Press clippings Page 2

Love is in the air in the final episode of this series of the glossy hotel drama as an exclusive dating agency holds a "romantic event" at the Babylon. Not only does the event reunite the no-nonsense Juliet (Anna Wilson-Jones) with an old friend (guest star Michelle Collins) but things heat up for Juliet and the chancer-cum-hotel owner Sam (Nigel Harman) too.

The Telegraph, 14th August 2009

A final slice of sugary-sweet shenanigans from perhaps the worst five-star hotel in creation - you'd probably have a better time at Fawlty Towers to be honest. There's something about this series that hasn't quite gelled, with the ongoing plot of whether Sam and Juliet will get back together not setting the world alight. Not to insult his many fans, but Nigel Harman just ain't Max Beesley, and if there's going to be a fifth series, a rethink is needed. It's still fun to an extent - but is that enough any more?

Mark Wright, The Stage, 14th August 2009

Yes, that is Amy Nuttall in the opening titles tonight. The former Emmerdale and Celebrity Shark Bait star arrives at Babylon as the hotel's latest employee. Well, that's her story anyway. When Ben assumes she's the new receptionist she doesn't bother to correct him, even though the combination of her candy-pink lipstick and Ugly Betty-style braces make him recoil so squeamishly you'd think she was wearing a hat made out of used teabags.

But if he thinks her dress sense is bad, just wait till he sees what hotel owner Sam (Nigel Harman) is persuaded to wear at a baby shower tonight. Oh, Nigel, is this really what you signed up for?

Also checking in tonight is Hugh Dennis, who plays a comedian and an old flame of manager Juliet. And just to underline what a small world acting is, Hugh's on-screen daughter in Outnumbered is played by Ramona Marquez - the real-life daughter of Martin Marquez - Babylon's barman Gino.

Gino's overflowing with wisdom tonight as the hotel is the setting for the funeral of an Italian painter who was one of Babylon's most treasured guests.

As his widow and ex-wife trade black looks, the corridors of Babylon ring out with terrible Italian accents.

But then believability was never this show's forte - which could explain why Scottish actor Clive Russell is cast as the Italian corpse in another five-star farce.

Jane Simon, The Mirror, 7th August 2009

It seems money is talking louder than common sense in this glossy hotel drama: in another bonkers storyline, owner Sam (Nigel Harman) strikes a deal with a magazine when the hotel is chosen as the venue for a royal wedding. But when the wedding is called off Sam continues with the party regardless, getting the hotel's staff to masquerade as wedding guests. It's all impish fun, but guest stars Kelly Osbourne and Darius Danesh are embarrassingly awkward.

Rachel Ward, The Telegraph, 31st July 2009

After being pushed back a week to make way for BBC One's five-day Torchwood special, Hotel Babylon returns to its normal slot and typically there's drama in the glitzy guesthouse. Emily (Alexandra Moen) is faced with her estranged father when he enters Babylon's poker tournament and then tries to force Sam (Nigel Harman) to sell the hotel to him. Meanwhile, Tony (Dexter Fletcher) and his doppelganger (a successful American author who is staying at Babylon) decide to swap places for the day.

Catherine Gee, The Telegraph, 17th July 2009

If you're a fan of Duncan from Blue, you'll absolutely love this episode. And if you can't stand the ice-skating b*****d (as this show likes to call him) then you'll probably enjoy it even more. Talk about a win-win situation.

It's the end of the sitcom based on the unlikely premise of a bloke trying to find an impressive enough date to take to the wedding of his ex-girlfriend who's dumped him for Duncan James. It's taken him five disaster-prone weeks, but, against all the odds, tonight it looks like Rob (Daniel Mays) has finally managed to pull it off when he meets Astrid, an honest to goodness blonde goddess.

An absolutely unforgettable wedding also features a great cameo from T4 hunk Steve Jones and an all-too-brief glimpse of the very lovely and very funny Nigel Harman. Even if you've not seen the rest of the series, make a date with this one.

Jane Simon, The Mirror, 6th February 2009

We've thoroughly enjoyed Rob's doomed efforts, as well as Nigel Harman's turn as his knuckle-headed brother.

What's On TV, 6th February 2009

Don't worry if you missed the 2007 pilot for this series. There's a brief explanation at the start of the first episode. Basically, Rob (Daniel Mays) was dumped by Laura (Spooks' Miranda Raison), and later gleaned from a celeb mag that she was dating Duncan From Blue (played by the man himself). Not only that, they were going to marry. And Rob's been invited to the wedding.

Hacked off that he's been replaced by 'that skating b*****d', Rob is convinced Duncan From Blue (that's his full name in this, not Duncan James) is out to get him. So he decides to prove he's better than DFB and have revenge on his ex by turning up at her wedding with the sexiest woman he can con into being his girlfriend.

It's a simple yet effective idea - for now anyway - and Rob is an entertaining central character - a younger, less grouchy version of Jack Dee's Rick Spleen.

The comedy isn't perfect, and with coarse language it won't be everybody's cup of tea. But if you still miss Teachers, the young, ballsy characters in this should raise a smile.

And there's always the eye candy to enjoy - as well as Duncan James, the show stars former EastEnders heartthrob Nigel Harman. And for the fellas, for this week only, is guest star Susie Amy, who will fulfil many a redblooded man's fantasy by donning a school uniform.

Jane Simon, The Mirror, 9th January 2009

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