Sock drawer uncorked
When a fresh local series is scheduled for early 2014 it could mean TV has retained something new in its sock drawer. It could also mean the series was withdrawn last year because ratings weren’t good enough.
TV One’s Showtime is a prime example. It lasted one episode in 2013. The viewers made coffee at the first commercial break and never returned.
Peter Meikle’s tantrums at Howick Little Theatre drove them away and Otamatea Repertory Theatre’s Three Little Pigs was a boar. Now it’s back.
But Meet The Frockers ( TV One, Wednesdays) proved the sock drawer has the occasional surprise. It’s entertaining, well scripted and Faye and Kevin, who’ve given 90 years between them to their bridal boutique, are quirky hosts.
And they’re not above mentioning a few celebrities. Princess Di and Pippa Middleton – she of the commando bottom – are names worth dropping. While Faye and Kevin didn’t create their gowns, they’re into cover, or in some cases, uncover versions.
Their client in the first episode was Indian bride Sarah, who had a $ 20,000 Vera Wang movie gown and a red dress for the reception that could have clothed a fire engine.
Faye and Kevin became house renovators rather than designers. Sarah was the scaffolding and they rebuilt the costumes around her. Meanwhile Sarah and groom- to- be Lyle embarked on a sumptuous round of pre- nuptial parties.
On one occasion they were covered in a turmeric porridge facial that looked more like medium to spicy butter chicken.
In the end, they were happily married. Sarah looked beautiful. Lyle could have worn a Justin Bieber T- shirt with Sachin Tendulkar tattooed on his torso and no- one would have noticed.
The episode throbbed because the Frockers could talk up a storm but it also had good production values, tight editing and the ideal client, who didn’t mind displaying her extravagances for all of New Zealand – and the Indian subcontinent – to see.
But if Meet the Frockers was a sock drawer treat, the stale George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces at Christmas ( TV One, Thursday) which replaced Coronation Street made no sense. It was a no- brainer.
In Bondi Vet ( TV3 Wednesday/ Thursday) Dr Chris Brown used his brains to fit a zimmer frame to a dog that had lost its balance.
Dr Brown discovered there was a build up of fluid in Jasper’s brain. Nothing could be done but keep him comfortable and so the canine chassis was fitted. Now he’ll be stopped and asked for his driver’s licence.
Bondi Vet is a pleasant diversion during the week and has the added luxury of not being a repeat. In another emergency Dr Lisa Chimes had to treat Dougal, a cat, that had been bitten by a black snake and Chris was called to the Australian Reptile Park to treat Flo, a grumpy alligator.
While 40 others in the lagoon eyed Chris for a medicated mouthful, he examined Flo and collected about 20 of her eggs for incubation. I’m sure his diagnosis will be called bilious reptilious.