Caroline Frost

Week 52/01 Smart TV

Smart TVWhat does the TV we watched in 2024 – from Baby Reindeer to Ludwig – say about us?

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. George is singing and holding a microphone while Andrew plays the guitar.

How George Michael wrote Last Christmas: "He knew he'd nailed it”

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. George is singing and holding a microphone while Andrew plays the guitar.

Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped'There were casualties' – Andrew Ridgeley remembers making the video for Wham!'s Last Christmas

Wk 50 Smart TV

Strictly Come Dancing'Producers can count their lucky stars' – Why Chris McCausland has made Strictly a hit again

Wk 50 Smart TV THE HISTORY BOYS.

Alan Bennett: 90 Years On'None of us is just one thing' – Celebrating the History Boys and Talking Heads creator Alan Bennett at 90

Wk 49 Smart TV

Wolf HallWolf Hall's contemporary relevance couldn't be clearer – self-serving leaders are here to stay

Wk 49 Death in Paradise Christmas Preview

Death in ParadiseWhy keeping the show family-friendly is the key to Death in Paradise's success

Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson, looking ahead with a white shirt and green jacket and hat.

Death in Paradise's Don Gilet has "emotional storyline" as new detective

Gary Lineker holding a BBC Sport microphone and standing next to the FA Cup.

Match of the DayWhy Match of the Day is bigger than outgoing presenter Gary Lineker

Cheaters cast walking down a street at night

Cheaters'Marriage is the status quo for resentment' – When did infidelity become so acceptable on screen?

Wk 46 Smart TV

HardtalkAfter 27 years, the BBC are axing Hardtalk. But why?

Anna Maxwell Martin as Lucy Betts-Taylor and David Mitchell as John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor in front of a crossword backdrop with 'murder' spelled out in red

Smart TV: Ludwig"It feels like a safe cornerstone of the schedule" – what makes Ludwig such a delight to watch?

Zak Ford-Williams as Harry Hardacre, Shannon Lavelle as Liza Hardacre, Liam McMahon as Sam Hardacre, Claire Cooper as Mary Hardacre, Adam Little as Joe Hardacre and Julie Graham as Ma in The Hardacres, wearing formal attire and sitting in front of a fireplace.

The HardacresWhy The Hardacres marks a welcome return for the period drama on a lavish scale

The cast of Rivals, some standing, some sitting before a stately home. David Tennant stands, dressed smartly with his hands in his trouser pockets

RivalsBounders, bouffants and creaking beds – Jilly Cooper reveals why Rivals is her favourite book

David Tennant, Nafessa Williams and Aidan Turner walking down a hallway and looking serious.

RivalsMeet the all-star cast bringing Jilly Cooper's 80s bonkbuster to TV

Danny Dyer and Lisa McGrillis as Freddie and Valerie Jones in Rivals, dressed up and stood smiling at the camera

Danny Dyer

Wk. 41 New Dramas

David Tennant

Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook in Rivals wearing a red top and chunky necklace, staring to the side.

Nafessa Williams

Victoria Smurfit as Maud O'Hara in Rivals sitting on a camel in an evening gown and raising her arms up.

Victoria Smurfit

Lizzie Vereker holding a picnic basket and standing in a large green field

Katherine Parkinson

Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara in Rivals standing in a field of flowers and crossing her arms.

Bella Maclean

Sarah (Emily Atack) stands close to a man, surrounded by greenery

Emily Atack

Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black holding the leashes of multiple dogs while standing in the middle of a driveway with his white shirt open in Rivals.

Alex Hassell

Week 42. Smart TV

Phillip Schofield Cast AwayWill Phillip Schofield's time on a desert island resurrect his career? The jury's out…

Maggie Smith smiles. the picture is in black and white

RT Tribute: Dame Maggie SmithScreenwriter Julian Fellowes reflects on his collaborations with Dame Maggie Smith

Myha'la as Harper Stern, wearing a leather jacket with her phone to her ear.

IndustryDramas about rich people getting richer continue to be popular… but why?

JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE for Strictly Come Dancing in yellow and pink outfits on a glitzy star background.

JB Gill already feels Strictly Come Dancing pressure from Craig Revel Horwood

Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin, wearing a matching blue outfit and smiling ahead.

Sam Quek wants to win Strictly Come Dancing: 'I'm not scared to say I'm competitive'

Smart TV wk.40

Ceefax at 50In praise of Ceefax: TV's first place for breaking news

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec for Strictly Come Dancing in blue outfits on a glitzy star background.

Tasha Ghouri opens up on ableism, scrutiny and why she's doing Strictly