alexkravchenko Reviews

T.J. Hooker (1982–1986)

My #1 American Cop Show

[10/10 · 1 November 2023]

There are a countless amount of American cop shows out there, but me, being a very selective sort, have opted for this underrated gem as my favourite.

William Shatner of Star Trek fame is the show's main and title character, a tough police sergeant who, along with his team, consisting of rookie partner Vince Romano, extremely attractive female rookie officer Stacy Sheridan (also daughter of police captain Dennis Sheridan), and the no-nonsense Jim Corrigan, does everything in his power to fight against the malevolent and criminal underworld that he and his team constantly face.

The action in this show is one of the true highlights: Exhilarating, siren-blaring, tyre-screeching car chases, potent shootouts, punch-ups, foot chases, and so on.

Another true highlight of the show is, as well as the theme tune, the background music: Fast-paced, pulse-pounding, jazzy, synthy, rocky, and whatever else I can think of to describe it.

To conclude, T. J. Hooker is to America what The Sweeney is to Britain: My favourite cop show from that country. Also perhaps William Shatner's best starring role after Star Trek.

The Sweeney (1975–1978)

Rough and Tough 1970s British Policing: Ian Kennedy-Martin's Ultimate Brainchild

[10/10 · 1 November 2023]

Move aside, Starsky and Hutch! The Sweeney will get the job done... their way! With their trousers on! Whether they've had any dinner or not!

When it comes to British cop shows, they don't come rougher, tougher, grittier, funkier, or swagger than this, this definitive 1970s exploration of London's Flying Squad.

At the top of the pile are the hardened, no-nonsense pair Detective Inspector Jack Regan (John Thaw) and Detective Sergeant George Carter (Dennis Waterman), who absolutely steal the show with their actions, methods, and words.

This is one of the shows that truly define 1970s Britain. A real gem of a cop show.

Doctor Who (1963–1989)

Absolute Favourite Show of Them All!

[10/10 · 1 November 2023]

There really is so much to love about the longest running science fiction show in the world. Of course, it may not be 100% perfect, but then what is?

It is a show that explores and contains just about every possibility and genre you can imagine: Time travel, dimensional transcendentalism, history, friendship/companionship, wisdom, creatures and villains, other worlds, different cultures, horror, adventure, drama, excitement, immortality, eternity, eccentricity, conquest,... the list just goes on and on, much like this show, in fact.

Favourites-wise, Third (Jon Pertwee) and Fourth (Tom Baker) are in equal position as my favourite incarnation of the Doctor.

My favourite companion on the other hand is none other than that feisty, jolly, inquisitive, attractive, and special girl whose bond with our favourite Time Lord has warmed our hearts forever. I am, of course, referring to the one and only Sarah Jane Smith ("There's nothing "ONLY" about being a girl").

My favourite serial is Planet of Evil, my favourite villains are (obviously) the Daleks, and my favourite season is 13 (part of the Philip Hinchcliffe era, my favourite era).

Also, the show has inspired me to get into and love jelly babies, which I usually like to have when watching the Fourth Doctor serials, as I deem it apt.

Whether I'm watching other TV shows, or focusing on TV shows that I have recently got into, Doctor Who will always remain my #1 favourite show in, not just the world, but also the entire universe, no matter what!

Tugs (1989–1990)

One of the best shows... in the world... EVER!!!

[10/10 · 19 January 2023]

It is no exaggeration for me to say that.

TUGS truly is one of the most well made kids shows I have ever watched. Although I was more into its more famous sister show Thomas & Friends and don't ever recall watching TUGS as a kid (though I do remember reading the book Nothing to Declare), I guess it's never too late to get into great shows as such.

A top notch show by far, with stunning shots and scenes, great voice acting, wonderful character portrayals, quality writing, Gerry Anderson-like explosions (some of you may recall that one of the show's creators David Mitton was a special effects technician for sci-fi shows by said creator, hence the explosions), enticing music score by Thomas composers Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell, action, drama, excitement, and plenty of maritime realism.

