Radio Times
type: channel
link: https://www.radiotimes.com
date: 2024-10-29T21:44:31.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Why you should watch The Vicar of Dibley
items: Lockdown Binge #11: Search Party
items: Lockdown Binge #10: Agatha Christie's Poirot
items: Lockdown Binge #9: Ultimate Beastmaster
items: Lockdown Binge #8: Grand Designs
items: Lockdown Binge #7: The Office (US)
items: Lockdown Binge #6: Mad Men
items: Lockdown Binge #5: Twin
items: Lockdown Binge #4: Curb Your Enthusiasm
items: Lockdown Binge #2: RuPaul's Drag Race
items: Lockdown Binge #1: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Why you should watch The Vicar of Dibley
type: item
date: 2020-12-04T11:47:00.000Z
creator: Flora Carr
subject: Comedy
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: BritBox
subject: Lockdown Binge
subject: Netflix
subject: On demand
description: The most sinfully funny sitcom on television returns this Christmas with lockdown specials starring Dawn French.
encoded: There are some people who have been turning to spirituality during these troubling times, whether that’s through tarot cards or live-streaming Sunday services. But I’ve already found all the spiritual solace I need at the moment: in Dawn French’s Geraldine Granger. And with the festive season now upon us, the BBC are serving up a healthy portion of nostalgia alongside our mince pies, with a series of short The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown specials followed by classic episodes. What better time than to catch up on the past antics of our beloved vicar? So, for today’s Christmas sermon, I’m singing the praises of the heavenly Vicar of Dibley. Hang onto your dog collars. What is The Vicar of Dibley about? And lo, it came to pass that a female vicar came unto to the sleepy village of Dibley. And she was called: Geraldine. And the glory of Geraldine shone around Dibley, and all the villagers were sore afraid… or more accurately, horrified. Because back then, in the halcyon grainy-blurry past of mid-90s telly, the Church of England had only just introduced female vicars. And when Gerladine rocks up in her bright yellow raincoat and Monica Geller-style printed waistcoat, the conservative Dibley parish council aren’t best pleased with their new vicar. “You were expecting a bloke – beard, Bible, bad breath,” Geraldine says during the pilot episode. “And instead you got a babe with a bob cut and a magnificent bosom.” The parish councillors - led by the wealthy and crusty David Horton - even contemplate sacking her. But, of course, the show is called “The Vicar of Dibley”, because - spoiler alert - Dibley of course warms to its fabulous female vicar, who injects new life into the little village. How long is The Vicar of Dibley? Three seasons and a slate of Christmas specials (including “The Vicar in White”), with each classic episode clocking in around 40-50 minutes. How can I watch The Vicar of Dibley? All ye Netflix subscribers: rejoice! For the entire box set is currently ava…

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Lockdown Binge #11: Search Party
type: item
date: 2020-06-15T13:50:30.000Z
creator: David Craig
subject: Comedy
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: Lockdown Binge
subject: On demand
description: Our writers tell us what TV series are getting them through being stuck in their houses – this time, a hidden gem which is about to drop some brand new episodes...
encoded: Search Party is quite possibly the most underrated show on television. This sharply written black comedy has become a cult favourite for its biting satire, gripping suspense and stellar performances, but deserves to be getting far more mainstream attention. As it prepares to drop its long-delayed third season, there's never been a better time to catch up on how an earnest search for a missing person turns into a waking nightmare for all involved. Here's why Search Party deserves to be your next lockdown binge... What is Search Party about? Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) stars as Dory Sief, a young woman stuck in a dead-end job and a boring relationship, who yearns for something to breathe meaning into her empty existence. It's for this reason that she becomes fixated on finding Chantal Witherbottom, a college acquaintance she barely knew who has gone missing under suspicious circumstances. The first season unravels this intriguing mystery, as Dory is led in strange and unexpected directions on her quest for answers, culminating in a gut-punch finale that sets the show on a darker path for its second outing. Why should I watch Search Party? Search Party has a thrilling narrative that lends itself beautifully to binge watching, with each 20-minute instalment packing an irresistible twist or clue that will send you straight into the next one. But it also functions as a timely and often hilarious commentary on vapid millennial culture, one that feels hyper-relevant and incredibly authentic. Dory's struggle with feelings of disillusionment and aimlessness will be instantly recognisable to anyone yet to find their path in life. She gets little solace from longtime partner Drew (John Reynolds), who has grown content with their state of lethargy and has little interest in breaking the status quo. Both are guilty of unquestionably selfish acts in their misguided attempts to be good people, but the compelling performances keep you onside even as the waters around them be…

