Top 40 Albums of 2011: 19-15

19. Saul Williams - "Volcanic Sunlight"

Every time Saul Williams puts something out, whether it be an album, an EP, or like last years' poetry set to music set "NGH WHT - The Dead Sea Scrolls", it is an event. "Volcanic Sunlight" is like nothing else he has released before. A Soul-pop hip-hop odyssey of epic proportions.

18. Nicola Roberts - "Cinderella's Eyes"

The most surprising album of the year without any question or doubt. The artist formerly known as "the pale ginger one from Girls Aloud" has put together a staggering pure pop album with some quite unique songs, and a much better voice than anyone expected.

17. Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa - "Don't Explain"

The second of Joe Bonamassa's three albums this year to make the countdown, "Don't Explain" pairs Joe's intricate guitar playing with Hart's smoulderingly sultry vocals. A marriage made in heaven and a very enjoyable record.

16. Laura Marling - "A Creature I Don't Know"

The third album from 21 year old Hampshire singer songwriter Laura Marling is another stunning slice of angelic acoustic folk rock. The lyrics are matched by Marling's haunting voice to create a beautiful listening experience.

15. Reckless Love - "Animal Attraction"

The second album from Finnish nu-glam outfit Reckless Love carries on where 2010's self-titled debut left off. Massive choruses, big riffs and sexy solos make the four piece one of the most entertaining bands around.

Top 40 Albums of 2011: 22-20

22. Opeth - "Heritage"

They may have ditched the death metal in favour of a more melodic sound for their tenth studio album, and make no mistake about it, "Heritage" is a straight up progressive rock album, but they've lost none of their quality. It may have proved divisive among their fans, but this really is a great album.

21. Joe Bonamassa - "Dust Bowl"

The first of three studio albums released by the prolific Mr Bonamassa in a variety of different projects. It is yet another huge slice of blues rock, featuring Joe's usual mix of originals and new arrangements of classics. As always, the guitar work is phenomenal, and the vocals soar. Fantastic.

20. Will Haven - "Voir Dire"

The return of vocalist Grady Avenell to Will Haven has produced one of the finest sludge metal albums of the last few years. Noisy riffs, brutal vocals and the aggressive drumming we've all come to expect are all apparent. A fine return from one of the genre's premier artists.

Top 40 Albums of 2011: 25-23

25. Touchstone - "The City Sleeps"

The third album from English progressive hard rockers Touchstone is another trip through the genre. The dual male and female lead vocals - akin to Nightwish - lead the album beautifully, but don't overlook the excellent instrumental sequences.

24. Iced Earth - "Dystopia"

The first studio album with ex Into Eternity vocalist Stu Block is another barnstorming power metal influenced heavy metal cracker. John Schaffer's songs are as good as ever, and once again Troy Seele's lead guitar shines.

23. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - "Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds"

Proving once and for all who the talented one in Oasis was, "...High Flying Birds" was a stunningly crafted psychadelic tinged rock and roll album with several songs that harked back to his mid-90s heyday. 

Top 40 Albums of 2011: 28-26

28. Frank Turner - "England Keep My Bones"

The fourth solo album from former Million Dead frontman Frank Turner was more of his folk-punk style, but more of music this quality never goes amiss. The lyrical content is once again absolutely superb, while the album as a whole sparkled.

27. Within Temptation - "The Unforgiving"

Recorded in the early stages of Sharon den Adel's pregnancy, "The Unforgiving" is the superb fifth album from Dutch symphonic metal icons Within Temptation. A loose concept album, the record continued the band's evolution, with synth influences mixing in with the metal. A triumph.

26. Thursday - "No Devolución"

"No Devolución" marked a step away from Thursday's usual post-hardcore sound into something altogether more. One of the most atmospheric albums of the year, the experiment paid off. An album that gets better with every listen, this is a special album which I'm sure I'll rate even higher in the future.

Christmas Specials: Father Ted - "A Christmassy Ted"

December 24th 1996
Channel 4 (UK)

Not just one of the finest Christmas Specials ever to air, but one of the finest episodes of television ever produced. "A Christmassy Ted" bears repeat viewing every single year, in fact it doesn't quite feel like Christmas without it.

After leading a group of priests who had accidentally wandered into Ireland's largest lingere section on a daring escape, Ted is awarded a Golden Cleric, the highest honour any priest can be given. From there, he dreams of fame and fortune, bores his fellow clergymen to tears, and foils a robbery from rogue priest Todd Unctious. The 55 minutes absolutely fly in, and there are so many laugh out loud moments, I always foregt a few every year.

One of the all time classics.

