“It is a bit too diplomatic for such deeply divided and egregious times.”

The British Empire: Heroes and Villains, A Timewatch Guide

The British Empire: Heroes and Villains, A Timewatch Guide, BBC4

“The British Empire: Heroes and Villains was, like all others in the Timewatch genre, a load of old clips. But in this case it was presented with a credible purpose by historian David Olusoga.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express

“The only problem with Olusoga’s approach was that he confused the BBC’s attitudes with Britain’s and thus missed out a crucial factor. Forty-five years ago lefty programme-makers ruled the BBC. Upon their empire, the sun has since set.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“Olusoga did an adequate job of linking the various viewpoints, lifted from programmes that ranged from analysis of immigration to celebrations of the Raj. But since there was no overall narrative, you could dip in and out like flicking through a magazine.”
Christopher Stevens, The Times

“Olusoga’s measured assessment is less about the history, and more about how it has been presented (and misrepresented) to us. Unfortunately, it is a bit too diplomatic for such deeply divided and egregious times.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

Storyville: The Great Literary Scandal: The JT LeRoy Story, BBC4

“It’s a labyrinthine and infuriating tale, and the film is just as annoying. Ultimately, what you’re left with is an account as hollow and unreliable as the story of JT LeRoy itself.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

Hospital, BBC2

“Hospital remains an extraordinary series, the first really to explain not just the miracles of medicine, but the reality of how our hospitals still, somehow, sometimes, manage to perform them.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

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