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Lockdown Binge #10: Agatha Christie's Poirot
type: item
date: 2020-06-08T10:28:33.000Z
creator: Flora Carr
subject: Drama
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: Lockdown Binge
description: Our writers tell us what TV series are getting them through being stuck in their houses - next up for your consideration is Agatha Christie's moustachioed detective...
encoded: In a game of charades, you would probably only need to twirl your imaginary moustache, a look of superior intellect on your face, before your fellow players' little grey cells would begin to hum. Throw in a couple of very small, considered steps around the room, hands behind your back, and they would all be yelling out one word: Poirot. The moustachioed, bow-tied Belgian detective holds a special and iconic place in the British imagination - and a near permanent spot on the afternoon telly schedule. But although the series first aired way back at the end of the 1980s, I'd argue that it makes for the perfect viewing for our times - and the ideal lockdown binge-watch. What is Agatha Christie's Poirot about? Based on Agatha Christie's books, the long-running show is set in the 1920s and '30s, and follows Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (played by David Suchet), whose charming demeanour, foreign accent, and fastidious habits (he's often seen placing a handkerchief down before sitting on a park bench) often lull witnesses and potential suspects into a false sense of security. He's flanked by his throughly British sidekick Captain Arthur Hastings (Hugh Fraser), who, like the viewer, is always one step behind Poirot when it comes to solving their latest case (usually an unsolved murder). Most episodes feature a brand new cast of guest characters linked to the latest case that Poirot is investigating, but asides from Poirot and Hastings, there are a few other regular characters. Among them are: Poirot's long-suffering secretary, Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran), and the beleaguered Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson), who throughout the show gradually warms towards the detective. How long is Agatha Christie's Poirot? The series ran from 1989 to 2013, with 13 series and 70 episodes in total - an intellectual feast for lockdown binge-watchers to get their teeth into! How can I watch Agatha Christie's Poirot? All 13 series of the ITV crime drama are available to watch on BritBox …

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Lockdown Binge #9: Ultimate Beastmaster
type: item
date: 2020-06-01T11:00:55.000Z
creator: Eleanor Bley Griffiths
subject: Entertainment
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: Lockdown Binge
subject: Netflix
subject: On demand
description: Our writers tell us which TV series are getting them through being stuck at home – here's why you should add Netflix's international obstacle course contest to your watchlist.
encoded: Down in the depths of Netflix's back catalogue lurks the Beast, a mysterious metallic creature who can only be slain by the "Ultimate Beastmaster" – that is, an athlete who must rack up points on a devilishly difficult obstacle course to claim the title. And in these strange times, what better distraction than an entertaining competitive obstacle course show? Forget grim dramas and serious documentaries; it's time for some fun. Twenty-nine hours of fun, to be precise. What is Ultimate Beastmaster? It's hard to know where to start with Ultimate Beastmaster, so I'll begin with Netflix's synopsis: "In this intense obstacle course series, elite athletes from the US and other countries compete for cash prizes, individual glory and national pride." Money! Glory!! Pride!!! The stakes could not be higher. What Netflix has done is build a massive obstacle course inside a huge dragon-shaped structure ("The Beast") and invited a selection of different nations to send teams of 12 competitors each. Some of the athletes are pro climbers or Olympians or gymnasts, and some of them are architects or teachers or students who just happen to really like obstacle courses. They all earnestly pledge themselves to defeat the Beast. But the Beast can only be defeated if you run into his mouth, emerge intact from his bum, and then go through a "pyramid" afterwards (the anatomy is never fully explained). So in each episode, a dozen competitors in ultra-tight national-flag-coloured spandex suits take turns to launch themselves into "the belly of the Beast" and see how far through the course they can get. Most end up falling into the "blood of the beast" (the red-lit water below) or the "fuel of the pyramid" (blue-ish water) before they finish each round, but the point is to rack up as many points as possible by getting as far as possible and hitting as many "point thrusters" as possible – before getting entirely wet. Across three different obstacle courses within the Beast, competitors get pro…

