The Return of the Shawcross One
Partial resumation of the BBF for the duration of "The Palace"

It is a truth universally acknowledged that nothing can distract Hamer Shawcross successfully from his busy workload, an impossible financial situation, and nagging bosses like the prospect of some SERIOUSLY crap TV.

The Palace (tonight, ITV) promises to scratch my itch admirably. Apparently it's centred around a fictional Royal Family (how DO they think of them, eh?) and the arguing over who gets to wear the nice hat with all the twinkly bits after the old king shuffles off this mortal coil. And judging from the adverts and the website, there's going to be plenty more besides for those of us who can't afford to subscribe to those "special" channels on our Sky menu. God bless ITV!

SEE! Lots of posh fruity bits shagging each other!
MARVEL! At the evilness and general skulduggery. For is it not written in the Writing Contemporary Drama By Numbers Handbook that there will be much sexing between members of the Royal Family and the political classes? (All: yea!)
GASP! At the edginess of the series. A drama? About the Royal Family? Whatever next? A satirical song by a bunch of punk rockers entitled "God Save The Queen"? Sacrilege! Nothing like this for "oh my god!" factor has been attempted since Sergeant Troy was replaced after he left Midsomer Murders to "pursue other projects"

Anyway, this is the closest we've got to a political drama since the superb Party Animals and wonderful Amazing Mrs Pritchard ended and I for one will be watching with baited breath.