Jon Hamm is back as the charismatic banker-cum-cat burglar, plus an irresistibly strange show about the TV host accused of being a mafioso
No one does problematic but sneakily likable middle-aged man like Jon Hamm and his charisma carries this black comedy about financier-turned-burglar Andrew “Coop” Cooper. Despite being offered his old job back, Coop has decided to continue with his riskily enjoyable crisis. While he emerged from season one’s explosive climax smelling of roses, he’s soon on a collision course with his squeeze/nemesis Samantha Levitt. And worryingly, age is catching up with Coop as a back spasm curtails his latest robbing spree. Every now and then, the show edges towards a satire on jaded suburban overconsumption. But it is slightly too keen to have its aspirational cake and eat it, so remains a flimsy (albeit fun) romp.
Apple TV, from Friday 3 April
Imagine if at the height of his fame, Noel Edmonds had been accused of being involved in organised crime? Something roughly equivalent happened in early 80s Italy when Enzo Tortora, host of the popular variety show Portobello, was convicted of being a member of the Camorra. This irresistibly strange story is a perfect fit for HBO’s first Italian original series: its culturally specific nuances are done full justice by director Marco Bellocchio. Fabrizio Gifuni plays Tortora as a helpless stooge who is terrified as a bizarre, grudge-driven conspiracy takes on unstoppable momentum.
