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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Gwilym Mumford

Anita Rani’s favourite TV

Anita Rani
Anita Rani

Unmissable show?

House Of Cards. I’m slightly in love with Claire Underwood. You don’t see many women like her on television. She’s stylish, she’s cool, she’s cold, she’s calculating. She’s not ditzy, buxom or maternal. For whatever reason - maybe because there’s a cold, hard bitch somewhere inside of me too - but I really relate to her and think she’s refreshing to see on TV.

Earliest TV memory

Top Of The Pops. It was my religion. I was the kid who’d dance in front of the TV. I wanted to be Kate Bush, Neneh Cherry, Sade, Belinda Carlisle and Alison Moyet. Fast-forward to when I was 20 and I actually got a job working as a researcher for Top Of The Pops. Living the dream.

Bring back…

Quantum Leap. There were protests in America [when it ended]. I was in the sixth form at the time and me and my friend had a little placard. I think it would have to be Scott Bakula still playing the lead. He’s still acting.

Pitch us a TV show…

Usually most of my ideas involve me, a yacht and a ninja. I quite like the idea of going off to China and joining the Shaolin monks. I think that would be my dream programme. But failing that, how about putting the entire government in the Big Brother house? The cabinet and the shadow cabinet. Let’s see who these people actually are. Who are you? What do you actually think? Maybe we could let the public set the tasks.

TV turn off?

Two And A Half Men. I can’t stand it. The Big Bang Theory too. People in my own family watch them. Maybe that’s why I’m so repelled by them. When they’re on in my own living room I have to walk away. I don’t find them funny. Such stereotypes.

Mastermind specialist subject?

Indiana Jones. All the movies. That would be fun, having to sit and watch them again. Even the new rubbish one.

The Great Culture Quiz is on Mon to Fri, 7pm, Sky Arts 1

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