August 18
Peter Andre: Going It Alone Review
Just in case you didn't get the memo that Peter Andre and Katie Price have now parted, ITV2 reinforced the message via a reality show.
And just in case you didn't get the message from the title (Peter Andre: Going It Alone), this behind-the-scenes documentary opened with the headlines that accompanied the increasingly acrimonious split. Up flashed the newspapers, celeb rag covers, ITV talk shows and even - gasp! - the BBC.
But, on the off chance that the title wasn't clear enough, the opening credit sequence featured a montage of Peter posing alone with a notable absence of silicone (aka Katie Price). To really rub it in, the show's soundtrack included songs that would depress even the happiest and smiliest of Disney's costumed workers: Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers, The Scientist by Coldplay, Red by Daniel Merriweather... hang on while I grab my Prozac.
Peter Andre: Going It Alone starts weeks after the split in June; an hour and a half later, it ends rather abruptly following Andre's July appearance at T4 On The Beach. Throughout, it's clear he's having a tough time with the failure of his marriage.
"I do miss her. I hate missing her. I don't even know what I miss because there was so much bad. But the good was so good... when it was good," he sadly admits. At least he has the love and affection of the public; well-wishers back-slapped and passed on messages of support at every opportunity. What's more, it was genuine - not staged.
In truth, this felt very much like the old reality shows the couple did in their happier non-stop bickering days (right down to screen time for omnipresent manager Claire Powell and the use of the Katie and Peter theme music) except that Peter's now alone. A.L.O.N.E. In addition, without his estranged wife's potty-mouth, the result was language cleaner than the proverbial whistle. In fact, when the first f-word came, it was an hour and 20 minutes into the programme. And then, only because Peter fell off the T4 stage.
Peter Andre's solo life is underlined by his swanky new home in Brighton ("I've always wanted to have a big clock," he said with a knowing look and wink to the camera - hahahaha), his kids (including stepson Harvey) and his attempt to get his career back on track.
But it's the situation with the kids that really hit home: "You're so lucky," he told son Junior when the children were on a visit. "You've got so many homes. You've got England home, you've got the other England home, you've got Cyprus home, you've got Australia home. You're so lucky!" He did his best to sell it, but you could hear the pain behind every word.
Thankfully, there were light-hearted moments. Actress Sophie Choudhary was his escort at the International Indian Film Academy awards (IIFAs), Bollywood's version of the Oscars, which were held in Macau. As the couple hit the red carpet, a member of the Indian press asked: "Have you found your Mysterious Girl?" That song will haunt him forever. In another hilarious sequence, Peter fretted over his masculinity after purchasing a white shirt with strips cut out of it that revealed that perma-tan of his. "It's not gay," manager Claire assured him just before he performed on stage at the IIFAs. With typical self-deprecation, he said: "Peter Andre's performance was quite good - shirt was questionable."
Back in Blighty, it's the interview with Radio One's Chris Moyles that's particularly affecting; an emotional Peter did his best to hold it together. However, the strain is there for all to see, particularly after reports of Katie's latest behaviour and revelations. Moyles gave him a hug but he also pushed rather hard on the Katie issue. Then again, what else can Peter Andre expect after living his marriage in the spotlight? Quid pro quo, Clarice.
In the final scenes of a programme that could have done with a tighter edit (an hour would've easily sufficed), Peter performed at T4 On The Beach and fell off the stage. His management gave him a right b*ll*cking for it which felt waaaay too harsh. What's more, they all missed the point: he landed on his feet and went on with the show. If he takes that attitude into his private life, he'll be OK. But next time Pete, get a better editor for your TV shows.
Today I am mostly lovin' - I am really starting to get into True Blood. It's currently on digital channel FX, although it's expected to air on Channel 4 soon. A drama about vampires living in Bon Temps ('good time' in French), a fictional town in America's Louisiana, it stars Oscar winner Anna Paquin (The Piano, X Men) as our heroine Sookie and Brit actor Stephen Moyer as American vampire Bill Compton. What's more, those two have hooked up in real life...
Today I am mostly hatin' - Channels that broadcast films... and then cut off the ending credits. I can't tell you how much that annoys me. Grrrrrrrr!
MSN Editor Coops
Follow me on Twitter
Share It
Tools 
