Feb
02
Another TV show, another twist on the social tourism motif. We’ve had Wife Swap, The Secret Millionaire, celebrities living on the street, rich families staying with poor families and any number of other versions. The idea this time? Tower Block Of Commons (Channel 4) gets four MPs, fresh from a year of financial scandal that few could have imagined, to spend “eight long days and nights” on some of the “toughest council estates in Britain”, all in the name of getting a great understanding the needs of the UK’s underclass and, oh yes, producing some great fish out of water television along the way.
TV: About Last Night....Tower Block Of Commons
Another TV show, another twist on the social tourism motif. We’ve had Wife Swap, The Secret Millionaire, celebrities living on the street, rich families staying with poor families and any number of other versions. The idea this time? Tower Block Of Commons (Channel 4) gets four MPs, fresh from a year of financial scandal that few could have imagined, to spend “eight long days and nights” on some of the “toughest council estates in Britain”, all in the name of getting a great understanding the needs of the UK’s underclass and, oh yes, producing some great fish out of water television along the way.
The set up seems worryingly familiar, even more say when the MPs in question include two Torys (boy, are they in for it!), a woolly Lib Dem and old school Labour class warrior Austin Mitchell. The line-up is given an extra dimension by the fact the Lib Dem is actually Mark Oaten (pictured), the former leadership contender who was forced to step down after a lurid sex scandal, something that is evidently not lost on some of his new neighbours.
Dropped on their new estates, the four are introduced to their mentors – ranging from a young single mother to a heroin addict – with whom they will be staying. All except Mitchell, however, who not only insists on bringing his wife but also having their own council flat in Hull. It’s just the start of an odious display on his part, one that sees him spending most of his time belittling the subjects while his wife works on her laptop and chats on her mobile firm, leading them to come across as the Hamiltons with northern accents.
Back down south, though, the other three are throwing themselves into the project with more gusto, if not initial enthusiasm. There are awkward moments certainly (Ian Duncan Smith in a hoodie is never a good look, Oaten gets some particularly nasty abuse and Shadow Children’s Minister Tim Laughton finds himself surrounded by an angry mob in Birmingham, albeit one not really sure what they’re angry about) but – as these things tend to work out – some degree of empathy emerges on both sides. The results are still awkward, Laughton trying to dance is good fun, but in a warmer manner. Oaten for one gets down to business straight away, organising a local petition on the future of the blocks and finding himself confronted by BNP supporters. And the Mitchells? They go for dinner at a friend’s opulent house. You bet the Labour spin doctors are loving that one.
The start of a series, you can be sure that such harmony won’t last too long; after all it doesn’t make for entertaining viewing. Duncan Smith was forced to withdraw after one day when his wife was diagnosed with cancer, a shame because he does have a history of interest in social affairs. How much of what we will see is genuine may also be up for debate (a telling remark that the show was filmed over twelve months and at different times sets the alarm bells ringing), Tower Block Of Commons looks set to be a good watch but will it prove to have any lasting effect? We’ll just have to keep tuning in to find out I guess.
Watch this episode online here.
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