*****

Top 40 Albums of 2011: 31-29

31. The Union - "Siren's Song"

The second album from Luke Morley and Peter Shoulder's The Union combined melody with hard rock sensibilities to create a highly pleasurable listen from start to finish, proving there's life in the old dogs yet!

30. Thrice - "Major/Minor"

Incredibly, this is the eighth studio album from Thrice, and furthers their evolution from emo pioneers to masters of post-hardcore. The multi structured songs are still apparent and the lush sound we've come to expect has gone nowhere. A fine effort from a much underrated band.

29. Michael Schenker - "Temple of Rock"

An all star cast including his brother, Robin McAuley, Leslie West and even William Shatner give "Temple of Rock" the bigtime feel it so richly deserves. From hard rock to classic Schenker ballads, it's another top release from one of the best of all time.

Christmas Specials: Gavin and Stacey

24th December 2008
BBC One (UK)

Sandwiched in between the second and third seasons of this sitcom with a heart was an excellent sixty minute Christmas special, originally aired on Christmas Eve three years ago. The two families come together for the big day, there's tension abound, and there's some big news to be had at both ends. Meanwhile, Pete's elderly mother gets accidentally left behind and sleeps on the floor, Bryn finds the wonders of mint Bailey's, and Mick obsesses over the turkey.

What made Gavin and Stacey such a great show was the emotional moments mixed in with the comedy. James Cordon and Ruth Jones get that balance just right again in the Christmas special. The episode works well as a standalone episode, but without watching the following season three afterwards, some of it does lose out. What it is though, is a very well written, charming piece of Christmas television.

**** 1/2

Top 40 Albums of 2011: 34-32

34. Jay-Z and Kanye West - "Watch the Throne"
Two of hip-hop's titans come together for an album that covered the whole of the genre. From 70s soul to progressive rock based backing tracks, and the superb use of samples, "Watch the Throne" is a more than valid addition to both men's catalogues.

33. Edguy - "Age of the Joker"

Album number nine from Tobias Sammet's veteran German power metallers is another collection of expansive and at times complex metal tracks. The vocals soar and there's guitar solos aplenty. It may be more of the same, but when it's good, there's no complaints.

32. Serengeti - "Family and Friends"

Still rooted deeply in the underground, Chicago's Serengeti is one of the top acts in alternative hip-hop. The lyrics are intelligent and thoughtful, while the sparse beats allow the words to tell the story. A well kept secret just begging to be let out.

TV Review: The League - "The Guest Bong"

Season 3 - Episode 11
FX (US)

This season of The League has had some excellent moments, but has been let down at times with some sloppiness. One thing it seems to have absolutel nailed though, is how to end an episode. It's happened a few times in the season, but this week I was almost literally rolling around the floor laughing. In fact, the last two minutes of this episode gave it an extra half star on the rating. 

Ruxin gets himself banned from using his work email accounts for any league related activity, which plunges him into using hotmail. Add in some silly text messages, which have a variety of consequences, and the message is clear. Autocorrect is bad! Check before you send. As it turns out a misspelled text message caused a perputrator that Kevin had sent down two years before thought he was laughing at him as he was carted off to jail. That perp just happens to be Ellie's new friend's dad, and a chain of events, including another misspelt text leads to the two men believing the other is going to kill them. The situation gets hilarious when Taco - using Kevin's gun as a bong - gets absolutely baked and scares the crap out of both of them while wearing a Mr McGiblets costume. I laughed for a good ten minutes.

Elsewhere, Andre's latest fad seems to be becoming an old timey Cockney, while Pete finds out that his new girlfriend is a major meddler. These plots are fairly funny, but Taco's "guest bong" bit, and the scenes between Kevin and the ex con were very well done indeed. The League's third season ends in a double episode this coming week as we'll find out who wins the Shiva, and who'd destined for the Sacko. I look forward to it.

**** 1/2

Christmas Specials: Community - "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas"

December 9th 2010
NBC (US)

Originally aired just a year ago, "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas" can already count itself among the specials that I will watch each and every year. It's a testimony to Community's very talented writers that they can turn out an episode like this in the middle of a regular (although how regular Community is can be up for discussion) season, and not drop a beat.

The entire episode is shot in stop-motion, as Abed has woken up seeing everything in that medium. What follows is a heartwarming tale when the rest of the study group - a surrogate family - come together (along with Professor Duncan, of course with an ulterior motive) to find out why Abed is seeing the entire world in animation. The study group come together to show Abed the true meaning of Christmas, spending time with the people closest to you, 

The charming episode is peppered with original songs - something that the Community writers expanded upon in this year's Christmas episode in some style - and was of course painstakingly animated from start to finish. It may only be a year old, but "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas" is already a Christmas classic.