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Lockdown Binge #8: Grand Designs
type: item
date: 2020-05-25T12:00:22.000Z
creator: Minnie Wright
subject: Entertainment
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: All 4
subject: Channel 4
subject: Lockdown Binge
description: Our writers tell us what TV series are getting them through being stuck in their houses - and Grand Designs makes for the perfect lockdown viewing.
encoded: As summer starts to hit its stride, we remain (for the most part) at home, dutifully doing our part and soaking up what sunshine we can on daily walks, the odd cycle ride and, if you're lucky, during time in the garden. But as our own four walls look increasingly familiar to the point of frustration, there's no better way to escape guilt-free and safely into the world of the ambitious, the creative — and the well-off — than with Kevin McCloud as your guide. What's Grand Designs about? Set in a world where people already have glamorous houses they can sell or mortgage to pay for yet more glamorous houses, Grand Designs sees presenter Kevin McCloud follow individuals, couples and families embarking on the project of a lifetime: building their dream home. As the name would suggest, there's always something intriguing, impressive or damn near impossible about the projects. Saving a crumbling castle from ruin without the help of an architect? On it. Building in the banks of the Thames whilst racing against time to bail the incoming water out in order to lay foundations? Absolutely. Making the world's biggest cob house in one of the rainiest parts of the country? You bet. Each episode, McCloud meets a fresh batch of characters, actual real people who genuinely think this is going to go without a hiccup and be finished in 10 months, under budget. His wealth of experience in the area smugly guides you along the rocky road of another bonkers build at a reasonable distance, close enough to salivate at the splendid glazing but far enough removed to find the monumental amounts of debt racked up a mere gawp-worthy amusement on the way. How long is it? The good news is there's a mountain of Grand Designs episodes waiting for you to tuck into during lockdown. The Channel 4 series first started in 1999 and hasn't stopped since, spawning 19 series and over 200 episodes, not to mention the spin-offs. Where can I watch it? A massive 180 episodes of are available to watch totally free …

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Lockdown Binge #7: The Office (US)
type: item
date: 2020-05-18T13:41:43.000Z
creator: Michael Potts
subject: Comedy
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: Lockdown Binge
description: Our writers tell us what TV series are getting them through being stuck in their houses – Here's why The Office is pure TV comfort food right now.
encoded: Lockdown is proving tough on all of us. But look at the positives – we have mountains of great TV to see us through the days until we're released back into the wild, and what we all need right now is a good laugh, an escape, a welcome dollop of light relief. If you're tired of the same old Friends episodes on a loop, the US version of The Office is on hand to provide you with an alternative, a comedy series for the ages. What is The Office US about? The premise of The Office really is quite simple. The show is a mockumentary that follows the lives of employees at fictional paper supply company Dunder Mifflin focusing on the branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania led by zany boss Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Michael is immature, enthusiastic, petty and loveable all at once. For all his incompetence, capering and tone-deaf buffoonery, he is determined to be liked by anyone and everyone he comes into contact with. His office is one big dysfunctional family, with a fresh-faced John Krasinski playing the part of all-round nice guy Jim Halpert, who enjoys a mischievous love-hate relationship with intense, geeky colleague Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson). Receptionist Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) is tasked with sweeping up Michael's blunders – or pre-emptively averting them – while Ryan Howard (BJ Novak) is the new kid on the block, a temp worker whose main role in the first couple of seasons is to simply sit back and observe the chaos around him. Watch The Office on Amazon Prime Video The series is based on Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant's hit UK show The Office, and even shares early storylines. The six-episode first season of the US series tries to replicate the UK show (perhaps without the same degree of effectiveness) but once the first season is over, the American characters come into their own and the show becomes an entity in its own right. The show attracted a host of guest stars throughout the run of the show, ranging from Amy Adams, Kathy Bates and Rashida Jones to Wil…

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Lockdown Binge #6: Mad Men
type: item
date: 2020-05-11T13:29:04.000Z
creator: Patrick Cremona
subject: Drama
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: Lockdown Binge
description: Our writers tell us what TV series are getting them through being stuck in their houses - this time we're taking a trip to 1960s New York for a series regarded as one of the 21st century's best
encoded: When it came to selecting a TV show to binge during lockdown, I was faced with two equally appealing options: should I seek solace in a comforting favourite or take the plunge and finally watch a classic series I'd never quite got round to? And while it was undoubtedly tempting to go for the former option (a Twin Peaks rewatch will have to wait for now), eventually I decided this was the perfect opportunity to at long last dig into one of the most critically lauded series of my lifetime, and one I had always been meaning to watch. And so, a trip to 1960s Manhattan was in order - I was finally going to dive headfirst into Mad Men... What’s Mad Men about? If you’ve followed TV in the last 15 years, you’ll no doubt be at least vaguely familiar with the premise: Mad Men takes an, on the face of it, rather dull topic - an advertising agency in 1960s’ New York - and turns it into one of the most compelling series of the 21st century so far. The series, created by former Sopranos writer Matthew Weiner, centres primarily on Don Draper (Jon Hamm), the mysterious creative director at the fictional Sterling Cooper ad agency. Over the run, the show delves deep into his troubled psyche and explores his work life, his home life and, crucially, his past life, as he and the other characters adjust to the quickly changing times amid the cultural revolution of the 1960s. There are also a vast range of other lead and supporting characters which lend the show a real sense of depth, from the terrific Elisabeth Moss as young upstart Peggy Olsen to Vincent Kartheiser as the ambitious and largely detestable young account executive Pete Campbell. How long is it? In total the show ran for seven seasons, from 2007 to 2015, encompassing some 92 episodes - each roughly 45 minutes in length. Where can I watch Mad Men? You can watch all of the brilliant Mad Men on Sky as a box set right now! The series is also available on NOW TV. Why should I watch Mad Men? If you’re anything like me, there’s bo…

