fiver's blog

Tuesday 19 October, 8:00pm on Fiver

Jon Bentley, Suzi Perry, Ortis Deley, Jason Bradbury and Pollyanna Woodward investigate the latest technological innovations. In this episode, the presenters focus on ways to save money. Suzi examines cheap netbooks, Polly and Ortis scour the web and the high street for techie bargains, and Jon climbs behind the wheel of a swanky car to test some cut-price satnavs. In this week’s value-for-money special, the thrifty presenters go to extraordinary lengths to track down the best technology deals on the market. Suzi starts the budget ball rolling with an examination of cheap netbooks. To help her decide which machine offers the best deal, she ropes in three celebrities – Chico of ‘X Factor’ fame, DJ Normski and ‘Big Brother’ winner Brian Belo. In this week’s head to head, Polly goes up against Ortis to see who can find the best tech for the lowest price. While Ortis scours the web, Polly hits the high streets with the help of hotshot haggler Dom Littlewood. Will the best deals come from the internet or the shopping centres? Away from the city centre, Jason tests a handful of cheap mountain bikes, putting them through three years’ worth of wear in just a few hours. Meanwhile, Jon plays chauffeur for the day to test three budget satnavs. Settling behind the wheel of a luxury Bentley, he drives Kate Walsh of ‘Live From Studio Five’ to a meeting at Claridge’s, takes newsreader Matt Barbet to the ‘Five News’ studio and transports Jason Donovan to his radio station. Elsewhere this week, Jon tests three super-cheap TVs, and the presenters assess the energy consumption of a range of everyday gadgets.

Sunday 17 October, 6:00pm on Fiver

Continuing on Fiver this week is the action drama based on the DC Comics series of the same name. The show charts the exploits of security expert and bodyguard-for-hire Christopher Chance. This week, Chance tries to track down the spy responsible for the death of an old friend. Chance’s efforts are jeopardised when he receives a dose of poison, but a beautiful FBI agent is on hand to assist him. Using the popular DC Comics title as a springboard, this full-throttle action drama centres on Christopher Chance (Mark Valley), a security expert who hires himself out to clients in desperate need of protection. Chance is regularly compelled to go beyond the call of duty, integrating himself completely into his client’s lives. In the process he becomes a human target – eliminating the threat to those he is paid to protect. Others might not notice him, but nothing goes unnoticed by Chance. If there is a manager with a disgruntled employee who appears violent and unstable, Chance becomes the new man on the inside. If a bank president has been tipped off about a potential heist, Chance poses as the unassuming bank teller at the front counter. But what would drive a man to become a willing human target? Does anyone know who Chance really is, or what secrets lie buried in his past? ‘Human Target’ co-stars Chi McBride (‘I Robot’, ‘Pushing Daisies’) as Winston, Chance’s trusted friend and business partner. Academy Award nominee Jackie Earle Haley (‘Little Children’, ‘Watchmen’, ‘Shutter Island’) plays Guerrero, Chance’s hired gun. The series is executiveproduced by Jonathan E Steinberg and ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and ‘Terminator: Salvation’ director McG.

Wednesday 13 October, 11:25pm on Fiver

The third season of the racy comedy drama comes to an end on Fiver this week. On the eve of Hank and Karen’s move to New York, Mia returns to town with a new agent, who is hellbent on exposing Hank’s transgressions in order to save his client’s ailing career. Meanwhile, Charlie considers getting his vasectomy reversed in the light of his improving relations with Marcy. Hank arrives home to find that he has a very unwelcome visitor. Mia, a former conquest of his, is in town to promote the paperback release of her hugely successful novel. Unbeknown to Karen – who became a mother figure to the girl when she dated Mia’s father – the book was actually written by Hank. After Mia seduced Hank at the age of 16, she stole the manuscript from him and passed it off as her own, using the fact that Hank unwittingly committed statutory rape as leverage. Karen accepts an invitation to Mia’s book launch party on behalf of her family, where a reluctant Hank soon finds himself alone with Mia’s agent – and latest conquest – Paul Rider (James Frain, ‘The Tudors’, ‘True Blood’). Paul confesses that Mia seems to be having trouble writing her second novel, and goes on to indicate that he knows exactly what went on between the teenager and Hank. “Quite the literary scandal we have here,” he muses, watching Hank squirm. “But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.” Paul goes on to set out his master plan for Mia’s career. Now that he knows she is hopeless as a novelist, he wants her to confess all about her involvement with Hank in order to become a reality TV star. Hank is understandably horrified by Paul’s plan, which could see him facing not only the end of his career, but also possible jail time. “My biggest client is a fraud – I’m trying to make the best of a bad situation,” Paul snarls when he hears Hank’s protests. “And I’m not the one who fucked an underage girl.”

