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TV: A look at the Titanic and a sulky Cruise
by Conrad Astley11/ 8/2005
THERE can be fewer things in life more entertaining than the
sight of an egomaniac scientologist billionaire being infuriated by
a childish prank.
That was what happened when diminutive grinning film star Tom
Cruise arrived at the premiere of War of the Worlds not two months
ago.
Signing autographs for his adoring fans, little Tom went to talk to
a camera crew, before their microphone turned out to be a cleverly
concealed water pistol, which gave him a good old soaking. It
wasn't the wittiest gag ever pulled, and it may not have been on a
par with Dennis Pennis' put-downs of Al Pacino and Steve Martin,
but that isn't the point. There aren't many people who would deny
being amused by Mr Cruise yelling: "I'm here giving you an
interview and you do something really nasty. You're a jerk! A
jerk!"
And the fact this happened in front of the world's assembled press
didn't make a bad advert for
Balls of Steel
(
Friday, Channel Four).
Presumably somebody still hasn't seen the funny side, as for legal
reasons the programme's makers are only allowed to show the news
footage, rather than their own film. Mark Dolan hosts the show, in
which a studio audience has to vote for various celebrity-baiting
comedians, deciding which has displayed the most courage.
Whoever did this in front of Mr Cruise's legions of burly minders
must be at least a reasonable contender.
Last Mysteries of the Titanic (
Saturday,
Discovery Channel) sees director James Cameron revisit the
wreckage using robot cameras to delve deep into the submerged
world. Hopefully there'll be better dialogue this time
around.
On to more serious telly.
With all the recent flag-waving over VJ Day and VE Day it seems
easy to forget the end of the war meant a bit more than
celebrations and street parties to a lot of people.
After
the War - Conquering Germany (
Tuesday, BBC2) is
the first of a three-part documentary looking at the darker side of
our victory.
Containing footage you probably didn't see on North West
Tonight's report of the VE Day 60th anniversary celebrations, the
documentary describes how there was widespread looting and rape by
Allied soldiers, millions of refugees, and mistreatment of German
prisoners. It contains eyewitness accounts and looks at the carving
up of Germany by the victorious powers.
A fascinating look at a chapter of history many would like to think
was much simpler.
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