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Lockdown Binge #5: Twin
type: item
date: 2020-05-04T12:27:10.000Z
creator: Helen Hackworthy
subject: Drama
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: BBC iPlayer
subject: Lockdown Binge
subject: On demand
description: Our writers tell us what TV series are getting them through being stuck in their houses. Here's why spellbinding Norwegian drama Twin should be added to your watchlist.
encoded: What have you been doing on Saturday nights during lockdown? Perhaps you've been taking part in virtual pub quizzes with family and friends, or losing yourself down the rabbit holes of Netflix. Me, I've been transported to the stunning fjords of Norway, immersed in one of the best drama series I've seen in a long time. What’s Twin about? Twin is a Nordic noir, a Norwegian thriller that played out quietly in double bills on BBC Four. Its title refers to Adam and Erik, identical twins in looks but not character, estranged for 15 years for reasons that slowly reveal themselves via flashbacks over the course of the series. Adam is a beloved father and capable businessman, managing a guest house perched on a fjord where tourists come to take in the beautiful scenery and wildlife. Erik, on the other hand, is a surfer free of responsibilities, living at one with nature on the beach. His existence may sound idyllic, but Erik is a drifter without an income who finds himself in severe financial difficulty. Following an argument with his landlord and driven by desperation, he visits his brother to plead for help - but their meeting has devastating consequences, leading to a deception that threatens to unravel at every twist and turn... How long is it? There are eight 45-minute episodes, so Twin doesn't require a huge amount of commitment. Where can I watch it? The whole series is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. Why should I watch Twin? If a series can be both gentle and edge-of-your-seat, then this is it. Without wanting to give too much away about the plot, Twin is about a crime, family tensions, sibling rivalry and secrets and lies, all set against an otherworldly backdrop. Twin features a stellar performance by Kristofer Hivju (you may recognise him as Tormund Giantsbane from Game of Thrones), who plays the contrasting roles of the brothers to perfection - the calm, considered but internally tormented Adam, and the laidback, grizzly-bear-of-a-man Erik, whose life is …

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Lockdown Binge #4: Curb Your Enthusiasm
type: item
date: 2020-04-28T13:32:36.000Z
creator: Helen Daly
subject: Comedy
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: Lockdown Binge
description: Our writers tell us what TV series are getting them through being stuck in their houses – and this one's from the master of self-isolation
encoded: Stuck indoors, looking to pass the time but not sure which TV show to watch next? Well, there's one series which immediately sticks out like a pants tent as being the perfect bingewatch: Curb Your Enthusiasm. Here's why you should take a lesson from the master of self isolation, Larry David. What's Curb Your Enthusiasm about? HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm follows the extraordinary life of a fictionalised version of Larry David, the man who co-created Seinfeld. View oEmbed on the source website Having partially retired from television writing, Larry finds himself in more unusual situations than you can shake a stick at - and the outcomes are always hilarious. Be it an unfortunate typo in the episode 'Beloved Aunt' (you can join the dots...) or the creation of a musical about the life of Larry David and the death sentence on his head, there's never a dull day in the life of our kind of hero. Throughout the show's 10 seasons, Larry and his showbiz pals Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, Richard Lewis and Ted Danson navigate their fictional lives in Los Angeles and Larry finds himself in socially awkward situations which are almost too embarrassing to watch. Almost. The situation comedy also boasts a wealth of special celebrity guest stars, such as Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Kimmel, David Schwimmer, Mel Brooks, Salman Rushdie and Jon Hamm to name but a few. How long is it? To date, there's a whopping 101 episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm, split between 10 seasons. It first aired with a one-off special in October 1999 with season one following the year after. Each episode is roughly 30 minutes long, so with our estimate, it will take you around 50 hours and 30 minutes to binge the entire series. So you best get started ASAP! There have been rumours of an 11th season, but that hasn't yet been confirmed. Where can I watch it? Curb Your Enthusiasm in its entirety is available to watch right now on Sky as a box set. Seasons 1-9 are available on NOW TV. Why should I watch Curb Your Enthusiasm?…