Tuesday 12 October, 8:00pm on Fiver

Jon Bentley, Suzi Perry, Ortis Deley, Jason Bradbury and Pollyanna Woodward test and investigate the latest technological innovations. In this episode, the presenters have four surprise challenges sprung on them in just one day. With golf, computer gaming, lawn mower racing and world record attempts all on the cards, the team must pull out all the stops to triumph. In the first tricky challenge, the presenters are given just 60 minutes to build their own ride-on lawn mower. However, the fun does not end there – Jon must race the finished product against the British Lawn Mower Racing Association’s reigning champions. If Jon is to stand any chance of winning, the team needs to ensure that the mower can reach a staggering 50 miles per hour. For the next challenge, the presenters go head to head with a host of celebrity experts in a video game face-off. Suzi races MotoGP champ James Toseland on the iPad, Polly plays table tennis on the PS3 against 14-time English champion Desmond Douglas, and Jason must out-groove ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalist Tobias Meade on an Xbox dance game. Meanwhile, Jon Bentley goes up against ‘Eggheads’ expert CJ De Mooi in a general knowledge quiz, and Ortis competes against rapper Bashy using an Xbox rap game. The penultimate challenge takes place on a golf course, where the team must score a hole in one by any means necessary. In the interests of completing the challenge, the presenters may use any gadgets of their choice -which leads to some interesting attempts with a remote control helicopter, a balllauncher and a power club… For this week’s final task, the presenters head for the giant NEC exhibition centre in Birmingham, where they hold an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of Records by playing the biggest Tetris game in the world.

Sunday 10 October, 6:00pm on Fiver

Continuing on Fiver this week is the new action drama based on the DC Comics series of the same name. The show is based around the exploits of security expert and bodyguard-for-hire Christopher Chance. This week, Chance must board a plane in order to protect a computer hacker en route to Seattle. The mission begins well with a potential assassin being neutralised, but things go somewhat awry when the plane catches fire and an air marshal subdues Chance. Using the popular DC Comics title as a springboard, this full-throttle action drama centres on Christopher Chance (Mark Valley), a security expert who hires himself out to clients in desperate need of protection. Chance is regularly compelled to go beyond the call of duty, integrating himself completely into his client’s lives. In the process he becomes a human target – eliminating the threat to those he is paid to protect. Others might not notice him, but nothing goes unnoticed by Chance. If there is a manager with a disgruntled employee who appears violent and unstable, Chance becomes the new man on the inside. If a bank president has been tipped off about a potential heist, Chance poses as the unassuming bank teller at the front counter. But what would drive a man to become a willing human target? Does anyone know who Chance really is, or what secrets lie buried in his past? ‘Human Target’ co-stars Chi McBride (‘I Robot’, ‘Pushing Daisies’) as Winston, Chance’s trusted friend and business partner. Academy Award nominee Jackie Earle Haley (‘Little Children’, ‘Watchmen’, ‘Shutter Island’) plays Guerrero, Chance’s hired gun. The series is executiveproduced by Jonathan E Steinberg and ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and ‘Terminator: Salvation’ director McG. In this week’s episode, Chance is hired to protect an unidentified computer hacker due to board a flight to Seattle, where she will meet a cyber-security firm. The hacker, known only as Casper, has discovered a means to bypass all security measures on the internet – and has become the target of assassins desperate to keep her discovery secret.

