Video: Comedy Blaps
We’re still not sure exactly what a “blap” is, but Channel 4’s shorts series has an impressive record in promoting new talent: Liam Williams, Nick Helm and Claudia O’Doherty have all starred in the strand. The latest smattering features recognisable faces in Marc Wootton, Guide contributor Jessie Cave and Harry Peacock (AKA Toast Of London’s Ray Purchase), who star in High & Dry, a comedy about the internecine squabbles between a group of plane crash survivors on a desert island. The other new effort, Top 5 Celebrity Splits, is a sketch show aping nutrient-free Channel 5 countdown shows, and owes more than a bit of a debt to Star Stories. Catch both on Channel 4’s website.
TV: The Ascent Of Woman
Dr Amanda Foreman’s history of women’s place in society has taken in ancient egalitarianism, medieval rebellion and the gender-based division of the physical world. With a forecast not quite as promising as its title, the grimly fascinating series concludes on Wednesday by noting how women’s revolutionary efforts have only ever fuelled the formation of new patriarchies. Previous episodes are available on the iPlayer.
Audio: Idle Thumbs
This cult San Francisco podcast is a guide to the some of the most boundary-pushing creations the 21st century has to offer: video games. Expect feminist takedowns of Metal Gear Solid V, self-aware robots and the deserted universities of Second Life. Essential listening, even if you’ve never picked up a controller.
TV: The Strain
Guillermo del Toro’s name is perhaps spread more liberally over this hokey, daftly entertaining vampire saga than his influence. Nevertheless, this second series has rattled along well enough, Corey Stoll’s ragtag band of vampire hunters battling bloodsucking hordes with guns, bats and liberal amounts of bickering. Unlikely to win any awards, but a brainlessly diverting fangfest regardless.
Google Play, Amazon, iTunes
TV: Boy Meets Girl
Perhaps the most striking thing about the BBC’s groundbreaking transgender sitcom is just how utterly mainstream it feels. That’s not meant as a criticism; it’s a shrewd and sensible move to build an accessible family comedy around such radical subject matter, and Boy Meets Girl is “mainstream” in the best sense of the word: warm, witty and likable, with a star-in-the-making in trans actor Rebecca Root. The series continues Thursday, 9pm on BBC2, while earlier episodes are available to view on the iPlayer.
