mlefaye
Joined Apr 2012
Welcome to the new profile
We're still working on updating some profile features. To see the badges, ratings breakdowns, and polls for this profile, please go to the previous version.
Reviews13
mlefaye's rating
'Bargain Hunt' is often derided as cheaply made, oft repeated, daytime broadcasting fodder.
However, a confession. I love it. Indeed significant numbers have been similarly enjoying it for twenty four years (at the time of writing). Broadcast every weekday (usually at 12:15), and often at weekends too, 'Bargain Hunt' is regularly one of the top ten most watched programmes of the day.
So why is it so successful? Well the simple formula of purchasing items at a boot fair or an antique's centre, and then selling them at an auction for profit, remains very appealing. The viewer can speculate which purchases will be successful or failures. As auctions are so gloriously unpredictable, no-one really knows what will happen. The constant surprises at the auction keeps things fresh.
Another part of the appeal is that the presenters and experts are uniformly friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The contestants are clearly loving the experience.
The bonus is that each episode contains a genuinely educational item. All credit to the producers, because after nearly two thousand shows, they still find such fascinating stories to tell.
In short, 'Bargain Hunt' is forty five minutes at lunch time when you can forget any worries in the company of an inoffensive, undemanding, thoroughly likeable programme.
Long may it continue. Yes? Yes!
However, a confession. I love it. Indeed significant numbers have been similarly enjoying it for twenty four years (at the time of writing). Broadcast every weekday (usually at 12:15), and often at weekends too, 'Bargain Hunt' is regularly one of the top ten most watched programmes of the day.
So why is it so successful? Well the simple formula of purchasing items at a boot fair or an antique's centre, and then selling them at an auction for profit, remains very appealing. The viewer can speculate which purchases will be successful or failures. As auctions are so gloriously unpredictable, no-one really knows what will happen. The constant surprises at the auction keeps things fresh.
Another part of the appeal is that the presenters and experts are uniformly friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The contestants are clearly loving the experience.
The bonus is that each episode contains a genuinely educational item. All credit to the producers, because after nearly two thousand shows, they still find such fascinating stories to tell.
In short, 'Bargain Hunt' is forty five minutes at lunch time when you can forget any worries in the company of an inoffensive, undemanding, thoroughly likeable programme.
Long may it continue. Yes? Yes!
As someone who has fallen victim to scammers, I was immediately interested in seeing the new daytime show 'Scam Interceptors', launched in April, 2022. My own experience was horrible and had a huge effect on my confidence, so I was hoping that SI would help counteract this appalling criminal activity.
As it turned out, I greatly underestimated the effectiveness of the programme. Not only does it give invaluable consumer advice, but shows the drama of the scams as they are happening. There is tremendous tension as these callous and heartless criminals attempt to steal from victims, most of whom are amongst the most vulnerable people in society. The BBC team led by Rav Wilding and Nick Stapleton strive desperately to stop these innocent and trusting people losing their savings. The scammers are relentless and have no scruples, so it is no easy task. I am delighted that the occasions in which scams succeed, are not shown. It would be too heartbreaking. In contrast, the feeling of satisfaction and elation, when the scam is thwarted, is massive.
Massive credit goes to Rav, Nick and the whole team. They are sensitive, caring and doing a great job on our behalf. Certainly what SI does is a drop in the ocean against the monumental tide of fraud perpetrated by these scammers, but boy does it feel good to see these small victories.
I was delighted to see SI get a richly deserved BAFTA nomination and a promotion to a prime time slot. Highly recommended.
As it turned out, I greatly underestimated the effectiveness of the programme. Not only does it give invaluable consumer advice, but shows the drama of the scams as they are happening. There is tremendous tension as these callous and heartless criminals attempt to steal from victims, most of whom are amongst the most vulnerable people in society. The BBC team led by Rav Wilding and Nick Stapleton strive desperately to stop these innocent and trusting people losing their savings. The scammers are relentless and have no scruples, so it is no easy task. I am delighted that the occasions in which scams succeed, are not shown. It would be too heartbreaking. In contrast, the feeling of satisfaction and elation, when the scam is thwarted, is massive.
