21 May '12

“A televised recital contest whose cheapness, length and overall lack of pizzazz demonstrated the difficulty people are having making television programmes right now.”
Matt Baylis, The Express

“A film that, while appearing to candy-coat the pill of literary genius in a popular talent-show format, got closer to the heart of the poet’s art than some of the notionally more scholarly programmes that have preceded it in the BBC’s Shakespeare’s season.”
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent

“What the finale on the bridge did achieve was to pull together, and turn into plot, the best element of the show: the personalities of Saga and Martin.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“It turfs up such strange stories you feel slightly embarrassed at knowing your own country so poorly.”
Matt Baylis, The Express

“It was the long pause as she tried to work out how to respond to a counter-argument that was really funny. As Episodes can be, incidentally, when it doesn’t get carried away with self-reference.”
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent

“Watching Adrian Chiles is a bit like having a comedy uncle or mate on the sofa with you at home. He’s got his pundits with him – Gianfranco Zola and Roy Keane, neither of whom really has the English for the job. And Gareth Southgate, who’s just a bit dull.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“Generally better, I think. It has a higher level of punditry from Ruud Gullit, Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Souness, and from the excellent Gary Neville helping Martin Tyler out with the commentary. Plus solid anchoring, with a twinkle, from Jeff Stelling.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian