Advert of the year 2011

SOMETIMES, the adverts are the most annoying part of a commercial TV show, especially during a tense gameshow or dramatic soap episode.  Normally, these three minute interludes are the perfect excuse to use the toilet, put the kettle on, text someone important on your phone and so on.  However, sometimes adverts, despite being at times, completely pointless, can have you in stitches or even leave you feeling emotional.  Here are my favourite 20 adverts of 2011;

20           Virgin Atlantic – Star Role

Virgin Atlantic's advert isn't quite as good as BA, but they needed to try something if they want to keep getting customers interested in their flights.  This is called 'living the high life.'  It works for me!

19           BMW – 6 Series

This advert is really uplifting and uptempo, promoting the 6 Series model from BMW, with catchy music and dynamic water fountains, alongside the stylish machinery.  It does what the advert says, promotes the joy of driving.

18           Lynx – Perspiration

As men, we all want to have fun and get the most attractive girl possible and when it gets in the way, it really does get in the way.  Like Suremen Xtra Cool, I'm not entirely sure about how or if it would work, but I guess I've never been in that position before.

17           Santander – Lego Car

Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton help their dedicated workers build a lego version of a Formula One McLaren in this advert.  Ignore the announcer's promotion of its banking deals, appreciate the art in 60 seconds.

16           Suremen Xtra Cool – Ice Skater

I'm not 100 per cent convinced by the product, but it is a catchy way to promote it, by having an individual go through a day on his ice skates.  It certainly would go with the current type of weather we are experiencing in the UK!

15           Direct Line – Free Cake!

Comedians Chris Addison and Alexander Armstrong's first entry is where a pitch needs reworking for Direct Line's car insurance.  So, what better to do that than by promoting free cake to your customers, even if the salesman doesn't know anything about this incentive!

14           Boots - Soltan

When I first saw this, it had me in stitches and I certainly don't want to look like this in future!  That is all!

13           Fiat – Fernando Alonso

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has a busy and very social lifestyle, as indicated in this commercial.  Someone doesn't know how to take it easy, but then again, life would be boring if it was too easy.

12           Halfords – Crocodile

Easter's promotion at Halfords was to release a crocodile into a family home and force them into the car and off to take advantage of their 'stunning' deals.  Let's be honest, it's not everyday that you get a crocodile in your home!

11           Skoda – Made of Sterner Stuff

Skoda's famous cake car advert is replaced by a meaner version in 2011 of how to put a car together!  Obviously, the makers didn't want the company to have a soft feel to this advert and it had to be made of sterner stuff.  It's not a favourite of mine, but even still, would draw the attention of the normal individual.

10           Cravendale – Cats!

To many of us, cats are seen as lovely pets to have, even if they can do their business in the most inappropriate places!  This commercial sees the cat show their frustration at not getting the milk they crave for.  As the narrator says; 'Jog on Kittens!'

9              Specsavers – Space Shuttle

'Should have gone to Specsavers!'  Well, Luton Airport will never get a Space Shuttle land on their airport runway anymore.  Maybe these astronauts don't realise that having vision is an important part of our lives.

8              British Airways – To Fly, To Serve!

British Airways have had mixed fortunes in recent years, but have a distinguished history, which is reminded in this advert through the ages.  It provides us with a memory of flying with privilege with the world's favourite airline.

7              Vauxhall – Supporting a Nation

British manufacturer Vauxhall began sponsoring Home Nations football in February and promoted their commitment to the England team, with this advert which has the nation lining up everywhere, with pride and tradition.  Features England players, both old and new and ends in Wembley Stadium.  Throw in Noel Gallagher's new song with his new band, and it makes it a memorable advert.

6              Argos – Christmas 2011 (Aliens)

Panic buying is at the top of many people's stresses around this time of year.  It could be so much easier if you reserved and collected your xmas shopping, especially when Argos and the aliens come into the equation.  Apparently, it's just as popular as Justin Bieber, but I'm not surprised by this!

5              Direct Line – Hoax!

Comedians Alexander Armstrong and Chris Addison make the list for a second time, with this advert in the mini Direct Line series.  This time, the customer produces a publicity stunt which goes horribly wrong and to the salesman's annoyance, brings the police in!  Until now, car insurance adverts were boring, so thank you Direct Line for bringing these two funnybones together!

4              Muller Yoghurt – Wonderful Stuff

When I first saw this advert, I wasn't gripped by it, but it is actually catchy and I don't even like yoghurt!  As we all know, Muller is clearly made of Wonderful Stuff.

3              Pepsi Max – Business Meeting

Pepsi Max have a history of producing commercials that are totally ridiculous.  However, these made me laugh.  'What the heck is that parrot doing here?'  Let's be honest, drinking Pepsi Max and watching the racing is a million times better than a tedious Friday afternoon business meeting.