*****

Top 40 Albums of 2011: 37-35

37. Childish Gambino - "Camp"

Community's Donald Glover has been recording as Childish Gambino for a few years now, and his mainstream debut is one of the best hip-hop efforts of the last twelve months. Intelligent and sometimes damn funny lyrics over slick beats, this jack of all trades seems to be very good at all of them.

36. White Wizzard - "Flying Tigers"

Jon Leon's White Wizzard's second studio album is a heavy metal opus of the highest order. The first six tracks are straight up heavy metal, while the last six are a mini concept album with progressive overtones. This is a fine album, worthy of a listen.

35. Rival Sons - "Pressure and Time"

The second album from LA blues rockers Rival Sons is short, sweet and it rocks. Clocking in at just over half an hour, the band certainly leave you wanting more, as the riffs and the voice meld to give a really warm sound. Excellent.

TV Review: Raising Hope - "The Men of New Natesville"

Season 2 - Episode 9
Fox (US)

The minor characters are what can make or break a show. The people who show up every now and then, speak the occasional line, and sometimes go on to have their own story. This episode is the turn of the slightly odd Frank, "The Deli Ninja". 

The jist of the story is Jimmy decides he needs to be more manly and dangerous in order to impress Sabrina. He does this by hanging out with Frank, the eccentric deli clerk from the grocery store. Finding a scale model of the town dominating Frank's house where he plays out his life the way he would like it to go, Jimmy finds out that the two of them were terrorised by the same bully in middle school. When they decide to confront the bully, they find out he is now a woman, but still get into a fight with him/her. They get beaten up, tell everyone that the bully was still a huge guy, and everything goes well for Jimmy with Sabrina.

"The Men of New Natesville" is a funny episode of Raising Hope, and it seems like the Jimmy/Sabrina relationship is getting closer. It'll be interesting to see where things go from here.

*** 1/2

TV Review: New Girl - "Bad in Bed"

Season 1 - Episode 8
Fox (US)

This wasn't a great episode by any means. But put Zooey Deschenel in her underwear several times and I will watch. Possibly several times. 

The episode saw Jess attempt to start a sexual relationship wth Paul (the returning Justin Long), but finds herself struggling to know what to do after getting stuck in a rut with her ex. She tries a variety of things to get ideas on how to spice things up, including going shopping for ridiculous underwear with CeCe, watching Schmidt's increasingly depraved porn collection and eventually asking the guys for advice. Of course things don't go according to plan when she manages to scare Paul off, but by the end of the episode they're going at it in the lift, so I guess it worked out ok.

Elsewhere there is a tedious subplot where Nick needs a haircut and goes to Winston's all black barbershop, and another silly B-plot where Schmidt tries to bond with his female boss and colleagues. Which has some funny moments, but nothing great.

"Bad in Bed" wasn't an awful episode by any means, it just wasn't that good either. It had its moments, but not one of the best of the run.

Episode: ***
Zooey in underwear: *****

TV Review: Two and a Half Men - "What a Lovely Landing Strip"

Season 9 - Episode 11
Comedy Central (UK)

It took a while for Ashton Kutcher and his Walden Schmidt character to settle into Two and a Half Men, but now, at the midway point of the season, the episodes are consistently funny. As I've said before, Two and a Half Men has never been a classic comedy, but has always been funny. This year, it did take a few episodes, but the last few really have been funny, and this one was no different.

Walden wants to show his new English love interest Zoey that he's finally over Bridget by signing his divorce papers in front of her. After taking Zoey to Mexico on his private jet and getting her daughter into a prestigious private pre-school, she falls for him. And then Bridget comes back, wanting him back. The show is a vehicle for Ashton Kutcher to be almost naked on TV at the moment, which I'm sure the ladies aren't going to complain about, and this scene really worked. As did Bridget going crazy, driving her car through the wall of the house and taking stalking advice from a welcomly returning Rose. This episode probably had more laugh out loud moments than any in the past three or four seasons, and that can only be a good thing.

****

TV Review: Family Guy - "Cool Hand Peter"

Season 10 - Episode 8
Fox (US)

Cleveland is back, but only for a week - as they make it abundantly clear in the opening scene - but his appearance doesn't help a lazy episode of Family guy that they really should have gotten more from. 

The premise is solid, the guys decide to take a road trip and run into some trouble with a corrupt sheriff in the deep south. The guys end up with 30 days in jail - a nice little court scene sees characters from The Simpsons as the jury - but most of the jokes fall flat, and when the guys find out that their jail term will be indefinitely extended, it was pretty obvious that a daring escape was going to be the course of action. The whole escape, chase and eventual return to Quahog had funny moments, especially Joe going bad ass, but it just wasn't overly great.

