Radio Times Podcast - podcast cover

Radio Times Podcast

Radio Timeswww.radiotimes.com
We’ve all been there – sat in front of the television, flicking through channels, getting increasingly frustrated – there’s so much on, but nothing to watch. TV critics Caroline Frost and Shem Law have you covered. Each Friday, they serve up short, sharp television recommendations to mark your cards for the week ahead. They’ll tell you what to watch – and what to avoid. They watch it all, so you don’t have to.   No more asking: what’s on TV tonight? What to watch? Or, what should I watch? Instead, listen to Smart TV for your weekly round-up of TV programmes and film reviews. You’ll find out about the latest series dropping that week, what to binge and what television show will become the next watercooler moment.   Radio Times’ journalists Caroline Frost and Shem Law will cover all things terrestrial as well as what’s on the streaming sites – they’ll cover what’s broadcast on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky to NOW, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Netflix and Apple TV.   Whether you like Entertainment, Current Affairs, Documentaries, Dramas, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Thrillers, Sports or Radio – they’ll have you covered. If you enjoy our weekly round-up of television reviews, do search for the View From My Sofa podcast which sees Kelly-Anne Taylor sit down with a celebrity guests to talk about their lives through the prism of TV.

Episodes

Smart TV: Springsteen and Succession's Successor

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Death Valley, BBC1 When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain, BBC2 Mountainhead, Sky Atlantic FROST BITE: 9 Perfect Strangers brings psychedelics to screen - are we in a new age of Aquarius? THE ARCHIVE: Pride and Prejudice (Co...

May 30, 202519 min

Smart TV: A Long Awaited Return and Clint Eastwood Night

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email (⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: The Last Anniversary, BBC1 Walking with Dinosaurs, BBC1 Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, BBC2 FROST BITE: Why are there so many Jane Austen adaptations? THE ARCHIVE: Clint Eastwood Night, BBC4 . . . Happy Viewing!...

May 22, 202525 min

Smart TV: Eurovision Preview and Clarkson's Farm Returns

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email (⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Code of Silence, ITV1 Clarkson's Farm, Amazon Prime Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg, Sky Arts OUR READERS SAY... The best of this week’s RT readers’ postbag FROST BITE: Eurovision Preview THE ARCHIVE: Classic Movies...

May 16, 202523 min

Smart TV: BAFTA TV Awards Special

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email (⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: BAFTA TV Awards, BBC1 Inside Our ADHD Minds, BBC2 The Game, C5 OUR READERS SAY... The best of this week’s RT readers’ postbag FROST BITE: Do we need therapy on reality TV? THE ARCHIVE: The War Lords, BBC4 . . . Happy Viewing! Lear...

May 09, 202526 min

Smart TV: Malpractice Season 2 and Is Not Laughing Funny?

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email (⁠[email protected]⁠) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Malpractice, ITV1 Long Way Home, Apple TV+ Dead Man Walking: Dan Walker on Death Row, C5 OUR READERS SAY... The best of this week’s RT readers’ postbag FROST BITE: What is humour on TV without the sound of laughter? THE ARCHIVE: God...

May 02, 202521 min

Smart TV: Non-Fiction and the American Dream

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Louis Theroux and the Settlers, BBC2 The Assembly, ITV1 Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes, Disney+ OUR READERS SAY... David says, Great British Railway Journeys can't be reached by train... Bernice says, Quit the jazz hands...

Apr 25, 202524 min

Smart TV: You Final Series and Race Across the World Returns

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: I, Jack Wright, Alibi Race Across The World, BBC1 You, Netflix OUR READERS SAY... Legend from Gladiators should watch what he says... FROST BITE: We discuss Ride or Die... THE ARCHIVE: Sally Lindsay's 70s Quiz Night, C5 . . . Happy Viewin...

Apr 18, 202525 min

Smart TV: The Last of Us Returns and Legal Drama Unleashed

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES TV: The Last of Us S2, Sky Atlantic Barristers: Fighting for Justice, Channel 4 Ride or Die, BBC iPlayer OUR READERS SAY... Clean wheels, French bays that aren’t, and the sharpest eyes in the land. FROST BITE: Why Netflix can make Adolescence,...

Apr 11, 202526 min

Smart TV: Black Mirror and New Simon Schama Doc

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Black Mirror, Netflix Simon Schama: The Holocaust, BBC2 Your Friends and Neighbours, AppleTV+ OUR READERS SAY... More Beyond Zero Talk... FROST BITE: Breaking the fourth wall, does it work? THE ARCHIVE: The Two Ronnies, BBC and SKY . . . ...

