Catch up TV review: Big Zuu’s Big Eats, Ramadan in Lockdown, Reasons to be Cheerful, Mo Gilligan
What’s available on-demand on Freeview? Keep up-to-date with our weekly catch-up TV column, including reviews of shows on ITV Hub, new releases on All 4 and a guide to My5.
(For BBC TV reviews and round-ups, see our weekly Best of BBC iPlayer column. Or for reviews of the shows on All 4’s Walter Presents, click here.)
Big Zuu’s Big Eats (UKTV Play)
The only genre as prolific as celebrities going on holidays to places is celebrities eating food, and Dave – which previously served up Eat Your Heart Out with Nick Helm – is dishing up a winning example with its new series, which sees grime artist and chef Big Zuu cook for 10 touring comedians. First up is Jimmy Carr, who is game for eating whatever Zuu can whip up – and game for making jokes about tax returns – but while they clearly enjoy joking together, the real pleasure comes from seeing Zuu in the kitchen throwing together ingredients with a casual confidence, an amusing running commentary and one heck of a knack for flavours. Vegan kebabs and home-made fried chicken never looked so good.
Ramadan in Lockdown (All 4)
This month, Britain’s 2.6 million Muslims observed Ramadan – up to 30 days fasting from sunrise to sunset – in lockdown. This series follows the community as it adjusts and copes, with five-minute episodes that prove insightful in their quickfire intimacy. We see here imams adjusting to a new form of congregational worship and families dropping off food to each other, but we also see Muslims suiting up to work for the NHS and risk their lives for others. The result is a wonderful reminder of television’s power to bring people together and break down social barriers – and a celebration of human ingenuity, compassion and faith.
Available until: 1st July 2020 (Episode 1)
Reasons to be Cheerful with Matt Lucas (All 4)
The always-wonderful Matt Lucas follows up his baked potato song with a series dedicated to showcasing the good things in life. That means silliness and comedy from Ross Noble and Tim Vine, puppetry from Harry Hill, Megan from Love Island delivering dubious make-up tips involving gravy and a host of video clips from across the web. It’s somewhere between You’ve Been Framed and John Krasinski’s Some Good News, and the production value is about as high as that sounds – but there’s no faulting the warm heart behind the whole project.
Available until: 1st July 2020 (Episode 1)
Mo Gilligan’s All Star Happy Hour (All 4)
Mo Gilligan has proven himself a winning presence both on the web and on our TV screens, after he bagged a co-hosting gig along Big Narstie and then his own late night show on Channel 4. Now, he’s back in more familiar territory with a gameshow held in lockdown featuring celebrities answering questions and members of the public competing via video call. It’s a bit ramshackle and rough around the edges – particularly in Episode 1, where Johnny Vegas clearly expects more of a chance to talk – but Gilligan balances the chaos with an easygoing charisma that’s not easy to perfect.