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Lockdown Binge #2: RuPaul's Drag Race
type: item
date: 2020-04-20T15:38:56.000Z
creator: Lauren Morris
subject: Entertainment
subject: News
subject: Reality TV
subject: TV
subject: Comment
subject: Lockdown Binge
subject: Netflix
description: Our writers tell us what TV series are getting them through being stuck in their houses - next up for your consideration is the fiercest drag competition on television
encoded: Since we all must (chantay you) stay at home, I've been binging the latest season of RuPaul's Drag Race – the campy reality competition with all the hilarity, drama and glamour you've been missing in self-isolation. With 12 seasons available on Netflix, here's why the fiercest drag competition is a perfect lockdown watch. Lockdown Binge #1: Buffy the Vampire Slayer What's RuPaul's Drag Race about? Each season of Drag Race follows fourteen drag queens as they compete for the title of America’s next drag superstar, a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills products and $100,000 (£80,000). Most episodes of the show start off with a 'mini challenge', where the contestants are asked to complete a task in very little time or under difficult circumstances – for example, during season five, the queens were challenged to do their make-up in the dark. The winner of the 'mini challenge' usually wins the opportunity to choose their teammates for the 'maxi challenge' – the main challenge of the episode. 'Maxi challenges' have varied from creating music video parodies and performing stand-up, to designing three different runway looks for a themed ball. The contestants must then face a judging panel, usually consisting of RuPaul, recent Strictly alum Michelle Visage, comedian Ross Mathews and star of the original Queer Eye, Carson Kressley. A celebrity judge joins the panel each week, with previous guests including Ariana Grande, Jessica Alba, Gigi Hadid, Marc Jacobs and Lady Gaga. How long is it? There are 12 seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race – they vary in length, though most span 14 episodes, with episodes also ranging in length between 40 and 60 minutes. Where can I watch it? All 12 seasons are available on Netflix in the UK. In the US, the series is broadcast on VH1. RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 5 is also coming to Netflix on Saturday 13th June. Why should I watch RuPaul's Drag Race? My relationship with Drag Race began a few months ago – a time when chucking on trackies to bi…

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Lockdown Binge #1: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
type: item
date: 2020-04-06T16:30:38.000Z
creator: Huw Fullerton
subject: Fantasy
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: Lockdown Binge
description: Our writers tell us what TV series are getting them through being stuck in their houses – starting with a plea to #SlayAtHome
encoded: Forget #StayAtHome – during the UK lockdown I’ve been choosing to #SlayAtHome with Joss Whedon’s peerless pop-culture watermark Buffy the Vampire Slayer, aka the best “monster of the week” TV series ever made. But actually, don't forget #StayAtHome. That's sort of the whole point. Sorry for the mixed messages. What’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer about? In every generation, there is a Chosen One – and this time around, it’s 16-year-old ex-cheerleader Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) nominated as The Slayer, destined to battle vampires, demons and all sorts of supernatural beings around the Sunnydale Hellmouth. Along with her friends and Watcher Giles (Anthony Head), she’ll protect the world from the forces of darkness, quip her enemies into oblivion and romance reformed vampire Angel, all while balancing her social life and schoolwork. Suffice it to say, the stakes are high…and pointy. How long is it? Seven seasons and a total of 144 episodes (each around 45-50 minutes) should keep you occupied for weeks to come. Where can I watch it? Every single season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Why should I watch Buffy? For me, this whole rewatch started long ago while I was engaged in strange, fantastical activity that now seems part of a different world – a non-essential shopping trip. Skulking round a branch of CeX in Wimbledon, I came across a heavily discounted box set for all five seasons of Angel, the David Boreanaz-starring Buffy spin-off that (to the horror of my girlfriend) I’d never actually seen an episode of. Surely, this was a perfect purchase. After years of TV series sneakily dropping off various On-Demand services we’d been trying to invest a bit more in physical media (if you own the DVD you can’t lose it from your TV!), we often struggled to find a show we both wanted to watch and this was something she could introduce me to. It all clicked. I was pretty familiar with Buffy itself, of course. Over the course of t…

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