2              Carling – Refreshed

A long day at work, yep we all know the feeling!  So, what's the best feeling to become totally refreshed, well it's simple.  Has to be over a pint of Carling according to the makers.  It's not a bad vision, I must admit.

1              John Lewis – Christmas 2011

This is my advert of the year and such a touching and memorable commerical too.  It is one of the best ever Christmas adverts I've ever seen.  A young child is waiting for the big day to arrive, but it isn't to receive gifts, but to give one to his parents.  His anguish in the slow countdown is clear to see and it reminds us that Christmas is totally more than receiving presents.  A masterpiece of an advert if there ever was one.

Skins - A dismal end to a poor series

THE fifth series of E4’s teen drama Skins came to a conclusion last night, and it ended as it started, poorly!

HAPPY?: No wedding, but Grace and Rich seem to have survived the storm

     The whole episode centred on the gang eloping away from Bristol to Southend.  This was to see Rich (Alexander Arnold) tie the knot with Grace (Jessica Sula).  Eventually, Grace’s dad, Professor David Blood, played by the hilarious Chris Addison tracks them down and manages to say enough for Grace to stop the charade.  The other main plot, the ‘love square’ between Franky (Dakota Blue Richards), Matty (Sebastian de Souza), Liv (Laya Lewis) and Mini (Freya Mayor) ended in suspense.  Liv saved Franky from a perilous drop from a cliff in the woods, whilst Mini’s crazy girl crush on Franky nearly spiralled out of control.  As for Matty, he couldn’t seem to decide who he wanted more, Liv or Franky.

     Unfortunately, the whole series has simply failed to live upto expectations.  It was always going to be difficult to follow highly the footsteps of both Generation 1 and Generation 2, but with only eight episodes, it was going to be tough to stamp their authority on the new Skins.  The writing only seems to get worse, and this time, the acting quality, unlike series four, couldn’t save their blushes.  It wasn’t the actors fault.  Dakota Blue Richards aside, none of the cast had any proper acting experience, especially on television.  However, there certainly isn’t any sign of the potential that has taken the likes of Dev Patel, Kaya Scodelario, Nicholas Hoult, Lily Loveless and Hannah Murray to stardom after Skins.  Some people have taken well to the new generation, but the reaction has definitely been mixed and the viewing figures have dropped on the previous series. 

STARS: Mini (Freya Mayor) and Franky (Dakota Blue Richards) were big hits

     The positives were that there were some more light-hearted stories and group scenes involving the characters.  However, some of the storylines seem to be very repetitive.  Liv seems to be a very plain and basic version of Effy, whilst the Franky/Mini story seemed to have strong echoes to the unique ‘Naomily’ storyline in Generation two.  When storylines keep getting repeated, this suggests that either the writers are running out of new material, or the show is starting to lose its appeal to the teenage viewer.

     I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t see Skins being on our screens any longer than the end of the already contracted sixth series.  It definitely is a great stepping stone for budding actors, but the appeal and quality definitely seems to have gone downhill and with the criticism of the American series, I’d hope more focus would go into the delayed Skins Movie now and putting the TV series to bed.  Only time will tell to suggest whether this was just a bad series, but I don’t think the series, nor did the finale do Skins any justice this time around.  The future for one of E4’s biggest shows now has to be called into some serious jeopardy.

Skins - New series, new cast, more pressure!

THE time of year has come again, it’s the end of January and next week sees the much anticipated new series of E4’s award-winning teen drama Skins.  The Bristol based show enters into its fifth series, and although everyone should expect some of the usual stereotypes about Skins, such as hedonistic teenage lifestyle choices, sex, drugs and drink – there is a lot of change elsewhere around Roundview College.

Yes, it is time to welcome the third generation of Skins, as once again, the producers and writers have decided to start with a clean slate.  Unlike the last cast cull, which did have two characters in the form of Effy Stonem (Kaya Scodelario) and Pandora Moon (Lisa Backwell) who provided continuity through Series 1+2 into 3+4, there are no exceptions this time around.  Effy, JJ, Naomi, Cook, Pandora, Thomas, Katie and Emily are no more and have moved onto pastures new.  It’s time for the new cast to fill their boots, and there is no doubt, that the pressure is on.

CHANGE: The new cast of hit teen drama Skins, can they deliver?

This year, there are eight new characters, all with very different backgrounds.  Some of the new actors were chosen from the open auditions held last spring, others with very minor TV credited roles, with only Dakota Blue Richards having a natural acting background.  Dakota starred in The Golden Compass alongside Nicole Kidman and the 16-year old has also been involved in two other high-profile movies.  Now, the London-born actress takes on the role of Franky Fitzgerald and it’s her character that takes the lead as the first episode next Thursday night.  We find out that Franky has moved to Bristol as a last-minute switch from Oxford.  She comes with a lot of emotional baggage, having been bullied at her previous school, and immediately struggles to fit in, especially with the other girls at the college; best friends Mini (Freya Mayor), Grace (Jessica Sula) and Liv (Laya Lewis).  Although Mini takes Franky under her wing reluctantly, she is determined to dig up some home truths that might leave Franky in an even more perilous situation than before.  