Thursday 7 October, 10:40pm on Fiver

Quirky US comedy series centred around the escapades of a twentysomething man who is desperate to keep his new girlfriend a secret from his emotionally unstable ex. In this episode, Phil makes the most of a cellphone number mix-up, and Mandy goes to extreme lengths to make you jealous. ‘Secret Girlfriend’ is a comedy with a twist – the viewer is the star, with the show’s actors addressing the camera as if it were the lead character. The main protagonist is in the middle of a difficult break-up with his psychotic girlfriend, Mandy. To remedy this, his roommate Phil and best friend Sam endeavour to cheer him up with girls, beer and strip clubs aplenty. This week, you go out to dinner with Mandy, but spend most of the time looking around the restaurant at other girls. Annoyed at being ignored, Mandy decides to try and make you jealous by flashing her breasts at the waiter. Later that day, you learn that Phil’s new cellphone number is one digit away from a crisis hotline. Deciding to make the most of the opportunity, the ever-enterprising Phil has been using the coincidence to hook up with troubled women by ‘talking them off cliffs’. After the failure of her restaurant stunt, Mandy steps up her campaign to make you jealous by hanging out with Sam – much to his dismay. Through a great deal of nagging, Mandy eventually makes Sam go with her to a protest. However, the plan goes somewhat awry yet again, when a riot breaks out and a police officer shoots Sam with a stun gun. Elsewhere this week, Jessica invites you to play with her at a hotel pool. After sneaking in, you are about to embrace her when she stops and admits that she is not yet ready to move on from her previous relationship.

Wednesday 6 October, 11:25pm on Fiver

David Duchovny stars as hell-raising writer Hank Moody in the third season of the racy comedy drama. In this episode, Hank is confronted by several of his old lovers at an awkward lunch, while the Runkles re-evaluate their marriage. Hank and Karen are in bed on a Saturday morning. Karen confides to Hank that she is concerned that the fiery passion they once had as a couple has disappeared. The couple then get dressed and go to Felicia’s house for lunch. On arrival, Hank discovers to his dismay that Felicia has also invited his old paramours Jill and Jackie. “We couldn’t just let you skip town without a fond farewell,” Jill says wryly. As the morning continues, Hank becomes ever more uncomfortable about being alone in the presence of his four latest conquests. Karen is delighted by Hank’s discomfort, and is more than happy to swap notes about him. “I’m enjoying the appraisal of your little idiosyncrasies,” she reveals. Hank’s problems worsen with the arrival of Richard Bates, a fellow writer who is taking over Hank’s teaching position at the university. It is revealed that Karen had a passionate affair with Richard when she was at university, and it is clear there is still a strong spark between the old lovers, who flirt openly in front of Hank. Lunch is further complicated by the arrival of a drunken Stacy, who is dressed in full American Civil War regalia. Having had a few drinks with his war re-enactment buddies, he is ready to settle a score with Hank. He challenges his former love rival to a duel, although this idea is met with ridicule from the louche philanderer. “Let him bust a Civil War cap in my ass? I don’t think so!” Hank says. When Felicia convinces those present that the pistols have blanks in them, and goaded on by Richard, Hank reluctantly agrees. However, the three men present soon get into an ugly tussle as the women look on in startled amusement. Will this episode damage Hank’s smooth reputation once and for all, and ruin his delicate relationship with Karen?

Tuesday 5 October, 8:00pm on Fiver

More gadget-filled frolics with Jon Bentley, Suzi Perry, Ortis Deley, Jason Bradbury and Pollyanna Woodward. In this episode, Jason and Jon debate the pros and cons of 3D television. Polly and Ortis put cloud computing to the test, and Jon visits the robot equivalent of the World Cup. Cloud computing -when resources and software are accessed over the web rather than being installed locally on a single computer – has long been touted as the future of IT. In this week’s challenge, Polly and Ortis go head to head to put these claims to the test, and discover whether cloud computing can trump traditional methods of software provision. While Ortis is stuck with a traditional PC, Polly is given access to a cloudenabled computer. Which machine will prove to be faster and more reliable? 3D films are becoming more popular than ever at the cinema box office, and now 3D televisions have hit the high street. However, the technology – which has existed in some form since the 1950s – polarises opinion, with some critics convinced that it is nothing more than a costly gimmick. Is now really the time to invest in a 3D television set? Jason and Jon discuss the pros and cons. Elsewhere, Jon is in Singapore to visit the 2010 RoboCup. Each year, a crack team of scientists and artificial-intelligence experts assembles to pit the latest robots against each other in a series of challenges, culminating in a game of football. The aim of the organisation behind the RoboCup is to ultimately develop robots so advanced that they could beat the most recent human holders of the football World Cup. Jon checks out some of the amazing technology that has enabled these robots to become so advanced that they can do almost anything, from helping out around the home to participating in games of football. Finally this week, Suzi seeks out the best pay-asyou- go mobile phones for buyers on a budget.