Apr 04, 202519 min

Smart TV: Austin and Dying for [title censored]

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Austin, BBC1 The Secret Genius of Modern Life, BBC2 Dying for Sex, Disney+ OUR READERS SAY... ...Any Answers isn't what it used to be FROST BITE: Does the ancient game of chess work on TV? Spoiler: sometimes! THE ARCHIVE: Wogan Night, BBC...

Mar 28, 202517 min

Smart TV: Doctor Who Special

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law and Huw Fullerton about the best things coming up on the box this week. You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Beyond Paradise, BBC1 Great British Menu: The Finals, BBC2 Doctor Who, BBC1 OUR READERS SAY... Please stop ad banners at the end of BBC shows... Stop trying to improve the already perfect Miss Marple... THE ARCHIVE: Doug...

Mar 20, 202523 min

Smart TV: Michael Sheen and Protection

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Protection, ITV1 The Marlow Murder Club, U&Drama The Residence, Netflix OUR READERS SAY... When will the BBC realise they were wrong about Question of Sport FROST BITE: Giving Michael Sheen his Due THE ARCHIVE: Face to Face, BBC Four . . ....

Mar 13, 202522 min

Smart TV: Adolescence and Is Meghan's New Show Any Good?

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Adolescence, Netflix Ten Pound Poms, BBC1 The Au Pair, C5 OUR READERS SAY... Poor Service Eastenders Appreciation FROST BITE: All the sound and fury (Caroline's!) aside, is Meghan Markle’s lifestyle show any good? THE ARCHIVE: The Fall and...

Mar 07, 202524 min

Smart TV: Oscars 2025 Special

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law and Max Copeman about the Oscars and all the best things coming up on the box this week You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: Oscars round up (Oscars Ceremony Live on ITV1) TV: Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero, BBC1 A Cruel Love: the Ruth Ellis Story, ITV1 OUR READERS SAY... Which TV chefs deserve the Rick Stein treatment on Saturday ...

Feb 28, 202524 min

Smart TV: A Thousand Blows and Should Netflix Leave Reality TV Alone?

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: A Thousand Blows, Disney+ Bergerac, U&Drama David Frost Vs, Sky Atlantic OUR READERS SAY... Mushrooms aren't vegetables... FROST BITE: Celebrity Bear Hunt - Why Netflix should leave reality TV well alone THE ARCHIVE: Steptoe and Son, BBC4 ...

Feb 21, 202520 min

Smart TV: EastEnders 40th and Paradise

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Paradise, Disney+ The White Lotus, Sky Atlantic Luther: Never Too Much, NowTV OUR READERS SAY... It would be great to have the restorative powers of a character in Casualty! and Linda agrees with Caroline about Brian and Maggie FROST BITE:...

Feb 14, 202521 min

Smart TV: Crime Drama Week

Caroline Frost chats to Shem Law about the best things coming up on the box this week You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Unforgotten, ITV1 Virdee, BBC1 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, BBC2 FROST BITE: Can crime drama solve the problem of the departed lead? OUR READERS SAY... Paddy McGuinness Izal Debate Call the Midwife becoming Eastenders? THE ARCHIVE: The ...

Feb 07, 202519 min

Smart TV: New Austen Drama and Sitcom Spinoffs

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Miss Austen, BBC1 Go Back To Where You Came From, C4 Celebrity Bear Hunt, Netflix FROST BITE: What’s the secret to a successful sitcom-spinoff? Amandaland, BBC1 THE ARCHIVE: Bob Marley, BBC2 . . . Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 31, 202522 min

Smart TV: Death in Paradise and Idris Elba Knife Crime Doc

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Brian and Maggie, C4 Death in Paradise, BBC1 Uncanny, BBC2 OUR READER SAYS: Why are the news sending their anchors all over the world?! FROST BITE: When celebs meet charities - a cause for good? Idris Elba: Our Knife Crime Crisis, BBC1 THE ARCHIVE: Eldorado, U&Drama . . . Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Jan 24, 202524 min

Smart TV: Martin Clunes Drama and Is the Traitors good for us?

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Out There, ITV Gladiators, BBC1 Disclaimer, Apple TV+ OUR READER SAYS: What happened to Silent Witness?? FROST BITE: The Traitors is a hit - but is it any good (for us)? THE ARCHIVE: And Then There Were None, BBC iPlayer Gosford Park, BBC iPlayer Knives Out, Amazon Prime . . . Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices...

Jan 17, 202525 min

Smart TV: The Traitors Returns and Men Behaving Badly (not the sitcom)

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Missing You, Netflix 24 Hours in Police Custody: The Norfolk Narco Cartel, C4 The Traitors, BBC1 OUR READER SAYS: Christine from Swindon says... Toby Stephens the next James Bond? FROST BITE: Male presenters only have to behave - why can’t they?! THE ARCHIVE: Rod Stewart: Can't Stop Me Now, BBCiPlayer . . . Happy Viewing! L...