Massive credit goes to Rav, Nick and the whole team. They are sensitive, caring and doing a great job on our behalf. Certainly what SI does is a drop in the ocean against the monumental tide of fraud perpetrated by these scammers, but boy does it feel good to see these small victories.
I was delighted to see SI get a richly deserved BAFTA nomination and a promotion to a prime time slot. Highly recommended.
Launched in the winter of 2022 to rather disappointing ratings, I was alerted to 'The Traitors' by how many viewers were describing it with words like 'addictive' and 'absorbing'. After viewing the first episode, it was obvious that the show would be a sure fire massive hit. The series has continued to be startlingly fascinating, entertaining viewing and unquestionably my favourite newly launched show of the year.
On the face of it, the premise sounds relatively straightforward. Twenty two strangers perform tasks together to earn a prize fund of up to £120,000. However, covertly hidden amongst the twenty two are the Traitors, who strategically 'murder' the other contestants (Faithfuls). The Faithfuls' job is to root out the Traitors and remove them from the game. Eventually any remaining players take home the prize kitty.
Despite its apparent simplicity, the show has produced some of the most compelling TV exchanges and moments one could wish to see. Psychologists could surely hold conferences studying the group dynamics. It shows how clever manipulation can produce a full on herd, 'Lord of the Flies' mentality as innocent Faithfuls are suddenly turned on and evicted without a shred of evidence against them. The innocent victims become understandably distraught leading to high octane and intense scenes at the 'round table', where each player explains who they wish to get rid of, and why. We are also privy to the machinations of the Traitors.
The devious producers also regularly introduce ingenious twists to keep the viewing guessing, and to ratchet up the tension even more. Compliments also go to the researchers, who cast the 2022 contestants. Refreshingly, the competitors encompass a broad spectrum of ages, temperament and social backgrounds. Many of the contestants view themselves as mind control experts or being able to spot liars. The fact that they have been so inept at either, has given the viewer great schadenfreude.
Claudia Winkleman has played the role of the string pulling games controller with obvious relish. One of British TV's safest pair of hands, she has performed her part with consummate skill.
Add in high production values, the picturesque and atmospheric Scottish castle location and clever use of incidental music, and you have an outstanding piece of television. The show loses one mark, because the actual tasks to raise the prize fund, are far less compelling. However, they do allow the viewer some respite from the sheer intensity of the rest of the each episode.
It's so rare that a new formula bursts on to the TV scene with such an impact. Congratulations to all involved and roll on the next series, when I suspect things may become even more thrilling!
On the face of it, the premise sounds relatively straightforward. Twenty two strangers perform tasks together to earn a prize fund of up to £120,000. However, covertly hidden amongst the twenty two are the Traitors, who strategically 'murder' the other contestants (Faithfuls). The Faithfuls' job is to root out the Traitors and remove them from the game. Eventually any remaining players take home the prize kitty.
Despite its apparent simplicity, the show has produced some of the most compelling TV exchanges and moments one could wish to see. Psychologists could surely hold conferences studying the group dynamics. It shows how clever manipulation can produce a full on herd, 'Lord of the Flies' mentality as innocent Faithfuls are suddenly turned on and evicted without a shred of evidence against them. The innocent victims become understandably distraught leading to high octane and intense scenes at the 'round table', where each player explains who they wish to get rid of, and why. We are also privy to the machinations of the Traitors.
The devious producers also regularly introduce ingenious twists to keep the viewing guessing, and to ratchet up the tension even more. Compliments also go to the researchers, who cast the 2022 contestants. Refreshingly, the competitors encompass a broad spectrum of ages, temperament and social backgrounds. Many of the contestants view themselves as mind control experts or being able to spot liars. The fact that they have been so inept at either, has given the viewer great schadenfreude.
Claudia Winkleman has played the role of the string pulling games controller with obvious relish. One of British TV's safest pair of hands, she has performed her part with consummate skill.
Add in high production values, the picturesque and atmospheric Scottish castle location and clever use of incidental music, and you have an outstanding piece of television. The show loses one mark, because the actual tasks to raise the prize fund, are far less compelling. However, they do allow the viewer some respite from the sheer intensity of the rest of the each episode.
It's so rare that a new formula bursts on to the TV scene with such an impact. Congratulations to all involved and roll on the next series, when I suspect things may become even more thrilling!