The episode's B-plot where Lois, Bonnie and Donna get drunk and humiliate Brian is just awful, and in fact the only funny part is a single line from Stewie (all he does in the entire episode). It's just not a good episode at all. Must do better.

** 1/2

Christmas Specials: Still Game - "Cold Turkey"

28th December 2005
BBC One (UK)

Still Game's first Christmas special aired a few days after Christmas, UK wide in 2005. The predictably farcical adventures or Jack and Victor and company took on a festive setting as the people of Craiglang prepared for the big day.

Jack and Victor are looking forward to their Christmas dinner, prepared for them every year by Isa. It's clear to everyone watching, and a random woman on a bench in George Square, that they are taking advantage of Isa's generosity year upon year, but the pair don't even seem to notice. They disappoint Isa further and further throughout the episode, eventually alienating her completely. Left with noc Christmas dinner, they eventually make it up to Isa by joining the rest of the gang at the community centre with a brass band. It's a sweet ending to the episode, showing Jack and Victor's true heart.

Elsewhere, Winston is tricked by a ned into buying a (stolen) live turkey. Not being able to bring himself to kill it, he tries a variety of ridiculous ways to get it to die. All in vain of course. The site of Winston with a fully grown live turkey wandering around with him is bloody hilarious. And Frances gives Tam a list of 500 Christmas cards to send out. By bastardising old cards, he saves a fortune, but then fails to deliver all 500 by hand. Some "tips" from Chris the postie help him "achieve" his goal.

"Cold Turkey" is a cracking Christmas Special, and a cracking episode of Still Game. It takes all that's good about the show and puts it in a festive setting. A Christmas Cracker absolutely.

*****

Top 40 Albums of 2011: 40-38

40. Chimaira - "The Age of Hell"

Chimaira's sixth album was recorded during a turbulent period with lineup changes, infighting and almost breaking up. What was produced was dark, brooding groove metal, and a much stronger record than anyone expected.

39. Sum 41 - "Screaming Bloody Murder"

Since the departure of Dave "Brownsound" Bakush in 2006, Sum 41 have struggled to recapture the form of the early material that turned them into megastars. "Screaming Bloody Murder" went in a new direction, harder than before, bridging in a melodic hardcore sound that showed a newfound, and very welcome maturity.

38. Queensryche - "Dedicated to Chaos"

"Dedicated to Chaos" split fans of the band down the middle, with some praising the more straightforward rock sound, while others harked for more progression. What the album delivered, was a strong collection of vaguely progressive hard rock songs, and while not up there with the band's very best work, is still a nice addition to their catalogue.

TV Review: 2 Broke Girls - "And the Pop-Up Sale"

Season 1 - Episode 12
CBS (US)

Oh, so Caroline had a stash of really expensive jewelry all along? That was just being saved for a rainy day? I know it says Fred Savage wrote this, but was Cummings anywhere near the plotting? Well, actually on reflection she can't have been, because shaky plot point aside, this was a really good episode of a show that has been a really pleasant addition to the sitcom stable this season.

The girls need a new oven, so Caroline decides to sell one of the expensive rings she managed to swipe when they visited her old apartment a few episodes back. After being scared out of a cash for gold store, they decide to go to an upscale jewelry store and attempt to return the ring. This is foiled by a camp salesman who Caroline had previously gotten fired from another job. This rather ridiculously leads to a pop up sale in the toilets, wich falls apart when Caroline is whisked off to lunch by her old friends, leaving Max devastated. Having thought that their friendship had finally been cemented, and having finally let someone into her life, she's absolutely crushed. 

Caroline of course makes everything up, by selling all of the rings to buy the oven of Max's dreams. It's a lovely moment when the two hug, and the second half of the season is set up nicely.

****

TV Review: Beavis and Butt-head: "Doomsday" / "Dumb Design"

Season 8 - Episode 11/12
MTV (US)

Doomsday sees a gas leak require the whole of Highland to be evacuated. Unfortunately, the boys seem to think they are watching a horror film when the news report comes on TV and when they eventually venture outside, they believe that they're the only people left alive! The boys naturally cause havoc in the town, looting, and wrecking Stewart's house. They eventually realise the world hasn't ended when a biker (who they initially believe to be a zombie) finds them in his house and beats them up. Gloriously daft as always!

Dumb Design sees the boys joining a religious group so they don't have to learn about evolution. Their logic, not exactly what the group had in mind, sees them come to the conclusion that if something is complicated and difficult, they shouldn't have to learn it. This sees them suspended from school, become pariahs, and eventually just decide to walk out of class whenever they feel like it. 

Now, I don't usually review the segments where the boys "review" music videos or MTV shows, but I'm making an exception here. The duo host "Beavis and Butt-head's Cinema Classics", where they sit in a studio, rather than their couch, and tell us all to watch The Human Centipede, as they absolutely loved it. Really funny segment.

