It’s that time of year when the lists begin appearing in all the newspapers, magazines and websites and here at the workhorse it’s no different. My top pick for Best TV of 2013 is being repeated on More4 Sundays at 2.25 and is the acclaimed French series The Returned. If you missed it first time around, really do yourself a favour and set up the digibox to series link or stay up till the wee small hours and watch it. The series is set in a small French mountain town where the dead suddenly reappear: Camille a 16 year old killed with her school friends in a bus crash years before, suicidal groom Simon, Serge a serial killer and Victor, a small boy killed in a burglary decades ago. It really is perfect TV and I’m waiting for season 2 next year with baited breath.
BBC4 tonight (Monday) are showing Blackfish-The Whale that Killed at 10.30pm detailing the real –life events of Dawn Brancheau a trainer in Seaworld Orlando who was dragged into the water by a performing killer whale called Tilikum and died. However this was not the first death that Tilikum was responsible for. The documentary raises questions about animal conservation, corporate responsibility and the ignorance of humans.
Anyone who has an interest in the theatre world should be watching the fascinating documentary series on Channel 4 on Tuesdays at 9pm: “The Sound of Musicals”. Last week highlighted the terror of anyone working with musical impresario Cameron Mackintosh. This week the series continues to follow first time producer Amy Anzel who has sunk her life savings into trying to bring a musical based on the popular 70’s sitcom Happy Days to the stage. Half of me is rooting for her and half of me thinks she is on a highway to nowhere. Either way its fascinating.
Review by LAW
No More Workhorse 
The Returned won the international emmy for best drama last night. Taking a leaf from the workhorse.
You’re first with the news! I’ll have to watch that American Horror show you’re always on about now too! M.