Ludwig: this hilarious detective drama is the perfect platform for David Mitchell
The BBC’s new comedy-mystery about an awkward puzzle-setter and his missing identical twin has made me laugh more than anything else on TV all year. All year!
David Mitchell … well, look. Nobody is ever going to accuse him of being “an actor with range”, are they? Perhaps this is my own fault, for rewatching his turn as Mark in Peep Show so many times I can recite deep quotes of it in my sleep (“the first friend I’ve made since Nick Bickford in 1996”). Perhaps it is also a little bit his fault for playing more or less the same character in Back, Greed, Upstart Crow and, if you think about it, every single episode of Would I Lie to You?. But that’s what David Mitchell is world-beatingly good at: blurting out “Oh, God, no!” when three minor inconveniences stack up in the same 30 minutes; apologising meekly for losing his temper but not really meaning it at all; saying “Sorry, but ah – ” and turning around Columbo-style on the spot to correct someone; sweating when forced to talk to another person.
This sounds like criticism, but it isn’t: I don’t mind actors playing more or less the same character when those characters are good and the scenario suits them. That’s exactly what’s happened here with Ludwig (25 September, 9pm, BBC One), which is the absolute perfect platform for David Mitchell to David Mitchell on top of.
Continue reading...Date: |
Topics
-
GameSpot - Tech
This Is Fine Meme Becoming An Old-School Platformer
The creator of the comic that spawned the "This is Fine" meme is making a video game based on it. KC Green, who created the "Gunshow" comic, has announced a partnership with Numskull Games to make ...22 hours ago -
BBC News - Top stories
Peppa Pig, Thunderbirds and Dalek voice actor David Graham dies
He provided the voice for characters in TV series including Peppa Pig, Thunderbirds and Doctor Who.14 hours ago -
The New York Times - Tech
OpenAI’s Reasoning Machine, Instagram Teen Changes and Amazon R.T.O. Drama
“They should have just called it Strawberry. At least that’s delicious.”Yesterday -
The Guardian - World
Which family drama has Rupert Murdoch in a leading role? | Fiona Katauskas
It’s all about succession. See more of Fiona Katauskas’s cartoons here Continue reading...20 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
David Graham, voice of Thunderbirds and Peppa Pig characters, dies aged 99
In roles including Gordon Tracy, Brains, the Daleks and Grandpa Pig, Graham was ‘generous with his time and his talent’. David Graham, who was the voice of characters in Thunderbirds and Peppa Pig, ...4 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
‘We set up a WhatsApp group to veto it’ – does The Perfect Couple have TV’s most terrible credits?
The Nicole Kidman whodunnit opens with a dance so cringe-making its stars tried to stop it – and it’s now gone viral. But it’s not the first hit show with an awful opening sequence …. Anyone who ...Yesterday -
CBS Sports - Sports
NFL Week 3 bold predictions: Falcons knock off Chiefs, Vikings remain perfect, Andy Dalton lifts Panthers
Five improbable things that could go down in Week 322 hours ago - NFL -
Los Angeles Times - Entertainment
4 new broadcast dramas, reviewed: Our critic on which shows are worth your time
Four dramas. Four networks. 'Matlock,' 'High Potential,' 'Brilliant Minds' and 'Rescue: HI-Surf' showcase the variety, and the ongoing appeal, of broadcast television.16 hours ago
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
Strikes inside Russia with US missiles key to Ukraine’s plan to end war, says Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy will present ‘victory plan’ to US president during trip to Washington next week, when he is also likely to hold talks with Trump. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Joe Biden to allow Ukraine ...2 hours ago - Ukraine -
The Guardian - World
Middle East crisis live: children and Hezbollah commander among 31 killed in Beirut strike, Lebanon says
Lebanon’s health ministry has revised up the death toll from Friday’s attack. Reuters reports that Iran ’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , said on Saturday that Israel is committing ...28 minutes ago -
The Guardian - World
New Zealand pilot held captive in West Papua for 19 months ‘very happy’ after being freed
Phillip Mehrtens says he is looking forward to being reunited with family after release by rebels in the region. New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens said he was looking forward to being reunited ...1 hour ago - New Zealand -
The Guardian - World
Dutch row over which victims of Nazis get ‘stumbling stone’ plaques
Commemorations of 45 people ‘experimentally’ gassed reveal dark moments in the Netherlands’ history. They call them stumbling stones – little brass plaques in the pavement marking addresses where ...1 hour ago - Netherlands -
The Guardian - World
UN chief António Guterres to seek world leaders’ backing for vision of the future
Pact covering wars, AI, climate crisis and inequality has been watered down, say critics. The UN’s secretary general, António Guterres, will try to persuade world leaders to extend their horizons ...5 hours ago