Beavis and Butt-head is stupid, crass and at times childish. But it's bloody funny.

Doomsday: ****
Dumb Design: *** 1/2

TV Review: Modern Family - "Express Christmas"

Season 3 - Episode 10
Sky 1 (UK)

Firstly, the picture isn't actually from the episode, I just felt the site needed a little more Sarah Hyland. Anyways, with that over, Modern Family went back to its roots in this Christmas themed episode, getting the whole family together, intercrossing storylines, and ending with a big sentimental set piece. It's exactly what the show does best, and is the best episode of a solid, but unspectacular season. 

The cast, for the most part, is spilt into little groups, but the groupings aren't the usual ones we've been seeing all season. Ok, Claire and Haley are put together, but we do get Sarah Hyland spending most of the episode in a bikini, which is always nice. But the rest are pairings we're not overly used to seeing. Gloria and Luke for example, which gives us some of the funniest jokes about Gloria's accent we've seen in a long time. Mitchell, Alex and Lily go searching for a tree. Ariel Winter hasn't had much to do as Alex this season, but she absolutely shines in her role in this episode, and the idea to give Lily some lines has turned out to be inspired. We've seen Jay and Cameron paired up before, but not for a while, and it's always interesting to see what they come up with for the two. Again, the stark contrasts in their ideologies make room for some funny lines. And the decision to put Phil and Manny together - consistently two of the best characters in the show - is genius. Especially when Phil gets tazered, and feels the effects for the rest of the day!

The comedy pairings work really well, but the big ending is exactly what makes this show great, when everything looks as if it's gone totally tits up, Jay makes a big gesture that leaves everyone happy. It's just a great ending to a great episode.

**** 1/2

TV Review: The Middle - "A Christmas Gift"

Season 3 - Episode 11
Sky 1 (UK)

The Christmas episode can be a good thing or a very bad thing. Community have done two absolutely fantastic ones, The Simpsons have done some classics, and Frasier used to churn out a cracker every year, among many others (not even including the many Christmas Specials around - more on them next week). But there those at the other extreme. The first Family Guy Christmas episode was pretty shocking, Malcolm in the Middle always struggled and despite the classics, The Simpsons have done their share of stinkers.

"A Christmas Gift" is a pretty decent effort from The Middle, better than their pervious two attempts, but still not perfect. The essence of the show is that Mike and Frankie, despite being skint and with some questionable parenting methods, are good people. This is seen when Mike buys Frankie the exact thing that she wants for Christmas, a new dishwasher. But he wants to keep it a secret. So cue Frankie complaining for the entire episode, and slagging Mike off to the entire neighbourhood at their Christmas Eve party. The moment when Mike (finally able to see him as Mike now and not just The Janitor from Scrubs!) wheels the dishwasher into the living room is stunningly heartbreaking, the sadness and disappointment on his face just speaks volumes. They make up, and Mike does forgive her, but Frankie isn't supposed to be like that. It was poor characterisation and brought the episode down.

Elsewhere, Sue recruits Reverend Tim Tom (my absolute favourite character on the show, and one of my favourite recurring characters on TV) to teach Brick the meaning of Christmas, and Axl accidentally befriends one of the awkward neighbours. And while I had reservations about Frankie this week, Axl showed his heart big time.

This is a good, but ultimately flawed episode of The Middle. Thankfully Sue and Rev Tim Tom's scenes saved the day, and Brick was back to his quirky loveable best. This show is back very soon after the New Year, and I'm looking forward to it.

*** 1/2

TV Review: The League - "The Light of Genesis"

Season 3 - Episode 10
FX (US)

We're in the tail end of The League's third season, and the good news is that season 4 has been confirmed. "The Light of Genesis" is a solid, funny episode, with another nice guest spot too.

Eliza Dushku is the latest in this season of The League's long line of fantastic guest stars. She's Kevin's Krav Maga teacher, and her methods give him the impression that she's hitting on him. Jenny dismisses this, naturally, so he takes Pete along to the class to see what's happening. The episode ends with Kevin and Eliza being acosted by a mugger in the car park and Kevin using the "move" that he'd been taught in class. Of course, she was hitting on him the whole time, and Kevin ends up mumbling and running away. The mugger is dispatched by Eliza and she ends up alone. Damn.

Elsewhere, Ruxin joins a cult after he finds out that they give great fantasy football advice. He's fully taken in, until a picture of Shiva is revealed by the rest of the gang at his baptism! Jenny tricks Andre into trading him two star running backs after faking a tattoo that needs removed. Naturally, Andre fails to keep his mouth shut even though he is sworn to secrecy (by Jenny and his hypocratic oath). And Taco comes up with his best idea ever. Neckflix. It's an on demand tie service. Unfortunately, he only has Kevin's existing ties as stock. Until he finds a massive stash at the cult.

