Baking but far from hot ... the cast of Jam & Jerusalem
The great film critic Gene Siskel always said that he judged a movie by the following criteria: is this film more interesting than a documentary of the same actors having lunch?
With Jennifer Saunders' latest creation, Jam & Jerusalem, the answer is a most definite no. I do have a problem enjoying TV shows set in the English countryside, and this one isn't going to help me in the slightest.
I mean, Sue Johnston's botox is nice and it's always a joy to see Sally Phillips doing a fire dance, and isn't Pauline McLynn pretty and so on - but I just don't get it. It looks like great fun to do, but lines like "I'm sure there are 100s and 1000s all over the place", and a frankly unsettling turn from Dawn French as a benign dimwit with a multiple personality disorder, left me completely cold.
But imagine what a brilliant laugh they all had doing it. I'd love to watch a show of all the comediennes and actors chatting about their lives and careers, interspersed by the beautiful music of Kate Rusby. Now there's comfort viewing for you.
