TV Critics: Parks and Recreation; Winter Olympics; Chris's Final Answer; Brian Pern; Births, Deaths and Marriages

“Part of the joy of watching Parks and Rec is that it’s consistently fresh and uplifting: amid all the zinging one-liners, there is genuine sweetness here. Emerging from it without a smile on your face is just about inconceivable.”
Patrick Smith, The Telegraph

“From the dialogue to the pacing there is still a feeling that Parks doesn’t know whether it wants to be The Office or Arrested Development, real or surreal, mockumentary or Modern Family.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“A bunch of identikit young ski women whoop for the camera and slide down the slope, while expert commentators Graham Bell and Tim Warwood try to make sense of it. It’s very beautiful – lady helicopters tumbling and twisting across the sky. I, for one, am stoked.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“This clip show saw Tarrant sat in his usual seat, introducing extracts with his usual delivery style, and so, sadly, it was too stiffly showbiz to offer any candid behind-the-scenes insight. Maybe in another 15 years?”
Ellen E Jones, The Independent

“Some sections of Life of Rock were a touch too hammed-up to be funny. But there were many jewels, too. Overall, the star turns were entertaining; the premise was sound, if not entirely original; and there was the occasional moment of comedy nirvana.”
Jake Wallis Simons, Daily Telegraph

“Births, Deaths and Marriages came of age with a splendid episode. Yet the show is over. There is nothing more to see. A new series, please.”
Andrew Billen, The Times