"The Light of Genesis" weaves its stories together nicely, and manages to be funny throughout. Delighted that there is a confirmed season 4, and we'll have this gang for at least another year.

****

TV Review: Happy Endings - "Blax, Snake, Home"

Season 2 - Episode 1

E4 (UK)

E4 have made the excellent decision of starting season 2 of Happy Endings right after season 1 finished up on the channel. This should insure that the show, which is rating and reviewing well in the USA, keeps its momentum going.

And the second season starts with Penny buying a condo and declaring it the year of Penny. Of course, this doesn't really go to plan for her, when she believes her new house has a "spinster curse" on it, when she hears that it was two old unmarried women who had owned it before her. After finding her DVR full of The View and The Good Wife (all MAx's doing), several cats inside (her weirdo new neighbour's doing), and a bunch of other coincidental occurences. By the end of the episode, Alex is moving in (due to setting her own place on fire - which we'll get to) and all is well. Especially the 1920s themed party. Which looked awesome.

Elsewhere, Alex and Dave decide to celebrate the first anniversary of their almost wedding by being completely honest with each other. It's hard to explain without context, but this ends up with Alex getting a snake from an animal shelter, making huge amounts of her horrible soup and burning down her apartment. While Dave makes up with his idiot old friend, takes up frisbee golf again, and revisits his old (awful) 16 minute love ballad. It's nonsense, but very funny nonsense, and all mediated by an increasingly agitated Jane. And Max and Brad get into a tiff when Max thinks Brad is avoiding hanging out with him. Of course he's not really, and it all works out fine. Aww.

Happy Endings has started its second season very strongly, and I look forward to seeing a full 22 episode run this year.

****

TV Review: Beavis and Butt-head: "The Rat" / "Spill"

Season 8 - Episode 9/10

MTV (US)

It's incredible how funny Beavis and Butt-head has been since it came back.

"The Rat" is fucking hilarious. Really fucking hilarious. The guys have a rat in their apartment and try and catch it. Cue a ridiculous scene where they end up trapping themselves in a spring loaded rat trap and end up covered in cuts and bruises. Genuinely one of the funniest things I've seen on TV this year. The rest of the story sees them adopt the rat as a pet and take him to work at Burger World and cause chaos. It's a great episode, and probably the best since the show's return.

"Spill" sees the boys accidentally sign up to clean up an oil spill when they hear that there will be "filthy chicks covered in oil." Obviously, that meant baby birds, but the two go, hit on the big breasted activist and end up on TV portrayed as heroes. Fantastic.

The show's form since it has returned to our screens has been outstanding, and it's almost as if it's never bee away. Another fantastic installment.

The Rat: **** 1/2

Spill: ****

TV Review: The Big Bang Theory - "The Speckerman Recurrence"

Season 5 - Episode 11

CBS (US)

Oh dear. Just when it starts to get good again, The Big Bang Theory goes into Christmas hiatus not only without a Christmas themed episode, but an absolute stinker. An episode devoid of imagination, heart and very light on the funny.

The bully who made Leonard's life hell in high school visits Pasadena and wants to meet up with Leonard. Bewildered, he goes to the meeting to find an apologetic bully. Later, he turns up at the guys' apartment drunk, and apologies further. The whole plot then revolved around him waking up hungover in the morning, reverting to being a bully again, and Leonard finally standing up to him. And then running away. It was weak, with only a few good jokes.

However, it was probably better than the girls' plot this week. Penny realises she was a bully in high school herself, and tries to make amends. When no-one will accept her apologies, the girls decide that she will donate her old clothes to charity to do a good deed. Unfortunately, when they get there, the girls end up taking some of the clothes donated by other people. They relent in the end, but really? That was the best plot they could come up with? Well at least Penny wasn't drunk this week.

To be honest, the episode wasn't actually as bad as I may have made it out to be, but it's easily the worst of the season, and one of the worst the show has ever done. But we know it should improve after the holiday.

** 1/2

TV Review: Bored to Death - "Nothing I Can't Handle By Running Away"

Season 3 - Episode 8

HBO (US)

The third season of Bored to Death has been absolutely fantastic. But the ratings have been absolutely abysmal. Even for HBO's standards. So this, the third season finale could well end up as the last episode of the series. Which would be a shame for a few reasons.

Last week saw Jonathan accidentally shag his sister. I say accidentally because he didn't know that she was actually his sister, having found out in last week's cliffhanger that his biological dad provided all the sperm at his sperm bank. We revisit the story this week, which ends up having Jonathan being held captive at Coney Island's baseball park while his "father" leaves to gather the cash he owes the kidnappers. Not looking good for Jonathan at this point.

