. - 8.0/10.

This mini-series about a female TV host in the Sixties has many strong points, with a few surprising weaknesses. It's certainly watchable and even fun up to a point. Setting it at just that junction has a number of advantages - the predictable sexism, the intrigues of the OAS, De Gaulle's over arching presence, the tentative dance of the French with the Americans. There is one almost caricaturally evil schemer, sometimes too predictable (she notably recalls a recurring villain on "Law and Order: CI"), but with some surprising wrinkles as well. The fact that the father, sometimes a mushy corporate pawn, is also an ex-Resistance fighter adds some texture. There are hints of "Eyes Wide Shut" - lite. Those who track wardrobe will enjoy the under garments, etc. (and the lead's hairdo is virtually a siganture in itself). The story is a little shaky morally, cutting despicable people a little too much slack and blithely gliding over at least one real crime. But it does move along well and, if not really "Mad Men" in tone, does share that series' ability to recreate an era little known to many today.