The producers have promised that the darker, consequential Series four has been replaced, admitting it didn’t work for the fans.  Skins will return to its hard-hitting approach, with comic appeal and hopefully, some more pleasant endings for the new generation.  To complete the cast, are music mad Rich (Alexander Arnold), rugby captain Nick (Sean Teale), Matty (Sebastian de Souza) and Aloysius (Will Merrick).  After the success of the ‘Naomily’ story in the last two series, there has been speculation of a gay character plot, but the producers and E4 are remaining very tight-lipped about the entire series to date.  Mystery is the best word to describe the goings on.

The lovable and brilliant Doug (Gilles Thomas) returns for a fifth series as head of Roundview and comedian Chris Addison will return in a cameo role as the controversial and cocky college director David Blood.  Model Kelly Brook will also have a guest appearance as a fitness instructor.  Skins has been well renowned for its guest appearances from the likes of Harry Enfield, Ronni Ancona, Pauline Quirke, Paul Kaye, John Bishop, Harry Hill, Morwenna Banks and Simon Day in the past four years, so expect more of the same this time around.

There is undoubtedly going to be more pressure on the third generation, as change has been greeted with a very mixed response from the hardcore Skins fans.  The show continues to remain afresh because of this change in cast every two years, meaning it will still have a place in the TV viewing schedules for a while to come.  With the likes of Dev Patel, Nicholas Hoult and Kaya Scodelario all going onto huge movie roles, Skins has been seen as a brilliant starting point for young actors and actresses to really inspire to.  The jury will be out, but it is only fair to give the new breed some time to settle into the new roles.  Judging them on one episode would be very harsh and unnecessary.

So it’s out with the old, in the new, what impact Generation three will have on us?  Find out when Series 5 of Skins begins next Thursday at 10pm on E4.

Skins - Can The New Cast Deliver?

NEW CAST: from left to right, Alexander Arnold, Dakota Blue Richards, Sean Teale, Sebastian De Souza, Will Merrick, Laya Lewis, Freya Mavor and Jessica Sula.

A fortnight ago, E4 announced the new eight members who will be pioneering the popular teen drama Skins through the next two series.  Series five, which begins in January 2011, will see a new crop of young actors/actresses who will deal with the crazy hedonistic teenage lives, full of sex, drugs and family disfunctionality based around Roundsview College in Bristol. 

Skins changes its cast members every two years and has become one of the most talked about shows on UK television, since it burst onto our screens in February 2007.  Back in April, open auditions were held in London and Bristol, with approximately 7,000 people auditioning to get a role in the third generation.  Five of these new members have come directly from the open auditions.  Dakota Blue Richards is the only member of Generation Three who has previous acting experience before, having starred in the 2007 movie, The Golden Compass.

Unlike the last generation, which had Kaya Scodelario (Effy) carry on from the initial generation breakthrough, this is a brand new slate for the new group and over eight episodes next winter, they will get their chance to shine.  They certainly have the backing from the executive producer of Skins, John Griffin.

“More people than ever turned up this year for the open auditions in London and Bristol and the standard of young talent was as high as ever.  It was a huge process but incredibly rewarding and we hope that those who auditioned ended up as much fun as we did.”

The new crop hasn’t been given any character names as yet, though they should be revealed soon.  Though I admit that they seem to miss the sex appeal that many fans saw in the likes of Kathryn Prescott, Megan Prescott and Lily Loveless from the last generation, what matters the most is whether this lot can act.  It will be a tough act to follow from the success of the first two generations, but they need the time to rubberstamp their authority on Skins and I do hope the fans will stick by them and give them the time required to settle into a very daunting proposition.  Kelly Brook has already been confirmed as a guest star and comedian Chris Addison will return to play the dynamic college director, David Blood.

Skins have helped promote the careers to fame of Dev Patel, Nicholas Hoult, Kaya Scodelario and Jack O’Connell.  Its success means that it has been E4’s second highest ratings show, after the US sensation Glee.  For those who miss the old members, there will be a Skins Movie which is being written by former writer of the show, Jack Thorne.  Hoult, Patel and Scodelario are all on the verge of being confirming for the showpiece next summer, with more cast members set to be announced in the near future.   Below is a video that was released by Channel 4 yesterday, which shows the lighter side of filming for the last series.

I wish the new generation the best of luck for the future – they all deserve a chance at the big time.