Jan 11, 202519 min

Smart TV: Best of 2024

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: BEST OF 2024: Ludwig, BBC, iPlayer Baby Reindeer, Netflix Slow Horses, Apple TV+ Industry, BBC iPlayer Wolf Hall, BBC iPlayer Sven, Amazon Prime LOWLIGHTS: Password, ITV1 Buying London, Netflix VILLAIN(NESS) OF THE YEAR: Lazy Commissioning "Talent" HERO OF THE YEAR: Apple TV+ Chirs McCausland . . . Happy Viewing! Learn more abo...

Dec 31, 202429 min

Smart TV: New Years Special

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: NEW YEARS EVE TV: SAS Rogue Heroes, BBC1 Missing You, Netflix Vera, ITV1 Ruth Jones Remembers… Hattie, BBC4 LOOK AHEAD TO 2025: Miss Austen, BBC1 Brian and Margaret, C4 Towards Zero, BBC1 Bergerac, U&U Drama GARETH'S PICK OF 2024: Agatha All Long, Disney + . . . Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoi...

Dec 27, 202422 min

Smart TV: Christmas Day Special

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: CHRISTMAS TV: Wallace and Gromit, BBC1 Call the Midwife, BBC1 Doctor Who, BBC1 Gavin and Stacey, BBC1 EastEnders, BBC1 Coronation Street, ITV1 Hercule Poirot's Christmas, ITV3 Carry On Matron, ITV3 From Roger Moore with Love, BBC2 DAVID'S PICK OF 2024: Matlock, NOW . . . Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...

Dec 20, 202429 min

Smart TV: Strike Returns and a Strictly Star Has Been Born

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Strike, BBC1 Sports Personality of the Year, BBC1 Wham: Last Christmas Unwrapped, BBC2 OUR READER SAYS: Connie from Brighton recommends... So Long Marianne, ITVX FROST BITE: Strictly Star: Chris McCausland THE ARCHIVE: Victoria Wood with All The Trimmings, BBC4 and iPlayer . . . Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choic...

Dec 13, 202422 min

Smart TV: Alan Bennett and Should Masterchef be Cancelled

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: Alan Bennett: 90 Years On, BBC2 Dalgliesh, C5 OUR READER SAYS: Adrian from Exeter says… When did the BBC become the American Broadcasting Company? FROST BITE: Should Masterchef be cancelled? THE ARCHIVE: Dalgliesh (Previous versions) . . . Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Dec 06, 202420 min

Smart TV: After The Party and Doctor Who Christmas Preview

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: AFTER THE PARTY, C4 DOCTOR WHO XMAS PREVIEW, BBC1 LENA ZAVARONI: THE FORGOTTEN CHILD STAR, BBC2 OUR READER SAYS: Chris from Edgware is not a fan of THE TODAY PROGRAMME FROST BITE: Alan Bennett at 90 - Would he get commissioned now? THE ARCHIVE: DERRY GIRLS, C4 . . . Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...

Nov 29, 202420 min

Smart TV: Clarkson's Farm Spinoff and Gary Lineker's Exit

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: The Making of 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?', BBC4 The World According to Kaleb, Amazon Prime Irresistible: Why We Can’t Stop Eating, BBC2 READER RECOMMENDATION: ‘A light has gone out with the demise of Doctors’ (Doctors, BBC iPlayer) FROST BITE: Gary Lineker’s exit - Will Match of the Day survive? (Match of the Day, BBC1) ...

Nov 22, 202418 min

Smart TV: Anthony Horowitz Fan Club

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: MOONFLOWER MURDERS, BBC1 RETURN TO PARADISE, BBC1 READER RECOMMENDATION: “Can the Strictly judges stop bickering and standing up!” STRICTLY COME DANCING, BBC1 FROST BITE: Why we all need to watch a drama about a 400-hundred-year old King in 2024? WOLF HALL, BBC1 THE ARCHIVE: FOYLE’S WAR, ITVX COLLISION, ITVX . . . Happy Vie...

Nov 15, 202423 min

Smart TV: Cheating on Screen and More Royal Docs

You can get in touch with our hosts via email ([email protected]) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES: TV: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, ITV1 WOLF HALL, BBC1 THE DIPLOMAT, NETFLIX READER RECOMMENDATION: ALMA'S NOT NORMAL, BBC iPLAYER FROST BITE: WHEN DID CHEATING BECOME ACCEPTABLE ON SCREEN CHEATERS, BBC iPLAYER THE ARCHIVE: THE WESSEX TALES, BBC iPLAYER . . . Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...

Nov 08, 202421 min
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