Sunday 3 October, 6:00pm on Fiver

Coming to Fiver this week is a brand new action drama based on the DC Comics series of the same name. The show is based around the exploits of security expert and bodyguard-for-hire Christopher Chance. In this week’s pilot episode, Chance puts himself in the line of fire to protect the engineer behind California’s first bullet train. Using the popular DC Comics title as a springboard, this full-throttle action drama centres on Christopher Chance (Mark Valley), a security expert who hires himself out to clients in desperate need of protection. Chance is regularly compelled to go beyond the call of duty, integrating himself completely into his client’s lives. In the process he becomes a human target – eliminating the threat to those he is paid to protect. Others might not notice him, but nothing goes unnoticed by Chance. If there is a manager with a disgruntled employee who appears violent and unstable, Chance becomes the new man on the inside. If a bank president has been tipped off about a potential heist, Chance poses as the unassuming bank teller at the front counter. But what would drive a man to become a willing human target? Does anyone know who Chance really is, or what secrets lie buried in his past? ‘Human Target’ co-stars Chi McBride (‘I Robot’, ‘Pushing Daisies’) as Winston, Chance’s trusted friend and business partner. Academy Award nominee Jackie Earle Haley (‘Little Children’, ‘Watchmen’, ‘Shutter Island’) plays Guerrero, Chance’s hired gun. The series is executiveproduced by Jonathan E Steinberg and ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and ‘Terminator: Salvation’ director McG. In this week’s episode, Chance is hired to protect Stephanie Dobbs (played by special guest star Tricia Helfer, ‘Burn Notice’), the engineer behind California’s first bullet train. As the locomotive commences its inaugural journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Stephanie begins to fear that someone is out to sabotage her work. The episode also features a cameo appearance by Danny Glover.

You Hang with Some Lesbians on Fiver

US comedy series centred around the escapades of a twentysomething man who is desperate to keep his new girlfriend a secret from his emotionally unstable ex. In this episode, events quickly take a wrong turn when the boys meet up with Jess at a lesbian bar. ‘Secret Girlfriend’ is a comedy with a twist – the viewer is the star, with the show’s actors addressing the camera as if it were the lead character. The main protagonist is in the middle of a difficult break-up with his psychotic girlfriend, Mandy. To remedy this, his roommate Phil and best friend Sam endeavour to cheer him up with girls, beer and strip clubs aplenty. This week, Jess invites you, Phil and Sam to go to see Sasha’s girlfriend’s play. You first go to the off licence, where Sam mixes mouthwash and Scotch in a delicious concoction of his own invention. You then meet up with Jess and Sasha. Phil immediately tries his luck with Sasha by telling her some intimate details. You then meet Cassidy, Sasha’s girlfriend, whose strident outlook and intense love for Sasha unsettles everyone. After the play you move on to a lesbian bar, where Sam has an amorous encounter with a lesbian who thinks he is a woman. You get your first dance with Jess and Phil dances with Sasha, with Cassidy watching carefully from the sidelines. When it is revealed that Sam is in fact not a girl, and that Phil showed Sasha his penis, Cassidy knocks out Phil whilst Sam is set upon by several women. You try to leave but then Cassidy grabs you. “Where are you going, pretty boy?” she asks as she knocks you to the ground as well. Will you be able to resolve this violent situation before Jess is put off you forever?