Elsewhere, Ray hosts a signing in a local comic book store and is delighted when he finds out he has a group of loyal fans of "Super Ray". In amongst finding a new senior citizen to shack up with, his new found fans give him a new sense of confidence after some dark times. And George reconnects with Emily and Bernard, and offers to throw them an engagement party at the restaurant. The three stories come together pretty brilliantly when Ray and the rest of the Super Rays, along with George, save Jonathan from being murdered by his captors. It's a glorious scene, capturing the essence of Bored to Death perfectly.

But it's the last scene at the engagement party that falls flat. Jonathan is continuing his incestous relationship with Rose. To make it worse, he's not going to tell her that they're actually half brother and sister. Oh, and Ray is ok with it, as long as he uses a condom. It's so out of character for Jonathan, and we really need a fourth season to explain where it's going. Because if it ends here, it does leave a bit of a sour taste in the mouth. The rest of the episode though, was great, and shows exactly another reason we need a fourth season. Bored to Death is one of the most original and best shows currently on TV.

It's never easy to know what HBO are going to do with their shows. Just because they don't rate well on that network really doesn't mean much. I really really hope it continues. But if it doesn't, other than the last 2 minutes, it's left a great legacy.

****

Album Review: Wednesday 13 - Calling All Corpses

35 year old Wednesday 13 has been releasing music since 1994, and has such spent half of his life perfecting his horror punk stylings. Having released albums as part of Maniac Spider Trash, Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13, The Murderdolls, Bourbon Crow and Gunfire 76, his latest solo album - the fourth studio album of his solo career - "Calling All Corpses" doesn't stray from the formula, and gives another entertaining 45 minute listen.

Opening (and closing in reprise form) with the bizarre "Blood Fades to Black" the rest of the album is straight up horror punk from the king of the genre. "I Wanna Be Cremated" sets the tone pretty well for a fun filled romp of an album which at no point takes itself too seriously.

The content of this record is nothing new for Wednesday, but it doesn't need to be. Enjoyable, fun and very listenable. Not a bad effort.

*** 1/2

TV Review: The Simpsons - "The Ten-Per-Cent Solution"

Season 23 - Episode 8

Fox (US)

Krusty the Clown episodes tend to be either very good or pretty bad. So it's actually a bit of a surprise that this falls somewhere right in the middle. It has a stellar guest turn from Joan Rivers, and a pretty funny cameo from Janeane Garofalo in the guest star of the week slots, and focused on Krusty once again playing to adult audiences.

The Krusty show gets cancelled again and Krusty finds himself down on his luck. The Simpsons coincidentally have just met a start talent agaent, Annie Dubinsky (voiced by Rivers) and introduce the two. Naturally, the two had been lovers many years before, and she had been the one to break Krusty. He had then dumped her, and the two have a fight and a flashback before eventually agreeing to rekindle both their professional and romantic relationships. After performing a theater show for nostalgic twenty somethings, Krusty ends up on an adult focused network HBOWTIME (very lazy parody from the Simpsons writers, as per usual). Annie becomes a control freak, and gets fired as producer, and Krusty eventually leaves with her. It's sweet, but hackneyed, and we're never going to see Annie again (just like Krusty's last love intrest, Anne Hathaway's Princess Penelope).

It's another average outing for The Simpsons, which given that this is now season 23 has to admired. The season as a whole has been pretty solid, with a couple of crackers sprinkled. If it can continue like this, while nowhere near its peak, it is still entertaining.

***

TV Review: Raising Hope - "Bro-gurt"

Season 2 - Episode 8

Fox (US)

The National Invention Convention Extravaganza is in town and the gang decide to enter inventions. It's a very simplistic plot that serves no real purpose in the grand scheme of things. But we do get to see Patton Oswalt playing American comedian Andrew Dice Clay using a motion capture suit. So that's always fun.

Burt has a new friend, played by My Name Is Earl's Ethan Suplee, and they come up with yoghurt flavours for men (hamburger flavour and such). They think it's a fine idea, being white trash and all, so let's just go with it. Jimmy has an idea to put a mop like substance on a baby's belly and while they crawl they clean. Fair enough. And he uses the idea to get closer to Sabrina, because he listens to her ideas, whereas (the still unseen) Wyatt doesn't. The inventions are being judged by Clay, who as I said earlier, was really Patton Oswalt in a motion capture suit. That was the funny payoff to the episode. The emotional one is that Jimmy and Sabrina may have gotten a little closer still.

This was a perfectly acceptable episode of Raising Hope, not brilliant, but still very enjoyable.

