Who Watches The Watchers
Charlie Brooker Looks On
There’s something a little post-modern about watching a television programme about watching television, but Charlie Brooker’s Sceenwipe provides a great outlet for this TV critic’s spleen venting and, as a viewer, you find yourself happily nodding and laughing along and being thankful that you’re not the only one who feels that way about the on-screen channel idents, voice-over commentators and that Frosties advert. Brooker has a well-honed, gruff demeanor, a marvelous turn of phrase and a subversive wit. His years of TV criticism have forged his strong opinions but now the shoe is on the other foot by virtue of the fact that he is now the subject of such criticism. It might sit a little uncomfortably with him if not for the fact that he seems as thick skinned as they come and, more often than not, spot on with his comments. It’s certainly not Points of View but it’s great to see TV take a critical look at itself…. let’s hope someone is listening.
Tags: BBC4, Charlie-Brooker, Critic, Factual, Guardian, Screenwipe, television