As for my favourites:

Characters: Warrior, Ten Cents, O. J., Hercules, Top Hat, Captain Star, Zebedee, Zorran, Zug, Billy Shoepack, Puffa, Lillie Lightship, Grampus, and Sea Rogue

Episodes (ranked from 6 to 1): Bigg Freeze, High Tide, High Winds, Trapped, Munitions, and Warrior (episode)

What a show!

Fireman Sam (1987–2023)

A Welsh institution

[10/10 · 18 September 2021]

Another childhood classic that I grew up with, and still watch to this day, my life would never have been complete without Fireman Sam. The theme song is a real gem and well suited for an action-oriented children's program. A round of applause for Ben Henegan and Ian Lawson for the composition, Robin Lyons for the lyrics and Mal Pope for the vocals.

There are also so many likable characters (even naughty Norman Price), that I can't think of one I dislike, not to mention episodes (from the classic series, anyway). And we have to give the narrator John Alderton a pat on the back for managing to provide the right voice for a certain character.

I also approve of Series 5, for its inclusion of female voice actors, uprated Rescue Theme, and improved stop motion animation techniques (that's far from saying that the animation in the Classic Series is bad, which it isn't). And although the writing isn't quite as solid as it is in the Classic Series, it's still quite good. Series 5 is also proof of how a reboot of a classic TV show should be and should've stayed that way instead of going CGI. Wasted potential, if you ask me.

Postman Pat (1981–2017)

A childhood hero

[10/10 · 21 December 2017]

Among the shows I watched growing up, Postman Pat, along with Thomas the Tank Engine, Sooty and Co, Fireman Sam and Inspector Gadget, is a show I truly hold dear, and always will, no matter how old I am.

Postman Pat showcases the simple plot of a friendly and good-natured postman going round the beautiful village of Greendale, delivering letters and parcels to and fro, as well as helping out his friends during certain events that occur, like, for example, stopping an out-of-control robot postman from causing havoc (from the episode Postman Pat and the Robot, one of my favourites), or trying to stop a wild animal causing havoc (from the episode Postman Pat and the Beast of Greendale).

The early series of Postman Pat, 1 and 2, are considered by many to be the most desirable, and I agree.

This review has been made in honour of Ken Barrie, the original voice of the world's most beloved postman, who sadly passed away last year (2016). R. I. P Ken. You did a great job, being the voice of our favourite postman, as well as other characters. You made my childhood and others too, and will never be forgotten.

Thunderbirds (1965–1966)

Classic, timeless, and way ahead of it's time

[10/10 · 30 October 2017]

Another TV show from a golden age of television, Thunderbirds is by far and away one of the best written, most exciting, dramatic, and most well put together shows you could possibly watch.

It has it all: Fabulous soundtrack composed by the late, great Barry Gray, extravagant looking vehicles, aircraft (particularly FAB 1 and Thunderbird 1), and other kinds of extraordinary machinery, action, adventure, explosions, destructive happenings, and many more.

Also, the villain in this iconic series, The Hood, is one of my absolute favourite villains in the history of television, having the ability to render people unconscious with his hypnotic powers, clever enough to fool people with his wide array of disguises (hence his name) and will stop at nothing to expose the secrets of International Rescue.

And of course, there's the charming and wealthy Lady Penelope, International Rescue's British agent and one of the most important characters in the show. Lady Penelope has all her special requirements:

. FAB 1 - a pink, six wheeled Rolls-Royce equipped with all the weaponry and gadgets needed to tackle villainy and other things

. Parker - Penelope's loyal butler and assistant, whom actually had an adventurous life of his own once

And last but not least, there's Thunderbird 1, quite possibly the most iconic Thunderbird craft of them all (or at least my favourite). Piloted by my favourite character Scott Tracy, Thunderbird 1 is International Rescue's quick-response hyper-sonic rocket plane, normally getting to the danger zone before the other Thunderbird crafts arrive.

To conclude, Thunderbirds is an epic show not to be missed. Absolutely loved it when I was younger, still do today!

Like I always say: You can't beat the classics!