TELEVISION / Reviews of the week

A Year in Provence (BBC1 Sun): 'Had John Thaw landed a bit part in an episode of 'Allo 'Allo] . . ? You can understand why Mayle, offered a fat cheque, agreed to sell the TV rights, but why did a producer want to buy them?' Joe Joseph, Times.

'There is some danger of looking like idiots rather than innocents abroad.' Nancy Banks-Smith, Guardian.

'I caught the last five minutes of the BBC's latest big budget unspectacular. Fingers down the throat as fast as you like; those five minutes turned out to be six years.' Victor Lewis-Smith, Evening Standard.

'Why does the supposedly factual A Year in Provence seem so hollow compared with the inventions of Darling Buds . . ? You still have the impression that what you are watching is Inspector Morse on holiday.' Peter Paterson, Daily Mail.

'Pleasantly watchable pap.' Maureen Paton, Daily Express.

'What a load of old boules. After months of non-stop BBC hype, this was about as much fun as an attack of garlic breath . . . Lashings of bonhomie and sumptuous views of the French countryside fail to compensate for a cliched script and smug acting.' Lee Best, Sun.

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