TALK NERDY TV - OCTOBER 9th 2016

LUKE CAGE
Seeing as Gaz had gone off to New York, I decided to spend a majority of my weekend in Harlem with the Powerman. Let's be honest, did we ever doubt this? Not only has Netflix succeeded so far with its Daredevil run and it Jessica Jones series, Luke was one of the interesting parts of the latter. Just like the 2 aforementioned series, this is a darker look at the underbelly of the Marvel universe. No men with flying hammers here. 6 episodes in and I can say that what I love most about this show is its tone. It reminds me of older action shows/movies. Tough and gritty with a cheesey smile. The music is stellar as well. Mixing soul, rhythm and blues and a hint of 70's synth. The show lulls you into a false sense of security in the first two episodes before turning it up to 10 on the drama/action. Luke is as cool as ever, as is his origin story (nice nod to the comics as well) and Cottonmouth is believably over the top. Sometimes shows like this build their characters up and then hold them back to elongate episodes or stories. These 2 characters play their ace cards as soon as they can meaning the story moves along at a fast pace. I can't wait to carry this on.

Marvel's AGENTS OF SHIELD
This show has always been a mixed bag for me. I watch, I get involved, I get into it, I miss a week, I miss a few weeks, I eventually return. It's great viewing but it's never quite been at a level of consistency to keep me hooked...until now. As usual with every season, they've mixed up the formula and I really like it. I like everyone's place in this universe and the paths they are taking. The remnants of the previous series are finally rested and the team can move on to new adventures, and what an adventure to head into with the introduction of THE GHOST RIDER! No, it is not Nicolas Cage playing Johnny Blaze but Gabriel Luna playing Robbie Reyes! The car riding, demon possessed, vengeful reaper and boy, was I gripped from the opening scene. To top the amazing Ghost Rider, appears to be actual ghosts haunting the team...or at least that's what they 'seem' to be. I have so many questions already and we're only 2 episodes in. Roll on next week.

The Apprentice
The BBC have a lot to answer for. I still find it amazing that we have to pay for TV licenses because of a channel that churns out so high quality shows as 'Watch people whose faces who recognise, dance' and 'Mary Berrys sagging tits and cakes show'. However, every so often, it reminds me that it does have classics. One of these is The Apprentice. This to me is one of the best reality TV shows around. Because no matter how they edit it, no matter what crazy people they pick, the situations and decisions are real and you all of sudden develop your own business acumen. I think everyone should watch this show to better themselves. Stop watching Katie Hopkins eat a kangaroo's bollock and come over here and give me your opinion on what was the better managerial decision. Who made the better investment? I literally sit there either praising someone or shouting at the TV at the stupidity at the handling of a business decision. I don't have a favourite yet (maybe the guy who runs his own sausage market...or the guy who sounds like an egotistical, Indian Sean Connery) but who cares? Better yourselves and watch it.

​Morgana Robinsons The Agency
Impressionists shows don't often do well. Normally they spend too much time writing the scenes to show how well they can do the impression that they forget to make the scene funny or entertaining. Kevin Bishops show (which you can find on 4OD) is a fantastic example of just wanting to write funny sketches with the added bonus that he can do an impression. So to have a show based entirely around a set of celebrities and their personal lives had my eyebrow raised. Morgana is a great impressionist. Probably one of the best at the moment and you know what? I laughed a lot at this. It's not perfect by far, a couple of jokes here and there fall flat but there is so much potential here and I think she knows it. Her Natalie Cassidy is bang on and actually has a (dare I say) heartwarming story in her sketches, Mel and Sue are hilarious (and impressive seeing as she's playing BOTH) and her Miranda is more entertaining than Miranda. Well worth a look in, especially as it's on iPlayer.

Elementary
I'm a massive Sherlock fan and this take on the classic story has been fantastic to watch develop and grow. Last season really turned up the heat and this season is off to an explosive start. It was great just to watch it be a murder mystery show again, without any foreboding side stories, although I have a feeling Joan is definitely going to be dealing with something pretty big with the introduction of a new character appearing in her life. John Lee Miller is definitely happy to be tied and bound into his suit again as he burst with energy and accusation in every scene. If you like SHERLOCK and haven't gotten onto this yet, don't start here. Run back to Season 1 and get on the best mystery mobile since the Scooby Doo Mysteries.