History may judge them kindly. Photographs: PA/AP
What do the acting talents of Dick Van Dyke and the musical qualities of You Can Make Me Whole Again by Atomic Kitten have in common?
One correct answer - by no means the only one - is that they have both been treated unnecessarily harshly by critical opinion, according to a wholly unscientific but rather interesting poll by the Observer Review team.
Chat on the desk turned one day to the great underrated gems of the arts, and before you could say 'Soft Parade', opinions had been canvassed from the great and the good, and a list of hitherto neglected or maligned works had been identified.
Remember Ever Decreasing Circles, melancholy 80s sitcom starring Richard Briers? Listened to much Les Savy Fav, recently?
Doubtless there are more treasures to be rehabilitated from the archives of mediocrity. And a few undiscovered masters. We're sure you'll let us know. Just don't start us on the overrated arts. (Dr Zhivago - a world class novel? Stick to the poetry Boris.)
