TV critics: Double Cross; Bug; Faster, Higher, Stronger

“Like Ben MacIntyre’s previous exercises in espionage history it was studded with raffish chancers and dashing military men. And, like previous programmes, it told an important story – about the ways in which deception and double-dealing helped shorten the Second World War.”
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent

“Fragile and quivering with tension it was a tale of how five double agents wove a web of lies to turn Hitler’s head so completely that he even awarded one of the spies the Iron Cross – Germany’s highest military honour – weeks after our troops had launched their surprise attack on occupied Normandy.”
Alex Hardy, The Times

“In an age of remote-controlled strike drones and American presidents watching assassination attempts on the internet, there’s something rather comforting about the Dick Barton world of invisible ink, dummy letterboxes and dodgy accents MacIntyre describes in his books and TV programmes.”
Matt Baylis, The Express

“A television version of Adam Buxton’s very hip BFI showcases, is a triumph of personal character above all. The elements of the programme are dead simple. He shows music videos he’s found on YouTube, cueing up all the visuals from his laptop. Then he reads out a selection of the comments underneath.” 
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent

“There was some interesting analysis, breaking the event down into its different components – though there was nothing I hadn’t heard Steve Cram, David Coleman or Ron Pickering say dozens of times before on commentary – and US athlete turned commentator Michael Johnson is always good value as a talking head.” 
John Crace, The Guardian

“The programme itself – part of the When I’m 65 season – was jolly enough and the centenarians themselves were all very charming, but as a guide to carving myself out another 45 years of existence, it wasn’t much help.”
John Crace, The Guardian