NEW YEAR, new you. How many hours of TV are currently being filled with programmes which make out they are trying to help us improve our lives, or change our lives forever?
From what I can see though, only one programme truly delivers on that score. And it's on at 9.15am for the next fortnight.
Yes. Wanted Down Under (BBC 1) is back for a second series. Unlike other 'help' programmes, Wanted Down Under isn't about public ridicule (take note Gok, Gillian, Trinny, Susannah etc etc) nor is it just a platform for so-called experts to lecture (take note Gok, Gillian, Trinny, Susannah again).
Instead, Nadia Sawalha takes a family, each day, to New Zealand, a country which is apparently crying out for skilled Brits to go an work there. She did it with Austrailia last year.
Bascially, each family gets to roadtest life down under for a week. The breadwinner of the family does a glorified work experience placement, while the rest of the family check out houses, lifestyles etc etc.
And then, just as you think the family has bought into moving down under (and the vast majority do) Nadia opens up the laptop and plays messages from the families back home.
For 45 minutes of daytime telly, it's fascinating. Largely because watching the dynamics of the family unfold as each part of their new life is examined is intriguing. But it is also very refrshing because they aren't being told to try for a new life, they are allowed to make their own decisions. No pressure. But don't think it is one of these programmes which enables people to get afree holiday off the BBC - it's a week in New Zealand - 24 hours on a plane each way, and a week of hard work out there.
In short, it's the sort of format which should be exported to prime time at the first opportunity. With a 'what happened next' series for later in the year too, please.
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »