A brand new look at an old fashioned gal

Having recommended Emma as one to watch a few weeks ago it seems only right that I make mention of it now I have had a chance to watch it.
Thank goodness for repeats, she says. Having missed the first episode I was delighted to see that it was repeated not once, but twice, on the BBC the following Saturday.
Perhaps a poor scheduling idea by the BBC but very good for those of us who managed to miss it twice.
Emma, for those who don’t know is the story of a rich girl who has no desire to marry but feels she has a talent for bringing couples together. She is spoiled, precocious and fickle but she is also warm, caring and considerate. The trouble begins when she tries to set Miss Harriett Smith up with the local clergyman Mr Elliott.
Harriett’s parentage is unknown and her circumstances mean that she is quite below a clergyman but Emma cannot see why, as she is a friend of hers and launches headlong into matchmaking. Of course, a comedy of errors and misinterpretations leads to devastation when Emma encourages young Miss Smith to refuse a proposal from a young farmer, who she actually loves and Mr Elliott shows only affection for Emma. The rest of the drama I will not tell as it is to follow in the remaining episodes.
The BBC version of this rather brilliant book by Jane Austen is far superior to its most famous adaptation starring Gwyneth Paltrow. It allows the characters to truly develop before the viewers’ eyes.
The viewer is also treated to a lot more of the sarcasm that Austen so skillful employs in her book as well as the humour of many of the characters and their foibles. In short, it is a wonderful adaptation of an excellent book.
The standout performaces for me aside from Emma herself Ramola Garai, is Jonny Lee Miller as Mr Knightley. Knightley is the main male role in the book and is a wonderful character full of wit, grace and all the dashing qualities of an Austen lead male. He is from the start one of the most likeable characters of any of Austen’s works and Jonny Lee Miller does a fine job at bringing the part to life.
What I particularly liked about this adaptation of Emma is that it adheres to the relationship between Emma and George Knightley that Austen intended. They have been friends since Emma was born. He is an older brother in many ways to her but they are as close or closer than a man and woman could have been in that time. They are honest with each other and see each other as equals and none of the restraints of the difference of their sexes are put between them.
I have always felt that this has been missing in other adaptations and therefore welcome and applaud the adaption for including it in this. Without a thorough study of their early relationship it is impossible to understand what is to follow.
The next instalment of Jane Austen’s Emma can be seen on BBC 1 on Sunday night at 9pm.
The second-last episode of Grease High School Musical was shown on Sky One last Sunday. This programme is the second in the series. The first was Hairspray The School Musical and was hosted by Denise Van Outen.
This is year the musical featured is Grease and the presenter is Duncan James from Blue. It follows a similar format as last year’s hugely successful programme. This year a school from inner city Liverpool are taking centre stage and, so far, they have done really well.
It has been a rollercoaster ride for the school and everything that could go wrong, went wrong. However, as we head to the final performance the school have lost their leading man to sickness and it seem doubtful that they will be able to pull it off. Of course they probably will.
While this year lacks any real characters or future stars the commitment shown by all the pupils to the show has been amazing. They beat stiff competition in the audition rounds to be given the chance and while they may not have the most talent they definitely have the biggest hearts. Tune in this Sunday to see if they make it to the West End stage.
Stargate Universe has started and it looks like it will build to be a real thriller of a show. I cannot wait until they get all this setting the scene nonsense over and done with and bring on the real action. This show seems to be a complete saga much like Battlestar Galactica and therefore sticking with it will be a must. Tune in Tuesday nights on Sky One.

One to watch
This week’s one to watch is the incredibly funny and highly publicised Modern Family. This show is hilarious. Done in a mockumentary style it follows three families in the suburbs. All the stereotypes are there and it is totally irreverent. A little like The Office in its delivery this will take a while to warm to but once you get in to it you will be hooked. Check it out at 8pm on Thursday nights on Sky One.