Britain's Favourite Views, Sunday 8pm, ITV1

Posted by Helen Jennings

Our rating:
Now, I’m as much a fan of Trevor McDonald as the next (wo)man. What’s not to love? But his latest TV vehicle Britain's Favourite Views is so seriously magnolia one expects the Dulux dog to come leaping into shot at any moment.

Presided over by Sir Trev, four celebrities a week get to pick their own favourite view in Britain (are you with me so far?) and say why they like it. Then you, the viewer, get to vote for your own. Cue lots of misty shots of our green and pleasant land.

In the first sentimental instalment, Des Lynam chooses the Seven Sisters – the South Downs cliffs, not the gritty bit of north London - although his questionable commentary is apt enough for both: “Like a lot of ladies, they are never to be underestimated.” Um, Ok Des. So far, so Swiss Toni.

Welsh songbird Katherine Jenkins is also a coast-lover, only she opts for Three Cliffs Bay because “it gives me the feeling of being hugged”.

For Rory Bremner there’s no place like home as he wanders around Edinburgh getting misty eyed about his early gigs at the Fringe Festival.

And David Dickinson keeps it real on Blackpool’s seafront and smiles his most mahogany smile while waxing lyrical about his teenage exploits on the Pleasure Beach. “Forget the Eiffel Tower,” he blubs between mouthfuls of fish and chips, “Blackpool Tower is the greatest tower in the world!"

The message – Britain really is great – comes over loud and clear, and there’s nothing wrong with that I suppose. This is Sunday evening TV escapism after all. But how about some contemporary, modern vistas too? If Sir Trev gave me a call about being on his programme, I’d choose Waterloo Bridge, from which you can see old meeting new, architecture meeting nature and tramps meeting businessmen. But he won’t, so I suppose I’ll never get to show off.

Comments

[rocktop]

NewKnight is dire - poor copy of Have I got news for you - Sir Trev is patently uncomfortable with show as he doesn't seem to know whats going on and often seems to look off camera for directions.. Can the programme and let him keep some dignity !

[Paul James]

Trevor McDonald used to be a brilliant newsreader, until he adopted a...very...strange...style...of putting...long pauses...in every... sentence.
Now ITV don't know what to do with him. His "Tonight" programme is something he just tops and tails, while other people do the main reports. The recent "News Knight" proved that he is not a natural comedian and the show really doesn't work. He is cringe-making when he presents awards programmes, and looks so awkward and uncomfortable. And now this latest offering...
Really it is time Sir Trevor retired.

[william]

Trevor McDonald should be put out to pasture – he was a mediocre news reader and has no other talent whatsoever – so please spare us further torture. If he is suppose to be funny he is not.

[patrick jennings]

It seems there must be a group of people sitting around thinking of the next tv show they can get the public to vote(or give money to)for there best/favorite/etc. etc. I know, get a dozen stones(obviously of diff.sizes & colour)& let public phone in for there favourite !! evict one a week.......
This time next year....As del
would say ..... <;-0

[bob Whiteley]

this show is total crap

[Zeratul]

Funnily enough, i think this programme's title is dead wrong. If it is showing ordinary peoples favorite views then the title would be correct. How ever, im getting the feeling thats its "Britains Favorites Favorite View".
Its programmes like these that make you think, How did Trevor McDonald become a knight?

[Spud]

I agree - I've always thought Trevor McDonald to be a two-bit newsreader (let's face it - if he'd been any good he'd have been on BBC!) - and this latest offering is pure tripe!

[John Walters]

This is one of the worst programmes I've seen in a very long time.
A bunch of pompous and self-righteous individuals, led by the most self-opinionated of them all - describe bits of this great country that are just about remaining untouched - for the moment.
That is until the new houses are built on the green green land, or the Chelsea tractors pollute the view and the peace and the atmosphere.
Why oh why do the program makes believe that we can be so naïve as to believe this tripe.
How about a useful program that highlighted the great decline of this country through immigration, poverty, social injustice, pollution and the like.
Trevor McDonald should be put out to pasture – he was a mediocre news reader and has no other talent whatsoever – so please spare us further torture. I for one will never watch it again.