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From solving crimes on the mean streets of London to scouring antique shops in the Lake District, “Dempsey and Makepeace” stars Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber reunite for a friendly rivalry on “Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.” Trading their detective skills for a keen eye for vintage treasures, the real-life husband and wife team embarks on […]

Celebrity Antiques Road Trip: Glynis Barber v Michael Brandon...

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

It’s the penultimate visit to Episodes and things may never be the same again. Sean gives Beverly a free pass to date Rob, Merc is being attacked in the press and Carol might be getting a promotion.

After feeling sorry for himself led to calling his stalker, Matt is now regretting his lapse in judgment and can’t seem to shake off her advances. Meanwhile, Sean is reacting badly to Beverly dating, and this gives the leads the chance for some very British awkward comedy.

In the short time they have been in the Us, Sean and Beverly arrived as a loving married couple adapting their sophisticated comedy for American audiences. Currently their marriage is in pieces, and both of them have slept with other people so any chance of a reunion is looking doubtful.

The success of the talking dog TV series Merc passed on,...

The critics can advise you on what's good and what's bad in all aspects of life – whether it's TV, music, films or food – but at the end of the day, it's the public view that counts. A TV critic can pick apart a really bad programme until the cows come home, but if the public likes it, who cares? How else could you explain the long-running My Family – Aka, the most depressing, mean-spirited excuse for a comedy in the history of telly – a programme that seems to be derided by every critic under the sun, and yet seems to have lasted for decades. See? If the public likes something, then a critic's job sometimes feels a bit pointless.

Still, as I weep into my computer keyboard, at least I can console myself with the fact that My Family's limping to its well deserved end this year. As for Doctor Who,...

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

When you eat as much fast food as I do, you hear a few things. There’s the urban legend that the disgruntled staff of popular chains take their revenge on rude customers by ejaculating into the tube of burger sauce or glazing the meat with a clump of freshly extracted bloody mucus. Years ago, I was told a story about a woman who bit into a quarterpounder with cheese, only to hear an unwelcome crunch. When she retracted the sandwich from her trap, she discovered that her teeth had unwittingly guillotined a dead mouse.

All of that may provoke revulsion, but there’s an even more unpleasant rumour spreading like wildfire throughout London society. Beware new food outlets, say the gossips; some of them are being set up by feckless wannabe businessman with no knowledge of the catering industry.

Like many I used to laugh...

Jill Gascoine has stepped down from the role of EastEnders' Glenda Mitchell, forcing the soap's bosses to recast the character just days after the initial announcement. With such tight filming schedules, the series was forced to hire a replacement, opting for 53-year-old ex-Dempsey and Makepeace actress Glynis Barber. Earlier this week, producers revealed that 72-year-old Gascoine - star of The Gentle Touch and C.A.T.S. Eyes - had signed to play the role of Archie Mitchell's (Larry Lamb) estranged wife Glenda. However, during her first day on set, Gascoine took the decision to withdraw from her filming commitments as she felt that she "lacked the right experience to film such a big continuing drama". Speaking of her conclusion to step down, Gascoine said: "I was so looking forward (more)...