*** 1/2

TV Review: Community - "Regional Holiday Music"

Season 3 - Episode 10

NBC (US)

This is the episode that Community goes into extended hiatus on the back of. An elaborate 22 minute Glee parody with all original songs and Alison Brie in a sexy santa outfit. There's really not much that this show does wrong.

It starts by Jeff getting the Glee club arrested for singing copyrighted material, and sees the demented Glee club director (Tran Killam, in one of his patented over the top guest spots) attempt to persuade the study group to cover for them at the Christmas Paegent. Naturally, Abed takes the lead in this, and suddenly the study group are singing songs around the campus. Troy is predictably the easiest to tempt, and their Jay-Z and Kanye West parody is absolute genius. As the rest of them fall (including a star turn from Chevy Chase), it's up to Annie to seduce Jeff. Alison Brie in a skimpy fur lined red mini dress. Ho ho fucking ho, it's Christmas. The song is creepy, but it's still an incredible scene!

Of course, it turns out that the Glee club director is evil, and wants to use the gang for his own good, but Britta's awful singing puts pay to that idea, and the gang all end up spending Christmas with Abed, watching a terrible Dr Timespace Christmas special (an absolutely overwhelmingly great reference to the Star Wars Holiday Special, made even better by the fact that Chewbacca is going to be in actual Glee this week for some reason). It's a remarkably sweet scene, and actually very reminiscent of the ending scene of last year's utterly fantastic Christmas episode.

But that's it for Community as far as things stand. The back 12 episodes of the season will be produced and shown "at some point" by NBC, but who knows when that will be. For now, we say adios to Community, but we know we'll meet again.

**** 1/2

TV Review: The League - "The Out of Towner"

Season 3 - Episode 9

FX (US)

The guest cast list for The League this year has been highly impressive. Seth Rogan, Brie Larsen, Ray Liotta, Sarah Silverman and Jeff Goldblum have all showed up and put on stellar turns. This week was the turn of Will Forte, who arrived as Chuck, one of the out of town members of the show's titular fantasy league, and Pete's old college wingman.

Except Chuck is now a reformed chracter, teetotal and engaged. Of course, his fiance has a gorgeous sister, and Pete begs him to get the setup. Chuck agrees for old times sake, and tells Pete he'll bring them both to Andre's cocktail party. Which brings us to Andre's latest hairbrained (lol, he's bald) scheme. Mixology. Basically this is another excuse to put Paul Scheer in ridiculous clothes. Andre is a total douche, but a harmless one, and one who means well. And it really isn't his fault this time when the party inevitably goes tits up.

It's Kevin's fault. He and Jenny are bored and decide to get high. Unfortunately, that means using Taco's incredibly confusing drug dealer. Naturally, he shows up, talks some nonsense and Kevin and Jenny are left with $500 worth of cocaine. Of course, it ends up at the party while Kevin awaits Taco and his dealer showing up to give him a refund. But Andre mistakes it for a bag of confectioners sugar and laces everyone's drinks (including Chuck's non-alcoholic one) with cocaine. The end result is ridiculously funny as Chuck's fiance and her sister walk in just as Chuck teabags an out of his face Ruxin. Brilliant chaos.

This episode was actually written by stars Paul Scheer and Nick Kroll, their first credit this season, although third overall. The fact that the quality doesn't drop from the regular team of writers says a lot about the talent that make this delightful show. The League is crazier now than ever, but it's not lost the spark.

****

TV Trailer: Game of Thrones: Season 2

TV Review: Whitney - "Up All Night"

Season 1 - Episode 9

NBC (US)

This show is really starting to suck.

I mean, it started off pretty bad, but it always had something that kept me interested in watching. Whatever that thing was though, appears to be gone. Chris D'Elia as Alex is trying his best to keep things interesting, but with the material Whitney Cummings and her "writers" are giving him, even he's starting to struggle.

Basically, Lily has asked Whitney to be her maid of honour. This has caused her to sleepwalk and go see a therapist. Played by Chelsea Handler. Yup, that's where they've gone with it. And you know what? They managed to waste Chelsea Handler. They have succeeded in possibly one of the hardest things in the world. They have ruined one of the worst comedians in the world. The jist of the episode is that maybe Whitney would be more receptive to getting married and having kids than she thought, as long as it's with Alex. Aww cute. But still shit.

I'm not even going to talk about the rest of the characters this week. MArk is made to look like more of an idiot than usual and Lily and Neal are just sort of there. I've been saying for weeks that this show needs to improve. There's one episode left before the Christmas break (and Jane Kaczmarek shows up, which should at least mean there's 2 talented people on screen) and if it's not a good one, Whitney may go bye bye from the rotation.

**